Town Tours: Day-tripping from Five Popular Ontario Locales

By Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler

    Saddlebag touring isn’t for everyone or every occasion. Besides, many holidaying riders prefer the relative simplicity and security of returning to the same base each night. To check out good day tripping locations, I embarked on a series of town tours. My objective was to report on locales where families and couples could get a way for a long weekend together and find a variety of other things to do, in addition to great sledding. I visited North Bay, Owen Sound, Parry Sound, Sudbury, and Timmins, all of which qualify as towns where you could take your family for a break, or where a group of avid riders could treat their not so avid spouses to a mutually enjoyable getaway. During the day, the snowmobilers can ride while others enjoy the lodging’s facilities or the town’s amenities and attractions, regrouping for dinner and evening socializing.However, while local snowmobile clubs provided trail access to some in-town services, generally, service trails weren’t well enough marked. In town, it was often difficult to determine which trails were official routes as opposed to the beaten tracks of local riders, leading to someone’s backyard or dead-ending at a subdivision.Overall, the closer we snowmobiled to each population centre, the more erratic and irregular destination signage became so finding lodging, food, and gas wasn’t always easy. As far as I could see, none of these places had any signboards with town maps to give first-timers a sense of where they are, where they need to go, and how to get there easily. Several of the applicable trail maps showed inset maps of the town, but only one was easily useable: Parry Sound. Neither North Bay nor Timmins had insets on their district trail maps; Sudbury’s was too small and Owen Sound’s showed no trails. Here’s how to overcome these shortcomings: get the local trail map (although it may not be detailed enough, it should at least show what trails enter town) and a town street map. Study trail access relative to the position of major roads, what side of town they’re on, and where your lodgings are located. Then make your first ride a brief spin around town, to get the lay of the land and memorize landmarks. For the Owen Sound and Timmins lodgings, which do not have gas onsite or nearby, pinpoint gas stops at the same time. This way, you’ll be less likely to get lost when returning after your day trips. 

Opportunity for Improvement

  In fairness, I’ve found these same around-town challenges to be prevalent in most other so-called snowmobile-friendly communities across Canada, too. The problem seems to stem from a disconnect between the local snowmobile club and town tourism/economic development agencies and Chamber of Commerce. First, most clubs don’t consider it their responsibility to take care of “tourism” signing as a freebee. Generally, they place only the signs of businesses that support their club (and sometimes, not even those). While I appreciate their need to raise advertising money from signs and maps, the selective signing that results means that visiting snowmobilers, especially first-timers to the area, can’t count on finding anything easily.Second, most tourism/economic development agencies and Chambers of Commerce either assume that the clubs are taking care of “tourism” signage properly (and haven’t checked for themselves), or haven’t provided the signs. It’s high time that everyone involved realizes how important snowmobile trails into towns are for winter tourism and to get services and direction signs up to the same standard as their inbound highways are marked for rubber tire tourists. There’s a huge opportunity for improvement here and believe me, the towns that seize it will quickly reap the benefits over their competitors.That said each of the profiled five towns has plenty to offer for day-tripping, or as the launch point for your saddlebag tour. Each also provides a host of cultural, recreational, entertainment, shopping, and dining possibilities for those not snowmobiling. Our lodgings were all very good, ranging from a wilderness lodge near Sudbury to a full service hotel in downtown Owen Sound. So grab your family, friends, and significant other and start planning your town tour getaway in Ontario this winter! 

North Bay

Trails in and around North Bay proper were rough, but improved 20 clicks out, with smooth riding on all other trails. Despite some intersection signboards (no town maps) near town, getting around is still too confusing. At the end of each day, groups of sledders were stumped at intersection map boards, trying to figure out where they were and how to find lodgings. Lake Nipissing is well staked, but lacking trail numbers to coincide with the map. Day trips were scenic, with many deer and moose sightings. Both access trails to the hotel were mogul-city during our entire stay. Population: 52,771Tourism Region: Ontario’s Near North.Location: Gateway to Northeastern Ontario is located on the eastern shore of Lake Nipissing in OFSC District 11. Distance from Toronto: 345 km. (Less than four hours trailer north of Toronto.)Major Highway Access: At junction of 11 and 17.TOP Trail Access: A&DMaps Needed: Near North Trail Association - OFSC District 11 (No town inset map; does list gas advertiser hours and locations.)Check Out: Capitol Centre and Dionne Museum. Also, ice fishing and skating, downhill and cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.Where We Stayed: Clarion Resort Pinewood Park. South end of town. Exit Highway 11 at Lakeshore Drive, turn left, then right at 1st lights. (Pinewood Park). 1-800-461-9592 (reservations); (705) 472-0810 (direct); www.clarionresortpinewoodpark.com. Trailer Parking: Ample lots at side and rear of hotel.Sled Parking: Compound on tennis courts is lit and locked at night.Access Trail: From rear of hotel. Land Trail heads east to TOP Trail D; Lake Trail heads west, accessing Lake Nipissing stake line (SSR703), just south of La Vase River trail (channel marker on lake at river mouth).On Site Food & Drink: Enjoy Your Senses Restaurant and Bellow Bar.Facilities: Wellness Spa, hot tub, and pool. Fuel Availability: Station across the street.Snowmobiling Package: Yes.Day Trips: Day One – Mattawa (275 km., 8 hrs.)  Outbound: Land trail from back of hotel to TOP Dn to NB301e to MA150. Lunch at Valois Motel, Mattawa. Return: MA101s to TOP Aw to TOP A101Dw to TOP Dw to TOP D102Cn to TOP Dn to Land trail to hotel. Day Two – Port Loring (250 km, 8 hrs.). Outbound: Lake Trail from back of hotel to SSR703s to SSR 702 to TOP D102Csw to TOP C105De. Lunch at Jake’s Place, Port Loring. Return: TOP C105De to NN440n to TOP Dn to SSR 710n to SSR703 to Lake Trail to hotel. 

Owen Sound

Parry Sound

 With the hotel located outside of town, we had smooth trails on every ride and signage was good. Several scenic local loops plus a Southern Loop around Lakes Joseph and Rosseau are worth a try. The day trip to the east was primarily coniferous forests with some hilly terrain, while the day trip southwest was mainly deciduous woodlands with some fields. The hotel’s location, right at the intersection of two main trails, makes it easy to find, with no confusing access trails. Population: 6,800Tourism Region: Rainbow Country.Location: On the east shore of Georgian Bay, just north of Muskoka. Distance from Toronto: 225 km. (Less than three hours trailer north of Toronto.)Major Highway Access: Highway 400.TOP Trail Access: C. Maps Needed: Parry Sound Snowmobile District - OFSC District 10 (Good town inset map with trail access shown; does list gas advertiser hours and locations.); OFSC District 11 (Near North); and OFSC District 7 (Muskoka Snowmobile Region).Check Out: Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts or ice fishing on the Sound.Where We Stayed: Quality Inn (formerly The Jolly Roger). Located 9 km south of town on the 400 at Exit 217. 1-800-638-5883 (reservations); (705) 378-2461 (direct); www.parrysoundqualityinn.com.  Trailer Parking: Ample space at back of hotel.Sled Parking: No specific place.Access Trail: Located at junction of TOP C and TOPC Town By Pass, south of Parry Sound.On Site Food & Drink: Jolly Roger Restaurant and trailside lounge.Facilities: Indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna.Fuel Availability: On site (limited hours).Snowmobiling Package: Yes.Day Trips: DAY ONE – Northern Loop (325 km, 8.5 hrs). Outbound: TOP C By Pass n to TOP C Alternate s to Club Trail 405w to 402n to 404w to 401n to TOP Cn through Pointe au Baril. Lunch at Key Marine Resort, Key River. Return: TOP C n to TOP C105De to TOP D102Cs to TOP Cs to Hotel. DAY TWO – Sundridge Loop (280 km, 7.5 hrs). Outbound: TOP Cs to TOP C103D (Seguin Trail) to TOP De to TOP D123s to AL 306w through Sundridge to NN410n to TOP C104Dw to TOP C101s to TOP C103Dw (Seguin Trail) to TOP Cn and back to hotel. 

Sudbury

Lodging is located too far from town for convenient shopping/exploring by non-snowmobilers, but is a great getaway spot for R&R. Trails were exceptionally smooth (even in town) and trail numbers (but not service signs) were adequate to good everywhere. There are many other local loops plus two big ones south, to see French River bridge, and east to North Bay and back. The hotel’s location, right at the intersection of two main trails, makes it easy to find, with no confusing access trails. Note: unlike the other town tours, this one was conducted at a more leisurely couples’ pace, which accounts for lower daily distances. Populaton: 155,000Tourism Region: Rainbow Country.Location: North of Georgian Bay and west of Lake Nipissing.Distance from Toronto: 390 km. (Four hours trailer north of Toronto.)Major Highway Access: 400 and 17.TOP Trail Access: C and D.Maps Needed: Sudbury Trail Plan (Includes town inset maps; does list gas advertiser locations.)Check Out: Science North, Dynamic Earth, and Sudbury Downs.Where We Stayed: Sportsman's Lodge Wilderness Resort. 45 minute drive NE of town on Kukagami Lake Rd (runs north from Highway 17, east of Sudbury). 1-877-708-8882; www.sportsmanslodge.net.Trailer Parking: Yes, but limited.Sled Parking: No specific place.Access Trail: At junction of TOP C105 and TOP C206DOn Site Food & Drink: Home cooked meals in main hall restaurant/bar. Facilities: Hot tub.Fuel Availability: On site.Snowmobiling Package: Yes.Day Trips: DAY ONE – Sudbury Loop (7.5 hrs, 215 km). Outbound: TOP C206Dn to STP 77w to STP 71s to TOP C105s to STP Ring Trailw (TOP C/Dn) to STP 75 to TOP Dw to STP Trail s to T0P C109De. Lunch at Brockdan Hotel, Sudbury. Return: STP Ring Trail n to TOP C/De to TOP De to TOP C206Dn back to hotel. DAY TWO – Lake Wanapitei Loop (8 hrs, 237km). Outbound: TOP C105w to STP 72n to STP 62w to TOP Cs to TOP Dw to STP 54n to STP 55w to STP 56n to TOP C111De to TOP Cs to STP 64e. Lunch at Rocky’s, west shore of Lake Wanapitei. Return: STP 72n to STP 78n to TOP C206De back to hotel (be sure to side trip on STP 76 to the top of Wolf Mountain).  

Timmins

Timmins is the farthest away from Southern Ontario of the five towns visited, but compensates with unrivalled utility corridor and old logging road trails. What’s more, Timmins provides better (and more) trails directly through town than any other places in this article: many are also decently marked (service signage still lacking). The trails were smooth throughout each ride. There are fewer loops than other places, with more out and back long distances trails, making this location more suitable for racking up serious miles. We cancelled our planned southern loop to Mattagami upon discovering that our proposed return trail (L143) was closed. Access trail to hotel is well marked and only a couple of hundred yards long. Population: 43,686Tourism Region: James Bay Frontier.Location: 290 km. north of Sudbury.Distance from Toronto: 680 km. (Less than eight hours trailer north of Toronto.)Major Highway Access: Highway 101, 45 km west of 11.TOP Trail Access: C and A111C.Maps Needed: Timiskaming Abitibi Trails Association - OFSC District 14 (Used to have inset town maps, but no more; no gas list.)Check Out: Kamiskotia Ski Resort; Shania Twain Interpretive Centre; Gold Mine Tours.Where We Stayed: Cedar Meadows Resort. Located on the west side of Timmins on Norman St, which runs north from Highway 101 just west of the Mattagami River. 1-877-207-6123; www.cedarmeadows.com.Trailer Parking: Lots of space in front of hotel.Sled Parking: Secure, locked compound.Access Trail: Hotel trail runs east from TOP Trail C (on west side of town) to the back of the facility, just north of intersection with TOP A111C.On Site Food & Drink: Restaurant & bar.Facilities: Hot tub and sleigh rides thru on site wilderness park. Fuel Availability: In town.Snowmobiling Package: Yes.Day Trips: DAY ONE – Cochrane Loop (8.5 hrs, 395 km). Outbound: Hotel Trail to TOP Cn to TOP Ae at Smooth Rock Falls. Lunch at Tim Horton’s, Cochrane. Return: TOP As to TOP A111Cw to TOPCn to Hotel Trail. DAY TWO – Eastern Ride (8.5 hrs, 335 km). Outbound: Hotel trail to TOP Cs, to L23e to TOP A111Ce to TOP A101e to TOP As. Lunch at Butler Lake Truck Stop on Highway 11. Return: TOP An to L82w to L81n to L52 to TOP A101w to TOP A111Cw to L23w to L 25w to TOP Cs to Hotel Trail. BOXWho to Contact For Maps and Info on All Towns and Tourism Regions:Snowmobile Paradise Ontario; www.ontariotravel.net/snowmobile; 1-800-668-2746.Who to Contact for Info on Permits and Trail Conditions: Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs; www.ofsc.on.ca./  Craig Nicholson is the author of “Canada’s Best Snowmobiling — Your Ultimate Ride Guide”. His syndicated column “The Intrepid Snowmobiler” appears in newspapers throughout North America. He also hosts “The Intrepid Snowmobiler on Radio” and appears regularly on Snowmobiler Television. For more info, click www.intrepidsnowmobiler.com