Looking for where to hike in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
This is one of my favourite hiking destinations in Ontario. Although a bit of a drive from Toronto, I sometimes make it a longer trip by stopping on Manitoulin Island.
Use this helpful guide for the Lake Superior Provincial Park trails, which my friends from the outdoor club that I belong to and I have had the pleasure of checking out.
The good thing about Lake Superior Provincial Park hiking trails during my visit in late August is the lack of bugs, so a good time to visit. Maybe that is why the park was full during our stay.
This provincial park is located between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, features numerous hiking trails and canoe/kayaking routes. There is also a great program at the Agawa Bay Visitor Centre and some interesting Pictographs in the park. Highway 17 (Trans-Canada Highway) is the main highway in this huge park.
Many visitors stop here before continuing to the Michipicoten River, the Northern Shore of Lake Superior, Pukaskwa National Park, and Thunder Bay.
The 11 trails are marked with blue and white hiking symbols, and you can also find them listed on AllTrails. You are required to obtain a permit to hike any of the trails. Pets are not permitted on the Agawa Rock Pictographs Trail, but are permitted on other trails if on a leash.
1. Crescent Lake Trail
Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles) loop trail, taking 30 minutes to one hour
Difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: 61 meters
Location: Hwy km 1113.8
This easy walk starts in the abandoned Crescent Lake Campground, and along the way, you will pass by Crescent, MacGregor, and Mudhole Lakes, which are also part of a canoe route. You will be walking through a hardwood forest with a sprinkling of century-old white pines.
There is a canoe portage off the trail heading to spring-fed Kenney Lake, so the water is very clear. McGregor Lake is the only one with lake trout in the southern part of the park. This trail is best suited for families or anyone looking for easy nature walks.
2. Towab Trail
Distance: 24 km (15 miles) linear trail, return taking 6 to 14 hours (overnight option)
Difficulty: very demanding
Elevation gain: 723 meters
Location: Hwy km 1103.8
Many hikers do this route over 2 days to enjoy the beauty of the trail, as there are several campsites along the way. You will be walking along the Agawa River for much of the route until you reach the Agawa Waterfalls, one of the highest in the park. Many find it a difficult hike, as there are a lot of rock scrambles, some roots, and rocks, and it can be muddy at times. and steep up and down with roots and more mud.
The trail is named after Towabanasay, a native Ojibwe guide. A shorter moderate version of this hike is the 2- to 4-hour walk to Burnt Rock Pool and back.
3. Awausee Trail
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles) loop taking 4 to 6 hours (45 minutes to the first lookout)
Difficulty: Demanding
Elevation gain: 412 meters
Location: Hwy km 1101.4
It is a 45-minute walk along an old logging road through old hardwood forests and a bit uphill to the first lookout, with a steep climb to the second, but hikers love the view of the Lower Agawa Valley and the nearby mountain.
Although challenging, as there are a lot of elevation changes and streams to cross, this trail is a favourite of many.
4. Pinguisibi (Sand River) Trail
Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) linear trail return, taking 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
Difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: 95 meters
Location: Hwy km 1090.6
Your Lake Superior Provincial Park hiking should include the Pinguisibi (Sand River) trail, which is only a 6 km linear route, but was one of my favourites, with a series of waterfalls and rapids starting almost right from the parking lot. The Sand River was a travel route used by the Ojibwe to reach the interior of their coastal settlement. This is a fairly easy hike, but just watch your feet as there are plenty of rocks and roots on the trail.
Afterward, I suggest heading across Hwy 17 to Katherine Cove’s day-use area with one of the sandy beaches in the park.
5. Orphan Lake trail
Distance: 8 km (5 miles) loop taking 2 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 217 meters
Location: Hwy km 1080.8
Drive a bit past the Sand River Trail, crossing the Coldwater River to get to the Orphan Lake Trail. A bit rugged and steep in sections, so do take along your hiking poles. You will be walking through a mix of hardwood and evergreen forests. There was a forest fire in May 1998, and when you get to the end of that section, take the side trail for magnificent views of Lake Superior. Continue until you connect with the Coastal Trail, where there is a rocky beach.
On the return, you follow the Baldhead River, passing a waterfall. A bit of a climb along the edge of Orphan Lake before continuing to the parking lot. This trail is highly recommended because of the scenic lookouts.
6. Trapper’s Trail
Distance: 1.5 km (1 mile) loop trail taking 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 52 meters
Location: Hwy km 1074.3
The Trappers Trail Lake Superior hike is a short 1.5 km (1 mile), very easy and flat loop around the shoreline of Rustle Lake. There are a couple of viewing platforms and a floating boardwalk. The park’s people state you can watch for wetland wildlife, including beaver, otter, waterfowl, and moose, but we didn’t see any during our visit, probably because staff with chainsaws were working, chasing away any animals.
This trail is suitable for families with kids as it is easy.
7. South Old Woman River Hike
Distance: 2.5 km (1.5 miles) loop trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 86 meters
Location: Hwy km 1049.6
The South Old Woman River trail is a 2.5 km loop, and I found many sections were climbing over huge rocks and roots across the trail. But it is a beautiful hike, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
In one section, you have to scramble over some boulders to cross the stream. The turnaround point on the loop features a small waterfall. A little more rugged than the Pinguisbi trail. Park at the Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground office and cross Hwy 17 to access the trailhead. I do recommend you take hiking poles on this hike due to the rugged nature of the trail.
8. Peat Mountain
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles) loop trail taking 3 to 5 hours
Difficulty: Demanding
Elevation gain: 398 meters
Location: Hwy km 1049.6
One of the 2 hikes you access from the Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground. Start by climbing 150 meters (500 feet) through a mixed forest to the top of Peat Mountain. There is a side trail to the Foam Lake Lookout, but if you stay on the main trail, it takes you down to the lake itself, where there is a backcountry campsite. This hike is challenging with the up-and-down terrain, but you do have great views.
9. Nokomis Trail
Distance: 5 km (3 miles) loop trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 189 meters
Location: Hwy km 1042.6
Nokomis is perhaps the most famous trail for day hikes in the park, although it is only a 5 km (3-mile) loop. Considered one of the best hikes in Lake Superior Provincial Park, some say all of Canada. After crossing Hwy 17 from the Old Woman Bay day-use area, it is fairly flat at first with plenty of rocks making for uneven footing. You then climb via a series of switchbacks through the forest to the top (200 meters, 650 feet) rock face.
Several spots offer spectacular views of Old Woman Bay and the boreal forest before a steep descent. Highly recommend this moderate-level hike.
This was easily the busiest trail we encountered during our time in the park. However, many were just doing a short hike by doing the trail in reverse and just going to the top for the view.
Afterward, perhaps stop at one of the Old Woman Bay day-use picnic areas, or it is also the perfect place to go for a swim off the beach, as we did. This is one of the 3 beaches in the park.
10. Noisy Bay Trail
Distance: 4.3 km out and back, taking about one hour and twenty minutes to hike
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 161 meters
Location: just inside the north end of the park
The parking lot is on the east side of Highway 17, so carefully cross the road to the trailhead. Although rated easy, it is considered moderate by most hikers due to the rocks and roots, with lots of short steep hills having you go up and down a lot, with a few streams to cross.
It can be muddy and slippery when it rains. The reward is nice views of the rocky beach and Lake Superior.
11. Lake Superior Coastal Trail
Distance: 65 km (40 miles) linear, mainly along the shores of Lake Superior
Difficulty: Listed as Demanding by the park; however, more moderate from Gargantua Road north (in my opinion)
Location: From Agawa Bay to Chalfant Cove
The Lake Superior Provincial Park Coastal Trail runs along the shore for a total distance of 65 km (40 miles) and takes from 5 to 7 days if hiking. If you are paddling and following the coast, it would be 105 km (65 miles). There are backcountry campsites along the way. The trail starts near the Visitor Centre in the Agawa Bay Campground, passes Beatty Cove, and sections can be quite rugged, although there are several access points.
You can do a day hike on the coastal backpacking trail by driving the 14 km Gargantua Road to Gargantua Harbour and heading north to Warp Bay and the Devil’s Chair (campsites), and I would consider this section more moderate. During our visit, hardly anyone was using the beautiful beach at Warp’s Bay.
If you require a shuttle service while hiking, there are a couple of local businesses that provide shuttles for hikers and paddlers:
- Naturally Superior Adventures (near Wawa, north of the park): 1-800-203-9092
- Twilight Resort (Montreal River Harbour, south of the park): 705-882-2183
12. Agawa Rock Pictographs
What you will want to do during your trip is visit the Agawa Rock Pictographs, where the Ojibwe recorded their life experiences on 36 rock red ochre paintings. Use caution when descending through the rock chasm from the parking lot and along the rock ledge. During our visit, the waves were so high that we were only able to view two of the paintings. On-site park guides are at Agawa Rock during July and August.
Agawa Bay Visitor Centre
Besides swimming, Lake Superior offers various activities in the amphitheatre or the Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitor Centre. The Group of Seven artists were active in the park, and some of the events are art-focused. We attended a lively session about black bears, which are also active in the park.
Do make a visit to the Visitor Centre (open May to October), which has interesting exhibits about the wildlife in the park, the Ojibwe, and some nearby history, including information on the famous Edmund Fitzgerald from the song by Gordon Lightfoot, which sank nearby on this lake, area logging, the Group of Seven and more.
There is a small shop in the Visitor Centre which has maps, t-shirts, and other souvenirs. I decided on a cup of the Muskoka Loon Call coffee, although they had 3 other flavours.
There is also an amphitheatre with evening entertainment, which, in case of bad weather, moves to the Visitor Centre. During our visit, the show even included a short campfire sing-along, which was a lot of fun. Wikipedia History of Lake Superior Provincial Park.
During the summer, park staff, besides offering evening programs, offer guided hikes, kids’ programs, special events, and guest speakers.
Also, in the evening during our stay, many campers took their camp chairs down to the beach to watch the sunset to the west. You would think it would get boring, but every evening we headed down to the beach, and it appeared most other campers did as well.
Lake Superior Provincial Park Camping
There are currently 2 campgrounds open for car camping plus backcountry opportunities; see Ontario Parks Reservations.
1. Agawa Bay Campground
Our campsite in the Agawa Bay Campground (operated by Ontario Parks) was closer to the extensive beach, and during the evening, campers came down to the water to relax on their chairs and watch the bright red sun dip below the horizon over Lake Superior.
Insider Tip: The best campsites in Lake Superior Provincial Park are those at Agawa Bay closest to the beach. As mentioned, when booking a site, try to book the sites closer to the beach as there is less noise from Highway 17. As it is located at the south end of the park, the very popular Agawa Bay Campground fills up quickly, so be sure to book early.
Many of our fellow campers had been coming to the park for years, including many Americans. When not hiking, some go fishing for brook trout or rainbow trout on the many lakes and rivers.
The campground is laid out with two parallel roads along the beach with fairly large forested sites, which include a fire pit and picnic table. These are fairly large sites with plenty of trees and space for a car. We had two tents and a picnic shelter on our site. The comfort stations with showers are nearby.
Know before you go: really important to keep in mind that there are no nearby grocery stores, so you must bring all your food for your entire stay. However, ice for your cooler and firewood is available at the park office.
Agawa Bay Campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park is my preferred location, being the southernmost location in the park and next to the Visitor Centre.
2. Rabbit Blanket Campground
Another of the well-serviced campgrounds is the Rabbit Blanket area, which is much closer to the famous Nokomis hiking trail but a further 56 km from Agawa Bay.
3. A Lot of Backcountry Opportunities
There are km of backcountry canoe routes, backpacking trails, and campsites.
Lake Superior Provincial Park Points of Interest
| Hwy 17 Km | Points of Interest (from south to north) |
| 1113.8 | Crescent Lake Trail |
| 1103.8 | Towab Trail |
| 1105.5 | Agawa Bay Campground & Visitor Centre |
| 1105.5 | Coastal Trail (from Agawa Bay to Chalfant Cove) |
| 1001.4 | Awausee Trail |
| 1098.0 | Agawa Rock Pictographs |
| 1098.0 | Sinclair Cove Boat Launch |
| 1090.6 | Pinguisbi Trail (Sand River) |
| 1090.6 | Katherine Cove Picnic Area (beach) |
| 1080.8 | Orphan Lake |
| 1074.3 | Trapper’s Trail |
| Gargantua Road, access to Coastal Trail | |
| 1049.6 | Rabbit Blanket Campground |
| 1049.6 | South Old Woman River Trail |
| 1049.6 | Peat Mountain |
| 1042.6 | Old Woman Bay Picnic Area (Beach) |
| 1042.6 | Nokomis Trail |
| Noisy Bay Trail |
Lake Superior Provincial Park Map
Lake Superior Provincial Park Trail map:
FAQs: Lake Superior Hiking Trails
When is the best time to go hiking in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
In June and July, the park can be a bit buggy, so the best time is mid-August into September. A bonus is the beautiful sunsets at that time of year.
What is the best hiking trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
Easily the most popular is the Nokomis Trail for its superb views. Also popular are South Old Woman River, Orphan Lake, and Pinguisbi Sand.
How many trails are in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
There are 11 hiking trails in the park with varied distances from easy to demanding. Several trails offer backcountry camping.
What is the most popular campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
Agawa Bay Campground is in the southern part of the park, and the location of the Visitors Centre is the most popular. Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground is the only other campground open. There are a number of backcountry sites.
Where is Lake Superior Provincial Park?
Lake Superior Provincial Park is a very scenic 2-hour drive (189 km) north of Sault Ste. Marie is on the Eastern shore of Lake Superior along the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 17).
What is Lake Superior Provincial Park known for?
Car campsite, excellent hiking on 11 trails, backcountry canoeing, and on the coast of Lake Superior, Agawa Pictographs, beautiful views, and sunsets.
Can you camp at Lake Superior Provincial Park?
Yes, camping is very popular in Lake Superior Provincial Park. You can car camp at the Agawa Bay Campground and Rabbit Blanket Campground. There are also backcountry sites available.
What to do in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
The park is well known for its numerous scenic hiking trails and canoe routes, including some in the backcountry. There is the Visitor Centre at Agawa Bay and nearby Agawa Pictographs right beside Lake Superior. The autumn colours are great, but so are the summer sunsets with campers lined along the beaches to view.
What to bring hiking in Lake Superior
Looking for more information on Ontario Provincial Parks?
If you are planning to visit one of Ontario’s Provincial Parks and need more information, consider reading one of our other posts:
- Many hikers stop to check out the Killbear Trails located along the shores of Georgian Bay on their way to the Eastern Lake Superior coast or take the ferry to Manitoulin Island.
- Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge over the Trent River in Ferris Provincial Park in Eastern Ontario
- Many hikers also visit Algonquin to check out the trails there.
Wrap-up: Lake Superior Provincial Park Trails
Amazingly scenic and always popular, Lake Superior Provincial Park trails offer 11 hiking opportunities with a variety of terrain, pictographs, backcountry paddling, and nice campgrounds for an enjoyable vacation.
