Dryden

Canada

Dryden is Ontario's smallest incorporated city (population 7617), located 140km (90 mi) east of Kenora on the Trans-Canada Highway in northern Ontario.

Dryden, located on the north shore of Wabigoon Lake, was established in 1895 as the site of an experimental farm and named for a minister of government of the era. At the time, access to the community was primarily by rail. From 1910-2008, the city's primary industry was paper manufacturing; the local population reached a peak of just under 8200 people before the mill closed.

An oversize Maximillian the Moose stands at the centre of town at the visitor’s centre.

Dryden and Kenora are the only incorporated Ontario cities to use the Central time zone (GMT-6), due to their location: geographically closer to Winnipeg than to southern Ontario.

Max the moose towers 18 feet

  • Dryden & District Museum, 15 Van Horne Avenue (at King Street, +1 807 223-4671. Museum in historic Hamble House with over ten thousand artefacts, including “Old Copper Culture“ cold-hammered tools dating back 4,000 years. History of Dryden and surrounding area, including “The Dryden Buck“, an Ontario-record whitetail deer shot by a poacher in 2003. By donation.

Dryden & District Museum, 15 Van Horne Avenue (at King Street, +1 807 223-4671. Museum in historic Hamble House with over ten thousand artefacts, including “Old Copper Culture“ cold-hammered tools dating back 4,000 years. History of Dryden and surrounding area, including “The Dryden Buck“, an Ontario-record whitetail deer shot by a poacher in 2003. By donation.

  • Aaron Provincial Park. On east end of Thunder Lake, 26 km (16 mi) east of Dryden on Hwy 11.
  • Dryden Recreational Complex, 84 Whyte Ave, +1 807 223-1425. Indoor pool with waterslide, municipal fitness centre.
  • Dryden Ski Club, +1 807 937-4265. Ski hill, equipment rental and lessons. $35/day (downhill), $8/day (cross-country).
  • Eagle's Landing, 400 Sandy Beach Rd, +1 807 223-3433. Nine-hole golf course, banquet facility.
  • Hunting, fishing and windsurfing are popular locally; in winter, try snowmobiling, ice fishing, dogsledding and skiing.
  • Blue Lake Provincial Park, Blue Lake Road, +1 807 227-2601. Hiking trails, camping, interpretive centre.
  • Sandy Beach Park, Sandy Beach Road. Playground, large sand beach, soccer field and baseball diamond, walking trails and picnic area.
  • Theatre 17. Amateur community theatre group.

  • Moosefest. late June-early July. Summer festival, includes Canada Day weekend.
  • Dryden Winter Festival. Mid-February, on long weekend. Activities. Ice fishing derby.

Moosefest. late June-early July. Summer festival, includes Canada Day weekend.

Dryden Winter Festival. Mid-February, on long weekend. Activities. Ice fishing derby.

Aaron Provincial Park. On east end of Thunder Lake, 26 km (16 mi) east of Dryden on Hwy 11.

Dryden Recreational Complex, 84 Whyte Ave, +1 807 223-1425. Indoor pool with waterslide, municipal fitness centre.

Dryden Ski Club, +1 807 937-4265. Ski hill, equipment rental and lessons. $35/day (downhill), $8/day (cross-country).

Eagle's Landing, 400 Sandy Beach Rd, +1 807 223-3433. Nine-hole golf course, banquet facility.

Blue Lake Provincial Park, Blue Lake Road, +1 807 227-2601. Hiking trails, camping, interpretive centre.

Sandy Beach Park, Sandy Beach Road. Playground, large sand beach, soccer field and baseball diamond, walking trails and picnic area.

Theatre 17. Amateur community theatre group.

  • Egli's Sheep Farm, 20232 Hwy 17W, Minnitaki, +1 807 755-5231. M-Sa 8AM-5PM. Wide selection of woolen garments, 20 km (12 mi) west of Dryden on Trans-Canada Highway.
  • Railside Sports & Marine, 564 Government St., +1 807 223-3517. Boats, campers, ATVs, snowmobiles.

Egli's Sheep Farm, 20232 Hwy 17W, Minnitaki, +1 807 755-5231. M-Sa 8AM-5PM. Wide selection of woolen garments, 20 km (12 mi) west of Dryden on Trans-Canada Highway.

Railside Sports & Marine, 564 Government St., +1 807 223-3517. Boats, campers, ATVs, snowmobiles.

Ho Ho Chinese Restaurant, 64 Van Horne Ave, +1 807 223-2888. Asian buffet.

Hong Kong House, 34F Whyte Ave, +1 807 223-7411. Asian.

Kupper's Bakery and Restaurant, 5 Earl Ave, +1 807 223-2419. Licensed restaurant, bakery and deli.

Masala Restaurant, 205 Duke St, +1 807 223-8622. Indian.

Ristorante Pizzeria Italia, 53 Princess St, +1 807 223-8080. Italian.

  • B & B Roadhouse Bar & Grill, 349 Government St, +1 807 223-2000.
  • Central Saloon, 20 King St, +1 807 223-3735. Dated diner-style restaurant with bar.

B & B Roadhouse Bar & Grill, 349 Government St, +1 807 223-2000.

Central Saloon, 20 King St, +1 807 223-3735. Dated diner-style restaurant with bar.

  • Dryden Public Library, 36 Van Horne Ave, +1 807 223-1475. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-5PM, closed summer Sundays.

Dryden Public Library, 36 Van Horne Ave, +1 807 223-1475. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-5PM, closed summer Sundays.