Well, the sun is officially setting later than 5:30 pm, and we’ve made it through the darkest weeks of the year (until, of course, November comes…). That being said, we’ve made it over the imaginary hump, and we’re getting closer and closer to spring every day, even if the snowstorm happening outside makes that feel untrue. Ontario Parks campgrounds have opened their bookings for the upcoming season, and with that, I wanted to share some of my favourite hikes that you can’t miss if you’re planning a Lake Superior adventure for the 2025 season. You can be totally immersed in nature for the day and still get to enjoy the amenities of home at the end of it. Whether you’re staying at a campground near Lake Superior Provincial park (Pancake and Agawa) or you’re willing to drive from a little further away, like the Sault, these hikes are perfect if you want a one-day adventure where you can start – and finish – in your own bed.
Lake Superior Provincial Park (LSPP) opens from May to October every year for hiking, swimming, kayaking, camping, etc. While technically you can use the park during the winter, you won’t find a plowed parking lot or maintained trails, so that’s why I’m taking a summer perspective in talking about these trails. My three picks for you today will all be within the limits of LSPP. Without further ado, let’s get into my top three – in no particular order, because they’re all so different.
1. Lake Superior Pictographs and Sand River
You’ll have to stick with me for a minute here, as my first pick is a multi-stop one. The first part of this day hike starts at the must-see Agawa Pictographs (picture left or above is the view from slightly off trail for the pic). Just past the Agawa Bay campground and visitor centre (where you can get a day pass for the park), you’ll see the sign for Agawa Rock. You want to pull of there, and follow the road until you have the option to either turn left or right, go to the parking lot on the left.
The trail to the pictographs is short, steep, scenic, and totally worth it. The trail is filled with different signs that explain the history of the area, and the formation of the rock faces and different formations that you’ll see along the trail. The famous “pictographs” are Indigenous paintings on the side of the rock face done with red ochre that often depict different animals, each with their own meanings. These pictures are hundreds of years old, and have remained accessible only by water or a daring walk on the rocks with a rope to hold onto. The round trip hike to the water and back to the parking lot is only around half an hour, so it’s quick and easy if you’re steady on your feet. Once you’re back at the parking lot, you can head onto the next part, or follow the road you came in on another two minutes down to Sinclair Cove and enjoy a chilly yet refreshing dip in the lake.
If you drive another ten minutes north from the parking lot and pull in to the right at the Sand River sign, you can stop and enjoy a snack or lunch at a picnic table by the river. This trail is fairly easy for the first 500m and becomes slightly more difficult after that. The trail itself is pretty long, so it’s easy to walk as far, or as little, as you please. Between the pictographs and Sand River, you get two completely different easy/moderate hikes in one day, without having to travel far in between. I love this hike on a warm summer day!
2. Towab
The Towab trail can be found a few kilometers off of the Frater Road, just past Agawa Bay. The road in is bumpy, so be careful if you’re driving a small car. It’s doable, but a slow ride in. The trail in its whole is close to twenty kilometers, but for the day hike I’m outlining, you only have about an hour of hiking on either end. I usually stop at the first “break” in the trail – Burnt Rock Pool.
This stop is great for fishing, setting up camp, or, and my personal favourite, an afternoon swim. The hike in is nice, and mostly downhill, but bug spray or some other bug repellant is a must, especially in the summer. That has to be my only complain – the mosquitos. Once you reach the pool, there are a few campsites with fire pits, if you wanted to bring in food like hotdogs to enjoy a warm lunch on the Agawa River. The walk back feels longer than the hike in as it’s mostly uphill, but seeing your vehicle at the end is relief that makes it all feel worth it. This hike isn’t lakeside, but stopping at the pool, surrounded by the tall walls of the Canadian Shield makes you feel like you’re in your own natural world away from civilization, even though you’re really not. The water here is warm, and if you can hike this on a day when the sun is out, you’re sure to have a fun and relaxing day.
3. Awausee
Hike three was a difficult choice, but I wanted to include at least one hike with an ultimate view at the top. This trail is no joke – I did it for just the first time this fall, and with over a thousand feet of elevation gain, you’re sure to sleep well when you get home. The view at the top is extraordinary once you get there though. It’s a lot on the body, but as long as you have a clear schedule and some snacks to fuel the way, I think any determined person can find success! I recommend this hike at the beginning/middle of October for peak fall colours.
My boyfriend warned me that this hike wasn’t like others in the park, and he wasn’t kidding. Just when you think the trail can’t possibly go “up” any further, it does! Even the way down felt uphill. If you want a more relaxing, easy-going day hike, I’d suggest one of the other two I mentioned. But, if you’re up to a more challenging hike that still only takes a few hours, this one might be perfect for you! There are a couple of different lookouts, and the trail is a loop, meaning you don’t have to backtrack at all to get back to the parking lot. The views at the top left me speechless, and you can see vast views of the land that you won’t get to see elsewhere. The picture below this paragraph is the view from one of the other lookouts. All in all, this hike took about three hours for me, my boyfriend, and my thirteen-year-old dog, who took our time and were in no hurry.
The list goes on of my top hikes around the area, but alas, you only have so much attention to give, and I only have so many words for one night. I had a lot of fun writing this, and you’ll probably see each of these hikes get their own post with lots of pictures to go with. I’ll be sharing other hikes too, either as I do them throughout the year, or whenever I feel like posting past pics and my views on the trail. As always, thanks for reading, and if I’ve inspired you to do any of these trails once the park opens up, let me know which one!
Outdoors With Eden 