Situated nearly halfway between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste Marie, White River is a small, inland centre that offers a great base for exploring Northern Ontario's wild landscape. While cross-country skiing, fishing and hunting are popular pastimes, the region is best known for its extensive snowmobiling trails. White River got its start in 1885 as a Canadian Pacific Rail work camp, but by 1886 it was a fully modern town complete with a train station, hotels and restaurants. Today the town is still serviced by cross-country passenger and cargo trains, and the town's history can be explored at the White River Heritage Museum on Elgin Street. Amazingly, White River's most famous resident was a bear. Not just any bear, though-this bear purportedly served as the inspiration for the world's most famous fictional bear, Winnie the Pooh. The White River visitors' centre greets travellers with a large statue of Winnie, complete with his honey jar, of course.