The best walks and hikes in Lake Superior Provincial Park

The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is rugged but stunning, following rocky beaches, forest paths, and wide granite slabs right beside the water. Expect scrambles over smooth rock, driftwood coves, and long stretches at lake level with big horizons and shifting Superior colours from deep blue to turquoise. Even a short section gives you some of the park’s most dramatic shoreline scenery.

Lake Superior Provincial Park covers more than 160,000 hectares along the rugged Lake Superior shoreline. Established in 1944, the park is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, waterfalls, and inland lakes; offering world-class hiking, paddling, and trout fishing. Visitors can explore diverse trails, enjoy backcountry camping, and learn about the region’s rich cultural history at the Agawa Bay Visitor Centre. With its mix of accessible and remote landscapes, the park is a spectacular destination for both adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

Depending on which way you are hiking the Awausee Trail, this is either your first or last of the four viewpoints on the trail. Either way, it's a great place to catch your breath and enjoy the view.

The Awausee Trail is a great loop hike within Lake Superior Provincial Park, with four excellent viewpoint atop Agawa Mountain that give you panoramic views across Lake Superior. You can hike the trail in either direction but recent weather may determine which way you choose. If the water is high it's recommended to hike clockwise, that way you have a shorter return trip if the river crossing is unsafe. Hiking counter-clockwise means a very steep and rocky ascent in the first few kilometers and a flatter, more relaxing descent at the end of the loop.

Bathtub Island is a fun little spot in Lake Superior Provincial Park, reached by a short walk from Katherine Cove and a quick wade through shallow sandy water. The rock forms a natural “bathtub” that fills with warm lake water when the waves roll in, perfect for a dip on a sunny day. It’s best from May to October, and especially in summer when the water feels warmer. Try to go at low water levels so you can cross easily and spend more time on the island. You’ll need a day-use permit (about CAD $15.50) to park at Katherine Cove.

Lake Superior Provincial Park stretches along a wild section of Superior’s coastline, mixing rugged granite headlands, quiet beaches, and dense northern forest. The trail network ranges from easy lakeside walks to tougher routes with rocky scrambles and big lake views. Expect clear water, dramatic shorelines, and long horizons that make even short stops feel special. It’s a standout area for anyone exploring this part of Ontario, with plenty of spots to pause, wander, and take in the scale of Lake Superior.

The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is a rugged but incredibly rewarding shoreline route that follows rocky beaches, forested sections, and huge granite slabs right beside the lake. Expect plenty of scrambling over smooth rock, driftwood-lined coves, and long stretches where the trail runs almost at water level. The views are the star here—big open horizons, rolling waves, and those classic Superior colours that shift from deep blue to turquoise on calm days. Whether you’re tackling a short section or adding a few kilometres to a nearby hike, this trail gives you some of the most dramatic lakeside scenery in the park.

Katherine Cove is a beautiful coastal stop in Lake Superior Provincial Park, with a short path that leads from the forest to open views of Superior’s bright turquoise shallows and wave-smoothed granite. The shoreline is a mix of sand, rock slabs, and small inlets, giving you easy access to classic Superior scenery without a long approach. It’s also a common starting point for short walks along the coast toward spots like Bathtub Island, where you get sweeping lake views and dramatic shoreline rock formations. A simple, scenic stop on this stretch of the park’s coastline.