Trails

City of Kenora operates several seasonal trails. These recreation facilities are open from May 1st until November 1st during the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted differently.

When using trails, please be courteous to all others and always follow the City of Kenora regulations for these facilities.

Pets

Pets are not permitted on City beaches, sports fields, playgrounds, gardens or green space areas
Keep pets on a leash
You are required to clean up after your pet – look for doggie do-do bags at entrances of some trails
Animal Control By-law 150-2010 applies

Cleanliness

Do not litter – always use trash cans or take your garbage home for disposal
Practice “Pack it in, pack it out”

Enjoyment for all

No merchandise sales
Post posters or signs on event boards only
No soliciting business
Play organized sports and games in only designated areas
Use BBQ in designated areas only
Alcohol is not permitted
Be respectful of wildlife
Do not disturb or damage ground, vegetation or gardens
Practice “Take photos, Leave footprints”
Be aware of your own noise levels, including music, to not disturb others
Overnight camping is not permitted
No fireworks
No firearms

Parking and vehicles

Park vehicles in designate parking lot only during open hours
Leave Disabled parking spaces for disabled persons
Keep fire routes open
Stay on trails and roadways, follow the posted signs
No ATVs

Consult City of Kenora By-laws 034-2015 and 069-2016 for full details and set fines.

Smoke Free Ontario Act applies to children’s playgrounds and publicly owned sport fields and surfaces (e.g., areas for basketball, baseball, soccer or beach volleyball, ice rinks, tennis courts, splash pads and swimming pools that are owned by a municipality, the province or a postsecondary education institution)

Nature Trails – Hiking and Walking Eco-Tours

Kenora’s Recreational Trails and the surrounding Regional Trails offer an outdoor experience for all your senses. You get to see the great northwest in all it’s natural glory, you get to feel the solitude and the “one with nature” familiarity of life in the wild, you get to smell the fresh air and the Lake of the Woods itself and you get to encounter wildlife in their environment. You get to experience all of this in our back yard.

Email: trails@kenora.ca

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Lake of the Woods Trail Guide

Kenora Recreational Urban Trails Guide Booklet

Kenora Recreational Trails

U1 – Rat Portage Urban Trail,
City Centre

Description: The Rat Portage Urban Trail meanders along flat or gently rolling, paved city streets with sidewalks of wood, interlocking brick or concrete and along Laurenson’s Creek nature walk. See Husky the Muskie and the Goodwill Geyser in McLeod Park, Kenora’s harbourfront, the downtown shopping area, restaurants and fast food outlets, a museum, wall murals, wetland areas and peaceful residential areas. Enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of this community and to cool off take a swim at Anicinabe park’s public beach.

Distance: 6.5 to 8 km
Terrain: Easy to Moderate
Seasons: All Seasons
Uses: Hiking

Rat Portage Trail Walking Tour Guide

U3 – Mink Bay Trail, Keewatin

Description: The Mink Bay Wetland is a beautiful area nestled in the west end of the City of Kenora. This area has the distinction of being the earliest settled area in Keewatin. This trail system winds through the wetlands and wilderness areas of Mink and Portage Bay and into the green spaces and businesses of downtown Keewatin.

Distance: 4.3 km
Terrain: Easy to Moderate to High in some feeders
Seasons: All Seasons
Uses: Hiking, Cycling, Skiing

Mink Bay Historical Walking Tour Guide

S1 – Kenora Nordic Trails, Mt. Evergreen Ski Hill

Description: The Kenora Nordic Trails is a series of trails which are well signed. The trails intimately wind through mixed forest and rocky ridges. The trails are designed so you can add extra loops off the main trail as your energy allows. From the top of Mount Evergreen spectacular views of the Lake of the Woods and the surrounding forest are encountered. May experience wet conditions in the rainy season.

Distance: 1.4 to 20 km
Terrain: Moderate to High
Seasons: All Seasons. Trail use is free except in the winter when groomed for skiing, at which time hiking is not allowed.
Uses: Hiking, Skiing

U2 – Rabbit Lake Trail System, Jaffray Melick

Description: Rabbit Lake Trail is inclusive, accessible and paved. This trail starts at the end of Nairn Avenue, proceeds to a wonderful viewing site overlooking Rabbit Lake, then east along the shore of Rabbit Lake to Garrow Park and Beach. The trail then follows Birchwood Crescent onto Valley Drive which leads you back to Nairn Avenue. There are several resting areas along the bush portion of the trail. There are also several feeder trails that are not accessible.

Distance: 5 km
Terrain: Easy to Moderate (Feeder Trails – Moderate to High)
Seasons: All seasons
Uses: Hiking, Cycling, Skiing, Snowshoe, Wheelchair Accessible

Rabbit Lake Recreational Trail Tour Guide

U4 – Wass’say’Gaa’Boo (Tunnel Island Trail)

Description: This area is a relationship gathering place with 8,000 years of history. A place where relationship is affirmed, confirmed and maintained. Stunning views of the Winnipeg River and Norman Dam can be seen along the series of trails which make up Tunnel Island. The trail also includes several lookouts and points of interest along its path. Many wildlife such as eagles, pelicans, deer and fox can be seen along this trail. This land was gifted to the Common Ground partnership between the City of Kenora, Grand Council Treaty #3 and the communities of Wauzushk Onigum, Ochiichagwe’Babigo’lning and Obashkaandagaang. Please respect the heritage value of this sacred site, while enjoying the land.

Distance: 6-10 km
Terrain: Moderate to High
Seasons: All seasons. Winter season, some slippery slopes, alternate winter trails are available and recommended.

Regional Trails

R1 – Minaki Trails

Description: Minaki Trails encompasses 25 km of scenic trails throughout the boreal forest. Natural trails wind through this pristine forest with spectacular views of the Canadian Shield and surrounding area.

Distance: 25 km
Terrain: Moderate to Extreme
Seasons: All Seasons
Uses: Hiking, Cycling, Skiing
Website: www.minaki.ca

R3 – Vernon Nature Trails

Description: The Vernon Nature Area is a unique area that links three very diverse vegetarian zones found within Canada. These designated trails will acquaint you with the transition zone between the Boreal Forest Region, the St. Lawrence-Great Lake Forest Region and the Prairie Grasslands.

Distance: 5 km
Terrain: Easy to Moderate
Seasons: All Seasons
Uses: Hiking, Cycling, Skiing, Snowshoeing
Website: www.ontariotrails.on.ca

R2 – Rushing River Trails

Terrain:
Lower Rapids Trail – 1.8 km – moderate
Pine Ridge Trail – 500 m – moderate
Beaver Pond Trails – 1.1 km – moderate
Granite Knoll Trail – 2.7 km – difficult
Seasons: Trails are three seasons – closed in the winter
Uses: Hiking only
Website: www.ontarioparks.com/park/rushingriver

R4 – Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls Trails

Description: Enjoy unparalleled hiking through the boreal forests along three trial systems – Red Pine Trails, Boreal Trails and Aspen Trails. The trails travel through impressive stands of red pine, cedar, poplar, spruce, cedar and oak trees. Enjoy the spectacular views, beaver ponds, granite ridges and see many forest dwellers that call this area home.

Distance: 1 to 8 km
Terrain: Moderate to Extreme
Seasons: All Seasons (Boreal Trail closed during winter)
Uses: Hiking, Skiing
Website: www.siouxnarrows-nestorfalls.ca