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). 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). 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). 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). Day-use fee about $12–15 per vehicle in 2026; go late Sep for colour, before 9:00 AM in Jul–Aug.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

1,600 km²618 sq mi

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 km²618 sq mi; 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 km²618 sq mi · 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 of the Lake Superior shore, usually walked in 5–7 days, with backcountry campsites.The Coastal Trail: about 40 mi 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

12-month verdict

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

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Lake Superior Provincial Park
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

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

Zones of Lake Superior Provincial Park
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

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along Highway 17 from Agawa Bay in the south to Old Woman Bay in the north, for orientation only.

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 ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

CultureModerate1–1.5 h returnAgawa Rock pictographsShort trail to a ledge above the water; the last section is rough rock and can be closed in wet or windy weather. Open mid-May to mid-September.

TrailsModerate30 min beach; 2–3 h trailOld Woman Bay beach and Nokomis trailSand beach with picnic tables; the Nokomis trail starts across the highway and climbs to a lookout over the bay.

TrailsModerate2–4 hOrphan Lake TrailAbout 8 km loop mixing forest, a lake and a stretch of shoreline; the usual half-day walk in the park.

TrailsExpert5–7 daysCoastal TrailAbout 65 km along the shore with basic campsites; the northern stretch away from the highway is the quietest and hardest.Booking: Backcountry permit required

BeachesEasy1–2 hKatherine Cove and Bathtub IslandSandy cove with vault toilets; the rock pool at Bathtub Island is a short walk south along the shore.

Boat tripsModerateHalf day to multi-dayCanoeing on interior lakesRoutes range from easy to whitewater; open-water paddling on Lake Superior is for experienced paddlers only.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check

Fees for Lake Superior Provincial Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Day-use vehicle permit	CAD 12–15	vehicle	2026 estimate; Ontario Parks day-use rates vary by park and season (check).
Camping, Agawa Bay or Rabbit Blanket Lake	CAD 40–60	site per night	2026 estimate; serviced and beachfront sites cost more (check).
Backcountry camping, Coastal Trail	CAD 12–20	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

Pay at the Agawa Bay or Rabbit Blanket gatehouse in season; buy online or at the gate.

Camping permit permit or guide

Reserve through Ontario Parks; Agawa Bay and Rabbit Blanket Lake are the two car campgrounds.

Backcountry camping permit or guide

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

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

Drive below the limit at dawn and dusk, use high beams where safe, and watch the shoulders.

Cold water and sudden weather on Lake Superior high

The lake stays cold even in August; keep to the beach, and turn back if the wind picks up on the Coastal Trail.

Rough rock at Agawa Rock medium

Wear shoes with grip, avoid the ledge when wet or windy, and do not go past the barrier.

No phone signal and no services outside the season medium

Carry water, food and a paper map; tell someone your plan before a backcountry trip.

Bears low

Store food in your vehicle or a locker, never in your tent; make noise on quiet trails.

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