Joanne Collins is 65. She was born in Toronto, Canada, and currently lives in the township of Magnetawan (population 1,753), located a few hours north of her hometown. She tries to squeeze the great things out of life, and people who know her would not describe her as normal, which is a truth she embraces.
My husband Dave and I have camped on the North Shore of Lake Superior for several years now. The spectacular views, rugged scenic trails, abundant wildlife, and well-managed provincial parks make this region a paradise for those with good mobility and an adventurous spirit.
The North Shore is a hidden gem, but it's not for the faint-hearted. With scarce accommodations, it's best to bring your own. The lack of restaurants, grocery stores, and tourist traps adds to the region's exclusivity. The absence of crowds and its untouched beauty offer a sense of tranquility that's rare in today's world.
To get there, you take a scenic drive on the Trans-Canada Highway in northern Ontario. The highway winds around the lake's shoreline, revealing vistas of rocky outcrops and sandy coves of pristine turquoise water. Years ago, my first view of Lake Superior was jaw-dropping because the color of the water reminded me of the Caribbean.
Some people drive the Circle Tour, which circumvents the whole lake and takes over a week. However, the North Shore on the Canadian side is the most scenic and remote. The trip becomes easier after you cross the border into the United States.
When traveling from south to north the first provincial park you'll encounter is Pancake Bay - about an 8-hour drive north of Toronto. It is by far the most popular park in the region drawing campers from Sault Ste Marie, which is only a 45-minute drive away.
The park offers a sheltered bay with a sandy beach that attracts families, kayakers, and some brave swimmers - the crystal-clear water is cold, even in summer. If this is all you have time for, it offers a great sample of the views, hiking, and adventures to be had in this region. Before we retired, we'd spend our vacation here and day trip to other attractions between here and Wawa, a small town located an hour north.
One of our favorite spots to visit near Pancake Bay is the Pictographs on Agawa Bay. To view these small, ancient Indigenous drawings of a mythical creature, you must walk out onto a ledge, hold onto a rope, and lean out from a sheer cliff.
This can only be done in calm weather, as the waves crashing into the shore at this spot are intimidating and dangerous. Whether you see the pictographs or not, the short hike to them is fun and interesting. It is challenging and requires some scrambling, but the unique rock formations are worth the effort.
During this trip, we only made a brief stop at Pancake Bay. Instead, we drove to Wawa hoping to see moose, commonly seen along the highway at this time of year, as they emerge from the forest to sample the salty highway runoff in early spring. We stopped at the pictographs for a walk and to take a Sole Sister goddess pose picture.
Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit another favorite spot on the Sand River, which surprisingly isn't sandy at all, but is an excellent spot for a leisurely stroll. You'll find large rocks flat enough for a picnic beside the river. The path follows the river and offers waterfalls, gorges, and plenty of opportunities for pictures.
There are many trails near Pancake Bay, too many to mention, but you can search for them on the AllTrails app.
Our next stop was Neys Provincial Park, our favorite campground in the area. It has good trails, an exciting history as a WW2 prisoner of war camp, and a gorgeous, expansive shoreline for rock hopping. A wonderful, moderately challenging trail climbs to a lookout with lake views from a rocky outcrop perched on a cliff, offering views of Prisoner's Cove and trains chugging along a distant track.
This park serves as an excellent starting point for exploring a plethora of trails and natural wonders, and while doing so, you'll be walking in the footsteps of the renowned Canadian artists, the Group of Seven.
A log of its own would be required to list all the activities we enjoy when we visit this park. However, some of our favorite highlights include Aguasabon Falls (Terrace Bay), Painter’s Peak, Pebble Beach (Marathon), and the scenic and challenging trails at Pukaskwa National Park, where camping is also available.
Ouimet Canyon is another must-see destination. It's about a two-hour drive from Neys, but if you continue your north shore trip to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (which I highly recommend you do) it is much closer. The park offers panoramic views of a 150 meter wide gorge, with sheer cliffs dropping 100 meters down to a canyon floor.
Just a short distance from the park, there is a suspension bridge and a zip line spanning the gorge for adventurous Sole Sisters. We have also seen lots of wildlife in this area. During a trip with our grandson a few years ago, we saw a baby moose (likely only hours old) crossing the road. We also spotted six bears, including cubs, along the road.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is situated on the Sibley Peninsula near Thunder Bay. You can camp by a lake and watch the sunset over the famous rock formation that resembles a giant sleeping. The park offers beautiful trails for all visitors, but for those seeking a challenge, it's worth booking a week here.
With a different trail for each day, you'll never run out of paths to explore. For the adventurous, a hike to the top of the giant promises breathtaking views. Although we haven't tackled this hike yet, Dave and I plan to do it someday when we're feeling a bit younger (an inside joke between us).
This is a popular park with lots of opportunities for hiking, biking and kayaking and Thunder Bay is near enough to enjoy a nice dinner out. Our favorite trail for photos is Sea Lion Trail - its short and easily accessible. Visitors are sometimes confused why this rock formation is called the Sea Lion, because it lost its head in a storm a few years ago.
During our most recent visit to the park, we encountered a fantastic trail called the Pass Lake Trail. This trail leads to a flat rock overlook large enough to accommodate several cars and requires a bit of rock climbing to reach.
The trail starts off short and easy but becomes more challenging as you progress. However, if you don't have mobility issues and aren't afraid of heights, this spot is perfect for a picnic. Interestingly, this area was an island 9,000 years ago. From the overlook, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Superior and Pass Lake.
I am a wildlife artist who uses my photographs as references for my paintings. I love heading out in the spring to capture photos of moose, bears, wolves, and the diverse bird species migrating north. While fall may not be ideal for wildlife photography, the beautiful array of colors makes it just as breathtaking.
I have yet to mention the numerous waterfalls, beaches, harbor towns, ghost towns, and coastal trails we've explored in the past. We often stumble upon hidden gems by taking unique paths, consulting maps, and conversing with locals. Indigenous people call this lake "Gitche Gumee," which translates to "Great Sea." For us, it holds a special spiritual significance that draws us back time and time again.
And have I mentioned that my dog Charlie loves it as well?
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