Timmins

Situated on the Mattagami River and surrounded by boreal forests, lakes and streams, Timmins combines waterscapes with a wide range of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. A 55 km network of recreational trails offers hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature watching. This lets you shape your stay around the season and your interests, with time spent on the trails or enjoying nature and culture.

Trails along the river and lakes

The Bridge to Bridge Trail runs along both banks of the Mattagami River between Algonquin Boulevard and Lafleur Drive. If you’re interested in the riverbanks, it offers a specific trail connection within Timmins. The Gillies Lake Promenade is a 2.5 km trail and also the hub of the community’s trail network. It is lit for evening use and regularly groomed in winter—an offering that sets it apart among the town’s trails.

Facilities at Gillies Lake Conservation Area include a boardwalk, public washrooms, picnic areas and a recreational field. Information panels explore the natural and cultural history of the lake. This makes it an interesting place for visitors who want to combine a break outdoors with insights into the history of the landscape.

Another option is the 2 km Lion’s Walk. It connects Timmins and Schumacher, follows the shores of Little Pearl Lake and runs along the former Ontario Northland Railway route. The former railway line gives the trail its historical connection; the route links a lakeside stretch with two communities, without requiring a loop trail.

Natural areas and outdoor activities

Timmins’ conservation areas are open to the public for hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, swimming, picnicking and photography. The nature experience extends beyond exploring trails: depending on your interests, you can also spend time by the water, watch wildlife or enjoy a picnic outdoors.

Hersey Lake Conservation Area lies north of Timmins. It has a large unsupervised beach, numerous trails, picnic facilities, public washrooms and parking. The beach and trails offer different ways to enjoy an outing; bear in mind when planning that the beach is unsupervised. Timmins’ conservation areas also offer opportunities for nature watching and photography, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing add seasonal activities to the recreational trail network.

Cultural experiences in Timmins

The Wabun Tribal Council hosts events year-round featuring Indigenous music, dance and art. Another glimpse of the city’s cultural heritage is the McIntyre Community Building: designed in 1938 after Maple Leaf Gardens, it is considered a testament to this heritage. The Municipal Building also features a mural titled “Indigenous Teachings.” Together, these examples show different sides of culture in Timmins—from events and art to a building with its own design history.

When choosing a vacation rental in Timmins, start by considering what you want your stay to focus on: trails and natural areas, time at the lakes and beach, or cultural experiences.

Other destinations at this level: Hearst, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Cochrane.

For the broader travel overview: Cochrane District.