The Haven Hostel

09/01/2026

8 years ago today :) Our little security guard went for her first paddle board ride on Lake Superior. It went so well…
But now she won’t go near one and she doesn’t like sail boats 🤷🏽‍♀️ ⛵️ She loves power boats though and still enjoys fetching sticks in the water! Most of all she loves your company and ur scratches in the hostel…. But keep in mind she has a deadly allergy to certain treats and although she looks so cute staring at you when you are eating steak… try to resist those beautifully long eyelashes!

08/25/2026

We LOVE love, and these beauties are the sole definition of it. Enter story time.
Another reason why we live for guest stories and adventures! Pat and Nate are brothers from Chicago, living in Los Angeles and Nashville. They were brought back together for a paddling trip of their lifetime. This trip was made possible with the knowledge and power of one of our favorite neighbours Kyle Milton Shushack who literally works beside us at Wilderness Supply :) All started with a phone call and ended in brotherhood. Kyle helped the guys plan their adventure around our insane wildfires. What started as a dream to Wabakimi … ended in ashes. Then thoughts arose on how they could go to Quetico… and we know how that story is being written. THEN, Kyle thought…. Well…Lake Superior island and sauna hopping might actually be the BEST idea and by far the safest. It WAS. It was paradise of the North and the guys came back all smiles and stoked on life ! Kyle even picked them up ! U know us Canadians do the nicest things - and if you’re just a good charismatic and eager human we absolutely thrive on it, and u know what the funny thing is? (Shocked I know)…it all Typically just comes full circle when people are nice and good vibes. So Kyle delivered them to our door step! Immediate story telling and full life histories un-folded in front of us.
We quickly learned we had a million things to talk about! Adventure and family talk was full throttle. But the main reason our hearts are full and our hug meter high… is because of the family inspiration and how close these gentlemen are when a whole world sits between them. This visit re instilled in a few of us what it means to do good and be good. Pat, Nate… u left a mark on Thunder Bay and we know for sure Tbay did for u. Also just kinda cheesin on the fact we captured u with some amazing local grafitti art in the back.
One day I hope to see a bathroom floor somewhere in a beautiful restaurant in Los Angeles, with YOUR story on it.
Much love - your adventure j***y aficionados

08/17/2026

What’s happening here 👀?! We now have the majority of Thunder Bay Street artists on our building - happily adding this beautiful work in progress by our good friend VIK WILEN ART 🦋 ! Being two blocks from the greatest lake in the world means a lot to us and our connection with it runs deep . Having a piece of the Lake and the Giant on our wall by an artist who understands those connections is very important .
Stay turned for the finale later this week!
Proudly supported by the CEDC Tourism Development Fund Thunder Bay CEDC 🙏🏼

08/11/2026

Oh dearrrr we have done it again! Always something around here - you will have to wait and see what we are up too.
BUT, right now it’s time to clean house and boy we gotta down size some junk to us - maybe gold to you?! In order to get construction kick-started we gotta haul ass. I’ll be posting the most random of things in our stories and u never know you might want it.
Example how about this old steel gate? Had it for 8 years. Why? Dunno. Random paddles. One side of scaffolding ? It’s only the beginning 😩

08/10/2026

TONIGHT! Abigail Lapell is at the Port Arthur Legion - doors at 7 and show starts at 8 pm with Faith Russell and Lapell at 8:30.
We had the honour of stealing our very busy and beautiful travelling musician for a sneak peak of her new album she will be promoting tonight. We have to say… our minds are blown and new album is a must see. With no microphone … a borrowed amp (which is amazing Kyle Milton Shushack )… and the sun deciding to blast hard in the moment … we couldn’t have had a better preview and cannot wait.
See you all tonight! Show is intimate and should not be missed.
crockstbay Port Arthur Legion (Branch #5)

07/30/2026

Always say yes to adventure on Lake Superior! We are located only two blocks away from the greatest Lake in the world and it does NOT stop there. With thousands of kilometers of shoreline this inland ocean can you bring you to the most spectacular of places - just ask us 💡 🗺️
Our favorite accommodation and launching point we like to recommend when u depart from us (so sad 😢) is Rock Island Lodge and Naturally Superior Adventures. They are located 5 hours southeast & just outside Wawa and on the border of Lake Superior Provincial Park. Check them out AND the park and you will see why Lake Superior Paddling 🛶 🏕️ (NSA)
Photos taken from a custom voyageur canoe trip from the Michipicoten River to Dennison Falls on the Dog River.
Lonely Planet

07/14/2026

The apocalypse is here 🔥 This video was taken at 16:30 today in a season where it doesn’t get dark until 22:30.
What a wild heat wave - immediate fire ban announced in the region and for good reason.
Do everything you can to minimize the spread of forest fires and be a good outdoorsmen.
If you know a senior who is alone and may not have AC reach out, keep close eyes on children, and let’s all try our best to keep the fur babies cool.
If you see Boss lady in the hostel please don’t snuggle her! She’s getting out for daily swims and she’s a bit of a heat 🐄 . Don’t worry though she drinks bougier ice water than you do 🧊 🙏🏼
Heat calming down Wednesday evening 🥵

07/04/2026

We realize we are a bit busier and busier every year and this year we think we may need that bit of extra Fungineering support for a few nights a week! Weekends Definitley … see the photo and apply accordingly! Ideally we find a multi tasker who doesn’t mind being a jack of all trades but most importantly….. VIBES 🌴

07/03/2026

The post card speaks for itself! The cyclists this year have been on fire! Welcome all two wheel adventurists!

07/02/2026

Wow nice mention along with the big boys! Thank you so much neighbour!!!

Happy Canada Day!

It's a beautiful country to explore, and there's no shortage of hostels! Whether it's through Hostelling International Canada or Collectif d’auberges - Saintlo - Hostel collective, or one of the many independent hostels like The Haven Hostel, there's a lot of great Canadian hostels to make your trip more enjoyable.

What's your favorite place in Canada, and what's your favorite Canadian hostel?