This Ontario lake has an 87-acre island made of hardwood-clad limestone

Summer isn’t over yet! It may be back-to-school season but it isn’t officially fall just yet. If you still want to make use of the warm weather we have left, then a trip to Lake Mindemoya in northern Ontario is in order.

The lake is known for its stunning colouring and is located within Manitoulin Island. According to the area’s website, “On a satellite map of Manitoulin Island, Lake Mindemoya leaps out immediately: it is a startling turquoise hue amid the darker tones of the other lakes.”

About Lake Mindemoya

Let’s jump into a little backstory on the lake!

Mindemoya is the third largest of the Island’s 100-plus lakes.

The lake is also noteworthy for its central location, its swimmer-friendly temperatures and the “dense, hilly island” that serves as a backdrop for Lake Mindemoya.

Now called Treasure Island, the spot that stands 300 feet above lake level is made up of 87 acres of hardwood-clad limestone. The area was originally named Mindemoya, or more accurately, ‘Mindimowenh,’ in the Ojibwe language, signifying “old woman.”

The derivation of this name has been explained in different ways over the years but all versions of the legend mention that the belief that the island, Mindemowenh, “is the embodiment of an Anishnabek women.”

One of the local secrets is that the lake’s “blue clay bottom” is responsible for the almost surreal coloration of the waters. Some locals even say that the blue clay is used to make fine pottery and that shards of pottery have been found on Treasure Island.

Getting there

If you’re travelling from Toronto, getting to Lake Mindemoya will take just under six hours by car.

The scenic drive will take you through Sudbury and French River.

Enjoy your trip to Lake Mindemoya, Ontario!

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