Timiskaming District: Nature, Water and Silver History

In Timiskaming District, nature watching, waterways and cultural history can shape the character of a stay. The wider region offers a very varied choice of excursions, from Cobalt’s silver mining heritage to birdwatching at Hilliardton Marsh and trails, museums and arts offerings. The destinations that interest you most can help you choose the right setting for your vacation rental.

Silver History and Museums

The Heritage Silver Trail runs through Cobalt and along the opposite side of Cobalt Lake. This self-guided tour can be explored with a guide or a map, available at the Cobalt Mining Museum. In summer, guided tours can also be arranged through the museum and booked in advance. The museum displays native silver ore and mineral specimens, including an exhibit viewed under black light. It also presents the world’s largest display of native silver ores. Some of the museum’s silver specimens are on permanent loan to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

Other collections have their own focus. The Bunker Military Museum displays artifacts from the Boer War to the present day; its international collection includes uniforms and items from multiple sides of numerous world conflicts. The Haileybury Heritage Museum combines oral histories, photographs and artifacts related to the Great Fire of 1922 with exhibits on early settlement experiences and Haileybury’s connection to the Hardy Boys. This gives you the opportunity to focus on different aspects of regional history.

Birdwatching and Nature

Hilliardton Marsh is home to more than 600 species of waterfowl, songbirds, mammals, fish and plants. The Hilliardton Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area covers 1,800 acres and is a provincially significant wildlife area. An accessible trail, open year-round, passes through the marsh and is used for observing birds, wildlife and nature. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can include the trail as a nature experience in your travel plans.

The marsh also offers a recurring calendar of events. Annual events include owl banding, spring and fall bird banding, a Garden Party, World Wetland Day, a St. Patrick’s Day event, International Migratory Bird Day and Christmas Bird Count for Kids. Dates and schedules may vary, so check current event details before your visit.

Waterways and Outdoor Activities

In the wider region, New Liskeard Waterfront Marina is on Lake Temiskaming, near the mouth of the Wabi River and beside downtown New Liskeard. A free boat launch is located next to the marina. As its availability may change, it is a good idea to check before your visit. New Liskeard’s waterfront also features an approximately one-mile beach and a boardwalk.

For activities on paved trails, Temiskaming Shores has almost 21.4 kilometres of completed trails operated by the South Temiskaming Active Travel Organization (STATO), which are open to residents and visitors. They are suitable for walking, strolling, cycling, jogging, roller skating and other non-motorized activities. At Devils Rock Trail, enjoy an easy two-kilometre hike starting from Highway 567; the trail is an 11-minute drive from downtown Haileybury. Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park adds waterfalls and scenic viewpoints to the options. Activities offered at Esker Lakes Provincial Park include camping, canoeing, hiking and fishing.

Arts and More Excursions

Open Studio Libre is a donation-based art studio at the Temiskaming Art Gallery where anyone can drop in and create art. Courses, workshops and other programs are also available, some paid and some free; the program may change. Check in advance to see what is currently on offer. For golf enthusiasts, New Liskeard Golf Club is listed as the only 18-hole golf course along the 370-kilometre stretch between North Bay and Timmins. Haileybury Golf Club offers a junior program that introduces children aged six and up to golf; seasonal clinic dates may vary. Facilities listed at Bass Lake Campground include a sandy beach, a playground, a ballpark and a volleyball area.

When looking for a vacation rental, use your planned excursions as a guide: nature watching, trails and water offer different experiences from museums, silver history or an arts program. Consider which of these experiences matter to you during your stay, and check the accommodation’s location in relation to your own plans.

Explore More Places

More places in Timiskaming District: Englehart, Latchford, Earlton, Temiskaming Shores, Elk Lake.

Explore more destinations: Cochrane District, Simcoe County, Hamilton Division.

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