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Manitoulin Island Adventure Travel for Nature-Loving Campers

Travel, Tourism, and Exploring the Wonders of Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Discover waterfalls, fossil trails, small-town charm, Indigenous history and ferry fun on this eco-conscious Northern Ontario Getaway

Manitoulin Island Adventure Travel for Nature-Loving Campers - During our unforgettable Manitoulin Island adventure travel, our family embarked on a scenic and soulful camping journey filled with waterfalls, fossil beds, Indigenous culture, and island charm. This remarkable destination, located in Lake Huron in Northern Ontario, is the largest freshwater island in the world—and trust me, it offers far more than just breathtaking views.

After crossing through the small town of Espanola and the LaCloche Mountains, we were treated to our first taste of Manitoulin's magic: the iconic Little Current Swing Bridge. This single-lane bridge, first constructed in 1913 as a railway bridge, now pivots to allow marine traffic while connecting the mainland to the island. From there, it was a short drive to Batman's Cottages, Tent and Trailer Campground which was our home-base for three adventure-filled nights.

A family smile in the car at the start of a road trip, including one woman, one man, one teen boy and one teen girl. Everyone is all smiles at the start of the journey.

We've hit the road for our Manitoulin Island adventure travel for nature-loving campers! The trip from Kingston to the Island via Espanola and the Little Current swing bridge was about eight hours.

The friendly, welcoming sign at Batman's Cottages Tent and Trailer Park greeted us from Highway 6 just outside of Sheguiandah, Ontario on the east-side of Manitoulin Island.

Fun Facts about Manitoulin Island Adventure Travel for Nature-Loving Campers

Did you know that Manitoulin Island spans over 2,766 square kilometres and boasts more than 100 inland lakes? As the largest freshwater island in the world, this small island is filled with natural treasures, Indigenous culture, and some of the most beautiful panoramic views of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the North Channel. It is no surprise that tourism on Manitoulin Island has grown by 21% in the past five years. Largely driven by the island's reputation for sustainable adventure travel and Indigenous-led experiences, Manitoulin Island is the place to be for adventure travel for nature-loving campers.

Map of central Ontario showing the placement of Manitoulin Island in between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Manitoulin Island is located in Northern Ontario south-east of Sault Ste. Marie, and south-west of Sudbury. Nestled between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, access to the island is by ferry from the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula (in the spring, summer and fall), or by land and bridges from Espanola (all year-round).

A map of Manitoulin Island, Ontario showing major towns such as Gore Bay, South Baymouth, Little Current, Meldrum Bay and many of the lakes found on Manitoulin Island including Lake Kagawong and Lake Manitou.

A map of Manitoulin Island, Ontario, showing at nearly 3,000 square kilometres and 100+ lakes. As the largest freshwater island in the world, its beautiful and diverse landscapes are definitely worth exploring.

Exploring Things to See and Do on Manitoulin Island's North Shore

Our first full day of Manitoulin Island adventure travel for nature-loving campers began with one of the island's most Instagram-worthy spots, Bridal Veil Falls in the small town of Kagawong, Ontario. Interestingly, nestled in a forested ravine, this 11-metre waterfall was named after the shape of the water as it cascades over the limestone cliff, resembling a bride's veil. This natural treasure is a cherished swimming and hiking destination. We swam in the crystal-clear plunge pool and even walked behind the waterfall curtain which was an exhilarating and refreshing experience.

Then, we wandered along the Kagawong River, hopping across smooth rocks and shallow rapids surrounded by mossy banks and shady trees. Kagawong itself, meaning "where mists rise from falling waters" in Ojibwe, is known as Ontario's prettiest village. Its historic Old Mill Heritage Centre and Post Office Museum offer a quiet glimpse into the island's settlers' past.

The view of Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong, Ontario, Manitoulin Island. Through sunshine and green leaved branches.

The view of Bridal Veil Falls as you approach from the metal staircase leading from the small parking area to the base of the falls. We were fortunate enough to visit on a perfectly sunny day. The falls resemble the veil a bride would wear on her wedding day.

A family stands in front of Bridal Veil Falls, Manitoulin Island.

We captured a family-selfie at the base of Bridal Veil Falls, Manitoulin Island. After this photo we explored behind the falls and then went for a swim in the plunge pool. The water was surprisingly warm and crystal clear!

A narrow river bed with crystal clear moving water and various rocks along the edges. Kagawong River on Manitoulin Island.

The Kagawong River is shallow with a moving current after the plunge pool at the base of the Bridal Veil Falls. The kids raced sticks and leaves down the mini rapids to see whose would get the furthest. We were able to walk within the river for quite a while.

Tourism and Attractions for Nature-Loving Campers in Gore Bay, Ontario

From Kagawong, we drove west to the charming marine town of Gore Bay, Ontario. Known for its scenic harbour and laid-back vibe, Gore Bay traces its roots back to the mid-1800s and remains a regional hub for fishing and boating. For lunch, we stopped at Split Rail Brewing Co., a craft brewery that celebrates local ingredients and community spirit. Their outdoor patio offered stunning waterfront views while we enjoyed a sampler flight, artisan sandwiches, snacks, and even a hotdog.

A man and woman cheers their glasses at an outdoor patio on Manitoulin Island, in Gore Bay, Ontario.

Toasting to our Manitoulin Island Adventure on the outdoor patio of Split Rail Brewing Company in Gore Bay, Ontario. Split Rail Brewing Co. is a local brewery that uses natural ingredients native to the island to brew unique craft beers.

The help the servers find where the prepared meals go, we were provided with a long stick, lucky number 13. The servers had no problem locating us!

Three small glasses of beer in a wooden board, representing a flight, from Split Rail Brewing Co in Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Split Rail Brewing offered 3-sample flights in which you were able to choose your own samples. I chose the seasonal Sour brew, the Hawberry Ale and the Cooper Lager.

Following lunch, we strolled along the Gore Bay Boardwalk, a wooden path tracing the shoreline past the marina, offering interpretive signage, benches, and birdwatching spots. Although many businesses were closed for Sunday, we were delighted that Lake Side Ice Cream was open. We made sure to stop and savoured their creative treats like custom cookie sandwiches and classic floats. The nearby Gore Bay Museum is housed in a former courthouse and offers insights into settler history and island development, don't miss this stop in Canadian history.

We were able to walk from the Split Rail Brewing Company to the infamous Gore Bay Boardwalk, which runs along the waterfront of aptly named Gore Bay. The waterfront area was outfitted with benches, pickle ball courts and many amenities for the moored boats.

Even on a Sunday, the Lake Side Ice Cream store was open. Located in the lower level of Purvis Fish & Chips, this little shop had friendly, knowledgeable staff, and unique treats including "Algonquin canoe" ice cream flavour!

Camping Activities and Beach Relaxation on Manitoulin Island

Later that afternoon, we returned to Batman's Campground for a relaxing beach session. The campground's sandy stretch of Sheguiandah Bay was the perfect place to unwind. The kids built sand castles and searched for treasures using a metal detector, swam and soaked up the sun. A warm breeze and the sound of lapping waves made it easy to forget the world beyond Manitoulin Island.

This amazing campground is family-oriented and quiet at night. It also offered excellent amenities including a large camp store, firewood, clean facilities, and rental watercraft. Our evenings were spent around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories beneath the stars.

View of Sheguiandah Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, including the sandy beach, blue sky. Includes a yellow bucket of sand toys, a swimming platform in the distance, and a pair of crocs.

A view of the sandy beach at Batman's Cottages, Tent & Trailer Park, along the Sheguiandah Bay on Manitoulin Island. Between swimming and tossing the football with the kids, I enjoyed some quiet time reading in my beach chair.

A man and a teen using a metal detector on the shores of a sandy beach on Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

The boys enjoyed hunting for metal treasures buried in the sandy beach using their metal detector. The beach was found to be very well maintained, which meant the boys found very little for their efforts.

Beach scene including a yellow sand bucket, and white basket filled with sand toys. In the distance two children play on a floating swimming raft and the sun begins its descent.

The sun is getting lower on the sandy Sheguiandah Bay beach at Batman's Cottages. In the distance you can see the kids taking turns jumping off the floating swim raft in the calm waters of Sheguiandah Bay.

Hiking and Adventure Tourism Near Mindemoya, Ontario

On day two, we set out to discover central Manitoulin Island, beginning with the small town of Mindemoya. Derived from the Ojibwe word mindimooyenh, meaning "old woman," the town is rich in Indigenous and settler history. Additionally, Lake Mindemoya and nearby Treasure Island (Canada's largest island-in-a-lake-on-an-island!) add to its folklore charm.

We hiked the Wagg's Woods Fossil Trail, a highlight for geology lovers. Once the floor of a shallow tropical sea more than 400 million years ago, the dry creek bed was littered with fossilized corals, brachiopods, and crinoids. Uniquely, QR codes brought this prehistoric world to life. This easy-to-moderate loop trail is ideal for families and provides an educational and unforgettable experience on Manitoulin Island, adventure travel for nature-loving campers.

A family of four smiles in a bright green forest. Including a man in sunglasses, a woman in sunglasses, and two teenage children: a boy and a girl.

At the trailhead at Wagg's Woods Trail near Mindemoya, Ontario, on Manitoulin Island. We love to catch a family photo before we embark on a new trail or adventure.

Trail sign showing various routes, reviewing rules, providing statistics and information about the area, as well as sponsors who made the trail system possible. At Wagg's Woods Trail, Mindemoya, Ontario (Manitoulin Island).

The signpost at Wagg's Woods Trail showed the routes of four different trails: Woodland Accessibility Trail, Fossil Trail, Alvar Trail and Escarpment Trail. The trails ranged from very easy to hard. Definitely something for everyone at Wagg's Woods Trail.

A trail through a bright green forest comprised of a prehistoric creek bed at Wagg's Woods Trails near Mindemoya, Ontario on Manitoulin Island.

We were most interested in doing the Fossil Trail, which was rated easy and a distance of 520m. At the end of the Fossil Trail we did the Accessibility Trail 530m back to the trailhead. The Fossil Trail runs the length of a prehistoric creek bed and is littered with fossils from ancient coral reefs.

A large example of a colonial tabulate coral fossil found outside of Mindemoya, Ontario, on Manitoulin Island.

Here is just one example of a massive fossil we found on the path of the Fossil Trail. Because Manitoulin Island is part of the Niagara Escarpment, it was covered by a warm, shallow tropical sea hundreds of millions of years ago. This is a colonial tabulate coral fossil.

Indigenous Art, Island Views, and Sweet Treats

After our fossil-filled hike, we visited the Ten Mile Point Trading Post, an absolute must for those interested in Indigenous culture and handmade art. Set on a dramatic cliffside, the trading post featured carvings, beadwork, and totem poles, as well as a breathtaking panoramic view of Georgian Bay. This is a great stop to pick up ethically sourced souvenirs and gifts while enjoying Manitoulin Island adventure travel for nature-loving campers.

Returning to Little Current, we made a final ice cream stop at Three Cows and a Cone, which is another gem on the island's growing list of fun family activities. Then, it was time to return to our campsite for one last cozy campfire under the stars.

Panoramic view of blue water and green forest taken from Ten Mile Point on Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

An example of the breathtaking panoramic views of Georgian Bay from Ten Mile Point on Manitoulin Island. The horizon is "foggy" in this photo due to smoke from the wild fires in northern Manitoba that were burning at the time of our visit to the island.

Wooden structure painted in bright red, with an image of a totem pole on the side of the building under the white sign that reads

Ten Mile Point Trading Post is a bright red building set against the blue waters of Georgian Bay. You can't miss it driving along Highway 6 between Sheguiandah and Manitowaning.

A totem pole of an owl with wing spread and a turtle outside the Ten Mile Trading Post on Manitoulin Island.

A brightly painted totem pole welcomes visitors to the Ten Mile Trading Post on Manitoulin Island. Totem poles are carved by Indigenous artists to honour ancestry, stories, or cultural teachings.

Attractions and Ferry Travel from South Baymouth, Ontario

Our final morning on the island was spent packing and preparing for the next leg of our journey: a ferry crossing from South Baymouth, Ontario, to Tobermory, Ontario. South Baymouth is a delightful port town with a quaint marina, beautiful lighthouse, small museums, and one of the best lakeside playground-picnic combos we've seen! We grabbed food truck fish and chips near the ferry terminal and watched boats bob in the turquoise waters of Lake Huron.

A smiling woman poses in front of a small white and red lighthouse in South Baymouth, Ontario, on Manitoulin Island.

South Baymouth has a small but beautiful lighthouse on the shore of Lake Huron to guide boats to the marina. The Chi-Cheemaun, in particular, has to round a 90 degree bend when coming in to dock in South Baymouth, Ontario.

The Little Schoolhouse Museum in South Baymouth and a large lake buoy, both painted red.

One of the small museums located within the town of South Baymouth, Ontario. This is the "Little Schoolhouse Museum" built in 1891, along with an example of a lake buoy, both painted in bright red.

The Chi-Cheemaun Ferry, meaning "Big Canoe" in Ojibwe, has been transporting vehicles and passengers between Manitoulin Island and the Bruce Peninsula since 1974. The vessel is over 111 metres long and can carry nearly 650 passengers and 150 vehicles per trip. We booked our passage online months ahead of time, to ensure there was enough space for our truck and trailer, which together measured 55 feet! Onboard, we explored the cafeteria, outdoor decks, and gift shop. The nearly two-hour sailing gave us plenty of time to bask in the sunshine and reflect on our incredible Manitoulin Island adventure travel.

The port-side of the MS Chi-Cheemaun as she passed by the dock in South Baymouth, Ontario.

The MS Chi-Cheemaun or "Big Canoe" coming in to port at South Baymouth, Ontario on Manitoulin Island. The ferry provides safe passage across Lake Huron from Tobermory to South Baymouth in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter the only access to the island is via the land and bridges near Espanola, Ontario. Click the image to see the ship pass by.

A woman sits in front of the colourfully decorated smoke stack of the MS Chi-Cheemaun in Georgian Bay, Ontario.

Spending time on the sun deck of the Chi-Cheemaun ferry as it crosses from South Baymouth to Tobermory, Ontario. There was a variety of seating available, from Muskoka chairs to benches and tables with seats.

White sign with blue lettering that reads: Please do not hold children on or over railings. Taken from the MS Chi-Cheemaun in Ontario.

This sign on a deck rail on the MS Chi-Cheemaun reads, "Please do not hold children on or over railings". The beautifully blue Lake Huron extends for miles in the background.

The smoke stack of the MS Chi-Cheemaun features bold imagery of stylized Indigenous designs. Geometric and animal motifs inspired by traditional Ojibwe art, often reflecting the spiritual world and clan systems.

The smoke stack of the MS Chi-Cheemaun is painted with bright, bold imagery featuring stylized Indigenous designs, including a turtle, the sun and moon, flowing waves and organic shapes representing Lake Huron and the ferry’s connection to the land and water.

Nautical wooden signs sharing information on

Near the ferry terminal in South Baymouth, Ontario, are interpretive signs providing history and detail of the area and the operations of the ferries.

Smooth Sailing to More Ontario Travel Fun

Disembarking was efficient, and our drive to our next destination, Lands End Park near Tobermory, was smooth. As we waved goodbye to Manitoulin Island, we carried with us more than souvenirs—we carried stories, memories, and a deeper connection to Ontario's natural and cultural heritage.

If you're looking for a sustainable, educational, and fun-filled family getaway, consider planning your own Manitoulin Island adventure travel. Between fossil trails, waterfalls, museums, hiking trails, beach days, and ferry crossings, this island offers something truly unique in the Canadian travel landscape. Manitoulin Island is the destination for adventure travel for nature-loving campers.

Photo Credits: Anja Cahill

Black and white camper trailer at dusk with a campfire burning in an old stand-up washing machine drum at Batman's Cottages on Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

Our home away from home at Batman's Cottages, Tent & Trailer Park, while visiting Manitoulin Island. In the evenings we enjoyed campfires under the stars.

Manitoulin Island Adventure Travel for Nature-Loving Campers: Eco-Conscious Camping and Scenic Exploration in Northern Ontario

Why Camping in Manitoulin Island is the Ultimate Canadian Getaway

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EH Canada : Support on Thursday, 31 July 2025 20:45

This island resonated with us and it looks like it did with you. Great photos Anja and love how the family all participated. Really enjoyed this story.

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