Learn how to use Kakabeka Falls as a basecamp to discover Thunder Bay
Do you know that Kakabeka Falls is Ontario’s second tallest waterfall?
Camp, hike, bike, and swim to your coronary heart’s content material subsequent to a pure marvel.
The 40 m falls are the crown jewel of the appropriately named Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, a hub of household enjoyable in northern Ontario.
With the park’s handy location simply half-hour exterior of Thunder Bay, Kakabeka Falls is the proper basecamp from which to find one in all Ontario’s most dynamic and attention-grabbing northern cities.
Right here’s why you should test it out:
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Your own home base
Kakabeka Falls is the proper place to remain and discover Thunder Bay and different close by points of interest.
The park gives nearly 170 campsites in three campgrounds: Whispering Hills, Riverside and Fern’s Edge.
Coming along with your RV? Whispering Hills has electrical hookups with some pull-through campsites, whereas the opposite two campgrounds supply extra tent tenting websites.
Park facilities embody consolation stations with flush bathrooms, laundry services, and showers, a picnic shelter, in addition to a trailer sanitation station.
Throughout July and August, you’ll want to try one of many park’s instructional Discovery applications!
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What to do within the park
Who wouldn’t wish to hike round a view like this?
Stroll alongside the park’s boardwalks to viewing platforms that assist you to stand up shut and private with the mighty falls.
When you’ve checked out our pretty viewing pods, journey alongside a historic portage on the Mountain Portage Path.
You received’t wish to miss the wonderful vantage factors to view the falls, gorge, and river. Preserve your eyes peeled for Bald Eagles hovering over the river gorge.
Up for a problem? The two.5 km Little Falls Path loop could also be for you. Comply with a steep descent into the river valley for a view of the picturesque Little Falls.
In case you’re a bike owner, tackle the Poplar Level Path. The 4 km loop makes for an important bike journey.
A small seashore and picnic space are positioned in a sheltered space of the Kaministiquia River upriver of the falls. Just a bit additional down this street is the designated leash-free space for canine to stretch their legs and swim.
Make sure you cease by the park retailer on the gatehouse or on the Customer Centre to buy park souvenirs and quite a lot of regionally produced objects.
Visiting later within the season? The park’s pop of early fall colors makes it an important vacation spot for September.
Be certain to test the Fall Colors Report to search out the very best time to go to. Tenting on the park is out there by Thanksgiving weekend, so that you’ll have loads of time to expertise a basic northern Ontario fall.
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Vacation spot: Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is northwestern Ontario’s largest metropolis and accommodates almost half the complete area’s inhabitants.
And, being solely half-hour away from Kakabeka Falls, it’s a straightforward spot to drive to and discover.
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Meals and procuring
To begin, the town’s meals scene has completely exploded lately.
Award-winning cooks have arrange store within the metropolis to make the most of its distinctive northern flavours, culinary occasions, and native craft beers.
Thunder Bay’s choices embody upscale bistros and greasy spoons. It’s identified for a number of distinctive specialties, together with Finnish pancakes and, after all, the town’s most well-known meals, the Persian!
You will discover a restaurant on-line earlier than you go to or see the place your meals is produced on a farm tour.
There are additionally loads of nice procuring alternatives in Thunder Bay. The Bay and Algoma Neighbourhood is full of retailers promoting regionally made merchandise, together with distinctive present objects.
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Exploring artwork
One factor that’s positive to shock is how a lot artwork is on show all all through the town. Thunder Bay is gaining a repute for artwork due to the big murals painted on the perimeters of buildings.
Artwork lovers can’t miss the Thunder Bay Artwork Gallery or the Positively Superior Artwork Gallery. The Ahnisnabae Artwork Gallery options the work of Roy Thomas and dozens of different Indigenous artists.
Seeking to take up a brush your self? The Artistic Firm has a gallery and present store with Paint Kitz. These kits present every thing you should create your personal masterpiece out of your campsite.
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Different points of interest
Spend the day at Fort William Historic Park to see furs, muskets, drugs, birchbark canoes, and extra at an correct re-creation of the North West Firm’s inland headquarters.
Or try the well-known Terry Fox Monument and vacationer data centre on Freeway 11/17, a tribute to an important Canadian hero.
See a unique facet of Thunder Bay by a themed tour. A record of excursions is out there on-line, with an choice for each kind of traveler.
The creatively minded can stroll by the waterfront public artwork strolling tour or discover the murals on the city colors and murals tour.
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Out of doors experiences
There’s a motive Thunder Bay known as Ontario’s biggest outside metropolis. There are over 100 parks and recreation areas throughout the metropolis, and much more exterior its borders.
Thunder Bay is positioned instantly on the Lake Superior shoreline the place you possibly can take stand-up paddleboarding classes, attempt city paddling, or sail away on a harbour cruise with Sail Superior Large Lake Journey.
In fact, we will’t neglect the opposite world-class provincial parks within the Thunder Bay space.
Sleeping Big Provincial Park is simply over an hour’s drive east of the town. Journey buffs can deal with over 125 km of unbelievable mountain climbing trails with many spectacular geological options.
You’ll fall in love with Pigeon River Provincial Park, below an hour’s drive from Thunder Bay. This present day-use park hosts the 28 m Excessive Falls, the 6 m Center Falls, and scenic views of Lake Superior and the American shoreline.
Take pleasure in a picnic at Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park earlier than mountain climbing the 1.7 km barrier-free loop path. See views of a 150 m broad gorge, dropping 100 m right down to the canyon flooring. It’s solely an hour and 20 minutes from Kakabeka Falls!
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Prepared to order?
Kakabeka Falls is half-hour from Thunder Bay and 7 hours from Winnipeg by street, or a 15 hour drive from Toronto.
A flight from Toronto to Thunder Bay is simply two hours.
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