The Prospector Route

McIntyre Mine Headframe – Timmins

Discover ontario's gold rush.

The Prospector Route encapsulates the significance of hardrock mining and the tourism attractions that are lined up in a relatively small, easily accessible circuit in Northeastern Ontario.

Buried deep in the vast Canadian Shield are the valuable minerals that have enriched development of mines and towns concentrated in Northeastern Ontario.

The circle tour covers a wilderness region of Boreal Forest, with vast stands of stately red and white pine forests, and where waterfalls and tumbling rapids connect lakes to resorts and campgrounds.

Download a copy of the Ontario RV Touring Guide.

Drive Distances

Toronto to Huntsville
3 h 20 min / 390 km

Huntsville to Temagami:
2 h 40 min / 230 km

Temagami to Temiskaming Shores
45 min / 60 km

Temiskaming Shores to Iroquois Falls
2 h / 180 km

Iroquois Falls to Cochrane
40 min / 50 km

Cochrane to Timmins
1 h 10 min / 105 km

Timmins to Sudbury
3 h 25 min / 300 km

Sudbury to Killarney
1 h 20 min / 110 km

Killarney to Toronto
4 h 25 min / 430 km

Weather Warnings

Remote sections on Northern highways:

Watch for sudden weather changes with heavy snow and wind on isolated stretches of highways with few or no services during April and early May in Spring, and late September–October. Keep an eye on your fuel and propane before heading north where gas stations may close in the evening, and on Sundays.

ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS

TOP 10 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

01 Chief Commanda – Cruise on Lake Nipissing – North Bay
02 Glory Hole – Cobalt Mining District National Historic Site – Cobalt
03 Sir Harry Oakes Manor – Kirkland Lake
04 Canadian Polar Bear Habitat – Cochrane
05 Hollinger Gold Mine – Open Pit Mine – Timmins
06 The Polar Bear Express – Train to James Bay – Cochrane to Moosonee
07 Dynamic Earth – Underground Mine Tour – Sudbury
08 Killarney Provincial Park – Georgian Bay
09 French River Museum – French River Provincial Park (first designated Canadian Heritage River)
10 Orient Bay Palisades – Lake Nipigon

CONNECT TO THE FUR TRADE ROUTE

CONNECT TO THE FUR TRADE ROUTE

OPTIONAL CONNECTING ROUTE

Cochrane to Nipigon

This extension of The Prospector Route runs 700 km along the most northerly highway between Cochrane and Nipigon. Not as well travelled by tourists, the miles of muskeg and black spruce provide evidence of the back woods wilderness where moose abound. The history of the fur trade, lumbering and mining and railroading highlights the remoteness and ruggedness of survival in the Canadian north.

Francophone communities are spread across the North as far as Hearst and throughout most of Algoma country. Hwy #11 parallels the original route the Transcontinental Railway between Longlac and Kapuskasing.

Day 01

TORONTO / HUNTSVILLE / ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK

Bracebridge

Bracebridge is located in the heart of the Muskoka Lakes region and known as “Halfway to the North Pole” where it lays equidistant from the equator and North Pole. The town overlooks the dam and waterfalls near the rail crossing. Antique and fashion shops line the main street.

Huntsville

Visit Muskoka Heritage Place overlooking Cann Lake records the living history of homesteads and First Nations encampments. The Portage Flyer, a restored steam train runs 2 km alongside the Muskoka River and is reputed to be the shortest operational railroad in the world.

Algonquin Provincial Park

East of Huntsville, Algonquin Provincial Park occupies 7,700 square Kilometres of stunning wilderness landscapes at the outer edge of the Canadian Shield. Protected since 1893 as Ontario’s first Provincial Park, it remains an iconic destination for travelers from around the world.

Day 02

ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK / NORTH BAY / TEMAGAMI

North Bay

Visit the harbour front in North Bay, known as “The Gateway to the North”. Take a break to enjoy a five-hour cruise aboard the Chief Commanda ll from Lake Nipissing to French River. A vintage Wonderland Carousel and a miniature train are heritage features near the municipal marina. Observe a large switching yard for the Ottawa Valley Railroad.

Marten River Provincial Park

Marten River

See remnant stands of massive pines including a 350-year-old White Pine as you walk the Transition Trail. A replica 19th century logging camp brings a bygone era to life. Relax at one of the park’s three beaches.

Finlayson Point Provincial Park

Temagami

Finlayson Point Provincial Park is a peninsula in the island-dotted waters of Lake Temagami, part of thousands of kilometres of ancient pine shoreline. Swim at sandy beaches and dive in the deep clear water of Lake Temagami. Hike to Caribou Mountain lookout and fire tower, with views over the White Bear Forest, Lake Temagami and the town of Temagami.

Day 03

TEMAGAMI / COBALT / TEMISKAMING SHORES

Latchford

Latchford is a small lumbering town on Bay Lake that is marked by a dam close to the highway bridge over the Montreal River. It is renowned for having the world’s
shortest covered bridge.

Cobalt

The entire town of Cobalt is a national historic
site paying tribute to the discovery of silver in 1903. Cobalt is the birthplace of hard rock mining in Canada, and known for the world’s first mining camp. Visit the Cobalt Mining Museum and follow the Heritage Silver Trail, a self-guided driving tour through back roads of the Cobalt mine. The tour features 20 sites with interpretive plaques. Take the Colonial Adit Mine Tour to see hand carved tunnels of the early mining days.

Temiskaming Shores

The resort community of Temiskaming Shores on the Wabi River where it enters Lake Temiskaming is an amalgamation of the three former municipalities of New Liskeard, Haileybury and rural area of Dymond. Hike the trail to Devil's Rock for spectacular views of Lake Temiskaming.

Day 04

TEMISKAMING SHORES / KIRKLAND LAKE / IROQUOIS FALLS

Kirkland Lake

Kirkland Lake is another city that owes its rich existence to gold mining. The “Kirkland Lake Mile of Gold” was named after seven major mines located virtually in the town. Visit the Museum of Northern History in Kirkland Lake housed in a chateau-style mansion built by Sir Harry Oakes that celebrates the town’s cultural heritage. See the historic Toburn Gold Mine which was the first mine in the area and produced 42 million ounces of gold. Wander the main street as it weaves past historic buildings. The city celebrates its 100-year centenary in 2020.

Iroquois Falls

Iroquois Falls was built as a company town on the Abitibi River, but has turned to tourism after closure of the newsprint mill. It is known as “The Garden Town of the North” where the community takes great pride in flowers and vegetable gardens. Visit Anson Park to view the Shay 70 Locomotive that used to operate through town, or take a tour of the Pioneer Museum to find out how Iroquois Falls came to be.

DAY 05

IROQUOIS FALLS / COCHRANE / TIMMINS

Cochrane

A small northern community just one hour north of Iroquois Falls. The Canadian Polar Bear Habitat, a research facility featuring a 24-acre natural enclosure is dedicated to rescuing Polar Bears. The Interpretive Centre explains the range and habits of Polar Bears in the wild.

Timmins

The story of Timmins begins in 1909 with the Porcupine Gold Rush, a gold rush like no other. By 2011, the Porcupine Camp had mined over 70 million ounces of gold, compared to the 12 million ounces produced during the well-known Klondike Gold Rush. From the discovery of gold and other precious metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, silver and diamonds, history seems to repeat itself and the city with a heart of gold continues to reap the benefits of this exploration fever. Mine artifacts, buildings and a collection of seven life sized statues depicting miners in various work-related poses can be found throughout the city of Timmins.

Connect to the Fur Trade Route

OPTIONAL CONNECTING ROUTE

Cochrane to Nipigon

Side trip to Moosonee

1-day return trip / 2-day trip / 3-day trip

Polar Bear Express Rail Excursion to Moosonee

Discover the Moose River and James Bay Coast. There are several options for length of stay in Moosonee and Moose Factory.

One-Day Return Trip: The easiest choice is to make a one-day roundtrip from Cochrane to Moosonee, but doesn't provide enough time to see the sites. A taxi will bring visitors to the town wharf and a boat ride to the island, but that is about all in the five hour turnaround at the northern terminus.

2-Day Stay: One night will allow enough time to either visit the outer reaches of the river mouth, or to visit the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Moose Factory buildings. Winds and tide will determine whether there is enough time to visit James Bay.

3-Day Stay: The best option is to stay two nights to provide sufficient time to reach the Bay and visit the island. This must tie into the rail schedule. For example, depart Cochrane on a Monday and return on Wednesday. Travellers need to be flexible with the river tides to book an experienced river guide for the 20 km boat trip on the Moose River to the mouth of James Bay.

Day 06

TIMMINS / GOGAMA / SUDBURY / KILLARNEY

Gogama

This small northern community is home to several great fishing lodges. Learn about legendary Joe LaFlamme who trained wolves to pull a dogsled in the wilds of Northern Ontario.

Sudbury

Make a stop in Sudbury, where the Super Stack looms on the horizon. Be sure to visit Dynamic Earth to experience the life of rock miners complete with the sounds of blasting and ore drills. Science North, one of the largest science centres in all of Canada features a fun, interactive approach to science education and an IMAX® theatre.

Killarney

Head south on Hwy #69 through pink granite rock cuts to the junction of Hwy #637 where the highway dips down to the waterfront in Killarney. Take a short hike to the Killarney East Lighthouse. It was here when the first settlers arrived in 1820 to establish a fur trading post where two lighthouses were the first to operate after Confederation. The Village of Killarney provides services including a Laundromat, marina and museum.

DAY 07

KILLARNEY / FRENCH RIVER / TORONTO

FRENCH RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK

A Travel Information Centre and museum at the National Historic Site on the French River pays tribute to the Lake Nipissing Canoe Route. Voyageurs followed the river west to secure furs from the Objibwe on a voyage of trade and exploration leading north and west of Lake Superior as early as 1659. The French River, although relatively small, was most significant in providing access to westward travel. The Travel Information Center is open Thursday to Monday in spring and fall, and daily in the summer.

Parry Sound

Make a short stop at the harbour front community of Parry Sound and nearby lookout tower on Georgian Bay. Visit the Interpretive Centre featuring the canoe route that served as a commercial waterway for 250 years.

BACK TO TOP

Ontario Parks

There are numerous Provincial Parks along the Fur Trade Route. Most of these parks open in late May and close in September. A park pass is required and must be displayed on the dash of a vehicle at all times. Electrical, fresh water and sani-dumps are available in all provincial parks that accommodate RV camping.

Campsite reservations:
1-888-668-7275
www.ontarioparks.com