It is situated along the Northern Route of the Trans-Canada Highway 11, which is a major route running through Northwestern Ontario
Atikokan got its name from the Atikokan River, named for the Ojibway word meaning “caribou bones”. The town was originally a divisional point of the Canadian National Railway, between Thunder Bay and Fort Frances and was named in 1899. Between 1944 and 1980 the town was home to two iron mines and over the years 22,000 miners and office workers came and went, with Atikokan’s population peaking at 7,800.
Now the the 4,000 resident town relies on the thriving forest industry, the hydrothermal generating plant and tourism. Besides the wilderness, Atikokan supplies various recreational activities as well as historic/cultural sites. Next to the town is Quetico Provincial Park, often referred to as “a canoeist’s paradise”.
Atikokan is located near the shores of several lakes, including Steep Rock Lake and Atikokan Lake. These lakes provide a picturesque backdrop and contribute to the town’s recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and camping.
Atikokan History
The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nation. The name “Atikokan” is believed to be of Ojibwe origin, meaning “caribou bones” or “caribou crossing.”
In the early 1800s, the fur trade brought European explorers and traders to the region whop established trading posts in the area.
The discovery of iron ore deposits in the area in the mid-1900s launched mining operations to extract the iron ore The Steep Rock Iron Mines were central to the town’s development.
The town’s location in the heart of the boreal forest made it conducive to logging and the production of wood products.
The closure of the Steep Rock Iron Mines in the 1970s marked a pivotal moment in Atikokan’s history. The local economy was forced to diversity into tourism and outdoor recreation, building on the area’s natural beauty for activities like hunting, fishing, and camping.
Atikokan Attractions:
Atikokan Centennial Museum
204 Main Street East Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0
(807) 597-6057
Website
Learn about the history of Atikokan and the surrounding area at this local museum, which features exhibits on mining, logging, and the Indigenous people of the region. 
Many local history exhibits with displays of mining and lumbering tools. The Park is located across the river containing a restored logging train and log cabin. Open May-Oct; Mon-Fri; 9-5;
Atikokan Mining Attraction
Main St, Atikokan (beside the Atikokan Centennial Museum)
P.O. Box 1298 Atikokan, Ontario P0T 1C0
See the remains of the mines that closed over 15 years ago. The Atikokan Mine has lived on by developing displays in the community and at the mine sites. There are viewing stations where you can realize the magnitude of the operations.
Quetico Provincial Park
ON-11, Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0
(807) 597-2735
Website
A popular destination for canoeing and camping, 4,655 square kilometre Quetico Provincial Park is home to over 2,000 lakes, over 1,500 km of inter-connected canoe routes, and countless hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and wildlife viewing. See many Indian pictographs which makeup one of the largest groups of rock paintings in North America
White Otter Castle
White Otter Lake,, about 35 kilometres south of Ignace
(807) 934-6980
Website
This unique three-storey structure was built by hand in the early 1900s by Jimmy McOuat, a trapper and hunter who lived in the area. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle and learn about McOuat’s life and the construction of the castle.
Atikokan Area Beaches
(807) 597-1234
Website
Located on beautiful Lake of the Woods, Atikokan Municipal Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The beach is equipped with change rooms, washrooms, and a playground.
Mount Fairweather
Atikokan, Ontario
(807) 597-1287
Website
Atikokan is proud to call Mount Fairweather it’s home to downhill skiing and snowboarding, with trails to accommodate all skiing levels. Mount Fairweather is open weekends and holidays from late December to late March (weather dependent.) Opened in 1967 for local skiiers ad borders, and in 2007 added a terrain park.
Quetico Provincial Park
44 km east of Atikokan
ON-11, Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0
(807) 597-2735
Website
A popular destination for canoeing and camping, 4,655 square kilometre Quetico Provincial Park is home to over 2,000 lakes, over 1,500 km of inter-connected canoe routes, and countless hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and wildlife viewing. See many Indian pictographs which makeup one of the largest groups of rock paintings in North America