National park · Canada
Lake Superior Provincial Park
Drive Highway 17 and stop: Agawa Rock pictographs (1 h return, mid-May–mid-Sep), Old Woman Bay beach, Orphan Lake loop (8 km (5 mi)). Day-use fee about $12–15 per vehicle in 2026; go late Sep for colour, before 9:00 in Jul–Aug.Drive Highway 17 and stop: Agawa Rock pictographs (1 h return, mid-May–mid-Sep), Old Woman Bay beach, Orphan Lake loop (8 km (5 mi)). Day-use fee about $12–15 per vehicle in 2026; go late Sep for colour, before 9:00 AM in Jul–Aug.Drive Highway 17 and stop: Agawa Rock pictographs (1 h return, mid-May–mid-Sep), Old Woman Bay beach, Orphan Lake loop (5 mi (8 km)). Day-use fee about $12–15 per vehicle in 2026; go late Sep for colour, before 9:00 in Jul–Aug.Drive Highway 17 and stop: Agawa Rock pictographs (1 h return, mid-May–mid-Sep), Old Woman Bay beach, Orphan Lake loop (5 mi (8 km)). Day-use fee about $12–15 per vehicle in 2026; go late Sep for colour, before 9:00 AM in Jul–Aug.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,600 km² (618 sq mi)618 sq mi (1,600 km²)
approximate
Established
1944
Best months
Sep–Oct
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
- 1,600 km² (618 sq mi)618 sq mi (1,600 km²)
- Roughly 1,600 km² of land along about 80 km of shoreline; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1944
- Best months
- Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Lake Superior Provincial Park runs along the east shore of the world's largest freshwater lake, between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa on Highway 17. It was created in 1944 to protect a long stretch of that shoreline. Inland, rounded granite hills, river rapids and deep fault valleys give way to boreal forest; the mix of southern deciduous and northern evergreen trees is what turns the hills red and orange in late September. The park is best known for the Agawa Rock pictographs, the Coastal Trail and the beaches at Agawa Bay, Katherine Cove and Old Woman Bay.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1944.
Size and age
1,600 km² (618 sq mi)618 sq mi (1,600 km²) · national park since 1944
Roughly 1,600 km² of land along about 80 km of shoreline; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- The Agawa Rock pictographs: Ojibwe figures painted on a sheer lakeside cliff, reached by a short but rough trail.
- Old Woman Bay: a long sand beach under a 200 m cliff, with picnic tables and a trailhead across the highway.
- The Coastal Trail: about 65 km (40 mi) of the Lake Superior shore, usually walked in 5–7 days, with backcountry campsites.The Coastal Trail: about 40 mi (65 km) of the Lake Superior shore, usually walked in 5–7 days, with backcountry campsites.
- Autumn colour in the transition zone between Great Lakes–St. Lawrence and boreal forest, usually late September to early October.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanGated, no services, no plowing inside the park
- FebDeep snow; skiing and snowshoeing only
- MarStill winter; access uncertain
- AprThaw; mud and closed gates
- MayVisitor centre opens; pictographs open mid-May
- JunLong days; blackflies near inland lakes
- JulWarmest and busiest; campgrounds fill
- AugBusy; lake still cold for swimming
- SepColour starts late month; fewer people
- OctPeak colour early; services wind down
- NovNo services; short grey days
- DecWinter access; no fees, no help nearby
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moose, often near the highway at dawn and duskMay–Oct · Drive slowly at dusk; moose on the road are the main hazard here. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bears around campgrounds and trailsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Warblers and other songbirds (over 250 species recorded in the park)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoes inlandJun–Jul · Worst near still water in early summer; the shoreline is breezier. | 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
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sault Ste. Marie
Drive north on Highway 17 (Trans-Canada) to the Agawa Bay entrance.
1.5 h
From Wawa
Drive south on Highway 17 to the park's north end and Old Woman Bay.
25 min
From Sault Ste. Marie by bus
Ontario Northland runs a daily bus to Agawa Bay and on to Wawa; about $30 (≈ US$25) one way (check).
2 h
From North Shore region plan
Where to stop between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa, and how the park fits a longer drive.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Agawa Bay (south) | Visitor centre, the largest campground, beach, and the trailhead for Agawa Rock pictographs. | Open with a day-use or camping permit, May–October. |
| Crescent Lake and Katherine Cove (middle) | Inland lake, sandy coves, Bathtub Island, and the start of the Coastal Trail's southern stretch. | Open in season; some coves are a short walk from the highway. |
| Old Woman Bay and Rabbit Blanket Lake (north) | Big beach under a 200 m cliff, the Nokomis trail, and the northern campground. | Open in season; day-use parking off Highway 17. |
| Interior lakes and canoe routes | Portage routes between inland lakes, with backcountry campsites. | Permit required; no live bait on interior lakes. |
Sketch map
- 1Agawa Bay Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈47.336, -84.617Washrooms and gift shop, May–September.Map ↗
- 2Agawa Rock pictographs · Viewpoint≈47.371, -84.704Map ↗
- 3Katherine Cove · Beach≈47.444, -84.750Map ↗
- 4Crescent Lake · Sleep≈47.460, -84.730Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Park office, Red Rock Lake · Headquarters≈47.724, -84.812Map ↗
- 6Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground · Sleep≈47.752, -84.827Map ↗
- 7Old Woman Bay · Beach≈47.791, -84.896Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along Highway 17 from Agawa Bay in the south to Old Woman Bay in the north, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use vehicle permit | CAD 12–15 (≈ US$9–11) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; Ontario Parks day-use rates vary by park and season (check). |
| Camping, Agawa Bay or Rabbit Blanket Lake | CAD 40–60 (≈ US$30–45) | site per night | 2026 estimate; serviced and beachfront sites cost more (check). |
| Backcountry camping, Coastal Trail | CAD 12–20 (≈ US$9–15) | person per night | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Winter day use | Free | vehicle | No fees when services are closed; park is gated at the highway. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use permit permit or guide
Camping permit permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$12–15≈ US$9–11
- C$40–60≈ US$30–45
- C$12–20≈ US$9–15
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Ontario Parks — Lake Superior Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Allowed in campgrounds and on most trails but must be leashed; not allowed on the Agawa Rock pictograph trail (check).check
- Live bait
- Banned on interior park lakes to stop non-native species; check current fishing rules before you fish.
- Motors
- Motorboats are not allowed on park lakes except Sand Lake, where the limit is 10 horsepower.
- Winter access
- Roads are gated and services stop outside the operating season; walking, skiing and snowshoeing are allowed, snowmobiles only on Frater Road.
- Fires and firewood
- Fires only in provided fire pits; buy firewood at the gatehouse rather than bringing it in.
- Pictographs
- Do not touch the painted rock; oils from skin damage the figures.
Where to stay
In the park
Agawa Bay Campground
About 150 sites, two comfort stations with showers and flush toilets, beachfront sites cost more.
In the park
Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground
About 60 sites in the northern part of the park, one comfort station.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Basic sites with a privy on the Coastal Trail and along the canoe routes; permit required.
Near the park
Motels in Wawa or Sault Ste. Marie
The nearest full-service beds; Wawa is about 25 minutes from the north end.
Safety
Moose on Highway 17 high
Cold water and sudden weather on Lake Superior high
Rough rock at Agawa Rock medium
No phone signal and no services outside the season medium
Bears low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Agawa Bay visitor centre, its washrooms and the campground comfort stations are the most accessible facilities in the park.
- Old Woman Bay and Katherine Cove have parking close to the sand, but the ground is uneven.
- The pictograph trail, Nokomis and Orphan Lake are rough, rocky and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Buy firewood at the gatehouse; moving firewood spreads invasive insects.
- Stay on marked trails at Agawa Rock and on the Coastal Trail to protect thin soil and vegetation.
- Pack out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use the vault toilets rather than the bush.
- Keep your distance from moose and bears, and never feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lake Superior Provincial Park?
A day-use vehicle permit is about $12–15 in 2026 (check current Ontario Parks rates). Camping is roughly $40–60 per site per night, and backcountry camping about $12–20 per person per night. Outside the operating season the park is gated and no fee is charged.
What are the best hikes in Lake Superior Provincial Park?
For a short stop, the Agawa Rock pictograph trail (1–1.5 h return) and the Nokomis trail above Old Woman Bay (2–3 h). For a half day, the Orphan Lake loop is about 8 km and takes 2–4 hours. The Coastal Trail is the serious one: about 65 km of shoreline, usually 5–7 days with a backcountry permit.
When is the best time to visit Lake Superior Provincial Park?
Late September to early October for autumn colour and fewer people, or June for long days. July and August are warmest but busiest, and campgrounds fill. The park operates roughly May to October; in winter it is gated with no services.
Can I visit the park without a car?
Partly. Ontario Northland runs a daily bus from Sault Ste. Marie to Agawa Bay and on to Wawa (about 2 hours, roughly $30 one way, check). From Agawa Bay you can walk the beach and the pictograph trail, but the other trailheads and Old Woman Bay are along Highway 17 with no local transport.
Are the Agawa Rock pictographs always open?
No. The trail is open mid-May to mid-September and closes in wet or windy weather because the ledge above the water becomes unsafe. Check at the visitor centre or gatehouse on the day.
Where should I stay near the park?
Inside the park there are two car campgrounds, Agawa Bay and Rabbit Blanket Lake, plus backcountry sites on the Coastal Trail. The nearest motels are in Wawa, about 25 minutes from the north end, or in Sault Ste. Marie, about 1.5 hours south.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go