National park · Canada
Pukaskwa National ParkParc national Pukaskwa
Go only if you want the 60 km Coastal Hiking Trail or a quiet Lake Superior campground: day visitors get the 18 km White River Suspension Bridge hike, and the park is fully open mid-May to mid-October only.Go only if you want the 37 mi Coastal Hiking Trail or a quiet Lake Superior campground: day visitors get the 11 mi White River Suspension Bridge hike, and the park is fully open mid-May to mid-October only.
Map to the park
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Area
1,878 km²725 sq mi
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1,878 km²725 sq mi
- Land area; the park boundary also takes in a marine zone in Lake Superior.
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Pukaskwa is the wildest stretch of Lake Superior shoreline in Ontario: 1,878 km² of boreal forest, granite and cobble beaches between Marathon and the Pukaskwa River, with no road through it. The single road, Highway 627, ends at Hattie Cove, where the campground, visitor centre and trailheads sit. Everything beyond is foot or boat. That is the point: the 60 km Coastal Hiking Trail is one of Canada's classic backcountry routes, and most visitors never get past the first suspension bridge. Facilities are seasonal and thin, so plan food, fuel and shelter before you leave Highway 17.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1978.
Size and age
1,878 km²725 sq mi · national park since 1978
Land area; the park boundary also takes in a marine zone in Lake Superior.
Why go
- The Coastal Hiking Trail: 60 km of Lake Superior shoreline, two suspension bridges and backcountry campsites, walked over 4–6 days.The Coastal Hiking Trail: 37 mi of Lake Superior shoreline, two suspension bridges and backcountry campsites, walked over 4–6 days.
- The White River Suspension Bridge day hike, a 23 m span above Chigamiwinigum Falls, doable in a long day from Hattie Cove.
- Quiet campground on a protected cove, with the beach, forest and trailheads a few minutes' walk away.
- Real wildlife odds: moose, black bear, peregrine falcon, lynx and wolf are all resident, and you will likely see none of them.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanClosed; road unplowed, no services
- FebClosed
- MarClosed
- AprClosed; ice on the lake
- MayOpens mid-May; cold, wet, some services still shut
- JunTrails drying; blackflies at their worst
- JulWarmest water, visitor centre open, long days
- AugWarmest and driest; busiest, still uncrowded
- SepCool nights, no bugs, best walking
- OctCloses mid-October; storms and early snow possible
- NovClosed
- DecClosed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MooseMay–Jun, Sep–Oct · Dawn and dusk near wetlands and the highway corridor. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bearMay–Oct · Active along trails and in camp; store all food in your vehicle or a locker. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Peregrine falconJun–Aug · Nests on coastal cliffs; give nest sites a wide berth. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesJun–Jul · Worst in June; headnet and repellent earn their weight. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Marathon, Ontario
Trans-Canada Highway 17 to Highway 627, then 15 km to the Hattie Cove gate.Trans-Canada Highway 17 to Highway 627, then 9.3 mi to the Hattie Cove gate.
25–30 min
From Thunder Bay
Drive Highway 17 east via Marathon; no public transport to the park gate.
3.5–4 h
From Sault Ste. Marie
Drive Highway 17 north-west along the lake.
5–5.5 h
From By bus
Ontario Northland to Marathon, then taxi to the park; arrange the return in advance.
Varies
From Region plan
Where Pukaskwa sits among the Lake Superior stops, and what else is on the north shore.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hattie Cove | Campground, visitor centre, day-use area, beach and the trailheads for the southern Coastal Trail and the White River route. | Road access via Highway 627; entry fee. |
| Coastal Hiking Trail corridor | The 60 km shoreline route north-east to the Pukaskwa River, with backcountry campsites and two suspension bridges.The 37 mi shoreline route north-east to the Pukaskwa River, with backcountry campsites and two suspension bridges. | Backcountry permit; on foot only. |
| White River and Chigamiwinigum Falls | The 23 m suspension bridge and falls, reached by the long day hike or as an overnight stop. | On foot; no road. |
| Pukaskwa River and paddling routes | Remote river and lake paddling with campsites; no services. | Experienced paddlers; permit required. |
Sketch map
- 1Hattie Cove gate and visitor centre · Headquarters≈48.590, -86.290Map ↗
- 2Hattie Cove Campground · Sleep≈48.588, -86.288Map ↗
- 3White River Suspension Bridge · Viewpoint≈48.525, -86.135Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Playter Harbour · Beach≈48.545, -86.190Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Marathon · Town≈48.718, -86.376Map ↗
- 6Pukaskwa River mouth · Trail≈48.330, -85.850Approximate; north-east end of the coastal route.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, adult | CAD 6–7 | person per day | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada day rate, check the current season's table. |
| Hattie Cove campsite, unserviced | CAD 17.5–28.5 | site per night | 2026 estimate; shoulder to peak season, toilets and showers in the washroom building. |
| Hattie Cove campsite, with electricity | CAD 22–33 | site per night | 2026 estimate. |
| oTENTik roofed tent, Hattie Cove | CAD 111–133.25 | site per night | 2026 estimate; serviced with electricity, bring bedding. |
| Backcountry permit, Coastal Hiking Trail or paddling route | CAD 13.5 | person per night | 2026 estimate; covers the campsites along the route. |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 75 | adult per year | 2026 estimate; worth it only if you visit several Parks Canada places in a year. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Hattie Cove campsite permit or guide
Park rules
- Food storage
- Never leave food, coolers or scented items in a tent; use your vehicle or the campground lockers. Bears are resident, not a rumour.
- Backcountry reservations
- Permit and reserve before you walk the Coastal Hiking Trail; campsite quotas apply in peak season.
- Fires
- Use only designated fire pits and respect any fire ban in force; deadfall is habitat, not fuel.
- Dogs
- Allowed in the campground and day-use area on a leash; not on the backcountry trails.
- Drones
- Not permitted without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Hattie Cove Campground
The only campground with road access: unserviced and electrical sites plus oTENTik roofed tents, toilets and showers.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Cleared sites along the Coastal Hiking Trail and paddling routes; no facilities, permit required.
Near the park
Marathon
Motels, a supermarket and fuel 25–30 min from the gate; the practical base outside the park season.
Safety
Cold water and sudden weather high
Remote trail with no exit high
Bears medium
Rough footing medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, day-use area and the first stretch of boardwalk from Hattie Cove are the realistic options for limited mobility.
- The White River Suspension Bridge hike and the Coastal Trail are rough, steep in places and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps; there is no waste collection in the backcountry.
- Camp on established sites only; the shoreline vegetation does not recover from repeated trampling.
- Keep your distance from cliff-nesting falcons and never feed or approach wildlife for a photo.
- Buy supplies in Marathon so the gateway town keeps the park's visitor spend.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pukaskwa National Park?
The adult day rate is about CAD 6–7 (2026 estimate), charged per person per day at the Hattie Cove gate. Camping is separate: roughly CAD 17.50–28.50 for an unserviced site and CAD 22–33 with electricity, plus about CAD 13.50 per person per night for backcountry sites. A Discovery Pass makes sense only if you are visiting several Parks Canada places in the same year.
What are the best hikes in Pukaskwa National Park?
For a day, the White River Suspension Bridge hike: about 18 km return, 6–8 hours, finishing at a 23 m bridge over Chigamiwinigum Falls. For a short walk, the Hattie Cove beach and boardwalk. For a serious trip, the 60 km Coastal Hiking Trail over 4–6 days with a backcountry permit, and the Mdaabii Miikna loop if you are already on that route.
When is the best time to visit Pukaskwa National Park?
July to September. The park is open mid-May to mid-October only; the visitor centre runs in July and August. June is green but buggy, September has cool nights and no blackflies, and October can bring storms and early snow before the gate closes.
Can I visit Pukaskwa as a day trip?
Yes, from Marathon (25–30 minutes) or as a long day from Thunder Bay (3.5–4 hours each way). Pay the day fee, walk the beach or commit to the White River bridge hike, and leave before dark: there is no food or fuel in the park.
Do I need a reservation to camp at Pukaskwa?
Yes for July and August at Hattie Cove, and yes for any backcountry night on the Coastal Hiking Trail or paddling routes. Book through the Parks Canada reservation service; shoulder-season spaces at Hattie Cove are sometimes available on arrival.
Is there food or fuel in the park?
No. There are no eateries, shops or fuel at Pukaskwa. Bring all food and water, and fill up in Marathon before taking Highway 627.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go