Planning a cross-province adventure? Check out the Ontario Parks Driving Routes.
Superior views, sandy beaches, and incredible sunsets – this driving route along the shoreline of Lake Superior and into Northwestern Ontario is perfect for any road tripper looking for stunning scenery directly along your route!
Explore the natural beauty of these 10 parks with an overnight stay in their campgrounds, roofed accommodations, or a quick day visit.
Each park offer a variety of recreational opportunities which may include hiking, fishing, paddling, or a chance to enjoy one of the park visitor centres along the way.
Parks along this route:
Ten northern parks are featured.
We’ve laid the trip out as though starting from Sault Ste. Marie, but you can easily start this route from Kenora (if travelling from Winnipeg), Sault Ste Marie (if travelling from Toronto) or any other community along Highway 17!
To truly explore these parks and spend a night at each, we’d recommend an eleven-day trip.
Each park offers a selection of electrical and non-electric campsites for trailer or tent camping. Select a few of your favourites to stay in overnight or stop and stretch your legs when you need a break from driving.
Stop #1: Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Open until October 15, 2024
Driving time: Your journey starts from Sault Ste. Marie on Highway 17 North. The park is only a one hour drive from the city!
The park: Pancake Bay is known for its 3.5 km fine, almost-white sand beach lining the bay. On a sunny day, the turquoise waters make it look almost tropical!
Too chilly for swimming? Take a hike! High on a rocky hill above Pancake Bay, the park’s Edmund Fitzgerald Trail takes you to two awe-inspiring lookouts.
These are great spots to snap a selfie, with wide panoramas taking in the Algoma Hills, Batchawana Bay, and Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay, extending beyond to the horizon.
Stop #2: Lake Superior Provincial Park
Agawa Bay Campground open until October 15, 2024
Rabbit Blanket Campground open until October 27, 2024
Driving time: Lake Superior’s Agawa Bay Campground and Visitor Centre are only a 40 minute drive on Highway 17 from Pancake Bay. Rabbit Blanket campground is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Pancake Bay.
The park: From famous shipwrecks to epic backcountry hikes, Lake Superior has so much to offer visitors! The park offers many paddling, hiking, and fishing opportunities along the Lake Superior coastline and inland rivers and lakes.
It also boasts a Visitor Centre, which explores the power of Lake Superior, alongside the park’s cultural history, natural features, and recreational opportunities.
Stop #3: White Lake Provincial Park
Open until September 22, 2024
Driving time: The park is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes further north on Highway 17 from Rabbit Blanket Campground. Don’t forget to take a break in the Town of Wawa to say hi to the giant goose on your way through!
The park: White Lake’s a great destination if you need a little rest and relaxation during your road trip. The park has three campgrounds, four hiking trails, and two beautiful beaches.
The park also offers boat and canoe rentals so you can enjoy the lake without needing to haul your boat with you.
Stop #4: Neys Provincial Park
Open until October 15, 2024
Driving time: This park is only 1 hour away from White Lake along Highway 17.
The park: Located on Lake Superior’s northern coastline, Neys Provincial Park offers visitors gorgeous hiking trails, peaceful campgrounds, a sandy beach, and a rich history waiting to be explored. A visit to the park is not complete without a trip to their visitor centre to learn more about the WWII Prisoner of War Camp previously here.
Neys is famous for its natural beauty and for the artists it inspired. The park has a rugged shoreline dotted by a mixture of sand and cobble beaches and exposed coastal rocks. Hopefully, the landscapes that inspired earlier artists will inspire your creativity too!
Stop #5: Rainbow Falls Provincial Park
Rossport Campground open until October 15, 2024
Driving time: Continuing west along Highway 17 from Neys for 1 hour brings you to Rainbow Falls.
The park: This park offers two campground to choose from. The Rossport Campground is a small campground located on the shore of Lake Superior with many of its campsites offering a view of the lake. The Whitesand Lake Campground is larger and located on warmer inland lake waters.
The park has several hiking trails, including the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to panoramic views where you can see cascading waters as they plunge over the rock ledges of Rainbow Falls on their way to Lake Superior. Take advantage of the lake and trails by renting a canoe, paddle boat, bicycles, or water bike during your stay.
Stop #6: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Campground open until October 15, 2024
Driving time: Another 2 hours and 15 minutes southwest on Highway 17, then south on Highway 587 from Rainbow Falls takes you to the Sibley Peninsula, home of Sleeping Giant!
The park: Sleeping Giant is a hiker’s paradise, with many trails offering breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area. There are over 100 km of incredible hiking trails with many spectacular geological features, like the iconic Sea Lion rock formation and Tee Harbour. Some trails also permit biking.
The campground, located on Marie Louise Lake, offers both electrical and non-electric sites and has sites designed for small and large RVs or trailers. If you’re looking to experience more comfort, the park also has five rustic cabins available for rent year-round!
Stop #7: Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Open until October 15, 2024
Driving time: Take Highway 587 back out to Highway 17 from Sleeping Giant. Turn left onto Highway 17 and continue along the highway, passing through the City of Thunder Bay, until you reach Kakabeka Falls. The total expected driving time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The park: Standing tall at 40 m, Kakabeka Falls is the second highest waterfall in Ontario. The park offers excellent views from an accessible boardwalk that wraps around the top of the falls. Falls viewing is available year-round.
At only a 30 minute drive from Thunder Bay, Kakabeka Falls is also a great basecamp to explore all amenities the city has to offer!
Stop #8: Sandbar Lake Provincial Park
Open until September 22, 2024
Driving time: To get to Sandbar Lake from Kakabeka Falls, head back onto Highway 17, turning left to go northwest. The drive is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The park: This small campground lets you camp amongst 300-year-old Red and White Pines. The sandy beach in the day use area has a gradual drop off, making it a great swimming location for families with children. Bring a chair to relax, catch some sun, and read a good book while watching shorebirds at the waters edge.
For the more adventurous, the park boat launch allows access to the lake for anglers and paddlers.
Stop #9: Blue Lake Provincial Park
Open until September 30, 2024
Driving time: Head back onto Highway 17, turning right to go northwest. Turn off Highway 17 onto Highway 647 in Vermilion Bay to go to the park. It is a 2 hour drive to Blue Lake.
The park: Whether you’re taking a hike on park trails, or going for a paddle, the crystal-clear waters of Blue Lake will amaze you.
There’s a reason why they call Northwestern Ontario “Sunset Country!” You’ll see some of the most breathtaking sunsets at Blue Lake. Grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and enjoy the nightly view from the park’s long sand beach.
If you like more comfort on your epic road trips, Blue Lake offers five trailer-equipped campsites!
Stop #10: Rushing River Provincial Park
Open until October 15, 2024
Driving time: This final drive is approximately 2 hours. For those heading west, the drive from Rushing River to Winnipeg is 2 hours 40 minutes.
The park: Camp among large boulders and erratics left behind by glaciers and bedrock outcrops in this rugged and picturesque campground. Stretch your legs on various park hiking trails. If you love the water, relax on the beach, rent a kayak, SUP, or try some fishing in Dogtooth Lake.
Looking for some cozy camping comfort? The park’s trailer-equipped campsites sleep six people and are dog-friendly!
Let’s hit the road!
Total driving time: 12.5 hours, one-way
Estimated trip duration (full route; one-way): 10 to 11 days
Book your stay along the Trans Canada Highway today!
To really remember your travels and visits to Ontario Parks along Highway 17, be sure to pick up a Park Crest Sticker from each park for your Ontario Parks Passport!
