There's no end to our Trails!

Otter Lake Trails

Location

Otter Lake (south access - Widdifield Station Rd; north access - McGruther's Rd) in North Bay

Ownership

Crown Land

Management

The Otter Lake Friends

Length

3 km loop

Difficulty: 1-easy; 2-moderate; 3-difficult

1.5

Supported Activities

hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing

Amenities

parking, public beach, picnic area

Surface

hilly, mostly dry upland with lake views on top of mature maple forest

Rules for Use: 

- respect and love the land
- keep it clean - pack out your garbage and pick up any garbage that you see

Safety Considerations:

- consider these trails as remote due to wilderness settings even though they are within City limits

Maintenance:

- checked for windfall after wind storms, patrolled otherwise at a minimum of once a month

Description:

After Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake, Otter Lake is the largest lake in the municipality of North Bay.  The Otter Lake area is a pristine, undeveloped, very large natural area with extremely exciting geographical and natural history.  It is also just 15 minutes from downtown North Bay.  This are is possibly the best kept secret of the municipality.  It is an excellent area in which to hiking, canoeing, camping, orienteering, and snowshoeing.  No buildings exist on the entire perimeter.  There are two access roads to Otter Lake Recreational Lands - the South Access Road (Widdifield Station Road) and the North Access Road (McGruther's Road).   

Directions:             

South Access Road - From the HWY 11/17 junction near Seymour Street, head northwest on HWY 11/17.  Turn right onto Trout Lake Road and travel for about 15 km.  Turn left at Widdifield Station Road, and about 4 km later you will see a sign posted on a tree at the Southern Access entrance.