Located between two Great Lakes, countless inland lakes and meandering rivers, Algoma Country, home of the Anishinaabe since time immemorial, is a dream paddling paradise. From rocky shorelines to accessible docks, there are countless spots to launch your canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP, my preferred way to explore the water) in spring, summer, and […]

Visitors to Algoma Country are in for a treat with the abundance of offerings in the region. From breathtaking landscapes to thrilling outdoor adventures, rich cultural experiences, and delectable food and drink, there’s something to captivate every traveller. The variety of attractions and activities available here ensures that you’ll never run out of things to […]

A popular inquiry at Algoma Country is about the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, and stargazing. With a tourism geography of 28,000 square miles and much of it being wilderness, it’s not a surprise. And with most vacationers that flock here for outdoor adventures, seeing the Northern Lights and star gazing is always on their […]

‘The Soo’ is poised on the hub to two Great Lakes, without the trappings of heavy traffic and noise, within reach of spectacular wilderness adventures. The Algoma region’s largest community, Sault Ste. Marie offers outdoor adventures, entertainment and attractions, comfortable accommodations, and places to enjoy delicious food and drink. Local guide services and outfitters want to […]

Living as self-sufficiently and sustainably as possible is important for Lisa and Jeff Spence and their family. “We love the satisfying and comforting feeling of growing and raising our own food.” I caught up with Lisa Spence recently and she enthusiastically told me their story. She told me that she and her husband, along with […]

Nothing says summer like time spent at a cottage, be it your own, with friends, family, or, like us, a lovely one-bedroom cabin rental on the shores of Spanish River North Channel; welcome to Blue Heron Resort. Located just a few minutes south of Trans Canada Highway 17, in Ontario’s Algoma region, Blue Heron Resort offers […]

Hiking can mean a leisurely stroll to boost the heart rate or clambering up precipitous ridges for a full-on workout. It can be a solitary excursion or a social hike with friends and family. Either way, it’s an enjoyable way to get the blood flowing, but in Algoma Country hiking can also include spectacular lookouts, […]

In a region so inundated with water, a list of places where we can slide our canoe into hospitable waters would be long indeed. One area worth focusing on occupies a broad area of the northern shore of the world’s largest lake, where long swaths of sand and wooded shorelines extend a welcoming embrace to […]

With an average snowfall of 10 feet, the region makes for the perfect winter vacation destination for those who love this season. If you’ve never had a ‘snow’ vacation in Ontario before, Algoma is the perfect place to experience why it’s just so much fun to play in the snow. Winter Adventure Starts Here Who […]

If you like road trips where the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and there are a number of stops along the way for hiking, camping, or fishing, then you’ll want to drive down Hwy 129, also affectionately known by its nickname, Ontario’s “Tail of the Dragon.” One of the most beautiful drives in Ontario, this scenic […]

I find nothing is more calming and therapeutic for your body and soul than waterfalls. We are fortunate in Algoma Country to have quite a few both large and small. Water is a natural resource we need to survive. We have an abundance of it here in Algoma with the largest freshwater lakes in the […]

Our world is huge, we can’t travel everywhere but the choices we do make are for our personal likes of that destination. The wanderings we embark on can take us to places so we can explore and experience the many facets these different regions offer. Our journeys sometimes take us to places that for the […]

How about you take a trip to photograph Algoma’s Wildlife? Whether you are hiking, fishing, cycling, kayaking or boating throughout the Algoma region you are bound to come across our magnificent wildlife. Algoma Country is a photographer’s dream location for any type of photography you could imagine. There are plenty of dark sky areas to […]

Mention a beach to most Canadians, they immediately think of some tropical paradise that has crashing surf, palm trees dancing in the wind, a daiquiri in hand and a glowing white sand shoreline. Some of us know of a few other beach paradises a little closer to home. I am thinking of the beaches of […]

The geography of Ontario’s Algoma Country is defined by the Great Lakes. The rugged coastlines of Lake Superior and Huron comprise the region’s southern boundary. A closer look at the map reveals an intriguing shoreline of scalloped bays, smooth rock islands, sand beaches and stalwart rock headlands: In short, a sea kayaker’s dreamscape. The coastline […]

Algoma Country never ceases to amaze you during the fall season! The region offers several opportunities for refreshing and colourful hikes that will allow you to de-stress and explore nature. Although there are several trails to choose from, the Rock Candy Mountain Trail should be at the top of your fall hiking list! Located approximately […]

Considering the lay of the land, it should come as no surprise that hiking trails are one of the Algoma Region’s greatest assets. With the Canadian Shield asserting itself in rounded old mountains and angular terrain, looming over still lakes and roaring rivers, the potential for inspiring trails is as precipitous as the landscape. There […]

Home on the Lake The inland sea, Gichi-Gami, the Big Lake… Lake Superior. Over 600,000 residents call this place “home” and those who live in the basin consider themselves some of the luckiest humans on the planet. As the world shifts from oil-minded to water-minded, we find ourselves responsible for a lake that holds one-tenth […]

At any given time there is a wide variety of individuals camping across the diverse landscape of Algoma Country. Some are on extended trips, deep within the interior, while others are sitting by a fire pit in a folding lawn chair, at a designated campsite, just off the TransCanada Highway. Within Algoma’s 72,000 square kilometres […]

Are you a history buff and enjoy beautiful countryside drives? Do you enjoy quaint places to eat and stay? Do you love the outdoors to walk or cycle? Well, this is for you! It is also a wonderful physical distancing activity for you and your family! St. Joseph Island has deep historical roots. Richards Landing […]

Picture growing up in a metropolitan city with over 500,000 people, cars and subways, towering skyscrapers, and the noise to match it all. Now picture growing up in a rural community with less than 100,000 people, animals on your doorstep, sounds of crashing waves from nearby lakes, and ample space to explore. Being raised in […]

If you are a naturalist, bird watcher, avid gardener, hiker or just someone that needs a tranquil spot to stop and reflect, Adcock’s Woodland Gardens is a must visit for you! Hidden on the far end of St. Joseph Island is this gem for flora and hiking enthusiasts. Adcock’s Woodland Gardens is the “Butchart Gardens” […]

“Hoo, Hoo” knew birding for owls could be so much fun! Winters can be long in the Algoma Region due to short daylight, frigid temperatures and mountains of snow but winter is a great time to get out looking for owls! It has been a banner season in Algoma Country for many different species of […]

I learned to love cross-country skiing in the snowy Algoma Highlands at Stokely Creek Lodge. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 20 years since I first ventured on skinny skis into Stokely’s vast network of trails, located just north of Sault Ste. Marie. That’s because, in a constantly changing world, Stokely seems locked in […]

Big, beautiful Lake Superior is the backdrop for many residents and businesses of Algoma. So many have grown up around it, and played in and on it for generations. Two of those people are Frank and Gail O’Connor. Frank grew up in the hamlet of Gros Cap, just west of Sault Ste. Marie on the […]

I’m certain there are a number of people who have had “The King” on their Algoma bucket list and believe me, there has never been a better time for a rip to the tallest peak our region has to offer. Originally part of Ontario’s first Forest Fire Detection Network, the King now stands in all […]

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 […]

A closer look at Naturally Superior Adventures’ all-inclusive, beginner-friendly voyageur canoe trips on the wilderness coast of Canada’s north shore. The canoe glides over the swells gracefully, giving you the profound sense that it was designed for the long horizons of Lake Superior. Indeed, this giant vessel was made for the greatest lake. The Montreal […]

A beautiful, warm and sunny day can produce some beautiful images, especially if the blue sky is dappled with fluffy white clouds. However, some of the most dramatic shots are taken during periods of foul weather; when the elements aren’t quite as hospitable.  But braving them can result in some keeper images. Whether it’s rain, […]

Anyone who has a camera and a dog likely has a small collection of dog photographs. Dogs are our companions – sharing the good times and the bad – and it should come as no surprise that they are often the subject of our photographs. Dogs have a habit of situating themselves so we have […]

The first step to getting great winter shots is to actually get outside with our camera. This means dressing for the conditions so we are comfortable and can appreciate the dramatic changes that the descent of winter brings to the landscape. One of the most important technical things to consider when photographing snowy landscapes is […]

As a general rule photographers are told to shoot with the sun at their backs. This ensures that the light is cast upon our subject and our image is exposed correctly. It’s a rule that should be adhered to most of the time. For instance, when taking a picture of a group of friends, we […]