Trains, Planes and Canoes

This dream trip takes you deep into Wabakimi Provincial Park.

As a child, did you spend your days playing with toy trains, planes and little boats? If so, you will love this "big boy (or girl)" adventure.

Your wilderness trip starts with a float plane ride into the heart of Wabakimi Provincial Park. After unloading your gear from the plane, your wilderness paddling journey begins. 

Canoeing-Wabakimi

As you canoe through the pristine waterways, watch for elusive woodland caribou, moose, beavers and other wildlife.  Drop your line and catch “the big one.” There’s nothing like fresh fish cooked over an open fire.

Sunset-in-Wabakimi

At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset while listening to the haunting call of the loon.  

On your last day, while waiting along the CN line near the Allanwater Bridge, you’ll wonder if the VIA Rail passenger train will really stop in the middle of the forest to pick you up.

Allanwater-Bridge-sign

Yes – it will. After loading up your canoes and gear, the next thing you know, you’ll be sipping a cold beer in the observation car on your way back to Armstrong Station. 

If You Go

Wabakimi’s vast wilderness offers endless paddling possibilities. Contact Wabakimi Wilderness Outfitters or Wilderness North for trip planning advice, outfitting and guiding services.

The trip launching point, Armstrong, is approximately three hours by car north of Thunder Bay. 

While You Are Here

While in Thunder Bay, explore back in time to the year 1815 to experience the fur trade at Fort William Historical Park. There are 42 authentic, reconstructed buildings on the site and actors in period dress to bring it to life.

For more outdoor adventure and gorgeous panoramas, head east on Highway 17 and visit the cliffs of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park via its hiking trails.

For travel information, visit Thunder Bay and Northwest Ontario.

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer and the content coordinator for Ontario Outdoor Adventures. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

Recommended Articles

Plan Your Adventure

10 amazing sights you can only see in winter in Ontario.

March Break in Ontario

Discover the best camps, activities and adventures for 2026.

Crown Land Camping

What it is and where you can camp in Ontario.

Go Winter Glamping

Get cozy at these 11 snowy Ontario getaways.

Backpacking Trails in Ontario

7 multi-day hiking trips to the province’s most beautiful places.

Natural Highs

7 magnificent mountains in Ontario to climb, hike, ride, ski and more.

Adventure Races Ontario

Find out where to go and why you’ll love it.

Tips for 2026 Camping Reservations

Use these best practices to get the sites you want, when you want them.

Dogs Welcome!

Top dog-friendly resorts.

2025 Triathalons

Swim, cycle and run your way to triathlete status at these Ontario events.

11 Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful Landscapes

Don't miss the splendours of Northern Ontario

Hike The Best Trails

Discover your next great adventure.

Insider’s Guide to Sleeping Giant

Everything you need to plan a trip to this iconic provincial park.

Girls’ Getaways

21 ideas for an adventurous escape or bachelorette party in Ontario.

Your Guide to Six Mile Lake Provincial Park

Everything you need to know to go car camping at this classic Muskoka destination.

Want to go snowshoeing?

Discover Ontario’s best trails and getaways.

Attention Detroit

A short drive gets you a lot of vacation fun in Ontario, Canada

Best Northern Lights Destinations

6 places in Ontario for incredible Aurora Borealis viewing.

Ontario Birding Checklist

Keep an eye on the skies for these 10 incredible species.

Best Cross Country Ski Spots

Explore the top trails this season.