Smoothy's Restaurant and Esso

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Gas station and family restaurant serving all your favourites!  Smoothy’s also serves all-day breakfast, and every Friday is all-you-can-eat fish and chips.  There is plenty of seating and parking is available for every kind of vehicle from big rigs to snowmobiles.  No reservations are required, and this restaurant is licensed.

Ellie's Bistro

fish and chip meal at Ellie's Bistro

Ellie's Bistro welcomes you to their restaurant. Come enjoy their family friendly and casual atmosphere where you can dine in or take out.

Travelodge by Wyndham Cochrane

Exterior of building

Join us for a pleasant stay in northeastern Ontario at our Travelodge Cochrane hotel, located off Trans-Canada Highway 11. Take advantage of gorgeous snowmobile trails right on the property, visit the renowned Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, and take a trip aboard the Polar Bear Express. Surrounded by dining options, we offer easy access to area businesses like Villeneuve Construction Co. Ltd and Detour Gold. After a busy day, you’ll love our relaxing rooms and thoughtful amenities like free breakfast and WiFi. 

Amable du Fond River

Snowmobile at Amable du Fond River

One of the delights of the Explorers Snow Tour crossing the Amable du Fond river. Located where OFSC A trail crosses Highway 630, it's named after the Chief who gave his name to the river as a significant watershed boundary between native clans.

If you walk over the snowmobile access bridge you will be within a stand of eastern white cedar, an important deer wintering area—and a great place for a photo!

Pioneer Spring

Pioneer Spring on Explorers Snow Tour

Have a drink of cool, clean, and refreshing water right from the earth. This spring was vitally important to early pioneers. In sledders will have a great time ripping up and down this hilly part of OFSC trail A101D.

Boulter View

snowmobiles at boulter view - virgil knapp

Located on the north edge of Algonquin Park outside of Bonfield (on the BF205) is another stunning vista and great place to stop and see the incredible terrain in the area—and you don’t even have to get off your snowmobile to see this one, you can ride right to the top!

Amazing to think that this was once all underwater. Click here for a 360° view from the top.

Devil's Canyon

Looking down into Devils Canyon Explorers Snow Tour

On OFSC trail BF205, you’ll find a unique geomorphological feature carved by the waters of the receding glacier about 10,000 years ago. It’s a complete drop-off. Besides being a dangerous spot to lose your footing, there are Algonquian legends about this spot being home to Wendigos, powerful monsters with a desire to kill and eat their victims. Listen for the winds howling through the canyon.

Stepping Stones

snowmobiles at stepping stones on explorers snow tour northeastern ontario

About 15 kilometres east of North Bay (as the crow flies) there's a band of large boulders stretching most of the way across a narrow section of the Mattawa river. 10,000 years ago, as ice retreated, these rocks were left exposed. They were known as a location marker for voyageurs and Indigenous travellers along this historic trading route.

To get there from North Bay, start on the SSR711 to connect with the D Trail. Head north till you get to the A1 and follow it until the river narrows. They'll be on your left.

Redbridge Lookout

snowmobiler at Redbridge Lookout - Explorers Snow Tour

The 4th point of interest on the Explorers Snow Tour is another lookout—an incredible one. This very spot was once a beach!

Like so many stops on this tour, it's pretty easy to get to. Redbridge Mountain is about 7 kilometres east of the Village of Redbridge on OFSC Trail #NB304. Bring your camera!

Bird's Eye View

snowmobiles at birds eye view - explorers snow tour

Point of Interest #2 on the Explorers Snow Tour is the Bird's Eye View. From up here, you can see how the glacier that went through here 10,000 or so years ago shaped the land. A must for anyone sledding in the area, you'll find it a few kilometres north of Mattawa on the A112A OFSC trail.

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