Take a drive up beautiful Highway 105

Highway 105 begins at Vermilion Bay and goes north up to Red Lake, Ontario. While you can drive up and back in a day, there are lots to see and do along the way, so you may want to take a day or two.

You'll pass through Perrault Falls and Ear Falls before reaching Red Lake. Perrault Falls is about 70 km north of the corner of Highway 17 and Highway 105. The community features a breathtaking, long cascade of water between Perrault and Wabaskang Lakes.

The Perrault Falls Adventure area is home to many resorts and lodges providing access to waters teeming with walleye, northern pike, muskie, and bass. Along with the lodges dotted along the way, you'll find a restaurant, store, and gas station.

The Perrault Falls Adventure Area's topography is unique in its surroundings. Geographically, the area is referred to as a watershed area. It is an ecosystem independent of the lakes and rivers outside the boundaries of its 600,000 acres. This system cycles the soil and minerals from the land using the watercourse and its tributaries. It is a dynamic and complex web of natural resources; soil, water, plants and animals. Each body of water in the Perrault Falls Area is responsible for sponsoring life throughout the ecosystem.

Next, you'll come to Ear Falls, which is located on the shores of Lac Seul and the English River. Pakwash Lake and Wenasaga Lake are also nearby. Ear Falls is a prime location to see bald eagles, as it is home to one of the largest returning nesting populations of bald eagles in North America.

A visit to Ear Falls from May to November promises many opportunities to see these majestic birds. The community has a public waterfront park complete with a beach, a covered picnic area, a beach volleyball court, and a large restroom facility with a change room and showers. The waterfront park also has "The Patricia" on display - a fully restored freight boat that was built in the 1930s.

The Trout Forest Music Festival takes place annually at the Waterfront Park during the second weekend in August and is an event you don't want to miss. Recreational facilities include a nine-hole golf course, a fully-equipped fitness centre and arena, cross-country ski trails, and miles of snowmobile trails. Just north of the town on Highway 105 is Pakwash Provincial Park, just north of Ear Falls, which has a beautiful 1.5 km sand beach. Pakwash also has a campground, nature trails, and a concentration of Anishinabek rock paintings. 

It's a short 70 km drive from Ear Falls to Red Lake at the "end of the road". As you enter the Red Lake District, you will find yourself at the 3 way intersection outside of Red Lake/Balmertown. At this intersection, you can choose to go forward to the Town of Red Lake or to turn right towards Balmertown taking Highway 105. There are plenty of things to do in Red Lake. Visit the Erle Crull Rock and Mineral Collection at the Municipal Office in Balmertown. This stunning display features 2,600 specimens of rock and minerals from around the world.

Also not to be missed are the beautiful Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre and the Norseman Heritage Park with views of Howey Bay. The Red Lake Golf Club is the most northerly 18-hole golf course in Ontario. It offers a scenic and relaxing lakeside view with a huge 637-yard hole with a view of the goldmine headframes.

Two festivals not to be missed are the Norseman Festival and the Red Lake Fall Classic Walleye Tournament.

Whether you have a couple of days or a week, Highway 105 is worth the drive!

Find out more about Red Lake

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