The Lake Superior Circle Tour
The world’s largest freshwater lake, wrapped by one unforgettable drive. This is Ontario’s most epic road trip — towering cliffs, hidden beaches, ancient pictographs and roadside waterfalls along Highway 17 from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay.
The Lake Superior Circle Tour is the complete loop around Lake Superior, tracing roughly 2,000 km of shoreline across Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. But you don’t have to leave the province to experience its most dramatic stretch. The Ontario side — Highway 17 (the Trans-Canada) from Sault Ste. Marie north to Thunder Bay — is a bucket-list drive in its own right, threading between the lake and the boreal forest past provincial parks, waterfalls, and lookouts that rival anything out west.
This guide focuses on the Ontario portion: what to see, where to stop, where to camp, and how to time it. Do it one way over a long weekend, or close the full circle through the U.S. if you’ve got a week or more (and a passport).
At a Glance
The Route, Stop by Stop
Heading northwest out of the Sault, here are the stops worth building your days around.
Sault Ste. Marie — the gateway
Your starting point and the last full-service city for a while. Stock up, fuel up, and if you have a spare morning ride the Agawa Canyon Tour Train for a preview of the wilderness ahead. From here, Highway 17 hugs the coast north.
Lake Superior Provincial Park
The scenic heart of the drive. Don’t miss the Agawa Rock pictographs (centuries-old Ojibwe rock paintings right at the waterline), the sweeping crescent of Old Woman Bay, and the cobble beach at Agawa Bay. Great short hikes and two campgrounds inside the park.
Wawa & the Giant Goose
The famous roadside Wawa Goose is the classic Circle Tour photo op. Wawa is also a key fuel, food and supply stop — and a jumping-off point for Magpie Falls (Silver Falls) just outside town.
Pukaskwa National Park (via Marathon)
Ontario’s only wilderness national park, reached through Hattie Cove. Rugged Canadian Shield coastline, boardwalk trails, a beach, and the trailhead for the legendary Coastal Hiking Trail. A worthy detour off the highway.
Terrace Bay & Aguasabon Falls
Aguasabon Falls and Gorge has an easy viewing platform right off the highway — a powerful drop into a rock canyon that makes a perfect leg-stretch stop. Nearby beaches and the Slate Islands offshore add to the appeal.
Nipigon & Ouimet Canyon
Past Nipigon, detour to Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park — a jaw-dropping gorge with sheer 100-metre walls and viewing platforms. A short, high-impact stop before the run into Thunder Bay.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
On the Sibley Peninsula, this park’s Sleeping Giant rock formation and clifftop lookouts (like the Top of the Giant trail) reward the hikers. Big-view camping and some of the best sunrise photography on the lake.
Thunder Bay
The northern anchor of the Ontario stretch. Visit the Terry Fox Monument overlooking the lake, explore the waterfront and Fort William Historical Park, and reset in a full-service city before turning back — or crossing to the U.S. side to close the loop.
Kakabeka Falls — “Niagara of the North”
Just west of Thunder Bay, this 40-metre waterfall thunders through a boardwalk-lined gorge. An easy, dramatic finale (or first stop, if you’re driving east to west).
Where to Camp Along the Route
The Ontario stretch is a camper’s dream, with provincial and national park campgrounds spaced roughly a day apart. Reserve ahead through Ontario Parks and Parks Canada in peak summer.
Festivals Along the Way
Time your trip around a Northern Ontario festival and turn a scenic drive into a full weekend. Communities like Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, Marathon and Thunder Bay host music, food, and cultural celebrations through the summer season — many just minutes from the parks and campgrounds above.
Practical Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Lake Superior Circle Tour take?
The full loop around the lake is roughly 2,000 km, and most travellers give it 5–7 days minimum (7–10 to do it justice). The Ontario stretch on its own, Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, is about 700 km one way and is best over 3–5 days so you can stop at the parks and waterfalls.
What’s the best time of year to drive it?
Late summer and early fall. July–August gives you warm weather and open campgrounds; mid-September to early October brings spectacular fall colour along the shoreline. Services thin out after Thanksgiving and winter driving on Highway 17 here can be demanding.
Is the Ontario side good for RVs?
Yes — Highway 17 is well-maintained and lined with provincial park campgrounds. Just plan fuel stops carefully, since services are spaced further apart than in southern Ontario.
Do I need a passport?
Only for the complete loop, which dips into Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. If you stay on the Ontario side between the Sault and Thunder Bay, you never cross a border.
What are the must-see Ontario stops?
Lake Superior Provincial Park (Agawa Rock pictographs, Old Woman Bay), the Wawa Goose, Pukaskwa National Park, Aguasabon Falls, Ouimet Canyon, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, and Kakabeka Falls.
More Ontario Road Trips
Planning the trip around a festival?
Find what’s happening in Northern Ontario while you’re up there.
Explore Northern Ontario Festivals →