Major city · Canada
Powassan
Skip as a base: Powassan is a 1-2 hour stop off Highway 11, 30 km (19 mi) south of North Bay. Sleep in North Bay; come for the maple festival or a South River walk.Skip as a base: Powassan is a 1-2 hour stop off Highway 11, 19 mi (30 km) south of North Bay. Sleep in North Bay; come for the maple festival or a South River walk.
Powassan is a town of about 3,300 people in Northern Ontario, 30 km south of North Bay on the South River. There is no hotel in town, so it works as a half-day stop on the Highway 11 corridor: a conservation-area walk, a look at the river chutes, and the maple syrup festival if you time it right. Everything else is in North Bay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- May-Oct for the market, trails and river; late April for the maple festival; mid-February for the Trout Creek Winter Carnival
- avoid Nov-Apr outside festival weekends (ice, closed trails, no lodging in town)
- Airports
- YYB · YYZ
- Nights
- 0-1
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Powassan911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Ontario road conditions511
- Telehealth Ontario (24 h health advice)1-866-797-0000
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Powassan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyA quiet small town and generally safe; the real risks are winter driving on Highway 11, unmarked trail ice and long distances to a hospital.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Ontario road conditions · 1-866-797-0000 Telehealth Ontario (24 h health advice)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYYB North Bay Jack Garland Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north; small airport, few daily flights, mostly to Toronto.YYB North Bay Jack Garland Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north; small airport, few daily flights, mostly to Toronto.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2-4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfastC$12-18 (≈ US$9–14)
- Budget bedLakeside camp or rental cabin (summer), a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget hotel room in North Bay, a night, per roomC$140 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel or budget hotel room in North Bay, a night, per roomC$220 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$60 (≈ US$45) · Mid C$120 (≈ US$90) · High C$220 (≈ US$160)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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.
- Airports
- YYB North Bay Jack Garland Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north; small airport, few daily flights, mostly to Toronto. Check current schedules.) · YYZ Toronto Pearson International Airport (Main gateway for the region; Ontario Northland runs a daily bus toward North Bay with a Powassan stop.)YYB North Bay Jack Garland Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north; small airport, few daily flights, mostly to Toronto. Check current schedules.) · YYZ Toronto Pearson International Airport (Main gateway for the region; Ontario Northland runs a daily bus toward North Bay with a Powassan stop.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Care
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
Care*
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Oct. Mixed: Feb, Apr. Avoid: Mar, Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Powassan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
14 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
11 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Powassan sits just off Highway 11, about 30 km south of North Bay; the town itself is small enough to walk in 15 minutes. Ontario Northland buses stop here twice a day from North Bay (about 20 min, about C$8.45) and once a day from Toronto (about 5 h 15 min, about C$72). A taxi from North Bay runs roughly C$70-85.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30-40 min
Drive Highway 11 north, about 30 km (19 mi); or Ontario Northland bus, about 20 minDrive Highway 11 north, about 19 mi (30 km); or Ontario Northland bus, about 20 min
Where the hotels, restaurants and lakefront are. Use it as your base.
Trout Creek
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive west from Powassan on the municipal roads, about 10 km (6.2 mi)Drive west from Powassan on the municipal roads, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Community centre hosts the winter carnival and the fall fair; check dates.
Nipissing Village
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive west and south toward the South River mouth
Tiny village with an old post office; little else to do once you have looked.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
Drive Highway 11 and Highway 17 west, about 130 km (81 mi)Drive Highway 11 and Highway 17 west, about 81 mi (130 km)
A full day out, not a quick side trip; better as its own stop.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive Highway 11 south and Highway 400, about 110 km (68 mi)Drive Highway 11 south and Highway 400, about 68 mi (110 km)
Georgian Bay boat trips and the 30,000 Islands; go for the day, not an hour.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
Drive Highway 11 north to North Bay, then Highway 11 north, about 120 km (75 mi)Drive Highway 11 north to North Bay, then Highway 11 north, about 75 mi (120 km)
Canoe country; too far for a comfortable return day from Powassan.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
North Bay (30 km north)
The nearest real choice of hotels and motels; 20-30 min drive on Highway 11. Book there and day-trip south.
Trout Creek (part of the municipality)
Small community west of Powassan with a community centre and fairgrounds; lodging is limited to rentals and camps.
Camps and lodges on the lakes west of town
Seasonal fishing and waterfront camps toward the South Shore of Lake Nipissing; mostly summer, book ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$60-100 (≈ US$45–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$110-180 (≈ US$80–140) excl. bed
- High
- C$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or budget hotel room in North Bay1 × 1 night × C$140 | C$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$120 | C$240 |
| Ontario Northland bus, North Bay to Powassan, one way2 × C$9 | C$18 |
| Taxi, North Bay to Powassan, one way1 × C$78 | C$78 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$53 |
| Trip total≈ C$290 per person per day, bed included | C$579≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; most visitors sleep in North Bay, so the bed line is priced there. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2-4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Diner breakfast | C$12-18 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Pub meal (burger or fish and chips) | C$18-28 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Maple syrup, small bottle at the festival | C$10-25 (≈ US$8–19) |
| Farmer's market baked goods | C$5-12 (≈ US$4–9) |
| Gasoline, per litre | C$1.50-1.80 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hotel in Powassan: the nearest beds are in North Bay, 30 km (19 mi) north.No hotel in Powassan: the nearest beds are in North Bay, 19 mi (30 km) north.
- Winter driving on Highway 11: snow squalls and black ice close sections; check road conditions before leaving.
- Trails and conservation areas can be icy or unmaintained outside summer; wear boots and tell someone your route.
- Cell coverage is fine in town but patchy on the back roads and lakes west of it.
- Festival dates shift year to year: confirm the maple festival and fair weekends before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Ontario road conditions
- 511
- Telehealth Ontario (24 h health advice)
- 1-866-797-0000
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PowassanPowassan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Ontario road conditions511
- Telehealth Ontario1-866-797-0000
Embassy
No embassies in Powassan; the nearest consulates are in Toronto. US citizens: the US consulate general is in Toronto.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ontario Northland, North Bay to Powassan: about C$8.45 (≈ US$7), 20 min
- Ontario Northland, Toronto to Powassan: about C$72 (≈ US$55), 5 h 15 min
- Taxi, North Bay to Powassan: C$70-85 (≈ US$55–65)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
Tipping is expected in Canada: 15-20% at restaurants and bars, 10-15% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Powassan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May-Oct for the market, trails and river; late April for the maple festival; mid-February for the Trout Creek Winter Carnival · avoid Nov-Apr outside festival weekends (ice, closed trails, no lodging in town) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YYB and the Toronto bus: last departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung in North Bay.
- Walking cluster for downtown Powassan: Main Street, the market site, the bridge over the South River and the Pines trail.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Powassan Mountain Conservation Area, Bingham Chute, Bowman's Chute) and festival pages with confirmed dates.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so the Highway 11 corridor can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Powassan
- officialOntario Northland
- secondaryWikivoyage: Powassan, revision 4783393 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Powassan
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