Our area truly is your four season trails destination. We have canoe routes, the historic Pickerel River, interpretive trails, ATV, hiking and cycling routes, driving tours, snowmobile trails and excellent cross-country skiing.

Canoeing
Two dozen portages link more than 30 lakes and rivers in the Loring Restoule Vacationland, providing dozens of potential routes that you can plan for yourself. Plan on a single day of canoeing to explore one of our many lakes, or a more extended journey of several days involving many lakes.

Camping sites are available along the routes, as well as at Restoule Provincial Park and at many private parks in the area. Bring along your fishing rod and take advantage of our clean lakes and rivers. We have bass, pike and walleye and there's lots of wildlife too. Don't forget your camera.

Pickerel River
Whether you travel by boat or canoe, navigating along the 70 km. of the historic Pickerel River is a nature lover's delight. Follow the route of the steamer Kawigamog which carried lumber and supplies between the railhead at Lost Channel and the Port-of-Loring (now Port Loring). At its peak in the 1920's, the population of Lost Channel was more than 1,000. You can also check out the remnants of an old bridge at Fleming's Landing. The Bridge was part of the original Salinas colonization road and was set ablaze by sparks from the passing Kawigamog's smoke stack. The Pickerel River is historically significant because it was used to drive logs to the many mills that once dotted its shores.

ATV, Hiking & Cycling
Old logging roads and colonization roads, some from before the turn of the century, form the basis of our ATV, hiking and cycling opportunities. The trails of the Little River Road Interpretive Area also link with the Trans Canada Trail and trails in surrounding areas.

Driving Tours
Drive along Highway 522 during late March or early April and see dozens of deer feeding in the fields along the roadway, preparing for the journey to their summer ranges. From May until Thanksgiving, follow Highways 654, 524 and 522 to visit the artisans and crafts people on the "Country Roads Studio Tour". This same route also forms a portion of the "Lake Nipissing Circle Tour". Plan to visit at any time of the year, but September is a real treat when our trees are in their full autumn splendor.

Interpretive Trails
Our self guided interpretive trails will help you to get back in touch with the natural world. At Restoule Provincial Park, the River Trail, which follows along the Restoule River, is a great way to see some of the park's natural features. The Tower Trail begins at the site of an old homestead. From there it takes you through the forest to the fire tower and a panoramic view of Stormy Lake.

In Golden Valley, the Little River Road Interpretive Area introduces you to forest ecology and the relationship between forest and some of its wildlife.

Snowmobile Trails
The Loring Restoule Vacationland is at the crossroads of Ontario. The Trans-Provincial Trail System (TOPS) crosses through our area, providing a vital link between northern and southern Ontario. With 150 km of TOPS trails and more than 200 km of local trails, this area is truly a snowmobiler's dream.  The Near North Snowmobile District has 3700 km of Trails.

Cross Country Skiing
The Little River Road Interpretive Area provides trails for cross country skiing. Come and ski among the 10,000 deer that visit us every winter.

Restoule Provincial Park

Come to this quiet, out of the way park amid scenes of northern beauty and historical significance. Remote and secluded, Restoule Provincial Park supplies plenty of outdoor recreation options, especially fishing,swimming and motorboating on the two lakes. Take long walks through the woods to a spectacular look out, or canoe along the extensive waterways to link up with the historic French River where Samuel de Champlain explored. Unspoiled northern beauty and a feeling of solitude make Restoule Proviancial Park an ideal day adventure.

This natural environment park is located at the northeastern edge of the largest white tailed deer herd in the province. Up to10,000 deer are supported in the Loring deer yard, and many wander up to Restoule for the food and shelter provided by the hemlock trees. Walks along the park's trails and roadways will likely give you a glimpse of these shy, graceful creatures, nibbling on foliage at the edges of Restoule's wetlands.

These environments provide ideal homes for many birds. Keep your eyes and ears open for the different shorebirds such as ducks and great blue herons in the ponds and bogs of the low lying wetlands. Throughout the forested areas, the cheerful songs of warblers liven up the day, and at night, the haunting call of the common loon often can be heard.

Travel along waterways vital to the early exploration and development of Canada - the French River system. This legendary voyageur canoe route lies just north of the park, within easy access for extended canoe trips.

The Loring Deer Yard

One of Ontario's largest herds of Whitetail Deer winter in the vicinity of the Loring Restoule area where you can easily watch and admire them.

In especially hard winters, when the snow is deep and food reserves are scarce, the deer herd may face the threat of death by starvation.

Recognizing their need, Loring Restoule Business Association has rallied the support of community residents and area hunt clubs to provide money and manpower in assisting the Ministry of Natural Resources in rescue efforts. We cut access trails and bring in feed resulting in a marked increase in deer survival throughout the winter months.