My knees were shaking, my heart pounding and my breathing labored: my excitement overcame my fear…read moreof heights as I ascended the 100 foot Temagami Fire Tower. Near the top, the spiral staircases narrow, room enough for only one person. You'll want to hold onto both railings and NOT look down. The last set of steps are as steep as a step ladder, then when you arrive to the top, you are rewarded by a 360 scenic view of over 40 kilometers of forests and lakes. You will be standing 400 feet above the town and 1300 feet above sea level. Take a minute to catch your breath and marvel at nature. If vertigo or fear of heights prevents you from climbing the tower, don't worry, there is an observation platform at the base of the tower that offers a beautiful view. A great pit stop if you're heading north. We were there at the perfect time: early Saturday morning before the tourists arrived. We had the place all to ourselves and took our time enjoying the solitude. The only thing that broke the silence was the birds singing sweetly in the trees. WARNING: do not approach the tower or surrounding area during a thunderstorm, unless you're a masochist and you enjoy getting hit by lightening. Also be careful on a windy day; I've read that the tower sways.

While I spoke about my recent excursion to Caribou Mountain in a related Yelp review…read more(https://www.yelp.ca/biz/caribou-mountain-temagami?hrid=j91AVwAzet-mQR2R2gAfWQ), the nearby Temagami Fire Tower deserves a bit of love too. It's worth noting that, despite being situated on the same site as a number of trails that run throughout Temagami, this is the more trendy, "tourist-y" part of the area, with a visitor's center and viewing platforms at its base. It is certainly a workout to climb up here, not just for the slightly-thinner air, but the fact that you're going to be ascending steep ladders and spiral staircases that might leave you with a bit of dizziness when you finally get to the top. Yet, the views are inspiring. This tower's history definitely shines through, having been the recipient of a major renovation some 20-plus years ago. Short messages and carved-in hearts from young lovers fill the wood paneling, both at the top of the tower and viewing platforms. It lends a lot of history to the sprawling views of the nearby forests, towns and other associated wildlife. I haven't seen views this good since my visit to Killbear Provincial Park last year. On the day we visited (a Sunday), it wasn't particularly busy. The most interesting people of note were a father who had brought his two children to climb the tower and hike two of the more challenging trails - I can only surmise that he was trying to punish them via physical exercise. It was relatively peaceful, and we didn't have to worry about people trying to crowd past on the ascent or descent up the tower. This is a great destination to check out if you're ever in Temagami, as it's literally a two-minute drive from the mainstreet and offers a lot of unique vistas and opportunities for cool pictures. It's just one of those places that proves why it's worth visiting Northern Ontario. Well recommended!

If you're willing to sacrifice a few odds and ends, Finlayson Point is a fantastic campsite to…read morevisit. Since coming here back in September with four of my buddies, I've been reflecting on the experience. As part of our now seemingly-annual camping trips, I found this to be a better overall experience than last year's stay at Sturgeon Bay -- but not without some caveats. There is no question that if you're looking for prime views of the lake and ease of access to nearby towns and activities, this is the place to go. A relatively-quiet space just outside the town of Temagami, this site is much further removed from the action and offers a lot of opportunities for hiking, boating and fishing. My friends and I stayed in the site's sole cabin, which has a prime view of the lake and featured a whole bunch of amenities and tools, including a barbecue, cleaning supplies and four beds. Despite the additional features, I wasn't as big on this cabin as my friends were. For one, the place turns into an absolute sauna at night, even with all the windows open and fans going. I ended up sleeping on the couch and could barely get any sleep for the first two days due to the heat and other external factors. That being said, the cabin was an undeniably beautiful place. Filled with plenty of rustic touches, it was incredibly peaceful when I just wanted to sit and read a book. The attached barbecue also came in incredibly handy, and I ended up cooking for the group for the majority of the trip. Most of the campsites are big, and it wasnt uncommon this late in the season to see couples and large families braving colder weather and bringing their RVs or camps to enjoy the season. In fact, the weather may have made it even busier, as I saw a number of people walking around nonchalantly with heavy raingear just days before the park closed for the season. The staff are a bit strict on the campers, but then again, we were acting like a bunch of schmucks on the first night and had built a campfire that was too large. Coming off the heels of a nearby forest fire, it's no surprise that we were read the Riot Act for it. The warden, Hannah, was fairly polite otherwise, and the rest of the staff were good. The warden's office doesn't have much in the way of amenities (only one central bathroom/set of showers, balanced out by unique services like a fish cleaning station), but it's adequate. Luckily, the site was fairly close to the town of Temagami. My friends were able to paddle down to the town (forgoing the truck) to pick up supplies. More than one review online has mentioned how the park is a nightmare for boats (to the point that it's been referred to as "the 407 of the north" on one forum), and it's hard to argue with that point. You'd best hope you have no plans to sleep regularly, because big boats and biplanes will roar past the lake in the middle of the night. I didn't even get any sleep for the first two days because of the constant noise from large biplanes flying at impossibly-low altitudes overhead, and my friends very nearly had a collision with a plane landing in the lake when they were out canoeing. It's also a bit tough for some trucks and vans, as the paths are narrow and it can be hard to maneuver around the site. There is no question that the park has character, though. Whether it was befriending some of the local wildlife (don't tell the staff that the chipmunks love chocolate bars) or dipping your feet into the lake at the docks at sunset, this is an impossibly beautiful site that offers a lot of great views and makes you feel like you're in the heart of cottage country. Well worth a visit if you're in the area. Recommended!

This was an unexpected and pleasant side trip on a family get together in North Bay, even though it…read morewas raining.

The waterfalls feature a paved parking area accessible most months of the year. Trails are not well…read moremarked, but just follow the creek. This is a moderate difficulty climb and hikers should wear proper footwear l. One of my favourite places. Enjoy nature!

I'm so glad to read the detailed reviews of this park from Allison and Laura, because my experience…read morewas super brief and kind of a blur. The camp store was full of cute, well-designed things right next to the rental shack with boats and the spot to get your firewood. We rolled in to our camp site just before sunset, quickly put up our tent and through on our swimsuits and ran to the end of our little dirt road to jump in the water in the last of the golden light. It was glorious. After dinner we walked around the campground and checked out the other beach where teens were playing and bugs were gathering hungry for blood. We tucked into bed early, really glad we'd gotten that perfect swim in. We were gone the next morning early, on to the next one.

I can't say I'm a big camper. I like my comfort and convenience, and cleanliness. It's my third…read moretime camping, and I know what to expect now. I was really happy with this park, and the facilities they had. All the toilets are flush toilets, so no pinching your nose and squating on top of a hole, afriad you'll fall in. And it wasn't too stinky either. There were 4 + 1 handicap showers. The 1st one had warm water. And I never saw a line up or had to wait. The facilities were kept some what clean, and I liked that. The site also had a beach that fell on to the Moore Lake. It was a nice secluded beach and perfect for a swim and to put all your stuff. They had rental canoes and kayaks you can take out to the lake. Algonquin Northern Outfitters down the street has cheaper ones than the park. The Park store has anything you could want (including ice cream) yum. And life jackets you can borrow. The park staff also organize some events every evening (perfect for kids) like star gazing or history hikes. There is also a small museum that explains the history of Samuel de Champlain and his trade routes. I also liked seeing the park staff patrol occasionally throughout the day. The park itself had a few trails that go along the Mattawa river. It was a tortuous 5 hr hike that had us wishing we had a machete to cut through the ruffage. I guess that's how M. Champlain travelled thru the trading routes. I like going to new places all the time, but if I had to choose one to come back to , this would be it.

Outdoor nature walk at its best. This conversation area is a beautiful spot for a hike within city…read morelimits. The trails are well maintained, it's common to see birds, chipmunks, squirrels, but sometimes you can spot a deer or a beaver. We take our dog on walks here a few times a month, and it's a great for him as there are so many smells for him to enjoy during the walk. This place is a family favourite. We have been enjoying this space for years and will enjoy for many more years to come.