Canada's Pristine Provincial Park Is A Remote Paradise For Canoeing And Fly-In Fishing

When planning a vacation to Canada, destinations like Banff and Vancouver are likely the first places that come to mind. But if you want something off the beaten path, Wabakimi Provincial Park is a must-visit destination. As soon as you set foot in the park, you'll understand how it's one of the top reasons why Canada should be on your travel bucket list. Unlike crowded national parks, this vast landscape offers an adventurous and tranquil escape in nature with waterways, wildlife, and boreal forests.

Situated in Northwestern Ontario, Wabakimi Provincial Park spans about 2.5 million acres, making it the second-largest park in Ontario. You can get to the park by train or by float plane, landing on one of the lakes in the park. The closest city is Thunder Bay, about 155 miles south, with Thunder Bay International Airport as the main getaway. From the city, you can drive to the access points or take the Canadian National Railway to get to the staging points for fly-ins or canoeing. Wabakimi's history is tied to First Nations peoples who lived in the area for thousands of years, using the waterways as trade and hunting routes. Today, paddlers can trace the same routes with many waterways still carrying the traditional names. Established in 1983 as a provincial park, Wabakimi has been expanded several times and has one of the world's largest boreal forests.

Wabakimi Provincial Park is a maze of lakes, rivers, and portages, making it one of the best canoeing destinations in North America. With over 2,920 miles of interconnected lakes and rivers, you can paddle routes, ranging from easy to advanced, linking multiple waterways. You can canoe the Flindt River route, which starts near Flindt Landing and follows the Flindt River south into Wabakimi Lake. Canoeists usually paddle downstream through narrow channels and a few rapids, before entering Tew Lake and finally making their way into Lake Wabakimi. Along this route, you will pass through the boreal forest and quiet wetlands. One of the most accessible canoe routes is the Allanwater River, which begins near Armstrong Station at the Allanwater Bridge. This route follows the Allanwater River, and you will canoe past Brennan and Granite Lakes and into Wabakimi Lake. Make sure you check out the park's historic landmarks like Wendell Beckwith Cabins and enjoy the stunning beauty of its shoreline.

If you are an angler, Wabakimi has lakes that you can access through fly-in fishing trips. Visitors can take a float plane from Armstrong to these secluded lakes, which are popular spots for catching northern pike, lake trout, and walleye. Spend a few days in the outpost cabins and lodges, fishing and enjoying the quiet atmosphere. The best time for fly-in fishing is late May to September, but some lodges cater to winter ice fishing.  Wabakimi is gorgeous at any time of year, similar to Whistler, which is the perfect Canadian destination for a romantic winter getaway.

What makes Wabakimi Provincial Park one of the most beautiful places in Canada to visit is the natural wonders and wild beauty. The park has a large boreal forest, which is also home to one of the largest groups of woodland caribou south of Hudson Bay. You may spot caribou early in the morning or see their tracks on a sandy portage. Black bears and moose are also common in the park, while wolves are usually heard howling in the distance. If you love birdwatching, the park has numerous bird species, such as boreal chickadees, spruce grouse, great gray owls, and vibrant red and white-winged crossbills, that thrive in the boreal forests, wetlands, and waterways. You can also spot bald eagles soaring above the lakes or osprey diving for fish in the rivers.

If you want a wilderness experience, go camping in Wabakimi Provincial Park. There are numerous backcountry sites throughout the park, which are accessible by canoe or float plane. Most of these sites have no amenities, while some have just fire rings. You'll find camping sites along Whitewater Lake, where you can enjoy beautiful views. When planning backcountry camping in Wabakimi, ensure you get a camping permit from the office in Thunder Bay.