Fort William Historical Park

Note to visitors Effective November 1, 2024, the Broadway Avenue entrance and walking trails are closed for the season. Please use the King Road entrance to access the Park. 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.

Historic Site Guided Tours

Discover Fort William by guided tours led by one of its inhabitants. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours.

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.

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.

Upcoming Events

Canada Day

July 1, 2025

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free event

Remember, learn and engage this Canada Day at Fort William Historical Park. Explore the Anishinaabe Encampment and Fort William for a day filled with family-friendly activities to learn about and celebrate our nation’s diverse heritage. More details coming soon.

The Great Rendezvous

July 11-13, 2025

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hundreds of re-enactors from across North America converge to re-create the annual summer gathering held at Fort William over 200 years ago when it was the inland headquarters of the North West Company! The historic re-enactment will include artisan workshops and demonstrations, contests, a grand canoe arrival, and more!

Participant registration now open

Applications due by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025

Registration is now open to re-enactors looking to participate in Fort William Historical Park’s annual Great Rendezvous Historical Re-enactment. There is no cost to be a re-enactor. All re-enactors must register, whether or not they will be setting up a historic camp. If you require a different application format, please contact us.

Perseid Meteor Shower

August 12, 2025

10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Join us at the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory to watch the Perseid meteor shower and enjoy a variety of astronomy-related activities.

Anishinaabe Keeshigun

August 16, 2025

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

August 17, 2025

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free event

Celebrate First Nations culture at Fort William Historical Park! Join us for a free weekend filled with entertainment, hands-on activities and demonstrations that highlight Anishinaabe culture, traditions, language, and technology. This year’s event will also include a Pow Wow highlighting regional dancers and drum groups. A community feast will be held on Saturday and is open to all visitors. More details coming soon.

Dancer registration now open

Dancer registrations will be accepted in advance and during the event. All dancers who register and attend the pow wow will receive an honorarium. If you require a different application format, please contact us.

Vendor and Information Booth applications now open

Applications due by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025

There is no cost to be a craft vendor or host an information booth. If you require a different application format, please contact us.

Celtic Day

August 24, 2025

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free event

Join us for a Celtic celebration of culture, music, dance, hands-on activities, and great food! Featuring local pipe and drum bands, Highland dancers, and more. More details coming soon.

Join Us

Discover current employment opportunities at Fort William Historical Park.

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