Sleeping Giant Provincial Park was established in 1944. It provides its visitors with 60,294 acres (24400 ha) of the natural environment to enjoy. The park boasts many lakes of varying sizes. The larger lake in the park, Marie Louise Lake, is a great spot for fishing and boating. Lake Superior borders the park and provides visitors with a sandy shoreline to enjoy.
Visitors to the park will find that there are many activities to experience during their stay. Sleeping Giant is host to miles of hiking trails, many of which lead to stunning scenery. The challenging Top of the Giant Trail leads visitors the top of Sleeping Giant where they will find spectacular views of Lake Superior making the hike up well worth it. Those that head down the Kabeyun Hiking Trail will find numerous small bays, which also make great swimming spots and fishing opportunities.
Sleeping Giant is known for its annual ski festival, the Sleeping Giant Loppet, which is held annually the first Saturday of March. This festival brings out both families as well as advanced cross-country skiers looking for fun and competition. Many miles of groomed trails are open for cross-country skiing through the park during the winter months. Additionally, many of the hiking trails are open for snowshoeing.
Marie Louise Lake Campground has many amenities for its overnight guests. A boat ramp near the Visitor Center provides quick access to drop in boats, whether you bring your own or rent from the park store. Within the campground, there is access to water, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. The over 200 sites at the campground are available by reservation from May to October.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is located in Pass Lake, Ontario and is surrounded by Lake Superior. US visitors will find that it isn't far from the US/Canada border in Minnesota.
Located off of ON-587, the park is in a remote area. It is about a 40-50 minute drive to some services. Plan to bring extra supplies with you. The park store stocks some convenience and grocery items if you do forget to pack something.
Though the campground isn’t open in the winter months, if you’re planning to visit then be sure to check the weather reports. Snow is common during the winter, making it a wonderland for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but more hazardous for the drive.
At the park, you shouldn’t have any trouble driving from the different areas and amenities within the park. There is parking available near many of the park's attractions.
Camping is offered at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park from May through October. Reservations can be made in advance.
The Marie Louise Lake Campground has 200 campsites and about half of these campsites have electrical hookups. While some of these campsites are intended for tents, there are many that can accommodate RVs and trailers as well. Ten more secluded sites can be found at the west shore of the lake.
Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table which are perfect for enjoying the quiet mornings and evenings. Water taps and vault toilets are located near the camping area. Other amenities within the park include the park store, visitor station, comfort stations with flush toilets, and laundry facilities.
The park has over 30 miles (50 km) of groomed cross-country skiing trails for all skill levels. Sleeping Giant is known for the the Sleeping Giant Loppet, a ski festival, which takes place annually over the first weekend of March. Park guests visiting in the wintertime should bring their snowshoes along as well. Many of the hiking trails are open for snowshoeing.
Visitors to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park will have ample opportunity to view wildlife. Deer are commonly spotted within the park. Wolves and foxes may pass through as well. Birdwatchers can enjoy looking for some of the over 200 species of birds that are known to the park. Birds ranging from raptors to songbirds may be spotted. The park is also located next to the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory.
Sleeping Giant has many small lakes throughout the park along with larger lakes such as Marie Louise Lake. The numerous lakes provide park guests with a great opportunity for fishing. Northern Pike and yellow perch are common in the smaller lakes. Smallmouth bass and walleye can be caught in the larger lakes. The use of baitfish is not permitted on any of the lakes except for Lake Superior.
Numerous swimming locations are available to park visitors. Marie Louise Lake has a public swimming area that is marked with buoys. If you'd rather, head over to the sandy beach along the shore of Lake Superior. There are also a number of bays along the Kabeyun Hiking Trail that are great for swimming. Swim safely as there are no lifeguards at any of the swimming areas in the park.
Marie Louise Lake is one of the larger lakes within the park and is perfect for boating. Power boats are permitted on this lake, however, they may not exceed 10 horsepower. Canoes and kayaks are also welcome on the lake. While visitors can bring their own, canoes and kayaks can also be rented from the park store. A boat launch is located on the lake, providing quick access to drop in your boat.
Sleeping Giant has over 62 miles (100 km) of hiking trails. The trails are of varying length and cover a range of skill levels. If up for a challenge, take the Top of the Giant Trail to the top of Sleeping Giant. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Lake Superior as well as the surrounding area. The other trails provide a variety of scenery. Depending on the trail, hikers will trek through forests of pine, along sandy beaches, and past many smaller lakes and creeks. Be sure to bring along plenty of water and bug spray!
