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!

Inspiring views, challenging hiking paths and some surprisingly-useful services make this a…read moremust-stop destination if you're ever in Temagami. Often referred to as "Temagami Trails", this is the collective site for a number of trails that run along the highway and town and into the nearby Finlayson Point park site, ranging from easy (but long) beginner trails up to absurdly-difficult paths that cover extreme obstacles and challenging terrain. Visiting here was quite the experience, as I had the opportunity to check out three of the site's paths and visit the famed Fire Tower that is an easy landmark to spot from the town. While our original plan was to try out the area's toughest course, Peregrine, and the associated Beaver Trail, we discovered that it would have taken too long to cross over the sprawling site, and decided to set our expectations a bit lower, dividing and checking out a total of four courses. My friend and I started with the Old Fire Marshal's Trail - let me put this as a word of warning: if you don't have any proficiency with hiking, DO NOT USE THIS TRAIL. It's marked as a moderate hike, but its obstacles and steep nature are so challenging that it took us more than 40 minutes to get down a trail that normally would have taken 10 minutes. It goes almost vertically-downwards at points, and your only salvation will be making treacherous climbs across groups of rocks and the odd tree. If you fall, it's game over. Luckily, the nearby White Bear and Caribou trails are much, MUCH easier, taking a circuitous route through the heart of the White Bear forest and showcasing a number of photo-perfect opportunities in Lake Temagami. While it was tough due to the heat on the day we went, we nevertheless plowed through it and had the chance to see some spectacular views of the old-growth forest and lake. Having the chance to climb the Temagami Fire Tower was also a treat, as visitors are encouraged to ascend to the top, where they'll find some incredible views of the nearby town and surrounding municipalities. It really is worth the drive just for this - everyone should check it out. Overall, it was a great place to spend the day and offered a number of unique opportunities to see and learn more about the surrounding area. While the visitors' centre wasn't open, the free wi-fi was also much appreciated. Well worth a visit!

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!