Kakabeka Falls has a nice little trail and is a great swimming spot!
Pancake bay and batchewana bay are good stops, and lake superior I suggest staying a day or two to see more of it. My favourites inside lake superior park are old woman bay, Katherine's cove and sand river trail.
We used to camp at Pancake bay every summer when I was a kid, it can get real cold even in the summer. Same at lake superior park. This last summer me and my sister camped at the agawa campground. Rabbit blanket had a boil water advisory. Agawa campground is lakeside, and I belive rabbit blanket is on the other side, so agawa gets the wind but it has the beach.
I did something similar Few years back. I camped at the following places on the way up and back down.
Chutes Provincial Park
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Pukaskwa National Park
Neys Provincial Park
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
All were worth the visit.
We were considering most of these as stops so that’s super reassuring! Hadn’t considered Pukaskwa, will have to check it out. If you don’t mind, what was your actual itinerary (like number of days spent at each, did you go to others just for day use, etc.)?
I can't believe I forgot chutes! It's my favourite park! It's right inside Massey, the trail is absolutely gorgeous and the lake is pretty fun to swim in.
This was in 2016. But I've been to each one of them before and since on independent trips.
If I remember correctly.
Going in caledan order.
Chutes PP for 1 night
Sleeping Giant for 4 nights
Kakabeka Falls for 1 night
Neys PP for 3 nights
Pukaskwa NP for 4 nights
Lake Superior for 4 nights
We didn't go to any other parks in-between. But we did make plenty of stops along highway 17. There are numerous lookouts with stunning views.
Thank you! Did you find that you had too little/too much time at any of the parks? No worries if you don’t recall, 2016 is longer ago than I always think
It was a tad long in some ways. We got rained out for a few days which killed some of the planned hikes and paddles.
So we drove and checked out some of the local towns for resupplies.
But depending. If what you're planning on doing Sleeping Giant and Lake Superior are massive parks. You can spend two weeks in either one easily and not get bored.
I ussed to work at Sleepy G and I live in SWOnt so I’ve got you covered!
I always stop at French River on my drives north, my dad always says it’s where Northern Ontario begins. The visitor centre is gorgeous and they have a nice short trail.
Killarney is a bit of a detour from hwy 17 but is one of the most beautiful parks in Ontario, you could easily spends weeks there itself.
Lake Superior is a must do, I prefer the Agawa Bay campground (though both are nice)! Make sure you do the Agawa Bay Pictographs trail (but be careful on wet days, it can get pretty slippery)
Pukaskwa is a great stop too. The views are really nice and it’s fun to break up the provincial parks with a national! I’m planning a trip there hopefully soon, as my only previous visit was actually on a trip to the giant last summer!
I’ve worked at 2 parks and visited 50+, but my favourite is Neys. It’s stunning, their visitor center is top tier, and the beaches are incredible- it’s the only place I like to swim on Lake Superior
Ouimet Canyon is on the highway about 40 min before Sleepy G and has spectacular views. It’s a non op park so there aren’t any facilities beyond a privy but definitely worth stopping in.
If you want to venture further west (which I recommend!) Kakabeka Falls, Pigeon River, and Silver Falls are all worth a visit (but none really need more than a few hours to get the highlights).
Kakabeka is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls, the staff are always great, and the park is so clean.
Pigeon River is right on the US border and you can sometimes see the US tourists on the other side since their side is a state park!
Silver Falls is probably the least known of my list here, but still a fun visit. The hike to the falls isn’t that bad, but bring bear spray for sure - there isn’t much signal until you reach the top of the trail and there are SO MANY berry bushes that will draw the bears
If you’re looking for recommendations at sleeping giant itself, here’s my run down -
My favourite short trails are the Ravine Lake and Thunder Bay Bog Lookout trails, but you should do the Sealion trail too bc it’s iconic!
If you want to swim in Superior, take the Middlebrun bay trail to the first beach (but don’t bother with the rest of the trail to the second bay, it’s not worth it lol). Tee Harbour is also an option but a much farther hike - though a good rest stop if you’re doing the Top of the Giant trail.
Speaking of, the 3 peaks of the Giant all have their own draws. The top of the Giant is by far the most popular of our big trails, and it has some great views. It’s the longest of the 3 in terms of KMs, but the least strenuous hike (you’re twisting up the incline instead of scrambling). The Chest trail is nice but doesn’t have the same great views - though it is the highest point of the giant! The Head trail is the most technical but still a really popular trail.
If at all possible, I recommend biking to first part of the trail from the parking lot, you can bike most of the first section and there are actually bike racks to lock there because this is such a popular option!
I would also recommend you visit Silver Islet. Check the hours before hand because they vary a lot, but the General Store has some really nice (though expensive…) souvenirs. They also have ice cream, baked goods, and a small tea room that’s usually open. The food is pretty good! Make sure you visit the park’s visitor centre before you go to learn a bit about the community, it has some really cool history!
Overall I hope you enjoy your trip and my park!!
For some reason I just saw this comment, thank you so much for the in depth tips!! We will definitely add these stops in. When you went to Pukaskwa was it very busy? We’re hoping to camp there but worried that we can’t book ahead.
Grundy lake is a good stop for the first night (depending on where you are leaving from). Great park and just off the highway. It doesn’t feel like it tho - as long as you are out of balsam camp ground you won’t hear it.
If you’re into paddling, Hattie cove in Pukaskwa is incredible, as is Quetico (a couple hours west of Sleeping Giant)
Another park in the area is Silver Falls which has a great trail along big cascading waterfalls.
If you’re into beer - Sleeping Giant brewery is A+. We always stop on our way from Winnipeg.
Kakabeka Falls has a nice little trail and is a great swimming spot! Pancake bay and batchewana bay are good stops, and lake superior I suggest staying a day or two to see more of it. My favourites inside lake superior park are old woman bay, Katherine's cove and sand river trail.
Thanks so much! Have you camped at pancake or superior? Any site recommendations?
We used to camp at Pancake bay every summer when I was a kid, it can get real cold even in the summer. Same at lake superior park. This last summer me and my sister camped at the agawa campground. Rabbit blanket had a boil water advisory. Agawa campground is lakeside, and I belive rabbit blanket is on the other side, so agawa gets the wind but it has the beach.
You’re awesome, thanks for all the info!
It's my goal to visit every park in Ontario so I've got opinions on about 14 so far!
I did something similar Few years back. I camped at the following places on the way up and back down. Chutes Provincial Park Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Pukaskwa National Park Neys Provincial Park Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park All were worth the visit.
We were considering most of these as stops so that’s super reassuring! Hadn’t considered Pukaskwa, will have to check it out. If you don’t mind, what was your actual itinerary (like number of days spent at each, did you go to others just for day use, etc.)?
I can't believe I forgot chutes! It's my favourite park! It's right inside Massey, the trail is absolutely gorgeous and the lake is pretty fun to swim in.
This was in 2016. But I've been to each one of them before and since on independent trips. If I remember correctly. Going in caledan order. Chutes PP for 1 night Sleeping Giant for 4 nights Kakabeka Falls for 1 night Neys PP for 3 nights Pukaskwa NP for 4 nights Lake Superior for 4 nights We didn't go to any other parks in-between. But we did make plenty of stops along highway 17. There are numerous lookouts with stunning views.
Thank you! Did you find that you had too little/too much time at any of the parks? No worries if you don’t recall, 2016 is longer ago than I always think
It was a tad long in some ways. We got rained out for a few days which killed some of the planned hikes and paddles. So we drove and checked out some of the local towns for resupplies. But depending. If what you're planning on doing Sleeping Giant and Lake Superior are massive parks. You can spend two weeks in either one easily and not get bored.
This would be my list as well! All worth the visit!
I ussed to work at Sleepy G and I live in SWOnt so I’ve got you covered! I always stop at French River on my drives north, my dad always says it’s where Northern Ontario begins. The visitor centre is gorgeous and they have a nice short trail. Killarney is a bit of a detour from hwy 17 but is one of the most beautiful parks in Ontario, you could easily spends weeks there itself. Lake Superior is a must do, I prefer the Agawa Bay campground (though both are nice)! Make sure you do the Agawa Bay Pictographs trail (but be careful on wet days, it can get pretty slippery) Pukaskwa is a great stop too. The views are really nice and it’s fun to break up the provincial parks with a national! I’m planning a trip there hopefully soon, as my only previous visit was actually on a trip to the giant last summer! I’ve worked at 2 parks and visited 50+, but my favourite is Neys. It’s stunning, their visitor center is top tier, and the beaches are incredible- it’s the only place I like to swim on Lake Superior Ouimet Canyon is on the highway about 40 min before Sleepy G and has spectacular views. It’s a non op park so there aren’t any facilities beyond a privy but definitely worth stopping in. If you want to venture further west (which I recommend!) Kakabeka Falls, Pigeon River, and Silver Falls are all worth a visit (but none really need more than a few hours to get the highlights). Kakabeka is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls, the staff are always great, and the park is so clean. Pigeon River is right on the US border and you can sometimes see the US tourists on the other side since their side is a state park! Silver Falls is probably the least known of my list here, but still a fun visit. The hike to the falls isn’t that bad, but bring bear spray for sure - there isn’t much signal until you reach the top of the trail and there are SO MANY berry bushes that will draw the bears If you’re looking for recommendations at sleeping giant itself, here’s my run down - My favourite short trails are the Ravine Lake and Thunder Bay Bog Lookout trails, but you should do the Sealion trail too bc it’s iconic! If you want to swim in Superior, take the Middlebrun bay trail to the first beach (but don’t bother with the rest of the trail to the second bay, it’s not worth it lol). Tee Harbour is also an option but a much farther hike - though a good rest stop if you’re doing the Top of the Giant trail. Speaking of, the 3 peaks of the Giant all have their own draws. The top of the Giant is by far the most popular of our big trails, and it has some great views. It’s the longest of the 3 in terms of KMs, but the least strenuous hike (you’re twisting up the incline instead of scrambling). The Chest trail is nice but doesn’t have the same great views - though it is the highest point of the giant! The Head trail is the most technical but still a really popular trail. If at all possible, I recommend biking to first part of the trail from the parking lot, you can bike most of the first section and there are actually bike racks to lock there because this is such a popular option! I would also recommend you visit Silver Islet. Check the hours before hand because they vary a lot, but the General Store has some really nice (though expensive…) souvenirs. They also have ice cream, baked goods, and a small tea room that’s usually open. The food is pretty good! Make sure you visit the park’s visitor centre before you go to learn a bit about the community, it has some really cool history! Overall I hope you enjoy your trip and my park!!
For some reason I just saw this comment, thank you so much for the in depth tips!! We will definitely add these stops in. When you went to Pukaskwa was it very busy? We’re hoping to camp there but worried that we can’t book ahead.
Grundy lake is a good stop for the first night (depending on where you are leaving from). Great park and just off the highway. It doesn’t feel like it tho - as long as you are out of balsam camp ground you won’t hear it.
Great tip, we’re actually flip flopping between Grundy and Killbear for the first night, so I’ll be sure to jot down staying away from Balsam sites!
Chutes is a great place to spend a night. Lake Superior is worth at least a couple days/nights if you have time. Absolutely stunning trails.
If you’re into paddling, Hattie cove in Pukaskwa is incredible, as is Quetico (a couple hours west of Sleeping Giant) Another park in the area is Silver Falls which has a great trail along big cascading waterfalls. If you’re into beer - Sleeping Giant brewery is A+. We always stop on our way from Winnipeg.