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Major city · Canada

Red RockRed Rock, Ontario

Give Red Rock one night, two at most: it is a marina, a folk festival and trailheads, not a town of sights. Skip it unless you are driving Highway 11/17.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep for the lake, trails and festival; Feb–Mar for ice fishing
avoid Nov–Apr unless you are ice fishing or snowmobiling (cold, short days, some services closed)
Airport
YQT
Nights
1
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Red Rock is a village of about 900 people at the end of Highway 628, 8 km off the Trans-Canada Highway and 97 km east of Thunder Bay. The paper mill that employed most of the town closed in the early 2000s, so what is left is a marina, a campground, a lodge or two and access to Nipigon Bay, the Black Sturgeon River and a hiking trail to Nipigon. It works as a quiet one-night stop on a Lake Superior drive, or as a base for fishing and paddling. It is not a destination you build a week around.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Red Rock, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee and a café breakfastC$8–15 (≈ US$6–11)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
  • Budget bedCampsite (tent), a night, per personC$30 (≈ US$25)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or inn room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
  • High-end bedMotel or inn room, a night, per roomC$220 (≈ US$160)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$250 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Red Rock Marina and its information centreLive from the Rock Folk FestivalNipigon Bay fishing and ice fishingThe 8.2 km hiking trail to Nipigon
Airports
YQT Thunder Bay International (About 1 h 15 min by car via Highway 11/17 and Highway 628; the nearest airport with scheduled service.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Red Rock: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−8°C

−19°C

10 rd

Feb

−6°C

−18°C

8 rd

Mar

0°C

−12°C

8 rd

Apr

8°C

−4°C

8 rd

May

16°C

3°C

10 rd

Jun

21°C

8°C

11 rd

Jul

24°C

12°C

11 rd

Aug

23°C

12°C

11 rd

Sep

18°C

7°C

12 rd

Oct

10°C

2°C

11 rd

Nov

2°C

−6°C

11 rd

Dec

−5°C

−15°C

11 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. Red Rock is 8 km off Highway 11/17 on Highway 628, and there is no local transit. Ontario Northland buses stop in Red Rock several days a week on the Thunder Bay–Sault Ste. Marie route; Kasper Bus stops in Nipigon, 15 km away. The marina takes boats and offers fuel, power, showers and pump-out.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Nipigongo

Door to door: 20 min by car, 3 h on foot

Drive Highway 628 to Highway 11/17, about 15 km; or hike the 8.2 km trail, roughly 3 h

Walk north from Red Rock and arrange a ride back; carry water and lunch.

Terrace Bay

go

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Drive Highway 17 east

Good add-on if you are continuing east along the lake.

Thunder Baygo

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Drive Highway 11/17 west, then Highway 628

Big-city services, airport and the Sleeping Giant; the practical supply run.

Black Sturgeon River Provincial Park

caution

Door to door: About 30–45 min

Drive west of Red Rock along Highway 11/17 to the river access points

Day use only, no facilities or camping; angling, paddling and beach picnics.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Red Rock village (White Boulevard and the marina)

The Red Rock Inn and marina-area camping; walkable to the water and the information centre.

Highway 11/17 at the Highway 628 junction

Birchwood Campground and Café sits on the highway, 8 km from the village; easiest for a one-night drive-through.

Nipigon

15 km by road; more beds, groceries and bus stops if Red Rock is full.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
C$140–220 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
High
C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or inn room1 × 1 night × C$150C$150
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150C$300
Fuel, Thunder Bay return (about 200 km)1 × C$30 · checkC$30
Ontario Northland bus, Thunder Bay–Red Rock, one way2 × C$60 · checkC$120
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$65
Trip total≈ C$358 per person per day, bed includedC$715≈ US$550

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and long-distance bus fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee and a café breakfastC$8–15 (≈ US$6–11)
Campground night, unservicedcheckC$30–55 (≈ US$25–40)
Motel or inn double roomC$115–220 (≈ US$85–160)
Fuel, per litreC$1.50–1.80 (≈ US$2)
Fishing licence, Ontario resident / non-resident, one daycheck
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Red Rock is a small, quiet village and personal safety is not the issue. The real risks are cold water, fast weather changes on Lake Superior, wildlife on the trails and long distances between services: tell someone your route and carry layers.
  • No car means no easy way to reach trailheads, the golf course or Nipigon; plan around the bus days.
  • Cell coverage is patchy on the back roads and along the Black Sturgeon River; download maps before you leave Highway 11/17.
  • Black Sturgeon River Provincial Park has no facilities and no camping: day use only.
  • Summer blackflies and mosquitoes near the water are heavy in June; bring repellent.
  • Fuel and groceries are limited in the village; fill up and shop in Nipigon or Thunder Bay.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire and ambulance
911
Ontario Provincial Police, non-emergency
1-888-310-1122
Telehealth Ontario (health advice, 24 h)
1-866-797-0000

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Red RockRed Rock, Ontario

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Please take me to this addressPlease take me to this address

Emergency

  • Police, fire and ambulance911
  • OPP non-emergency1-888-310-1122
  • Telehealth Ontario1-866-797-0000

Embassy

No consulates in Red Rock; the nearest US consulate is in Toronto, and most countries handle Canada from Ottawa or Toronto. For emergencies, call 911 first.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Red Rock → Nipigon by car: 15 km, about 20 min
  • Red Rock → Thunder Bay by car: 97 km, about 1 h 15 min
  • Ontario Northland bus, Thunder Bay → Red Rock: runs several days a week; check the timetable (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the marina? — Where is the marina?
  • Is there a campsite free tonight? — Is there a campsite free tonight?
  • How far is Nipigon? — How far is Nipigon?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • I need help — I need help

Tipping: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis. Sales tax is added at the till.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Red Rock. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for the lake, trails and festival; Feb–Mar for ice fishing · avoid Nov–Apr unless you are ice fishing or snowmobiling (cold, short days, some services closed) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Marina and information-centre page with verified seasonal hours and the underwater exhibit.
  2. Trail page for the Red Rock–Nipigon hike with a one-way logistics plan and rest-area notes.
  3. Festival page for Live from the Rock with the second-weekend-of-August dates and Paju Run details.
  4. Campground and lodge pages with 2026 rates and shoulder-season closures.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources