Getting to Kenora and Sydney Lake

Sydney Lake is about 60 miles north of Kenora, Ontario, in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. There are no roads to the lake, so the last leg is a 30-minute floatplane flight with River Air from the Kenora harbourfront.

Minneapolis–St. Paul to Kenora is about 430 miles, roughly 7½ hours of driving plus stops and the border. The usual route is I-35 and US-53 to International Falls, then Highways 11, 71 and 17 in Ontario. Duluth is about 300 miles and Chicago about 770.

Be at the River Air float base in downtown Kenora by 7:30 a.m. on your fly-in day. If you are booked on a later flight, be at the dock no later than 4:00 p.m. That's why most groups drive up the day before and stay overnight in Kenora.

From most of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, cross at International Falls–Fort Frances. From the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas City, take I-29 to Pembina–Emerson and go through Winnipeg. From northwest Minnesota, Baudette–Rainy River is often quickest. The drive planner above shows the usual crossing for your town.

Every adult needs a passport, passport card, NEXUS card or enhanced driver's licence to cross into Canada and return. Bring a birth certificate for each child.

No. Don't bring live bait across the border. Buy minnows and leeches in northwestern Ontario and keep the receipt, or pick them up at camp.

Your vehicle stays in a secure lot half a mile from the float base for CA$30 for your stay. River Air parks it for you and has it ready when you fly back.

Safeway, No Frills, the Real Canadian Wholesale Club and Walmart are all a few minutes from the float base. Beer, wine and liquor are sold at the LCBO and The Beer Store downtown. The Kenora map above shows them all.

The Clarion Lakeside Inn and Stone House Kenora are closest to the float base. Super 8, the Waterview Inn and the Lake-Vu Motel are on Lakeview Drive west of downtown, and the Comfort Inn and Travelodge are on Highway 17 East. Kenora hotels fill early in summer, so book your room when you book your trip.

Yes. Fly into Winnipeg on a commercial flight and rent a car for the 2½-hour drive east, or charter a plane right to Kenora Airport (YQK), about 15 minutes from the float base. River Air can also fly your group directly from Winnipeg or Fort Frances in its amphibious Caravan for an extra fee. Book your flight home for after 4 p.m. on the last day.

Kenora is on Central time, the same as Minneapolis, Chicago and Winnipeg, so there's no clock change on the drive up from the Midwest.