Overview
Hornepayne is a small township of roughly 1,000 residents in Algoma District, Northern Ontario. It holds the distinction of being the closest settlement to the geographic center of Ontario, which lies in a remote bog north of town.
Budget Travel · Nature · Transit Hub · Trekking
Before you go
Connectivity
Mobile phone service covers only Hornepayne town and approximately 15km radius. Highway 631 and surrounding wilderness have NO cellular coverage. Plan accordingly.
Food
Limited options: one grocery store (McKinnon's Freshmart), one restaurant (Eats & Treats), coffee shop (Brewed Tales). Stock up on supplies before arriving.
Money
Canada uses Canadian dollars (CAD). Most local businesses are small cash-or-card operations. Carry sufficient cash for the journey as options are limited in this remote community.
Packing
Bring everything you might need. Cell phone chargers won't work outside coverage area. Gas up before leaving town. Pack emergency supplies for highway driving between remote communities.
Safety
Remote northern Ontario wilderness requires self-sufficiency. No cell coverage outside town means all safety planning must account for isolation. Inform others of travel plans.
Transport
VIA Rail's transcontinental Canadian stops at Hornepayne's sign-post station. The municipality has an airport for general aviation only. Highway 631 connects north to Highway 11 and south to Highway 17.
Weather
Northern Ontario experiences harsh winters with heavy snow. Summer offers temperate conditions ideal for fishing and camping. Be prepared for rapid weather changes in wilderness areas.