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More Events
Summer Day Camps (June)
Kids Fest (August)
Its our best kids event! Annually, Ignace hosts a fun festival just for kids! A wide variety of games, and booths for families to visit along with music and food makes for a great fun filled afternoon! Kids Fest is a partnership event with the EarlyON Centre that focuses on kids activities for children under 4 and with the Recreation Department for school aded children.
Teddy Bear Picnic (September)
We all know and love the tradition of the Teddy Bear Picnic! Here in Ignace, we hold our annual Teddy Bear Picnic in September on Grandparents Day. Bring you favourite teddy, your grandparents and a picnic lunch. Enjoy the play area at the Tourism Information Center with games and music provided by the Recreation Department.
Harvest Hoe-Down (October)
Christmas Parade (December)
Get out your lights and that creative Christmas spark! The community comes together every Christmas season to decorate floats and show their community Christmas spirit. Each year a theme is picked by the Ignace Recreation Committee and businesses, community groups and families all work hard to showcase their floats in this extravagant parade. There is always a free public skate and hot chocolate to follow at the Ignace Recreation Complex. This is definitely a great night for creating warm, fuzzy memories.
Check our calendar of events for dates and times.
February & March
Winter White Otter Days
Throughout the months of February & March, winter is celebrated with a variety of events. These include:
- Annual Snow Derby
- Agimak Ice Fishing Derby
- Sliding Parties
- Annual Youth Pool & Dart Tournaments
- Adult Pool Tournament
For more information about White Otter Days events and dates email or call the Recreation Department @ (807)934-2990
July
White Otter Days
Each year, during the month of July, Ignace hosts White Otter Days Celebrations. The Township of Ignace, in partnership with numerous community groups, put on a variety of activities. These include:
- White Otter Days Hockey Tournament
- Agimak Lake Fish Derby
- Slo-Pitch Tournament
- and more!
For more information about White Otter Days events and dates email or call the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. @ (807)938-7749
July
Canada Day
Canada Day (July 1st) kicks off with a festive parade, followed by singing of O'Canada, awards and speeches, cake cutting ceremony, and various activities and events throughout the day. Held at the Tourist Information Centre, activities include: contests, crafts and games, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display at Agimak Beach.
Shopping
Travelling to Ignace
The Township of Ignace is easily accessible by all major modes of transportation. Wherever you’re travelling from, whether you’re driving, flying or taking a bus, we’ve got the information you need to make sure you get here safe and sound.
So, what are you waiting on? Start planning your next visit to Ignace now!
By Car
The Township of Ignace is conveniently located at the intersection of Highway 17 (Trans-Canada Highway) and Highway 599.
Distance from Ignace
| City | Kilometres | Approximate Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dryden | 106.7 | 1 hr 12 mins |
| Kenora | 243 | 2 hrs 45 mins |
| Winnipeg | 457 | 5 hrs |
| Thunder Bay | 246 | 2 hrs 39 mins |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 927 | 9 hrs 52 mins |
| Sudbury | 1236 | 13 hrs 21 mins |
| Toronto | 1607 | 17 hrs 41 mins |
Distance from US border crossing
| City | Kilometres | Approximate Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Portage | 287 | 3 hrs 7 mins |
| Fort Frances | 234 | 3 hrs 19 mins |
| Baudette | 326 | 4 hrs 30 mins |
| Duluth, MI | 520 | 5 hrs 49 mins |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 934 | 10 hrs 2 mins |
By Bus
Visit Ignace by bus using Kasper Transportation. The bus line provides daily and/or weekly service to neighbouring towns and cities.
By Plane
Dryden Regional Airport (YHD) and Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) are in close proximity to Ignace served by major Canadian airlines. Visitors can also arrive by chartered float planes, operated by Ignace Airways.
Museum and Tourist Information Centre
The Dennis Smyk Heritage Center (Museum)
The Dennis Smyk Heritage Center (Museum) named after our local legend and iconic figure Dennis Smyk adjoins the Ignace Public Library and is an extensive exhibition that displays the history of Ignace. There are nine themes illustrating the life/history of Ignace from its earliest to present days. The nine themes include Early Peoples, Exploration, Fur Trade and Settlement, Railroad, The Town, Mining, Quarrying, Logging, Road and Air Transportation. These themes are represented by artifacts, photographs, dioramas, models, maps, and written descriptions.
Regional Travel Information Centre
The Regional Travel Information Centre is located directly on Highway 17. Boasting a beautiful picnic and playground area with a nature trail leading through the woodlands, the facility also offers local and regional tourist information, along with exhibits of unique historical and wilderness themes in the Ignace area.
Welcome to Ignace
Nestled in the heart of Northwestern Ontario’s Sunset Country, the Township of Ignace is halfway between Thunder Bay and Kenora on Highway 17 - the perfect place to take a break on a long drive, enjoy a picnic and stretch your legs.
You’ll find our small town is populated with friendly residents who smile and wave as they walk down the street. If you ask, they’ll point you to the float plane on Main Street or tell you about the historic White Otter Castle.
Ignace is the gateway to northern Ontario’s remote waterfalls, rivers and lakes – as well as the forests that surround them. It’s a popular destination for serious wilderness experiences – think fly-in fishing, hunting and camping. In fact, several outfitters use Ignace as their base.
Driving through Ignace in the summer? Pack a picnic and your bathing suit! The white sand beaches on Agimak Lake are just a minute off the TransCanada. Watch for the signs or ask the locals for directions to this hidden gem. There’s even a floating dock on West Beach that provides an enclosed swimming area to enjoy. Or head 15 minutes north up Highway 599 to Sandbar Provincial Park.
In the winter, bring your snowshoes or skis and experience the peace of the area’s vast trail network! Quad and snowmachine trails can take you for miles into the Canadian wilderness.
No matter the season, the sunsets are incredible!
The rustic beauty of our northern landscape will melt away the stress and boredom of a long drive. Next time you’re passing through, we invite you to pay us a visit. Breathe in that fresh, wild air and let your worries float away on the breeze. Once you get a taste of Ignace, we’re sure you’ll be back soon!
For the latest in tourism news and events, visit our Travel Information Centre on Highway 17 or call (807) 934-2202. Explore our possibilities!
Things To Do
Parks
With many parks, beaches, and tourist destinations to choose from, Ignace is guaranteed to excite everyone - from the avid adventurist to the entire family. Come explore all the amenities that Ignace has to offer.
Sandbar Provincial Park
Sandy beaches line the perimeter of Sandbar Lake, just 12 kilometers north of Ignace. Campground sites vary from tent camping to RV parking. Towering White Pine and Red Pine are plentiful throughout the park.
Sandbar Lake is also a great launching point for several canoe routes. Canoes and kayaks can be rented. The Sandbar-Press Lake canoe route is 160 km long and usually takes 9-12 days to enjoy. This route also passes by several aboriginal rock paintings (pictographs).
For the fisherman, Sandbar (largest of ten lakes in the park) offers walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.
Visit the Sandbar Provincial Park website
Turtle River White Otter Lake Provincial Park
Turtle River - White Otter Lake Provincial Park begins at the south end of Agimak Lake in Ignace, ON. The rugged landscape of Turtle River - White Otter Lake Provincial Park features some of the oldest rocks on earth. A large moraine and many Indian pictographs are also found within the park. The park is also home to the famous White Otter Castle. It is a popular canoe/portage route from Ignace. The travelled portion from Ignace to the castle is about 40 km in length with 15 portages. Along this route are several clean campsites to take a break from paddling.
Detailed maps of the canoe route can be picked up at the Ignace Tourist Information Centre.
Community Parks
There are several parks throughout the community of Ignace, offering residents and visitors alike, a variety of amenities ranging from playgrounds, picnic tables and benches to tennis courts and a skate park.
Playgrounds at the Best Start Hub, École Immaculée-Conception (Ignace French School), Ignace Public School and Ignace Tourist Information Centre are available to children of all age groups and are equipped with monkey bars, slides, swings and see saws. The public is advised to use the schools’ playgrounds outside of school hours.
Picnic tables and benches are sprinkled throughout the Tourism Information Centre’s lush premises, an excellent choice for transient travelers looking for a quick rest stop or tourists and residents in the mood for a serene and quiet place to eat and enjoy nature.
Contact
Recreation/Tourist Information Services
Phone: 807-938-7749
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.