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

Your Outdoor Adventure Vacation Starts Here

10 best activities in Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Best Birding in Ontario

7 places to bring out your inner ornithologist.

9 of the Most Beautiful Fall Destinations

And they’re all in Ontario.

Get Hooked in Algonquin

Plan the ultimate spring brook trout canoe trip

Love Wildlife?

Must see parks and attractions for animal-lovers.

Hike the Lake Superior Coastal Trail

Discover beaches, lookouts, and sacred sites on this 65 km trail.

Paddling "the Pet"

Why it's her favourite Algonquin trip.

Adventure Races Ontario

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

Love dogs?

Find a "pawlooza" near you.

Learn to Camp

A beginners guide.

Outdoor Playgrounds

Discover the best Ontario Provincial Parks.

19 Winter Activities to Add to Your Bucket List

Must-do activities that are snow much fun.

exceptional sea kayaking

Experience the beauty of Georgian Bay

Paddling the Pukaskwa National Park Coast

A guide's guide to kayaking Pukaskwa National Park.

Get Inspired for Your Next Adventure

15 photos that’ll have you trip planning in no time.

Go Winter Glamping

Get cozy at these 11 snowy Ontario getaways.

Hike the Pukaskwa Coastal Trail

Discover awe-inspiring waterfalls, beaches and vistas on this epic 60-km trail.

Ontario’s Most Stunning Winter Resorts

13 places to book a snow-filled getaway to.

Best Outdoor Adventure Locations in Ontario

Plan a trip to one of these incredible destinations.

Discover Ontario’s Least Busy Parks

12 incredible off-the-radar destinations.