Nipigon: Trails, Views and History

If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Nipigon, the area’s varied landscapes and experiences can help you plan your trip. A loop hike through old-growth cedar forest, cliff-top viewpoints, riverside trails and insights into local history each offer a different focus. This lets you decide whether you’d rather spend your time outdoors, taking in the surroundings, or exploring the town on a self-guided walking tour.

Hiking Trails, Riverfront and Views

The Deer Lake Mountain Trail follows a 6.6-kilometre loop through old-growth cedar forest. Along the way, there are thirteen cliff-top viewpoints. Some sections are steep and unstable—a key difference from an easier walk along the waterfront. If you’re planning this loop hike, take its terrain into account when making your plans.

The Bridgeview Lookout Tower offers a wide-ranging view. The 40-foot-high structure has 65 steps and provides a 360-degree view from Lake Helen across the Nipigon River Bridge to the marina and beyond. The viewpoint brings together several defining sights in the area: the lake, river bridge and marina can all be seen in one panoramic view, rather than from just one direction.

You can also view the Nipigon River Bridge from a different perspective: a viewing platform faces the river, and trails pass over or under the bridge. If you’d prefer to walk along the waterfront, an mostly flat trail starts at Nipigon Marina. The route follows the riverbank for 2 to 3 kilometres and is suitable for an easy stroll. Compared with the 6.6-kilometre loop hike at Deer Lake Mountain, it’s a shorter route with a different focus: the waterfront rather than cedar forest and cliffs.

Another way to explore Nipigon on foot is the self-guided Nipigon Historical Walking Tour. The route passes significant places in town. The stops are accessible by road and can be visited at your own pace. Unlike the two trails of different lengths through the landscape, this tour focuses on local history; there’s no set pace for the walk.

Local History and Activities for Children

The Nipigon Historical Museum combines a small, varied collection of local artifacts and treasures with insights into life in the region from ancient times to the present. Exhibits include a life-size replica of a fish weighing 14.5 pounds and measuring 31.5 inches, along with the original fly rod and reel used to catch it. The remains of the original mount are also on display; it was badly damaged in a museum fire in 1970. The replica, fishing gear and damaged original show different aspects of the same story, while the rest of the collection offers a broader view of life in the region over a long period.

Paddle to the Sea Park in downtown Nipigon offers something different. It has a playground and a splash pad with playful water features and distinctive play structures for children. This is a clear difference for planning your day compared with trails and the museum: the park offers a place with play and water features, while the other stops focus primarily on outdoor activities or history.

Paddling and Lofquist Lake Beach

The Nipigon area offers opportunities for paddling on calm inland waters and fast-flowing rivers. There’s also river and sea kayaking, along with flatwater and whitewater options. The range therefore goes from calmer waters to stronger currents. Which of these options is right for you depends on whether you’d like to include inland waters, rivers or sea kayaking in your trip plans.

Lofquist Lake Beach is within the Township of Nipigon. This small spring-fed lake has clear, calm water and a soft sandy shore for swimming and picnicking; swimming conditions vary by season. Facilities include a change area, non-flush toilets, a permanently anchored diving platform, benches, picnic tables and parking near the shore. The operation and maintenance of the facilities are seasonal and should be considered locally. Check which facilities are open before you visit.

Nipigon offers several ways to shape your trip: a longer loop hike with steep and unstable sections, a shorter waterfront trail, a self-guided walking tour, museum exhibits about regional history and activities on the water. The specific differences in distance, terrain and focus can help you plan outings that suit your interests.

Discover more destinations: Nolalu, Kakabeka Falls, Manitouwadge, Amethyst Harbour, Thunder Bay.

Return to the main travel overview: Thunder Bay District.