As of September 2006, a new permanent extension campus in Orillia, located about 150 kilometres (93 mi) north of Toronto, has about 1,400 students.

[6] Lakehead College of Arts, Science and Technology was established by an Act of the Ontario Legislature, proclaimed on August 1, 1957.

[8] The original college site comprised about 32 hectares of land in south-west Port Arthur, Ontario.

The medical school has multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario, including large and small communities.

Lakehead University opened a campus at Heritage Place in Downtown Orillia in 2006; during the first semester there were about 100 students.

A new academic building at this site represents the first phase in the development of Canada's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum university campus.

The village is situated on the banks of the McIntyre River within five-minute walking distance of all university buildings and athletic facilities.

The Orillia residence has two meal plan options for students, with food services operated by Dana Hospitality since 2021.

[11] The university supports a research station near Thunder Bay to test newly developed crop varieties.

[22] Lakehead University Student Union, or LUSU, serves as a governing body for student-run clubs.

LUSU is also responsible for publishing The Argus, the student newspaper, as well as running The Study Coffeehouse and The Outpost Pub, sites that often serve as gathering places for campus community activities and as performance venues.

The Hangar has a 200-meter indoor track, soccer field, cardio area, aerobic studio and a climbing wall.

Varsity teams include: Basketball,[24] Cross-Country, Hockey,[25] Nordic Skiing, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.