Things to Do

Around Town

White River has been rated the #4 Hidden Gem in Ontario, explore all of our local wonders while you're here!


Winnie the Pooh Park: Winnie the Pooh Park is located just off of Highway 17 as you pull into town and sits central to our business highway section. This beautiful park is the perfect rest stop for your family to eat lunch and enjoy the fresh air while you plan your next move in White River. It is just steps away from both our Tourist Information Centre and our historic Winnie the Pooh statue so you can immediately indulge in our local heritage as well as get advice from our information consultants about all that White River has to offer you on your journey.

 

Canadian Pacific Railway Caboose: Our authentic Canadian Pacific Railway Caboose sits right in front of the entrance as soon as you pull into Winnie the Pooh Park. White River is proud of its railway history and thus features a true to life railcar that at one time took passengers across the country. Learn about how the railway helped build our community from our information consultants at the Tourist Information Centre and the White River Heritage Museum.

 

Tourist Information Centre: Our Tourist Information Centre is your lifeline if you find yourself in White River and need helpful answers to pertinent questions about the community. It also serves as a nice spot to take a quick bathroom break and de-stress from your time on the road. Our centre has various displays showcasing some prominent moments in local history as well as a collection of Winnie the Pooh memorabilia. Pick up some souvenirs while you’re perusing the displays so you can remember your time in White River.

 

White River Heritage Museum: The White River Heritage Museum is your chance to dive deep into the history of White River and learn the story of a community that has stood proudly for over 150 years. Our Heritage Museum includes Canadian Pacific Railway artifacts, rare Winnie the Pooh artifacts, displays showcasing what life in White River was like in the early 1900s, and even some artwork by the notorious art collective “Group of 7”. Our museum attendants are passionate about White River and its history and would love a chance to educate you about how our town grew from a railway stop in the 1800s to the community you see before you today.  The White River Heritage Museum is located at 200 Elgin Street and admission is ABSOLUTELY FREE.

You can also book private tours of the museum by contacting the Township at 807-822-2450.

 

Picnic Lake: One of White River’s most beautiful lakes is only a five-minute drive away. If you proceed north at the Highway 17 intersection and drive for 3km you’ll already be at the turn-off for Picnic Lake. Picnic Lake is an unsupervised beach with sand, picnic tables, and a boat launch for your fishing vessels if you’re in the mood to catch some big ones.

 

White River Train Station: White River’s train station is a must-see stop for history buffs. You can visit the exact spot where Harry Colbourn purchased Winnie the Pooh from a local trapper over 100 years ago in 1914. The platform itself still functions as an active Via-Rail transit so be sure to follow proper safety procedures when visiting, but any fan of Winnie the Pooh would regret not visiting the location that started it all.

 

 

 

Normandy Lodge

(48km south of White River)


Located 48km south of White River. Fish on Kabenung Lake for tasty walleye, fighting northern pike, and smallmouth bass. You can also try fishing for Brook Trout, Lake Trout or Whitefish, all close by. Choose from 14 cabins, which overlook the lake; pick one that fits your budget with either Housekeeping or American Plan. The cabins have fully equipped kitchens, one, two or three bedrooms, electric or propane heat, and two, three or four-piece bathrooms. German-style meals, camp store, and limited hunting packages are also available to you.

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White Lake Provincial Park Hiking Trails

(38km northwest of White River via Highway 17)


Deer Lake Trail (2.5 km (1-1.5 hours) with a shorter 1.5km loop, easy): “Take this self-guided trail to birdwatch, enjoy the sunset and see nature’s greatest engineer, the beaver, at work. The Deer Lake Trail provides ample opportunities for viewing birds and wetland wildlife as it winds through the boreal forest skirting the shores of Deer Lake and a beaver marsh. Located near the Deer Lake trailhead is a viewing platform which is a great place to view a sunset, cast a line or just watch nature at its best.” – White Lake Provincial Park

 

Tiny Bog Trail (4.5 km (2-2.5 hours), moderate): “The trail loops around two large beaver ponds and then climbs a sandy ridge of Jack Pines before arriving at the bog. A boardwalk crosses the bog where insect-eating plants such as Sundew and Pitcher Plant grow in a carpet of floating Sphagnum Moss. You’ll find a viewing platform at the bog and benches along the trail.” – White Lake Provincial Park

 

Clearwater Lake Trail (2 km return, linear trail, easy): “This trail leads through a pine forest to the spring-fed Clearwater Lake. Go for a swim, sit back and relax or explore this quiet lake by canoe.” – White Lake Provincial Park

 

Fitness Trail (500m): “Eight exercise stations make this campground trail ideal for a quick workout. It is also a great place to go for an evening stroll after dinner.” – White Lake Provincial Park

 

 

Pukaskwa National Park Hiking Trails

(60km northwest of White River via Highway 17)


Boardwalk Beach Trail (1.2km with 0.2km of boardwalk): “Enjoy a boardwalk stroll to Pukaskwa’s famous Horseshoe Bay and discover the delicate beauty of the nearby sand dunes. Experience sunset at Horseshoe beach and embrace the sounds of the rolling waves.” – Parks Canada

 

Hattie Cove Fire Walk (20-minute hike return from Visitor Centre): “Wander through the 2012 Hattie Cove Prescribed Fire area and learn about the role of fire in a boreal ecosystem! Roughly one hectare in size, see for yourself how quickly regeneration occurs in the boreal forest.” – Parks Canada

 

Beach Trail (2km): “Meander along Pukaskwa’s sandy, driftwood beaches that are nestled amongst Lake Superior’s coves and harbors. Middle Beach is the perfect place to splash around or simply sit and play in the sand.” – Parks Canada

 

Southern Headland Trail (2.2km): “Experience the wild shore of an inland sea. This rugged trail juts into Lake Superior with views of Hattie Cove, Pulpwood Harbour, and Horseshoe Bay. Look for tiny arctic-alpine plants, lichens, and other unique life forms shielded amongst the rock formations.” – Parks Canada

 

Manito Miikana (2km): “Want to slip away for a moment of peace and relaxation? Hike Manitou Miikana, “the Spirit Trail.” Peek through a rocky ravine as you climb up for panoramic views of Lake Superior and the Pic River Dunes. Rest and enjoy the beauty from two viewing decks along the trail.” – Parks Canada

 

Bimose Kinoomagewnan (3.7km): Learn the Seven Grandfather Teachings from Ojibway elders and youth on Bimose Kinoomagewnan, the “Walk of Teachings”. Read elders’ stories about love, honesty, respect, wisdom, truth, humility, and bravery in the local culture. See how the next generation understands these teachings through their accompanying artwork as you hike peacefully around Halfway Lake.” – Parks Canada

 

Combination Hike (6.3 km): “Feel up to a longer hike? Pack a lunch, lace up your boots and do all three hiking trails! This trip has it all - awesome lookouts, shady forest, and a serene inland lake! Starting at the Visitor Centre, follow the Southern Headland Trail to Horseshoe Beach. Then, join onto the Beach Trail and go along the shore to where the trail ends at the North Loop Campground. Walk past a few campsites and you’re at the Halfway Lake Trail. Take the trail all around the lake and ends at the road. Walk back to the Visitor Centre. You did it!” – Parks Canada

 

White River Suspension Bridge via the Coastal Hiking Trail (18km): “Craving adventure? This full-day hike to the White River Suspension Bridge is not for the faint of heart. Part of the rugged and beautiful Coastal Hiking Trail, the White River Suspension Bridge crosses 23m high above Chigamiwinigum Falls. Check-in with park staff for current trail conditions. We strongly recommend wearing appropriate footwear and taking food, water, sunscreen, bug protection, and consulting a topographic map.” – Parks Canada

 

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Easy Trails
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Moderate Trail
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Difficult Trails