Township Of Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls

We are a full service community that has every advantage while surrounded by an abundance of natural resources. There are over 60 customer service facilities offering a wide range of retail, hospitality, personal, financial and many others. We have excellent telecommunications including high speed internet and cellular services. Our municipality offers health services including medical, nursing and dental. We provide high quality emergency and protection services with a full volunteer fire department in Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls ambulance and paramedic teams and contract Ontario Provincial Policing. We have amazing and affordable fitness facilities that are very popular amongst seasonal and full time residents. We also have two provincial parks, public schools, public libraries and a senior centre. There are Catholic, Protestant and Mennonite places of worship.

Our volunteer Recreation Committees host many exciting and innovative events each year. Highlights in Sioux Narrows include the Spring BBQ and Oktoberfest celebrations and in Nestor Falls, residents enjoy the Annual Pig Roast on August Long Weekend and the very popular Winter Carnival. Each summer, our cottage town hosts an Arts Festival which draws local artisans as well as exhibitors from far and wide to display fine art, woodwork, pottery and more. Walking our groomed hiking trails is an excellent way to experience the nature that Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls has to offer or enjoy a round on our 9-hole waterfront golf course.

Located only an hour from 2 major city centres, the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls offers privacy and solitude while still offering access to larger urban areas. We invite you to find yourself here and live the lake life in Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls.

Job Resources in our community are available through Human Resources Development Canada. Postings are also available locally. There are four major employers and numerous small businesses in our community. Tourism, service, home building, home maintenance, forestry and mining are the predominant industries in Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls. Our location, however, in relation to the neighbouring larger centres at Kenora and Fort Frances, make our location a prime bedroom community. In less time than it takes to commute if you lived in a major urban centre, one can travel from one of these locations to a peaceful, pastoral, ideal home location to Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls. In Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls it is possible to have the best of both worlds. 

Elementary Schools

Sioux Narrows Public School 

Box 520 Sioux Narrows, ON P0X 1N0 

Phone: 807-226-5254 

Fax: 807-226-1020 

Nestor Falls Public School 

Box 219 Nestor Falls, ON P0X 1K0 

Phone: 807-484-2101 

Fax: 807-484-2222

Secondary Schools

Beaver Brae Secondary School 

1400 9th St. N. Kenora, ON P9N 2T7 

Phone: 807-468-6401 

Fax: 807-468-3628 

Fort Frances High School 

440 McIrvine Road Fort Frances, ON P9A 3T8 

Phone: 807-274-7747 

Fax: 807-274-5171

Post Secondary Institutions – Universities & Colleges

Lakehead University 

955 Oliver Road Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1 

Phone: 807-343 8110 

Fax: 807-343-8023

Confederation College (Main Campus) 

Box 398 Thunder Bay, ON P7C 4W1 

Phone: 807-475-6110

Additional Campuses: Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout

Career Colleges

Academy of Learning Career and Business College 

416 East Victoria Ave. Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1A5

Phone: 807- 624-2380 

Fax: 807- 623-3381 

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care 

28 North Cumberland St Suite 400 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4K9 

Phone: 807-346-4667 

Fax: 807-346-4690

Northwestern Transport Training and Heavy Equipment Training Ltd. 

195 Gore St. E. Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3R2 

Phone: 807- 622-1152 

Fax: 807-622-1255 

asset inventory & economic development

The Township of Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls has compiled an inventory of assets available for use by investors or other interested parties.  It is available online at our municipal web portal: www.snnf.ca and can be found on the Planning page.  Further information may also be obtained by contacting our Economic Development Officer at 807.226.5241 or info@siouxnarrows-nestorfalls.ca.  The asset inventory contains information about investment opportunities, commercial business and properties available, and economic development supports.  Our community is also serviced by the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation and the Rainy River Futures Development Corporation, both offering area Economic Development support.

There are numerous facilities and activity centres available in Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls for your enjoyment, health and wellness:

Type & Number of Facilities

Adventure and Eco-Tourism

Glacial activities thousands of years ago created rock cliffs and pristine lakes for the outdoor enthusiast. You are sure to see nature at its finest, often times in complete solitude.  The area is remote with over 14,000 islands and 60,000 miles of shoreline, many of them uninhabited - by humans anyway!  Along the trails and islands in the Lake of the Woods area you can find a variety of wild flowers and berries. Glimpse bear, deer, moose and timber wolves. Bald eagles, falcons, owls, herons, loons, pelicans and pileated woodpeckers are just a few of the 280 species of birds that live in the Lake of the Woods area. Mink, otter and beaver can be seen swimming, playing and dining along the shoreline. Be sure to bring your camera!

Climbing, Mountain Biking, Hiking & Wilderness Camping

The Lake of the Woods area lies in the heart of the Canadian Shield which lends itself to thrilling climbs with magnificent scenery.  The terrain in the Lake of the Woods area is challenging and can be enjoyed by both the recreational biker and seasoned pro.  Enjoy unparalleled hiking through the boreal forest or along our municipal wilderness trails. There are many opportunities to view a multitude of wildlife and stunning scenery.  Enjoy camping at one of our provincial park locations or off the beaten track in the unspoiled wilderness. There are great opportunities to camp on the mainland or on one of the numerous islands.

Photography

There are a variety of photography opportunities in the Lake of the Woods and surrounding areas.  Hire a guide for the day to help you find the best destinations on the lake for bird and animal viewing.

Water Activities, Canoeing & Kayaking

From spending a lazy day at one of the area's many beaches, boating on the endless miles of water in the beautiful Lake of the Woods area, diving beneath its waves or capping an eventful day with a relaxing dinner in one of our many restaurants, we've got it all.  Canoeing the lakes and rivers of the Lake of the Woods region is exciting and picturesque with a multitude of nature and wildlife viewing opportunities.  Kayaking in the Lake of the Woods area is challenging. For the seasoned pro it offers adventurous, fast-moving rapids. For everyone it offers endless routes and gorgeous scenery.

Winters in Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls, Skiing, Snowmobiling & More

Whether you are ice diving or cozying up to a fireplace after a long day of snowmobiling, you will never be at a lack of things to do when the weather gets a little cooler! The area's x-country skiing opportunities are limitless! Ski a frozen lake, rugged forest landscape or groomed nature trails.  Snowmobile one of the many land and lake trails in the Lake of the Woods area!  The wilderness and frozen lakes in the Lake of the Woods area offers limitless opportunities for Winter Adventure Campers.

Golfing

Come out and try our unique, wilderness 9 hole municipal golf course. Contact White Moose Golf Course at  1 807 226-5319.

Public Boat Launches

Sioux Narrows Government Dock & Nestor Falls Government Dock User pay facilities with access to Lake of the Woods (Regina Bay, Sioux Narrows & Sabaskong Bay, Nestor Falls).

Arts & Culture

Annual Sioux Narrows Arts Festival Every August, Sioux Narrows hosts an Arts Festival. Local artisans, as well as artists from all over Canada and the United States, come to Sioux Narrows to display fine art, pottery, woodworking and other arts and crafts. Performance Arts & Concerts Throughout the summer there are numerous free, outdoor musical and arts performance concerts. Aboriginal Influence The Lake of the Woods Area is rich in aboriginal culture and history. There are four vibrant First Nation communities that closely neighbour Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls.  Native pictographs can be seen at numerous locations on Lake of the Woods. These ancient paintings, accessible only by boat, are located at both Whitefish and Sabaskong Bays on Lake of the Woods – faces, an upside-down human, various animals, a thunderbird, and hand prints can be seen.

Historical Sites & Natural Attractions

Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls contains a rich and diverse history which includes old Gold Mining Sites, Hudson Bay Trading Posts, German POW Camps and Early Logging Operations. 

Sioux Narrows Bridge 

The ‘Narrows’ where the historical Sioux Narrows Bridge was once located (longest, single span, wooden bridge in the World) is also where an ancient battle between the Sioux and Ojibwa Nations occurred. Excavation has unearthed ancient artifacts, including numerous arrow heads. The site is now the home of a replacement, replica bridge (of the historic structure). Bridge Park is adjacent to the bridge. The waterfront (Regina Bay, Lake of the Woods) park is a beautiful wilderness park suitable for exploring and picnics, and contains observation decks overlooking the lake. 

Nestor Falls 

The ‘Falls’ located in Nestor Falls is a natural landmark where thousands of logs were once flowed through from the upper lakes down into Lake of the Woods on their journey toward timber processing companies. The Falls lookout is adjacent to Highway 71' at Sabaskong Bay and offers visitors a beautiful, photo friendly rest stop and picnic area overlooking the waterfalls and beautiful Lake of the Woods. 

Muskie Bay 

The lookout adjacent to Highway 71' at Muskie Bay offers visitors a beautiful, photo friendly rest stop and picnic area overlooking the beautiful Crow Lake. Parks There are two provincial parks located in the Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls area, as well as numerous municipal and private parks, campgrounds and unspoiled wilderness.

Bass Lake Park

Bass Lake Park is a public access wilderness and recreational park available to residents and visitors alike. The park contains numerous opportunities for a variety of activities, including a baseball field, beach volleyball sand court and playground equipment. The park is located on the shores of Bass Lake and has a beautiful sand beach shoreline, complete with diving platform. There is a large picnic shelter and barbeque pit. There are outhouse bathrooms. The park is also adjacent to our Red Pine Trail Hiking trail system. 

Sioux Narrows Provincial Park 

Sioux Narrows Provincial Park is located on Regina Bay on Lake of the Woods. Swim, sail or boat on the sparkling waters, or dip your paddle where the continent’s earliest explorers travelled. Bring your own boat or rent a canoe at the park. There is a beautiful, centrally located, large sand beach.  The park is linked to the municipal hiking trail system, Aspen Trails. About half of the 56 campsites are near the lake and 17 have electrical service. All have fire pits, picnic tables and parking. The comfort station is centrally located. There is also a picnic shelter for group outings. Firewood, ice and other amenities are available for purchase onsite.

Other Content And Links

Video, photos, maps, business directories, events calendar, and much more can be found on the Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls web portal via any of the following links: 

• www.snnf.ca
• www.livethelakelife.ca 
• www.lakeofthewoodsvacations.com

 "Living the lake life" by judy race

We have been long time visitors to Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls because of our family.  My husband's parents retired here for a combined 30 years.  It was with great pleasure that we decided to do the same and take over the family home here.  It is the beauty of the woods, lakes and wildlife that keep us in awe each and every day.  We enjoy the quiet times (canoeing/fishing), but also take advantage of the wonderful community events that bring us in contact with others who live here.  Our children come to visit from Alberta and California and feel the same way.  It is so easy to "Just Love It".   Maybe a retirement home for our children?.........

 "life is good" by bob law

The main reason we  decided to retire in Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls was our long relationship  to this community, firstly through my parents who had also retired here, and then through our love of the Lake of the Woods, and smaller community lifestyle. Both of us worked in "higher stressed" positions and we were tired of the big city atmosphere. Everything about the community of Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls impressed us; the beauty of being surrounded by nature, the outdoor lifestyle, boating and fishing on the Lake of the Woods, the people of the community who were accepting of everybody, part-time employment opportunities, and strong volunteer base. If one wanted the larger city environment, Kenora was 45 minutes away, Winnipeg 3 hours away, and the U.S. an hour and a half away. Regardless of that, Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls was the same distance to come back home. The term "Life is Good" was true for us after we moved here!