Moose Factory Island is one of the most historically important and culturally rich places in northern Ontario.
Location: Cochrane, ON
Season: Open for all seasons
Moose Factory Island sits on the Moose River near James Bay, just across from Moosonee, and is one of the oldest continuously operating English-speaking settlements in Canada. It feels like a blend of living history, Indigenous culture, northern river community life.
What Moose Factory Island is Like
- A Cree community on an island in the Moose River
- Historically tied to the fur trade
- Accessible by boat from Moosonee (or ice road in winter)
- Quiet, small, and deeply connected to river life
How to Get There
=> From Moosonee
Most visitors arrive through Moosonee:
- Boat taxi across the Moose River (10–15 minutes)
- Winter ice crossing when frozen
There are no bridges connecting it to the mainland.
Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre, Historic Hudson’s Bay Company Site, River Life & Boat Travel, Wildlife & Nature, Photography & Scenic Views
Small shops and grocery stores, Local accommodations (guesthouses), Health services, Schools, Community services, Boat taxis to Moosonee
Slow-paced, Deeply river-based, Culturally rich, Historically significant, Very quiet and natural
