The northwestern Ontario region is known for water. The area has hundreds of thousands of lakes, rivers, and interconnected waterways, and the landscape is a mix of untouched wilderness, scenic destinations, and historical landmarks. Ojibway Provincial Park sits in the heart of this water-filled region, and it is a place where outdoor recreation seekers and RV campers can find a quiet place to stay that is surrounded by pristine landscape and offers plenty of outdoor activities.
The name Ojibway is a derivative of the word Ojibwa, one of the largest groups of First Nations people in Canadian North America. The area where Ojibway Provincial Park stands is part of the region where fur trapping and fur trading once thrived. Additionally, the many lakes and rivers also helped the transportation of fur-related goods, but interestingly, the area also became a location known for sport fishing. Even today, the lakes and waterways near Ojibway Provincial Park still attract people hoping to reel in one of the lakes’ large fish.
Ojibway Provincial Park, located on the Little Vermillion Lake, is the place to visit if you enjoy fishing, boating, or sitting lakeside. The camping is first come, first served, helping to keep the more simplistic grounds a place where guests can plan a last-minute camping escape.
Ojibway Provincial Park is located 229 miles (370 km) northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the park is located 270 miles (426 km) east.
If you are coming from the United States, the park is located 229 miles (370 km) north of Duluth, Minnesota. From Duluth, be prepared to pay tolls and cross international borders. If you plan to bring your RV into Canada, be sure you understand the rules of transporting goods into Canada and ensure you have your passport. If you plan to bring your dog, bring the proper pet records with you.
Guests visiting the park must pay a daily vehicle permit fee as well as an overnight camping fee for more than one vehicle. Prices vary depending on the residency and ages of the guests. Fees are payable upon entry. Check in time is after 2:00 pm.
The Ojibway Campground is a small, first-come, first-served campground that wraps the perimeter of the Little Vermillion Lake. This pet-friendly, seasonally operating campground has both 15 and 30 amp electrical sites and sites without electricity, and regardless of electricity, all sites have a fire pit and a picnic table. The sites vary in size, accommodating small tents and larger RVs. Call the park directly to see if the spaces will accommodate your rig. Overnight campers have access to drinking water, vault toilets, comfort stations with showers, a laundry facility, and a dump station. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
The Little Vermillion Lake, the closest lake to the campground, is where most people visiting the park bring their canoes. The park has two boat launch areas where it is convenient and easy to get your boat in the water. If you want to explore more than the lake, the waterways are interconnected, making it easy to paddle from one place to another. If you don’t have a canoe, don't worry! Stop by the park office and ask about renting one for the day.
During the warmer part of the season, swimming is the perfect choice if you want to cool down after a long hike or an outdoor adventure. The swimming area is located next to the beach in the park’s day use area. Bring your beach gear and water toys with you to the water, and spend your day lakeside. The beach is close to restrooms as well as a picnic area, so there are plenty of amenities to keep and your whole family comfortable. When you decide to take a swim, stay within the buoys, and remember to swim with a friend because there are no lifeguards on duty.
Little Vermillion Lake is famous for its large fish, and many anglers come to the lake to try and spot the next big catch. Even though fishing is the most popular activity on the water, doesn’t mean that it’s the only thing to do. Little Vermillion Lake permits boats with motors, and there are no restrictions on the size of the engine. That means you can slowly troll for fish, or if you prefer, you can cruise the water at faster speeds. If you have a boat, the park has two boat ramps to launch into the water. If you don’t have a boat, there are several rental facilities near the water where you can rent a boat. The rental facilities and the lodges aren’t associated with the park, so you will have to contact the companies directly.
There are six designated hiking trails at Ojibway Provincial Park, each one a little different from one another. Deciding on the length of the hike you’d like to take, and the difficulty level of each hike will help you choose which path is best for you. The trails are all well-marked, with many of the pathways offer interpretive information along the way. The shortest trail is .6 miles (.5 km) long, and the longest trail is 3.7 miles (6 km) long, and all of the trails are either rated easy or moderate hikes. For detailed trail information, pick up a trail map or speak to a member of the park staff.
The park’s day use area is centrally located and convenient for overnight campers to access without having to travel too far from the campground. The day use area has a sheltered picnic pavilion that overlooks the water, and there is a parking lot and two restrooms close by. The day use area also has a playground, and it is near the boat ramp and the swimming beach, so it’s possible to spend the whole day outside rotating activities. Don’t worry about the time of year that you visit; the day use area is open during the park’s operating season so that guests can enjoy the outdoors in the spring, summer, and the fall.
Fishing is an activity that the whole family can enjoy at Ojibway Provincial Park because there are many places to fish no matter what level of angler you may be. If you prefer to fish from a boat, there are two boat ramps for launching into the water. One of the ramps is located in the campground, and the other ramp is located near the day use area. If you want to fish for fun, and you aren’t worried about your catch, then try fishing from the dock near the north boat launch. The lake has smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, and Northern pike, and if you catch a fish, you can bring it to the fish cleaning station and prep you fish to take home. The rules for fishing licenses in Ontario vary depending on your residency, age, and where you plan to fish. Before planning your trip, contact a member of Ontario Fish and Wildlife Services for more information.
