Fort William Historical Park

Note to visitors Effective May 4, 2026, the Broadway Avenue entrance and walking trails are open for the season. Please use the Broadway Avenue entrance to access the Park; the King Road entrance is closed. Paid admission is required to access the Historic Site, including the Nature Trail.

Fort William Historical Park features Fort William, one of North America’s largest living history sites, and the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, home to one of the largest publicly accessible telescopes in Central Canada. Fort William Historical Park also offers year-round festivals and events, an RV and tent campground, in-person, virtual and overnight education programs and wedding and conference facilities.

Fire Ban in Effect As of July 14, 2026, at 12:01 am, Thunder Bay is under a Restricted Fire Zone. This restricts the use of open and recreational fires. This temporary measure has been put in place by both Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and the Minister of Natural Resources to prevent human-caused fires when the fire hazard is extreme or when firefighting resources are limited. Visit Ontario's Outdoor Fire Restrictions for more information.

Historic Site Guided Tours

Take a guided tour of Fort William led by one of its inhabitants.

Guided tours last approximately 1.5 hours. Self-guided tours are not available at this time.

English tour times: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
French tour times: Please call (807) 473-2344 to arrange for a French tour.

Open 7 days a week

Discover Fort William by guided tours led by one of its inhabitants. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. Visitors are able to further explore Fort William after their tour.

English tour times: 10:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
French tour times: Please call (807) 473-2344 to arrange for a French tour.

Open 7 days a week
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last admission is at 4 p.m.)

Discover Fort William on your own and enjoy a variety of scheduled activities taking place throughout the day.

Plan Your Visit

Explore Fort William

Travel back in time to 1815 and discover Fort William. This is the inland headquarters of the North West Company, the world’s largest fur trading enterprise with posts stretching across North America. This is a place where cultures meet and relationships are forged between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous newcomers. Come experience this unique place and time in history through the eyes of peoples past who lived and worked around Fort William!

Campground

Nestled on the banks of the scenic Kaministiquia River, the Fort William Historical Park Campground has plenty of room for RVs, trailers and tents of all sizes. Northern Ontario’s beautiful summer nights make for an amazing camping experience the whole family will enjoy!

Education

Fort William Historical Park offers extraordinary educational opportunities for learners of all ages. Our cross-curricular education programs offer immersive experiential and sensory activities to engage your students in a memorable learning experience.

Day Camps

Fort William Historical Park’s March Break and Summer Day Camps offer your child the opportunity to experience a variety of fun and exciting activities.

Wharf Erosion Mitigation Project

North Rock Engineering is the proponent of Fort William Historical Park – Wharf Erosion Mitigation project, which is an erosion prevention initiative that involves the addition of rock-filled gabion baskets, to be constructed adjacent to the existing historic wharf at the south end of the park along the Kaministiquia River. No work will take place in the waterway as a part of the scope of this project, as all work will be done on the dry side of the wharf. The figure shows the project location and the work and study areas for the project.

Congratulations!

Fort William Historical Park is delighted to extend congratulations to the Canadian Corps of Voyageurs as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. Learn more about the CCV.

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that Fort William Historical Park is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg of Anemki Wajiw (Thunder Mountain), Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. We also recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Mikinaak Minis (Turtle Island, North America). We appreciate the privilege to share a part of their storied past on the lands that First Peoples have kept since time immemorial.

Join Us

Discover current employment and volunteer opportunities at Fort William Historical Park.

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