A Guide to My Hometown

My hometown is a great place to visit. I have lived here for many years and I have lived and visited a lot of other places in the world so believe me when I say, it's a hidden gem. Sioux has a charm and beauty you can't find anywhere else because it is so remote and it's the heart of the north.

While there aren't a lot of restaurants, clubs, museums or galleries there is boundless nature, water ways and wonderful beaches, lush forest trails and colourful sunsets galore. Whether you are planning to venture to this remote spot in the north of Ontario or you are just passing through on your way to one of the more remote First Nations above it, here is a guide to get the most out of your visit to Sioux Lookout, ON.

If you are a Sioux Lookout-er, you know these activities and spots well. So scroll through and drop a comment below with your fav tip, if it wasn't included.

Things To do

Go up Sioux Mountain

Sioux Mountain is a lovely spot in Sioux Lookout. It is a very low lying mountain by most standards. But on the top of the mountain is a spot you can see all three major lakes systems surrounding it (Pelican Lake, Minnitaki Lake and the Lac Seul waterways). The town Sioux Lookout, name is based on the Anishinaabe teachings surrounding the mountain and the "Legend of Sioux Mountain". So, what better way to get a sense of the area than going on a trek up the most famous mountain in town.

In the winter, you can access the top of the mountain from the front face along the water. It usually requires a hike across the very frozen, Pelican lake or you can take a snow machine and buzz your way on up. You can also hike up the backside, some people have driven, as well. The tourist info centre has some maps to help guide you along that route. It requires a drive down the highway towards Hudson and down the road to Pelican Falls First Nation so it is good to have some instructions and a sense of where to go. Whichever way you decide to go up, the view is worth the effort it takes to make the trip.

Cedar Bay Trails

Cedar Bay is my favourite hiking spot. It is a lush green forest that is easily accessible and located just on the edge of town. It is surrounded by cedar and pine trees, with intermittent babbling brooks and a secret hidden trail that is mossy and lush and right out of a fairy tale. I have spent many, many years walking these trails and they never loose their allure. At the end of the trail is the cozy cabin, a beautiful beach on a gorgeous lake and a view that can't be beat. Go at dusk and check out the beautiful sunset.

In the winter, you can hit up the snow shoes trails and the fat bike trails which are nestled in behind the main walking trail leading to the cozy cabin. On Saturdays the cozy cabin has a nice toasty fire going, some tea, cocoa and goodies. It is a lovely way to get in some walking, some nature time and is so good for a mental health break.

If you are into skiing there are also ski trails at Cedar Bay. I am not a skier so I can not speak to that experience and the quality of the trails. I hear they are a treat and definitely something fun to do in Sioux Lookout.

Head out onto the Ice

Eight months of the year my little hometown is cold, cold, cold. I'm talking minus 20 degrees celsius and colder cold. Winter is the main season here. The cool thing about that (yes, there are benefits) is the lake our little town is on, Pelican Lake, freezes over. The ice is so thick, planes, trucks and snow machines, drive up and down that stretch of ice like its a highway. Which means, it's perfectly safe to take a winter walk on the lake and go for snow shoe.

Go for a Skate

If you are feeling more adventurous it is definitely a fun experience to go for a glide around some glassy icy rinks on the lake, as well. The amazing cracks and crystal like texture are worth dusting off the old skates for and getting in some laps. Sometimes there is a skating trail between the town beach and the forest inn. Other years there has been a rink at the town beach. If either of those are in good condition I highly recommend getting on the ice and going for a skate.

Canoe Trips

There are lots of water ways to explore in the summer around my hometown and one of the best ways to do that is by canoe or kayak. If you don't have one, borrow one from someone who does, plenty of locals have them and don't mind lending them out. There are lots of amazing things to see and experience by boat no matter the size. If you want to get adventurous, ask a local who frequently goes on canoe trips or get a map from the local MNR and plan a route to do some exploring. There are some amazing spots you can paddle to you just have to know how to get there.

Visit one of the Beautiful Beaches in Town or Out of Town

Sioux has a few amazing beaches -- MNR beach, Town beach and, if you are in the mood for a bit of a drive, Bernier's beach is a great spot to spend the day. If you are visiting in the summer hanging on one of the beaches is an amazing way to spend your time. Be warned though, the waters of northern Ontario are cool. They are not like ocean waters. If you are preparing to swim only do so in July or August. It will be a crisp swim, even on a hot July day. But that refreshing splash in the waters around Sioux really hits the spot.

Sight Seeing Adventures

One of the coolest experiences in Sioux Lookout is the Slate Falls sight seeing adventure. You enjoy a bush plane ride around town to see all the natural wonders from the air and then get dropped off at Anderson's Lodge to enjoy a meal at Foxy's Dining room.

You can also enjoy many of their other sight seeing packages such as a tour of White otter castle, English and ghost river and more. I have been to these spot by canoe and boat and can attest to their beauty. They are worth a trip to check out and if you don't know the way you can fly in with Slate Falls Airways. What a cool adventure! Check out their full sight seeing adventure packages on their website.

Where to Eat?

Visit the Local Coffee Shops

There a few great coffee shops in town to enjoy a well made cup of coffee as well as, enjoy some amazing freshly baked goodies.

The Hub Collective roasts their own coffee and brews a mean Americano. They also have some amazing homemade goodies, such as yummy roasted garlic focaccia bread, melt-in-your-mouth honey glazed donuts, amazing home made bagels and more. Follow them on Instagram to see what is coming out of the kitchen and the amazing drinks they have on menu. You will not be disappointed with a trip to this amazing little shop.

The Red Brick cafe also boasts some good roasts of coffee that you can, also pair with some amazing goodies, such as muffins, cupcakes, cookies, whoopee pies, and peanut butter confetti bars. Head there for lunch on a Friday if you can because they have the most yummy chicken Thai wraps in town. Check out their Instagram to see what new goodies are coming out of the wood work.

The Forest Bar & Grill

The Forest Inn is a great light hearted vibe and is one of few restaurants right on the water. In the summer, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake from the deck or their dining room while you nosh on some tasty wings or steak sandwiches.

Check them out on Facebook.

The Golf and Curling Club Restaurant

This restaurant is a laid back environment with a great menu. Try the homemade spring rolls as an appetizer, order a burger and fries and watch some golfers tee off. If you are a golfer, have a round of 18 then enjoy a meal and a bevie at your leisure. It's a great way to spend a day in a small northern town.

Check them out on Facebook.

Foxy's Dining Room

A bit out of town this restaurant experience is worth the drive out. It is a fun dining experience for those that don't mind eating surrounded by fisherman back from a day out on the lake, while surrounded by taxidermy of any and all kinds. It's a true woodsman experience. The menu is pretty good and the dining experience is unique. Check out their website for more.

Where to Shop?

It depends on what you are shopping for, but if you are shopping for some locally made wares or souvenirs the two best spots in town are the Hub Collective and Five Mile Corner's gift shop. Both have pieces for sale from local artists, crafters, photographers and makers. Grab yourself something with Sioux Lookout on it in the form of a mug, t-shirt, hoodie or fun knick knack.

Where to Stay?

There are not a lot of hotels in Sioux Lookout, unfortunately. So, if you do come for a visit you may have a challenge finding a hotel. The Forest Inn is the main one to try out, at the moment. There are also some great Air BnB's in town that may have availability. From cabins, to lakeside apartments to tiny green homes minutes from the down town core and the town beach, there are lots of options if you are willing to think outside the hotel box.

Check them out here.

Another option is a tourist camp. One of the big draws of the remote north is the hunting and fishing. There are lots of tourists camps where you can rent out a cabin on the lake and enjoy access to boat rentals, fishing guides, amazing meals and so much more. There are so many camps to choose from such as Moosehorn Lodge, Red Pine Lodge, Abram Lake Lodge, Winoga Lodge, and Anderson's Lodge. As a side note some of these camps offer long term renting in the winter if you are planning on staying for a longer time than just a week long visit.

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If you are visiting Sioux Lookout, or even coming here for a new job and need a bit of an intro to Sioux Lookout, these sights, stops and tips will definitely help you out.

It is worth saying that I am not a huge outdoorsy woman. So, my perspective is that of someone who like to go for nature walks, eat out occasionally and peruse some nice gift wares. There are definitely more things to do if you enjoy hunting, fishing and going out into the bush. But, I will leave that to the experts. I am not one them. But I hear those experiences are next level.

If you are currently living in Sioux Lookout add your fav things to do, spots and stops in the comments below.