Washago

Washago is a small village at the northern tip of Lake Couchiching. It marks the approximate boundary between the forested lands of Central Ontario's "Cottage Country" and the Golden Horseshoe (and the farmlands of Southwestern Ontario). It is part of the Severn Township.

Understand

It is close to the Green & Black Rivers, and northern Lake Couchiching with access to the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Get in

Washago is on Ontario Highway 11, The Canadian rail line, and the Trent-Severn Waterway.

By car

Coming north from Barrie or south from North Bay, take Highway 11 to the exit for Regional Road 169. (If you're coming from the south, turn right to go into Washago itself. Turning left will put you back on Highway 11 going the way you came.)

By bus

• Ontario Northland, toll-free: +1-800-461-8558. Operates primarily in Northern Ontario. (updated Apr 2022) Between North Bay and Toronto including stops in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Washago (some trips), Orillia (stop trips), and Barrie.

By train

See also: Rail travel in Canada

• 1 Washago station, 3321 Quetton (off highway 11, by the water tower). The station is not staffed and the building is not open to the public.   Train operator:
  • VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Operates train routes across Canada. (updated Mar 2022) Operates The Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as Sudbury, Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Kamloops.

By plane

• 2 Washago Aerodrome. Washago Aerodrome does not have scheduled service.  

By boat

Washago is on the Trent-Severn Waterway, so you can sail a small pleasure craft to the edge of town.

• McGregor on the Water, 3331 McClelland Rd. (at the top end of Lake Couchiching, just at the mouth of the Trent-Severn Waterway before Lock 42), ☏ +1 705-689-9935, fax: +1 705-689-0149, info@motw.ca. May - mid-October M-F 9AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 10AM-3PM; mid-October - April M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su by appointment. A full-service marina that accepts transient business. 

See

Washagofest (late August) - antique car show with live entertainment.

Do

• Indigenous cultural experiences, at Black River Wilderness Park (see listing below). Craft-making, Native history talks, medicine walks, tipi building, drum and song available. Enquire at the campground. (updated Jun 2020)
• 1 Centennial Park, 3398 Quetton Street. On the north shore of Lake Couchiching. Outdoor fitness equipment, dog park, a kids' playground, a beach, Trumpeter Swans, picnicking. (updated Jun 2020)

Buy

• Canoe Fresh Foods, 3384 Muskoka St.. Fresh produce, freshly baked breads and sweets. (updated Sep 2018)
• Hooper’s, 3383 Muskoka Street. Quaint and cozy gift store, retailing local artisans with excellent coffee and desserts. (updated Sep 2018)

Eat

• R'Cottage, 3385 Muskoka St, ☏ +1 705-514-1000. M 11:30AM-8PM, W-Th 11:30AM-8PM, F 11:30AM-9PM, Sa noon-9PM. Licensed eatery. Salads and sandwiches at lunch; salads, sandwiches, and rotisserie chicken and ribs at supper. Whole roast chickens available for take out after 4:30PM. 
• Log Cabin Restaurant, 3394 Muskoka Street, ☏ +1 705-689-6522. Tu-Su 7AM-3PM. Diner. (updated Sep 2018)

Sleep

• 1 Washago Village Inn, 3363 Muskoka St, ☏ +1 705-689-1904. Will meet guests at the train station. 
• Northland Motel and Restaurant, 9603 Hwy. 11 North, ☏ +1 705-689-5012, toll-free: +1-888-272-9993. Restaurant open M W Th Su 8AM-8PM, F Sa 8AM-9PM From $65/night. (updated Sep 2018)
• Black River Wilderness Park, ☏ +1 705-689-2502. 180 acres of wilderness, 100 campsites, 5 private cabins with 15/30 amp power, heated yurts and rustic tipis located one the islands within the park. Kayak, canoe, tube on the river. Wilderness trails. RV sites available, and a store with wood and snacks. Owned and operated by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. The campground has a beautiful setting on the Black River wandering through areas of the park. May to mid-Oct. For 2 adults and 2 children: tent site from $43, RV site from $60, tipi $65, yurt $110. (updated Jun 2020)

Go next

Routes through Washago

Winnipeg ← Parry Sound ←	W  E	→ Toronto
North Bay ← Gravenhurst ←	N  S	→ Orillia → Barrie

Severn, Ontario

Severn, Ontario