Provincial Parks in Algoma – Superior Coastal Route

Living in Sault Ste. Marie definitely has its perks. From the beautiful history and landmarks in the downtown core to the untouched areas in Algoma just outside of the city. For me personally, once the Provincial Parks begin to open in May, I start to plan where I’m going. One of my favourite trips to take is the trek up North on Hwy 17.

With the addition of the Moments of Algoma Group of Seven tour and having several Provincial Parks along the Lake Superior Coast all within a day’s drive. You can experience areas in Algoma that are full of rich history, breathtaking landscapes and relaxing retreats. Whether it’s early spring, mid-summer or late fall. The Provincial Parks along the Superior Coast offer a different experience for each season.

Group of Seven interpretive signs (Chippewa Falls).

Travelling north of Sault Ste. Marie is a beautiful journey all in itself. You will pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes and will have panoramic views of Lake Superior along the way. This provides you with the perfect opportunity to stop at Chippewa Falls.

Chippewa Falls is located North of Sault Ste. Marie and is a great place to stop and relax, have a picnic or just take it all in. You will find out very quickly what made this site such an inspiration to Group of Seven in Algoma and is a must-do on the way to our first provincial park along Hwy 17 North, Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

Batchawana Bay

Campground: None
Park Classification: Recreation, Day-Park Only
Size: 169 ha
Year Established: 1973
Months of Operation: May to October

Located about 40 km from the city of Sault Ste. Marie on Highway 17. Batchawana Bay Provincial Park is situated on the gorgeous Batchawana Bay and the park itself is on an official Indigenous Reserve.

Batchawana Bay Provincial Park is the perfect place to bring your family for the day. This spot is a favourite for locals and offers day-use facilities with everything you’ll need to spend the day on the beach. Although the park itself is considered a “day park” and does not offer overnight camping, there are some of the most comfortable accommodations close by. Enjoy a resort that reflects the life and times of Canada’s first transport drivers, “The Paddlin’ Voyageurs” and spend the night at The Voyageurs’ Lodge. It will be the perfect way to relax and end a perfect day full of activities.

Pancake Bay

Campground: Pancake Bay
Park Classification: Recreation
Size: 1723 ha
Year Established: 1968
Months of Operation: May to October

Photo credit: Ontario Parks

Photo credit: Ontario Parks

Located only an additional 11.4 km from Batchawana Bay on Highway 17. Pancake Bay Provincial Park is situated on the shores of Lake Superior and offers 3 km of superb sand beach, kayaking, and interpretive trails including The Lookout Trail. The Lookout Trail provides views of Lake Superior and Great Lakes ships.

This beautiful sandy bay got its name from the fur trading era when voyageurs would camp there on their journey from Fort William. Once they reached Pancake Bay, their food supply would be low and would make pancakes for dinner. The next day they would replenish their supplies in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Lookout Trail, located across Hwy 17 from the park, provides opportunities to view local wildlife and endless forests. From the Lookout Trail viewing platform, you are able to see across Whitefish Point. This particular stretch of Lake Superior is known as the “graveyard of the Great Lakes” where the freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald, sank in the fierce November gale of 1975.

Group of Seven interpretive sign (Pancake Bay).

Lake Superior Provincial Park

Campground: Agawa Campground, Rabbit Blanket Lake
Park Classification: Natural Environment
Size: 155646 ha
Year Established: 1944
Months of Operation: May to October

Located 194 km from the city of Sault Ste. Marie and 118 km from Pancake Bay on Highway 17. Lake Superior Provincial Park is one destination that cannot be missed!

Experience one of the inspirations of Canada’s Group of Seven who painted here over a century ago. Explore and hike Algoma’s landscape on any of the 11 trails ranging from 1 hour to 7 days. These trails range from beautiful scenic vistas requiring steep climbs to gentle terrains along riverbeds and lakeshores. Experience the park’s most challenging and demanding trail: The Coastal Trail. This trail hugs the lake’s rugged coast through the park, offering breathtaking, unimpeded views of the legendary blue waters of Lake Superior. This is another great opportunity to view Group of Seven interpretive signs (Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitor Centre and Katherine Cove).

Canoeists will be able to enjoy the 7 canoe routes ranging from 1 to 5 days.

Group of Seven interpretive signs (Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitor Centre and Katherine Cove).

Potholes Provincial Nature Reserve

Campground: None
Park Classification: Nature Reserve, Day-Park Only
Size: 347 ha
Year Established: 1985
Months of Operation: June to September

Photo credit: Ontario Parks

Photo credit: Ontario Parks

Located 279 km from the city of Sault Ste. Marie and 85.2 km from Lake Superior Provincial Park on Highway 101 East of Wawa. Potholes Provincial Nature Reserve is a remarkable geological site on the Kinniwabi River.

Take a short interpretive walk through a garden-like setting in the Boreal Forest. Distinctive “potholes” in the bedrock were naturally formed by glacial meltwaters 10,000 years ago. Water still flows through these potholes creating a natural wonder that is a must-see. You can stay for a picnic and enjoy the scenery. Then follow a short interpretive trail leading to the potholes, sedges and flowering plants that grow along the riverbank.

White Lake

Campground: 3 Campgrounds and 187 campsites.
Park Classification: Natural Environment, Day-Park Only
Size: 1726 ha
Year Established: 1963
Months of Operation: May to September

Photo credit: Ontario Parks

Photo credit: Ontario Parks

Located 351 km from the city of Sault Ste. Marie and 181 km from Potholes Provincial Nature Reserve on Highway 17. White Lake Provincial Park is a perfect fishing spot for Walleye and Northern Pike, and the park is a great base for exploration.

Being an inland park, White Lake offers sandy beaches ideal for swimming. The park is very popular with both travellers and locals. Once a rich source of furs and lumber. Today White Lake offers natural treasures such as orchids and bogs with insect-eating plants.

Visitors often experience an abundance of wildlife viewing throughout the park. Wildlife such as moose, fox, porcupine and beaver can all be found here. Bird-watching enthusiasts can view loons, bald eagles, osprey and great blue herons fishing the waters. Woodpeckers, Owls, ruffed grouse and many songbirds can be found in the forests.

For more information on Provincial Parks in Algoma Country, click here.

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