Tourism
Lake Helen & St. Sylvester's Church
St. Sylvester Roman Catholic Church is the oldest church in the Nipigon area. Built in 1877, mass is still celebrated at this historic site. Lakes & Rivers
World class fishing opportunities can be found in the many lakes and rivers in the Land of the Nipigon. The World's largest brook trout was caught in the Nipigon River. Boats can be launched, moored and serviced at the recently improved Nipigon Marina.Nipigon Hiking Trail
The Land of the Nipigon Waterways Development Association invites visitors to our community to take a walk along the hiking trail that links the communities of Nipigon and Red Rock. The trail begins at the Nipigon Marina and ends on the Red Rock Road just before the first set of train tracks.
Ouimet Canyon
The weight, movement and melting of ice age glaciers has forever marked the landscape with a succession of terraces, deep angular gorges and unique geological formations. This breathtaking view should not be missed! Located in the Township of Dorion, on Canyon Road off Highway 11/17, Ouimet Canyon provides a picnic area, nature trails, and ample parking for RV's and motor coaches. Ouimet Canyon is open for day use throughout the summer months. The Canyon is approximately 150 metres (492 feet) wide, 100 metres (329 feet) deep , and 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) long.
For further information, call our toll free number 1-877-596-1359
Nipigon River
The World Famous Nipigon River is located at the crossroads of Highway 11 &
17. The world's largest brook trout was caught in the Nipigon River just below
Rabbit Rapids in July of 1915. Dr. Cook wheeled in the world record trout
weighing in at 14 lbs. 8 oz. (6.58 kg), 31 ½ inches long and 18 inches around
the middle. Brook trout from 5 lbs. to 8 lbs. are caught each year. Anglers will
also find a large variety of other fish including walleye, rainbow trout, lake
trout, coho, chinook, pink salmon, whitefish and perch. Special regulations do
apply to these waters, so check before you fish.
For more information call the Ministry of Natural Resources at 807-887-5000.
Golf Course
The North Shore Golf Club is located between Nipigon and the turn off to Red Rock. Situated between beautiful mountains this nine hole golf course is the idea place to get away and enjoy the spectacular view and a great game of golf. Incorporated in 1961, The North Shore Golf Club has nine holes with multiple tees, measuring 6500 yards from the black championship tees. The layout consists of three par 3's, three par 4's, and three par 5's adding up to a par 36. The par 3's are particularly strong, especially the #7 hole from the black tee. The greens are also very challenging and a good putting stroke is required. The club house is licenced and serves meals from 8 a.m. throughout the day. The club hosts 2 major open tournaments for players with official handicaps. The North Shore Open is held in July and the North Shore 2 Man Best Ball is in September.
Course Rating: 71.8 slope 131 from champion tees.
Location: 5.2 kms west of Nipigon, off Highway 11/17
Click here for a larger image of the golf course
All visitors are welcome - for more information please call 807-887-2006
Nipigon Murals
Come visit the famous Nipigon Murals "Racing the Train:", "Fifty Years of Service" and "The Last River Drive" painted by Dan Sawatsky, a professional artist for over 20 years. Sawatsky's first mural was completed in 1983 in Chemainus, British Columbia where he now resides with his wife and two children. Since then Sawatsky has had over 40 major commissions for murals in Canada, the United States and Tokyo, Japan.
Amethyst - The Gemstone of Ontario
Amethyst is one of our oldest recorded gemstones. Amethyst jewellery was found in many ancient Egyptian tombs.Found in quantity in the Nipigon/Thunder Bay area. north of Lake Superior, it was chosen as Ontario's gemstone in 1975.
Best known for it's deep rich tones of dark-bluish purple, amethyst ranges from reddish violet to pale lilac tints. The six sided pointed crystals formed when silica solutions crystallized in the veins and cavities of rock. Rings earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets containing this colourful gemstone have been fashioned by local artisans and are displayed at various amethyst and rock shops between Nipigon and Thunder Bay.
Orient Bay Rock/Ice Climbing
Situated 20 miles from Nipigon on Highway 11, this ice climbing area is known world wide. It is rated best in Central North America.
For further information contact our toll free number 1 -877-596-1359.
Campgrounds
STILLWATER TENT & TRAILER PARK is a campground and RV park with an Amethyst Rock and gift shop and a mineral museum "Treasures of the Shield" on site. Located on the north side of Highway 11/17, 4.8 kms (3 miles) west of junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 17.
Facilities include: 57 wooded and open grassy acres. 77 sites, 27 full hookups, 54 water and electric. Dump Station, Tenting and Group areas, room for big rigs. Laundry Facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, public phone, ice, wood, movie rentals groceries, snacks, RV supplies, books magazines, souvenirs. Recreational activities include: stream fishing, playground, sports field, horseshoes, hiking/biking trail, Mineral Museum interpretive display. Minutes from golf course, restaurants, movie theatre, lake swimming, marina, Nipigon River and hiking trails. Listed and approved by CAA, AAA, Good Sam, Woodalls & Explorer 15, 30 & 50 Amp sites, dumping station, fishing and hunting licences, 2007 Rates: $22 to $29 - 2 people. Children under 10 free. MC/Visa/Interac are accepted. Call toll free 1-877-887-3701
Nipigon Recreation Centre
Nipigon has a modern community centre with a well-equipped fitness centre for young and old. The arena provides winter and summer activities. The swimming pool offers a well balanced program with swimming lessons for a variety of levels as well as public swimming and aquabics.Hydroelectric Generating Stations
Pine Portage Dam: Located 40 kms north of Nipigon on Highway 585, Pine Portage is a 4 unit generated station with a total capacity of 140 Mw. Construction of this dam began in 1947, with the first two units going into service in 1950 and the next two in 1954.
Cameron Falls Dam: Located 20 kms north of Nipigon on Highway 585, this 7 unit generating station has a capacity of 77 Mw. Construction of Cameron Falls began in 1918 originally as a 2- unit powerhouse with the first unit in service in Dec 1920, and the second in March of 1921. The demand for more power in the Thunder Bay region resulting largely from rapid development of pulp and paper in the region made it necessary to add more generating capacity at Cameron Falls. The completion of two more units occurred in 1924 with an additional two being added in 1925 and 1926 respectively. A seventh was added in 1958.
Alexander Dam: Located 16 kms north of Nipigon on Highway 585, this 5 unit generating station has a total capacity of 66 Mw. In 1926 the construction of Alexander began as a three unit power house, with the first unit being placed in service in Oct., 1930. The second unit followed in Dec. 1930, and a third unit in March of 1931. A fourth unit was added in 1945 and a fifth in 1958.
Historical Walking Tour
Take a walk through time and savour the tales old buildings have to tell. Tour length is a relaxing 2.6 kilometres. All Sites are accessible by road. You can pick up your map the the Museum or at the Town Office.
Early History
Archaeological evidence indicates that people may have lived in the Nipigon area for 9000 years. In the more recent past, rock paintings on the mouth of the Nipigon River show an Aboriginal presence and predate European contact by several hundred years.
Claude Greysolon Dulhut established the first permanent trading post on the mouth of the Nipigon River in 1679, making Nipigon the oldest settlement on the north shore of Lake Superior. Development took off when the Hudson's Bay Company built Red Rock Post in 1859. Their 350 foot wharf permitted steamboats to make regular stops, and by 1871, the Post was the acting headquarters for the entire Nipigon River watershed.
The arrival of the CPR changed the focal point of the community from the river to Front Street. Red Rock Post became known as Nepigon, and later Nipigon. The first town election was held in 1909.
E.C. Everett
For more than fifty years, E.C. Everett chronicled the history of Nipigon in photographs, from the opening of churches and commercial establishments, to the royal visit, the Prisoners of War Camp, fires, snowstorms and floods. An astute businessman, he sold clothing and dry goods as well as his own photographs. Everett was also a showman, known to walk on his hands, juggle and recite his own poetry. His first store was at the site of the Plaza Theatre.
After he passed away in May 1984, his daughter Ruth kindly donated several thousand of his photos to the Nipigon Historical Museum. Fortunately, most of them survivd the 1990 museum fire.