Out of all the possible RV destinations in Canada, Lake Superior Provincial Park should be near the top of your list. Covering 1,550 km² (600 square miles) along the northeastern shores of Lake Superior between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa, the park is one of the largest in Ontario. It attracts RV lovers from all over who come to view the stunning landscapes, explore the rugged wilderness and experience the great recreational activities and camping amenities that the park has on offer.
The history of the park dates back many thousands of years and traces of ancient volcanic activity can be seen in several sites. The oldest artifacts found in and around the park date back to approximately 500 BC! The park takes its name from Lake Superior as the park is located on its shores. Lake Superior is the the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area, and also the third largest freshwater lake by volume.
Due to the sheer size and popularity of the park you will never run out of things to do during your stay. Whether you enjoy paddling on the water, spotting the local wildlife, kicking back at a picnic area or traversing the many hiking trails, Lake Superior Provincial Park has something for everyone.
Lake Superior Provincial Park is located within the Algoma District of Ontario around a nine hour drive north of Toronto. Luckily there are some closer cities to the park than Toronto, with Wawa being the closest at around 20 miles (33km) away. The next closest city is Sault Ste. Marie, which is located around 120 miles (193km) south of the park office.
The road to the park is very straightforward as the Trans Canada Highway passes through the park via Highway 17. If you happen to be heading north towards Thunder Bay the park is a perfect detour.
The drive through Northeastern Ontario is a beautiful one, however during the winter it will be very difficult to access the park due to the weather. No matter what season you are planning to visit in, you can always contact the park office and ask them if the weather conditions at the park will allow you to visit.
Due to the gigantic size of Lake Superior Provincial Park there will be plenty of parking available.
The Agawa Bay Campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park is the most popular and largest of the two RV-friendly campgrounds available within the park.The location of the campground is simply stunning with more than half of the campsites having a view of Lake Superior due to the campground being right on a three km long (two mile) beach.
The campground has 147 total sites, with 38 of these being equipped with electrical hookups. You will also find some well kept amenities at Agawa Bay Campground, including two comfort stations that have flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station. The Visitor Centre is also a short walk from the campground and the southern sites have a radio free zone.
Agawa Bay Campground is also pet friendly and a portion of the beach where the campground is located has a pet zone. Reservations can be made up to five months in advance for the months of June to September. The full camping season ranges from May to October.
The Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground is the smaller of the two RV-friendly campgrounds available at Lake Superior Provincial Park. The campground is located on an inland lake and features a small beach area and forest. This means that there are some shaded sites available while others are more open. Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground is the best choice for RV lovers who are looking to get some quiet time as campground is much smaller than Agawa Bay Campground.
In total there are are 60 sites and 20 of these feature electrical hookups. If you plan on using them you will need a extension cord for most sites as they are located a little off from each site. You will also find one comfort station at the campground that has flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities. There is also a dump station for your convenience and supplies such as ice and firewood can be purchased at the Rabbit Blanket gatehouse or the park office.
Reservations can be made up to five months in advance for the months of June to September. The full camping season ranges from May to October.
Taking a canoe out and going for a paddle is undoubtedly one of the most popular activities to do within Lake Superior Provincial Park during the summertime. Along with exploring Lake Superior, canoeing is also the best way to view the ancient Agawa Rock Pictographs indigenous paintings. The paintings date back to the 17th and 18th century and are located on a cliff facing into the lake, which is why canoeing is the best way to view them. If you don't have a canoe you can rent one from the park office and join in on all the fun.
If you love to chill out on the beach and you aren't afraid of cold water we urge you to check out beaches at Lake Superior Provincial Park. In total there are three beach areas for you to choose from and they can be found at the Agawa Bay Campground, Katherine Cove and Old Woman Bay day use area. As mentioned above, the waters will be chilly, however shallow areas may warm up if there are calm waters on the hot days. Note that there is no guarantees that lifeguards will be on patrol, so swim within your abilities.
When the sun is out, make the most of the day and head to one of the many picnic areas located within the park. Old Woman Bay is the pick of the bunch for picnic locations. Located at the northern edge of the park, Old Woman Bay has accessible parking and is a very popular spot due to the picturesque location and proximity to the area's namesake, a naturally occurring rock formation resembling an old woman's face which can be seen on the 200-metre standing cliffs. If you do decide to have a picnic remember to pack your own food as none will be available.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Lake Superior Provincial Park.
If you love to fish you will love your stay at Lake Superior Provincial Park. The lake and coastal streams and rivers are a hub for lake and rainbow trout along with salmon. Once the winter hits ice fishing is also very popular, but be wary as ice levels are not actively monitored. The park is also very strict on non-native prevention and because of this the use and possession of live-bait fish is banned on interior park lakes.
Lake Superior Provincial Park is a haven for hikers. There are 11 different trails that will allow you to explore the explore vast landscapes of the park that include beaches, lakes and rivers, rocky shores, wetlands, waterfalls, forests, and rolling hills. The trails range from easy to very difficult so there will be something on offer for hikers of every skill level. When winter hits, the trails are also popular for snow showing and cross country skiing.
Due to the wide diversity of habitats in the park there are some great opportunities all year round for wildlife viewing. Birding is very popular and more than 250 bird species have been identified within the park, including around 150 that nest there. Apart from common smaller mammals the park is also home to moose, white-tailed deer, grey wolf and black bears and they have all been spotted within the park at various times throughout the year.
