Exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior: One Epic Road Trip from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay
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The Call of the North Shore - 35 reasons to stop the car
There’s something magnetic about Lake Superior’s North Shore. Maybe it’s the endless sweep of blue, the granite cliffs, or the sense that every curve in the highway reveals something new. Whatever it is, this stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay pulls us back again and again.
Whether you travel by motorcycle, RV or car, get ready to chase waterfalls, discover beaches, and sample roadside treats along one of Canada’s most beautiful drives.
Boat in the locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront – The Edge of Superior
Our favourite activity at the east end of Lake Superior is exploring the Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront. Stroll along the waterfront trail, observe boats passing through the locks, indulge in a meal in the Canal District or grab a pint at a local brewery.
More info: Saulttourism.com
Whitefish Island trail in Sault Ste. Marie along the St. Marys River.
Hike Whitefish Island – Where the Journey Begins
Our adventure starts just steps from downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Whitefish Island is a peaceful introduction to the region, with short trails, river views, and the quiet hum of nature. It’s also a place of deep cultural significance for the Anishinaabe people, and it sets the tone for what’s to come: a connection to land, water, and history.
Step back in history at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre – The Spirit of the North
Inside a big hangar by the waterfront, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre feels like stepping into the heartbeat of Northern Ontario’s story. The smell of oil and metal, the gleam of old aircraft, this is where adventure began long before the Trans-Canada Highway.
More info: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
Find some of the best mountain bike trails in Ontario at Hiawatha Highlands, Sault Ste. Marie
Mountain Bike at Hiawatha Highlands
Just north of town, Hiawatha Highlands delivers fast-flowing singletrack through pine forests and backcountry lakes. The trails are fun, grippy, and peppered with just enough roots to keep you honest, a great way to shake out the travel legs.
More info: Mountain Bike at Hiawatha Highlands
Chippewa Falls waterfall and midpoint marker on Highway 17.
Chippewa Falls – Halfway Across a Continent
A roadside sign declares this the midpoint of the Trans-Canada Highway. Chippewa Falls roars just beyond, reminding you that the best parts of this drive aren’t the destinations, but the pauses.
Batchawana Bay Provincial Park beach on Lake Superior.
Batchawana Bay Provincial Park – First Swim Stop
We pull into Batchawana Bay for lunch and a swim. The water’s cold, of course, but after hours on the road, it’s the kind of cold that wakes you up in the best way.
More info: Batchawana Bay Provincial Park
Apple fritters at Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse, Batchawana Bay.
The Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse – Roadside Heaven
Just up the road, the Voyageur’s Lodge is an institution. The smell of fried dough and coffee hits first, and yes, the apple fritters live up to the hype.
More info: Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse
Pancake Bay Provincial Park beach on a sunny summer day.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park – Superior’s Storybook Beach
If you didn’t know better, you’d think you were standing on an ocean beach. Pancake Bay stretches endlessly, soft sand, clear water, and a horizon that seems to go on forever. The Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail climbs above it, reminding you just how wild Superior can be.
More info: Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitors Centre near Agawa Bay.
Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitors Centre – The Gateway
This is the spot to stop for trail maps, stories, and a reality check: the wildest section of Highway 17 lies ahead. Inside, exhibits connect geology, culture, and art, a reminder that Lake Superior has always inspired those who pass through.
More info: Lake Superior Provincial Park
The view you will never forget, Nokomis Trail lookout over Lake Superior.
Nokomis Trail – The Climb
Short, steep, and worth every step, the Nokomis Trail delivers one of the best views in Ontario. Standing above Old Woman Bay, with the wind off the lake, you feel both small and limitless.
Old Woman Bay beach, Lake Superior Provincial Park.
Old Woman Bay – Where Legends Live
Down below, Old Woman Bay is calm and moody all at once. The cliffs tell their story quietly, and if you squint, you can see her face in the rock, the old woman watching over travellers.
Sea kayaks and paddle boards at Naturally Superior Adventures near Wawa, Ontario.
Naturally Superior Adventures & Rock Island Lodge – Paddle Time
In Michipicoten Bay, we pull in at Naturally Superior Adventures, a place that feels like home for paddlers. From the lodge’s doorstep, you can launch into a sea of blue that stretches farther than imagination.
Additional Reading - Rock Island Lodge: Ontario’s Hidden Gem on Lake Superior
Sandy Beach near Wawa.
Sandy Beach – A Painter’s Inspiration
Here, A.Y. Jackson once painted, and standing in the same sand, it’s easy to see why. The light, the waves, the solitude, it’s pure northern magic.
Additional Reading - 11 Stunning Lake Superior Beaches in Ontario You Need to Visit This Summer!
Scenic High Falls waterfall near Wawa, Ontario.
Scenic High Falls – Thunder on the Magpie
Tucked off the highway, Scenic High Falls thunders down into the gorge below. It’s the kind of place where time slows, and you realize there’s no rush on this road trip.
Wawa Goose roadside attraction on Highway 17.
Wawa Goose – Icon of the North
Every northern journey deserves a selfie with the Wawa Goose. She’s proud, steel, and symbolic — a reminder that you’ve truly entered the North.
Winnie the Pooh Memorial Park in White River, Ontario.
Winnie the Pooh Memorial – Storybook Nostalgia
In White River, we stop at the Winnie the Pooh Memorial, where a real bear cub once began a story that would travel the world. It’s small-town charm at its best.
Pebble Beach in Marathon, Ontario.
Pebble Beach, Marathon – Smooth Stones and Blue Water
Marathon’s Pebble Beach offers a meditative atmosphere with smooth stones, rhythmic waves, and the sound of Superior breathing. It’s a place that helps you forget how far you’ve travelled.
More info: Pebble Beach, Marathon
Neys Provincial Park beach and Superior shoreline.
Neys Provincial Park – History and Solitude
At Neys, the sand stretches wide and the wind carries whispers of history, once a WWII POW camp, now a quiet sanctuary for those who love wild beaches.
Terrace Bay’s lighthouse.
Terrace Bay - Lighthouse
Terrace Bay’s lighthouse is one of those stops that you think will take five minutes, and an hour later, you’re still there. Climbing to the top, the view opens up to the endless blue of Lake Superior and the Slate Islands off in the distance. It’s a reminder that this drive isn’t just about getting somewhere; it’s about taking the time to soak in where you are.
Additional Reading - Discover Terrace Bay, Ontario
Enjoy the view from the the Parks Canada famous red Adirondack chairs.
Terrace Bay – Red Chairs
A short hike from the beach, the famous red Adirondack chairs wait, perfectly placed for that quiet, reflective pause. Sitting there with a coffee in hand, watching waves roll below, it’s hard not to feel humbled by the lake’s size and serenity. These chairs have seen countless sunsets, and for a moment, you get to share one.
Terrace Bay Beach
At Terrace Bay, follow signs to the beach, a wide expanse of sand framed by rock and forest. On calm days, the water is crystal clear; on stormy days, it’s a wild display of Superior’s power.
Aguasabon Falls waterfall near Terrace Bay, Ontario.
Aguasabon Falls – A Hidden Wonder
A short walk delivers one of the North Shore’s best surprises, the thundering Aguasabon Falls. The sound alone shakes you awake.
Schreiber Discovery Centre and Railway Museum.
Schreiber – Stories from the Rails
The Schreiber Discovery Centre & Railway Museum celebrates the grit of a town built on rails. It’s small, proud, and authentic, just like the people who live here.
Schreiber Beach
Tucked below town, Schreiber Beach is a hidden gem, quiet, pebbly, and perfect for a picnic or a refreshing dip in Lake Superior’s clear water.
View from Kama Cliffs Trail near Nipigon, Ontario.
Kama Cliffs Trail – Climb Above It All
The Kama Cliffs Trail is steep, rewarding, and absolutely stunning. At the top, Lake Superior stretches endlessly, a blue so deep it feels eternal. Although we did manage to reach the lookout on mountain bikes, this is a better hike than a bike ride.
Additional Reading - Lake Superior Adventures: Your Ultimate Northern Ontario Outdoor Activity Guide
Nipigon Lookout view of bridge and river valley.
Nipigon Lookout – The Bridge and Beyond
From the Nipigon Lookout, the bridge, river, and forest seem to blend into a single masterpiece. It’s one of those rare views that stops conversation completely.
Additional Reading - Ontario Road Trip: A 7-day Itinerary Through Algoma and Lake Superior
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park cliffs overlooking Lake Superior.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park – The Icon
The silhouette of the Sleeping Giant appears long before you reach Thunder Bay. Hiking to the top is a must, a tough climb with a view that defines Northern Ontario.
More info: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Silver Islet General Store near Sleeping Giant, Ontario.
Silver Islet General Store – A Step Back in Time
Tucked at the end of the peninsula, the Silver Islet General Store still serves coffee, ice cream, and stories from miners who once worked beneath the lake. It’s old-school charm, perfectly preserved.
More info: Silver Islet General Store
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park cliffs near Dorion, Ontario.
Ouimet Canyon – Ontario’s Mini Grand Canyon
Walk the boardwalk to the edge and stare down into the Ouimet Canyon, 100 meters deep, cool, and full of rare northern plants. It’s unlike anything else in Ontario.
More info: Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon Adventures near Dorion, Ontario.
Eagle Canyon Adventures – Walk (or Fly) the Bridge
Just down the road, Eagle Canyon Adventures adds a jolt of adrenaline, Canada’s longest suspension bridge and a zipline over the gorge if you’re feeling brave.
More info: Eagle Canyon Adventures
Terry Fox Monument overlooking Lake Superior and Sleeping Giant near Thunder Bay.
Terry Fox Monument – Mile of Courage
It’s impossible to drive the North Shore without pausing at the Terry Fox Monument. Standing there, just outside Thunder Bay, the view stretches across Lake Superior toward the Sleeping Giant, a landscape as vast as Terry’s dream. This is where his Marathon of Hope ended, but being here, you can feel that his spirit never stopped running. Whether you’re a cyclist, motorcyclist, or road-tripper, it’s a powerful place to pause and reflect on perseverance, courage, and what it means to keep going, no matter how hard the road gets.
Mountain biker at Shuniah Mines trail network, Thunder Bay.
Mountain Bike Shuniah Mines – One More Ride
Before heading home, we squeeze in one last ride at Shuniah Mines. Flow trails, rock gardens, forest loops, the perfect exclamation point to a week of Superior adventures.
More info: Mountain Bike Shuniah Mines
Kakabeka Falls waterfall in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Kakabeka Falls – The Final Curtain
A short detour west brings us to Kakabeka Falls, the “Niagara of the North.” Standing at the railing, mist on your face, it’s impossible not to think: this is Ontario at its wildest and best.
More info: Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Thunder Bay Marina Park.
Marina Park – Arrival in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay’s Marina Park feels like a fitting finish line — the lake calm, the skyline glowing, and the journey settling in. We grab dinner by the water and toast to a road well-travelled.
More info: Thunder Bay
Wrapping Up the North Shore
From Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, the North Shore is more than a road trip, it’s a journey through heart, history, and horizon.
Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, Lake Superior will always find a way to surprise you.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this drive:
You don’t conquer Superior, you simply travel beside it, grateful for the ride.
By no means is this a complete list of everything you can discover along the North Shore of Lake Superior.
What's your favourite? Let us know in the comments.