Rainy River is an attractive rural community of about 1,000 people located along the Minnesota/Ontario border. It is also a major border crossing into Sunset Country from the United States. Rainy River is a 3 hour drive southeast of Winnipeg and just 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Lake of the Woods. The Rainy River area is home to 130 species of birds along with large populations of moose, black bear and deer. Hannam Park, located on the shores of Rainy River, is a perfect family vacation spot with its sandy beach, volleyball court, playground and wading pool.
To link directly to the hotels, motels, camps, grocery stores and other businesses in Rainy River, scroll down to bottom of this page.
HISTORY OF RAINY RIVER:
The Rainy River Valley is an area of maginificent lakes and rivers, mixed woodlands and wildlife habitat, gently rolling hills and a continental climate that changes with every season. Originally a fur trading and lumber settlement, Rainy River remains a vital transportation center with the Canadian National Railways a major employer in the town.
MAIN INDUSTRIES:
Rainy River is a vital transportation centre with the Canadian National Railways, one of the largest employers in the district. Grain, fuel, and lumber from Canada�s west is shipped through Rainy River to eastern markets and ports, or across international railway bridge to the U.S. for overseas markets. Located across from Baudette, MN, Rainy River provides access to the U.S. and is also the terminus for the world�s longest street � Younge Street (Highway 11) which originates in Toronto.
POPULTION: 1000
DISTANCE TO NEAREST TOWNS:
Atikokan, ON � 242 km, 151 Mi
Dryden, ON � 285 km, 178 Mi
Fort Frances, ON � 94 km, 58 Mi
Kenora, ON � 229 km, 143 Mi
Morson, ON � 63 km, 39 Mi
Thunder Bay, ON � 430 km, 269 Mi
Winnipeg, MB � 273 km, 171 Mi
Grand Forks, ND � 454 km, 275 Mi
Duluth, MN � 320 km, 200 Mi
Minneapolis, MN -566 km � 354 Mi
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE:
The Rainy River Visitor Information Centre is located on Highway 11, across from Fourth St. You can pick up many brochures, maps and general travel information at this Ontario Travel Centre.
ATTRACTIONS:
Go on a self-guided of Rainy River (brochures can be picked up at the Travel Centre). You'll see:
- The historical site "Hudson Bay Hungry Hall" at Oak Grove Camp. Many interesting artifacts relating to HBC and also to the Indian tribes who have lived there have been found on this property.
- There is a tent and trailer campground located on the River Road north of the town. Most of the thirty fully-serviced campsites are along the Rainy River.
- North End Farms is located on the River Road north of the town. The farm includes over 700 buffalo on 15 quarters of land. A high voltage fence surrounds the farm. Buffalo live up to 30 years. A large bull can weight over 2000 pounds.
- Duck Mountain Elk Ranch located on Highway 600 north of town. The farm includes over 40 elk on 80 acres of land. Elk are grown to harvest the velvet from their horns. These are marketed throughout the world. Elk are easy to care for. Six elk eat the same as one Hereford cow.
- Pines Park is located off Byrnes Road north of town on Highway 600. This park has a natural setting on the edge of Rainy River and has some of the last old growth pines in the area.
- Railroad 4008 Heritage Museum is located at the head of 4th Street next to the Tourism Bureau. This museum offers a look at railroad history contained in an actual rail car.
- Hannam Park is located on the river at the end of 4th Street. The park offers camping with full hook-ups and tenting. For the children, there is a wading pool, swings, climbing and slides. The park has a boat launch, docks and a food concession. This is a great place to stay or spend the day within the town of Rainy River.
- The Dawson Buffalo Ranch is located three miles north of Highway 11 on Worthington Road 3. The ranch is on 820 acres of land and they have approximately 120 buffalo.
- Visit Rainy River Town Hall and walk the garden and paths. Have your picture taken next to the Yonge Street sign. Yonge Street is the longest street in the world. It ends - or begins, depending on who you talk to - in Rainy River.
Visit the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre (Manitou Mounds) at nearby Rainy River First Nation - the location of a national historic site. An interpretive center and tour of the ancient burial grounds will give you an appreciation of an ancient civilization. Tours of the First Nation's sturgeon hatchery can be arranged with a reservation. The Rainy River and Lake of the Woods were once considered one of the largest sturgeon fisheries in the world but are now regarded as sensitive breeding waters for this prehistoric fish.
MUSEUM:
The Railroad 4008 Heritage Museum is located at the head of 4th Street next to the Tourism Bureau. The museum offers a look at railroad history contained in an actual rail car.
SPECIAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS:
Rainy River & District Chamber of Commerce Live Release Walleye Tournament
September 20th, 21st & 22nd
This is rapidly becoming one of the Rainy River Districts premium events! Not only is this a world class fishing competition, it also includes parade of boats, beer gardens, dances with live bands, pathways to fishing, fish fry, steak fry, variety shows, minnow races, kids games.
Pumpkin Festival - Closest Saturday to the First of October
Is a fun filled one day event that every family member will enjoy. This annual event gives the agricultural community a chance to show off the talents of our rural residents and brings the community together for a great time before the long winter sets in. If you are interested in participating, or have any suggestions or help to offer, we would love to hear from you. For more information contact Eltjo Wiersema at Rainy River Valley Giant Festival at 807-852-4405.
BEACHES IN AREA:
Hannam Park, located on the shores of Rainy River, is a perfect family vacation spot. It has a sandy beach, volleyball court, playground, floating dock, and wading pool with water slide.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
BIRD WATCHING:
The area around Rainy River presents some exciting birding opportunities. A combination of geographic location, topography, climatic conditions and land uses have resulted in a definite "western" condition that is reflected in the natural history of the area. In addition, the Rainy River empties into the Lake of the Woods here, and together they provide unique and interesting habitats that are very attractive to birds as breeding and migrational staging areas. And where there are birds, there are birders. A good day in the Rainy River area can be incredibly rewarding; a week unbelievable! A Birder's Guide to the Rainy River Area of Ontario, and a checklist of the Birds of the Rainy River District are available from the Town of Rainy River.
BOATING:
With Rainy River and Lake of the Woods at your backdoor, boating enthusiasts have every desired challenge from cruising into the sunset, fishing the rocky shores, to floating into wetlands looking for wildlife. The Historic Boundary Waterways provides miles of boating opportunities from Atikokan, Ontario along Rainy River and through Lake of the Woods to Minaki, Ontario.
RECREATION CENTRE:
The Recreation Centre has a fully contained ice arena with a large seating capacity for watching local hockey games or figure skating.
WINTER ACTIVITIES:
CURLING:
Rainy River sports its own curling club that provides loads of fun during the long winter months. The club consists of three sheets of ice, which are made up by its own artificial ice plant. It also has a complete lounge and viewing area upstairs along with a short order food menu.
WILDLANDS SNOWDUSTERS CLUB:
With winter being a major part of our lives, Rainy River has its own Snowmobile Club. The "Snowdusters" have their own club house and trail groomer that is manned almost everyday by volunteer club members to help keep the many surrounding trails open. The Snowdusters have their own detailed map to help you explore our winter wonderland.
CHURCHES IN AREA:
Evangelical Covenant Church - 305 1st St., 807-852-3873
St. James Anglican Church � 302 2nd St., 807-852-3133
BOAT LAUNCHES IN AREA:
Hannam Park, located on the shores of Rainy River, has a boat launch.
HOSPITAL OR NURSING STATION:
Rainy River Health Centre � 113 Fourth St., 807-274-4801
For more information on local activities and attractions call the Rainy River District Chamber Commerce at 807-852-1342, the Town of Rainy River at 807-852-3244 or the Township of Lake of the Woods at 807-852-3529.
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Harris Hill Resort
Harris Hill Resort is located on the shores of Lake of the Woods, only 18 miles (30 Km) north of Rainy River,
Ontario and Bau ...
RR1 Rainy River, P0W 1L0
807-488-1116
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Beaver Mills Market
Box 428, 420 Atwood Avenue Rainy River, P0W 1L0
807-852-1275
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Bergland Cafe and Minnow Shop
RR#1, Highway 621 Sleeman, P0W 1M0
807-488-9670
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MOM's Way
608 Scott Street Fort Frances, P9A 1H6
807-274-3276 or 1-800-465-8502
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Mylies Place
Box 217 East Selkirk, MB R0E 0M0
204-482-8931 or 866-395-3449
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Oak Grove Camp
Box 40 Rainy River, P0W 1L0
807-852-3702 or 800-216-8373
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Rainy River Duty Free Shop
PO Box 296, 402 Atwood Ave. Rainy River, Ontario P0W 1L0
807-852-3886 or 877-852-3886
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Township of Dawson
Box 427 Rainy River, P0W 1L0
807-852-3529
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Township of Lake of the Woods
Box 427 Rainy River, P0W 1L0
807-852-3529
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