Why ATVers Should Come to Ontario

Most travel articles you are going to find on the internet these days are going to give you the Top 5 Best of the Best in North America, usually based on a significant amount of data from thousands of ratings from previous visitors. I am here to remind you that more isn’t always better. My favorite part of ATVing in Ontario is the open trails, the peace of nature surrounding me and the ability to ride at my own pace without being overcome by a lot of unknown riders who always seem to be going nowhere fast.

Ontario has a vast landscape that features everything from old railway bed trails and sandy shoreline trails to open meadows and rocky Canadian shield trails that wind through old growth forests. Riding in Ontario is like going back in time. A time when you could ride peacefully for hours on end and the small little towns that dotted your travels were filled with smiling faces and friendly waves from locals and the occasional other rider you meet. For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of overly busy off-road parks and sub-par trail networks, Ontario has exactly what you are looking for. So say goodbye to the rush-hour style traffic and say HELLO to the beauty and freedom that Ontario ATVing has to offer!

Lead photo by Rob Stimpson

Parry Sound

Let us start our digital ATV adventure with the rough and rocky rail trails of Parry Sound, Ontario. At roughly 5 hours from both the Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie borders, Parry Sound is nicely situated within the province for those looking to travel from the USA to Canada.

Parry Sound is home to the famous hockey player Bobby Orr and the stunning 230 km long Park to Park trail network. The recent addition of the “One Pass” permit in collaboration with the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance now gives riders access to almost 2,000 km of trails between the two networks. With trails stretching from Killbear Provincial Park and the Georgian Bay area all the way to Algonquin Park the views are sure to leave you breathless just as much as the riding experience will! For those with a love of history you will be excited to learn that many of the trails along the Park to Park system were formerly part of the JR Booth Railway that was built in the late 1800’s to connect the shipping yards on Georgian Bay to the log mills on the Ottawa River and to transport grain from Western provinces.

The Park to Park network is made up of several trail systems scattered throughout the Parry Sound area. Depending on where your accommodation is located, you can enter the network from the nearest point. The Seguin Trail is likely the most popular section of the network with 80 km of trail following the historic rail line. The dirt trail winds its way directly through beautiful examples of Canadian marshlands, swamps, ponds and mixed forests. The rock outcroppings and rougher off-shoot trails will keep even the most diehard riders entertained and muddy when the season is right! 

Don’t forget to stop for lunch trail side for the views or head back to the Jolly Roger Inn & Resort for delicious eats in their restaurant and a good night sleep at the Inn. With a seasonal outdoor pool, indoor pool with hot tub and sauna along with awesome outdoor amenities like racquet ball courts and a mini golf course, everyone can enjoy their time off and on the ATV trails. Another great place to stay and eat along the Park to Park trail system is the Log Cabin Inn, providing the finest casual fine dining experience in the Parry Sound area. With three cabins with each room equipped with a fireplace, TV, Jacuzzi tub and other standard room amenities. If you're more into camping on your ATV trips, the Parry Sound KOA Holiday may be what you are looking for. They are located right off the Seguin Trail with a Tim Horton’s, assorted fast food and gas station on-route at the Georgian Bay Travel Centre.

In the town of Parry Sound you will find a brand new Best Western Plus, a Comfort Inn and Parry Sound Inn & Suites in the town's east end. Many fast food restaurants are accessible in this area including McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Harvey’s. For those staying on the west side a brand new fast food plaza was built providing more eatery options for those staying at the Best Value Suites and Town & Country Motel.

Haliburton Highlands

The Haliburton Highlands are highlighted by their vast amount of Crown Land (the Canadian equivalent to US Federal Land). With approximately 50% of Crown Land and two equally exciting trail networks to ride on, Haliburton is every ATVers theme park dream come true!

Located six hours northeast of the Detroit border crossing it is a bit of drive but worth every minute of it. If you are coming in from Buffalo, Rochester or Cornwall the drive is only four hours!

The Haliburton ATV Association trail network is considered one of the largest mapped, signed and insured systems in Ontario. The roughly 1,700 km network features county trails, private land use trails and the municipal owned rail line that runs north from the Kinmount area into Haliburton Village. The trails themselves vary in their intensity with forest access roads connecting to extreme deep woods paths that will often require winching. HATVA highly recommends the use of a guide or map for those who consider themselves experienced.

On the East side of Haliburton County, the ATV trails are dominated by Crown land and two rail trails connecting it all together (one situated north-south and the other east-west). You can also connect to the Bancroft EOTA trails to the east and Kawartha ATV Association ATV trails to the south. The famous Haliburton / Victoria rail trail runs all the way from Haliburton, through Kinmount and Fenelon Falls, and ends right in Lindsay in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

No matter where you ride in Haliburton you are going to encounter an adventure with your name on it! Whether you are looking to get technical with rock climbs and tight trails or sling some mud deep in the woods you are going to find it in Haliburton County.

While on your adventure be sure to catch some shut eye at one of the many hotels, motels and resorts in the area who cater to ATVers. The Silver Maple Motel is only half a kilometer from the ATV trails and offers ample trailer parking. Kens ATV Kottages offers large and small cottage rentals, parking for trucks and trailers along with access to a pressure washer for post ride cleaning and a repair garage to keep you riding! Another short ride from the Haliburton trails is Sandy Lane Resort on the shorelines of Halls Lake. Offering a quiet lakeside retreat with a splash of outdoor excitement on their 70-acre property. If you are looking for an extra fun idea try traveling by ATV from one place to the next for a real taste of what Haliburton trails and hospitality have to offer. Speaking of taste, the food options for Haliburton are just as diverse as the trails. Head over to Maple Avenue Tap & Grill for a mix of Canadian and Korean inspired pub foods. The Kozy Korner has been serving up “home cooked” meals since 1935 and is THE go to ALL DAY breakfast spot. If you are looking for a great place to eat and spend the night check out the Bonnie View Inn and The Dockside Patio.

Elliot Lake

Next up on our digital tour of hidden gems of Ontario we have Elliot Lake. If you have ever wanted to explore Northern Ontario by ATV but within a reasonable distance to a US border then Elliot Lake needs to be on your “must ride destinations” list! At just 2 hours from Sault Ste. Marie, riders have a taste of Canada without spending all day driving across the province of Ontario.

Boasting over 300 km of true northern trails weaving their way through the unspoiled landscape dotted with escarpments, rivers, thick boreal forests and pure untamed wilderness. Despite the remoteness of the area for peace of mind the ATV trails have been maintained in a loop fashion, keeping riders a maximum of 20 minutes away from the services and amenities of the city. Not only is the ATV trail system around Elliot Lake insured, it has also been well signed, marked, and mapped to keep riders from getting lost. Along with the main mapped network of trails, riders can also access an almost endless amount of logging roads and unmaintained trails only accessible by ATV. These trails can become very difficult, featuring technical rock climbs, water crossings, bogs, wetlands and the sheer dangers alone of the trails' remoteness. All riders are encouraged to have a fully functioning machine, a proper winch and to carry a GPS, med kit, overnight provisions and safety equipment.

During the winter months you will find these same trails used and maintained by the snowmobile clubs and riders. Snowmobilers from across North America travel to Elliot Lake to experience the renowned beauty of the snow covered landscape and maintained OFSC trails. This mutually beneficial relationship ensures the trails stay open all year long for everyone's entertainment and enjoyment. An important thing to note about Elliot Lake is that ATVers and snowmobilers are welcomed with open arms in this community and you will often find yourself deep in conversation with a local happy to tell you about the trail conditions and local lore.

Elliot Lake was once the Uranium Capital of the world, but when the mines shut down the city organizers adapted. Along with their advanced manufacturing and forest harvesting industries, Elliot Lake was transformed into an attractive retirement community and vacation destination. Thanks to the some 1,300 plus lakes within the city limits, the vistas alone became a tourist focal point. With a passion for picturesque landscapes and the comforts of city living, the options for where to eat and sleep in Elliot Lake are numerous. If you are feeling that classic pub style food head over to FireSide Classic Grill in the historic Algoden Hotel that was built in 1957. For that homestyle comfort food and break fair during weekdays only head over to Mum’s Place. Indulge in your favorite Chinese-Canadian meals from Maple Restaurant or order that extra topping pizza pie from Topper’s Pizza.

Now that we have eaten, it's on to nap time! With plenty of ATV friendly accommodations it is tough to choose who to mention. With traditional options like the Hampton Inn by Hilton in town and a number of lodges in the surrounding area you can choose the luxury of city amenities or the solitude and bliss of the wilderness. Some lodges to highlight include Dunlop Lake Lodge where you can grab a bite to eat at their restaurant, drink at the full bar, enjoy live music and then lay your head to rest in the main lodge, in the three bedroom cabin or one of the many waterfront lots that house a fifth wheel with electricity and running water. Along with the impressive Laurentian Lodge located a short 32km drive north of the city that features a number of accommodation options including cabins, cottages, chalets, and apartment style options. One thing to note for this lodge is that there are no telephones, televisions, radios, alarm clocks or air-conditioning units in any of the accommodations. Guests are welcome to bring their own items if they feel it necessary and Television, wifi, and a telephone are available in the main lodge. You can access the local ATV trails directly from the Laurentian Lodge property.

Mattawa

On the opposite side of the province you will find the beautiful North Eastern Ontario town of Mattawa, nestled between the ancient Algonquin Highlands and the Laurentian Mountains. For over 200 years Mattawa served as an important link in the water route leading from Montreal to the West and Lake Superior in the East. The famous European explorers Etienne Brule and Samuel De Champlain traversed this very area at the beginning of the 1600s. Since then Mattawa has become renowned for its beauty and the two rivers that meet. This confluence inspired the name Mattawa, which means “Meeting of the Waters” in Ojibwa. Today Mattawa is one of the most important drop off points for canoeing or boating on the Ottawa River and the natural border between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The rugged Canadian Shield creates stunning views and exhilarating off-road riding opportunities. Located 5.5 hours east of Sault Ste. Marie and only 4 hours from the Cornwall border crossing, Mattawa is an excellent option for anyone looking to travel to Ontario for their own personal northern adventure.

The Voyageur Multi Use Trail Systems (VMUTS) contains over 200 km of marked year-round ATV and snowmobile trails. The VMUTS trails show off the best of Mattawa’s scenery while also getting your heart racing and adrenaline pumping! You are sure to encounter scenic trails winding through forests and over bridges as well as challenging climbs, rock crawls, water crossings and deep damp mud when you want it! The VMUTS trails are well suited for all skill levels and the trails are clearly marked for difficulty and length. There are additional trails and forestry roads in the area that are NOT marked that allow riders to travel more than 1,000 km of North Eastern Ontario wilderness. Some popular attractions in the area includeBird’s Eye View lookout, the Redbridge Bluffs, Kearney Lake and the infamous Mica Mine. One of the unique aspects of Mattawa is that the town of Mattawa and the surrounding townships have passed ATV friendly by-laws that allow riders to ride on local roads. This gives riders access to their accommodations and the trail systems without the need to trailer and park at a trail head. 

When exploring Mattawa there are a variety of different types of accommodations to choose from. Whether you want to pitch a tent, camp in your toy hauler or stay in a luxury resort Mattawa has you covered. The historic Le Voyageur Inn dates back to 1881 and continues to hold true to its characteristic heritage. Le Voyageur Inn is located on Main Street downtown and within walking distance to many facilities. The Inn also features a dining lounge specializing in Authentic Thai cuisine as well as those classic must have Canadian meals.

The Valois’ Restaurant and Motel is another great option for your all-in-one stay and eat options. Located right across the street from the ATV and snowmobile trails you can enjoy your walk-out room and traditional northern comfort food after a long day on the trails. Mattawa also features many camping and cottage style rental options within the area. The Mattawa River Resort and Cardinal Restaurant is one of the most visited boasting a lodge, rental cottages and seasonal RV Campground. The Mattawa River Resort is also well known for their extensive amenities and activities including a large sandy beach, volleyball courts, boat launch, fishing, canoes, paddle boards, horseshoe pits, wood burning sauna, steam room, horseback riding and more!

From the rocky shorelines of Lake Huron to the flowing rapids of the Ottawa River; Ontario is highlighted by scenic waterways, rock outcroppings and ridges, a variety of forests and a thrilling ride around every corner. Whether you choose to visit the retired railway trails of Parry Sound and Haliburton Highlands, or the networks of trails that spider web through the forestry lands of Elliot Lake and Mattawa, you are sure to enjoy the peace around you. No matter where in Ontario you choose to eat, sleep and ride an endless adventure awaits!

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with Destination Ontario