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Sault Ste. Marie To Thunder Bay Drive: What To See Along The Way

The Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay drive is one of the most spectacular road trips in Ontario. Here are the best stops, where to stay, where to eat, and how to plan your time along Highway 17.

Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay Drive

The Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay drive offers the chance to experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Ontario. In fact, the drive between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay is so beautiful that you could have one of the most incredible experiences of your life without ever leaving the highway.

This wouldn’t be much of a travel site without showing you how to get off the main strip and laying out the best things to see between these two northern Ontario cities. Whether you’re visiting from out of province, a fellow southern Ontarian looking to explore more of your home province, or a northern local looking for new places to explore, you may be shocked at just how many great things there are to see along Highway 17.

My family is obsessed with road trips. Road trips in Canada are one of our favorite ways to experience this great country, and this one, following the wild north shore of Lake Superior, is right at the top of the list. Between these cities lie some of the most amazing provincial and National Parks in Ontario. This stretch of seemingly untouched wilderness, lined with mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forests, can sometimes seem otherworldly. It’s the landscape that inspired the Group of Seven, and you’ll understand why within the first hour.

The route is straightforward. You’ll be sticking to the Trans-Canada Highway for almost the entire trip. But if you’ve never done this drive before, you may never look at Ontario the same way again. And if you’re planning a Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie drive, just flip these directions in reverse.

If you’re driving up from southern Ontario to reach the Sault in the first place, you’ll roll through Sudbury on the way, a city that’s especially gorgeous once the fall colors arrive. And you may be so inspired by what you experience that you’ll want to continue your trip with a Thunder Bay to Winnipeg drive.

Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay Road Trip Planner

Distance & time: About 705 km (438 miles); roughly 8 hours of straight driving, or 3 to 5 days done properly.

Best for: Lovers of wild scenery, waterfalls, Lake Superior beaches, and provincial parks.

Top stops: Lake Superior Provincial Park, Pukaskwa National Park, Ouimet Canyon, Eagle Canyon, and Sleeping Giant.

Best overnight stops: Wawa for the first night, Marathon or Terrace Bay near the midpoint, and Nipigon toward the end.

Best time to go: June through September for open attractions and warm beaches; September adds fall color.

Plan-ahead alerts: Check Ontario 511 (511on.ca) for construction and closures, fill up whenever you can, and drive carefully at dawn and dusk (moose country).

The reverse trip: Driving Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie? Just flip the guide and start from the bottom.

What Is The Distance Between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay?

The most direct distance between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay is about 705 km (438 miles). It typically takes about eight hours to make the trip with no interruptions. Of course, this will depend on when you’re making the drive, and on what the road is doing that day. You can check out my guide to visiting Thunder Bay in winter right here.

Sunset at the Waterfront in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
Sunset at the Waterfront in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Road Conditions and Construction on Highway 17

In Northern Ontario, the old joke is that the north has two seasons: winter and construction. Like all great jokes, this doesn’t stray far from the truth. In spring, summer, and fall, you should simply assume there will be construction somewhere along Highway 17, single-lane stretches controlled by traffic lights or a flag person, fresh chip-seal, and the occasional full stop while a crew works. The crews are genuinely good at keeping traffic moving, but delays happen.

Here’s the part that matters most, and the reason to plan for it: Highway 17 is the only through-route along this shore. No parallel highway lets you detour, so when the road closes for a collision, a washout, or weather, everyone waits until it reopens.

That makes one habit essential: check Ontario 511 before you set out, and again each morning of your drive. It’s the province’s free, real-time source for construction, closures, and road conditions right across Highway 17, and it’s the single best way to know what’s actually ahead of you today. Anything I could print here about specific work zones would be out of date before you read it, so I’ll point you to the source that stays current instead.

A few habits that turn a closure from a crisis into an inconvenience: build a generous time buffer into your plans, never book a tight same-day flight or hotel deadline at the far end, and keep your tank topped up so a two-hour wait behind a stopped crew is no big deal.

How Many Days Do You Need For The Sault Ste. Marie To Thunder Bay Drive?

Overland truck with rooftop tent camping at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park
Our camping setup at Rossport campground in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

You can drive straight through from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay in a single eight-hour day, but if you do, you’ll miss the entire point of this trip. IF you’re reading this, you’re not looking to power through an eight-hour drive just to get somewhere. The drive is the destination.

Here’s how I’d budget your time, depending on your pace:

  • The bare minimum (2 days): Break the drive with one overnight in Wawa or Marathon. You’ll hit a handful of headline stops (Chippewa Falls, the Wawa Goose, maybe a quick Lake Superior Provincial Park lookout) and still make Thunder Bay by the second evening. It’s a busy two days, but it beats the straight point-to-point drive.
  • The sweet spot (3 to 4 days): This is what I’d recommend for most families. It gives you time to actually walk the trails, swim at a Lake Superior beach, chase a few waterfalls, and enjoy leisurely meals. A good rhythm is Night 1 in Wawa, Night 2 around Terrace Bay or Marathon, and Night 3 near Nipigon or Thunder Bay.
  • The full experience (5 to 7 days): Camp in the provincial parks, tackle a big hike in Pukaskwa or Sleeping Giant, and linger. This is a bucket-list version of the trip, and you’ll want as much time as possible because Northern Ontario has a way of lingering in your soul.

Whatever option you choose, don’t underestimate the distances between the road trip stops on this list. What looks like a quick hop on the map can be an hour of two-lane highway with construction delays. Pad your schedule accordingly.

Best Time To Drive From Sault Ste. Marie To Thunder Bay

  • Summer (June to September) is peak season, and for good reason. The beaches are swimmable (well, as swimmable as chilly Lake Superior gets), every attraction is open, and the days are long. The trade-off is bugs: blackflies and mosquitoes can be fierce in June and early July, so pack repellent.
  • September into early October might be my favorite window. The bugs are gone, the crowds thin out, and the fall colors along the Lake Superior shore are absolutely spectacular. Just note that some seasonal spots begin closing up as the month goes on.
  • Winter turns this into a different, quieter, and genuinely beautiful drive, but many seasonal attractions (Eagle Canyon, Voyageurs’ Lodge, and much of the park’s infrastructure) shut down, and winter driving on Highway 17 demands real caution. If you go, check Ontario 511 before every single leg. You can read my guide to winter in Thunder Bay here.

Tips For A Drive From Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay (or Thunder Bay to Sault Ste

If you are looking at travel between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, here are a few road trip tips to help you stay happy and comfortable on the long road.

  • Before you start out, make a plan, but keep it flexible. You want to be able to stop and see something cool if it catches your eye.
  • Pack a map of Ontario. GPS is excellent, but there’s something far better about a real map you can mark up with a Sharpie and show off all the cool places you stopped.
  • Prepare for traffic and construction. Much of Highway 17 is only two lanes. You’ll be stuck behind trucks on steep hills, and there will be times when construction lowers the route to one lane. Be patient, leave extra room in your schedule, and check Ontario 511 for the day’s closures before you set out.
  • Stay entertained. Long road trips can get tiresome. Check out our epic list of road trip jokes, and load up those playlists and podcasts. Personally, my family is keen on audiobooks. Listening to stories on long drives helps us to connect and have something to talk about together.
  • Although there are quite a few gas stations along Highway 17, it can be a good distance between them, sometimes 150 to 200 km. Make sure to fill up when you have the chance, and try not to let the tank drop below a quarter.
  • Bring a camera! You are going to see some fantastic things. If you want to see the camera gear that I take with me, you can check that out here.
  • Prepare for spotty cellular service. Once you leave Sault Ste. Marie, you likely won’t have consistent service again until towns such as Marathon and Nipigon. Download your maps for offline use before you go, and if you’re heading into the backcountry, consider a satellite communicator.
  • Be bear- and moose-aware. Northern Ontario is bear country, so keep food sealed and away from your campsite. But your real worry is moose. An accident between a car and a moose is among the scariest things you can imagine, so avoid speeding, especially at dawn and twilight when moose are most active.

The Best Things To See On A Sault Ste. Marie To Thunder Bay Drive

So you’re starting your Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay road trip, and you want to see the best sites along the way?

The first part is checking out Sault Ste. Marie itself. Things like the Sault Ste. Marie boardwalk, the Bush Plane Heritage Museum, and Whitefish Island are particular favorites of mine. Make sure to fuel up with breakfast at the Breakfast Pig before you go. Their portion sizes will keep you fueled up for the long road ahead. But once you get in the car, it’s time to make some ground and get this Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay road trip in gear.

Step 1: Chippewa Falls

Views from the top of Chippewa Falls near Sault Ste Marie
Views from the top of Chippewa Falls near Sault Ste. Marie

I’ve made the stop at Chippewa Falls on almost every northern Ontario trip I’ve ever done. Just 45 minutes north, right off HWY 17, you’ll find the small parking lot with hiking trails down to the water. You’ll find one of the decorative easels at the top of the path, marking this as part of the Group of Seven routes through Ontario (this is where A.Y. Jackson was inspired to sketch Stream Bed, Lake Superior Country). Chippewa Falls also marks the midpoint of the Trans Canada Highway, and there’s a plaque in the parking lot to commemorate this.

Batchawana Bay Provincial Park

Just a short drive up the road from Chippewa Falls is the beautiful Batchawana Bay Provincial Park. This day-use-only provincial park has a fabulous beach and is a top-rated stop for both locals and families making the drive. The park has a decent visitor center with comfort stations as well.

This is also one of the first stops for those beautiful Lake Superior views. The water in Batchawana Bay is relatively shallow. So, if you’re visiting in the summer, this may be one of the best spots to do the Lake Superior dip in what is otherwise a mighty cold lake.

Voyageurs Lodge Cookhouse

Ravioli Bites at Voyageurs Cookhouse near Batchewana Bay
Ravioli Bites at Voyageurs Cookhouse near Batchewana Bay

Those of you who follow me on Instagram might have noticed that I have a bit of an obsession with apple fritters. Well, Voyageurs’ Lodge, which is right across the road from the northern tip of Batchawana Bay, has some of the best and biggest apple fritters that I have ever tasted.

Voyageurs’ Lodge has three separate areas. The store sells all sorts of snacks, camping gear, and yes, those apple fritters. The Voyageurs’ Cookhouse is an on-site restaurant where the homemade food is delicious, and the portions will leave you with leftovers. I’m a big fan of their whitefish tacos, and the deep-fried ravioli bites are a hit with my kids.

There is a motel on-site as well, though note that it’s a three-season operation that closes up for the winter. If you couldn’t secure a camping spot at popular Pancake Bay, this is the closest you’re going to get.

Canadian Carver And Agawa Crafts

If you’re looking to pick up some true northern Ontario artwork or souvenirs from your trip, an excellent place to stop is at Canadian Carver and Agawa Crafts, in the same parking lot just a few minutes south of Pancake Bay. This popular spot for artwork, crafts, and hiking gear is owned and operated by a local First Nation, making this wonderful stop one way to support Indigenous-owned business and enjoy an Indigenous road trip through Ontario, like the one I wrote about recently.

Pancake Bay Provincial Park

If you’re looking for an excellent spot for camping or RV travel, Pancake Bay is a hit. Pancake Bay Provincial Park has a fantastic stretch of beach and a few beautiful hiking trails. One of these, the Lookout Trail, takes you up to the spectacular Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout, where you can gaze upon Lake Superior from up high and see where the famed cargo ship, the Edmund Fitzgerald, sank.

The ship’s tragic end was made famous by singer Gordon Lightfoot in The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The campground at Pancake Bay Provincial Park books up fast, so reserve early if you want a spot.

Magpie High Falls (Scenic High Falls)

Just before the turnoff into Wawa, keep an eye out for the signs to “Scenic High Falls,” better known as Magpie Falls. It’s an easy addition that most people blow right past, and it shouldn’t be. A short gravel road leads you to a genuinely impressive waterfall on the Magpie River, tumbling roughly 23 meters (75 feet) over a wide crest. The flow is controlled by an upstream dam, so it can change without warning, but the lookouts and short trails make for a perfect leg-stretcher before you roll into town.

Lake Superior Provincial Park

Things To Do in Lake Superior National Park Agawa Rock Pictographs
Making the challenging hike to the Agawa Rock pictographs.

Lake Superior Provincial Park is one of my favorite parks in the entire province. This park is massive. Honestly, it takes almost an hour to drive from one side to another. For those who have driven HWY 60 through Algonquin Provincial Park, this is similar but with even more incredible views. Stop at the Agawa Bay visitor center to grab your park permit before you explore.

I could go on for paragraphs about what to do here. My favorite spot is the Agawa Rock Pictographs, where you’ll find hand-drawn images of Mishipeshu, the guardian of Lake Superior, on a sacred site. The 1,000-meter cliffs at Old Woman Bay might be the most awe-inspiring view in the province (climb the Nokomis Trail for the best of it), and the waterfalls along the Sand River (Pinguisibi) trail are well worth the walk. I recommend spending at least a full day here. You can check out my guide to Lake Superior Provincial Park to help plan your visit.

Wawa

The Wawa Goose between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay
The Wawa Goose

One of the first significant towns you’ll hit is Wawa. You can’t miss it. Just look for the towering Canada Goose sculpture gazing out over the highway. If you need groceries, car maintenance, or a Timmies, Wawa is the place to do it. Wawa got its name from the Ojibway word for the Canada Goose, which is why you’ll find these geese decorating storefronts throughout town.

You’ll find some decent restaurants in Wawa. The Viking Restaurant and the Kinniwabi Pines are two popular stops. Expect traditional northern Ontario portions. You will not leave hungry. There are quite a few gas stations both on the highway and in town, plus a Valu-Mart grocery store to stock up.

Where To Stay In Wawa, Ontario

Wawa hotels book up quickly, so reserve ahead. The Mystic Isle Motel is a quiet, pretty motel with great Lake Superior views and comfortable beds, and it’s minutes from Magpie Falls. Another nice option is the Parkway Motel, a cozy spot with spacious rooms. For something more memorable, Rock Island Lodge, run by Naturally Superior Adventures right on Michipicoten Bay, is a gorgeous lakeside base for paddlers.

White River

Winnie The Pooh Memorial In White River Ontario
Winnie The Pooh Memorial In White River, Ontario

White River is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town about an hour north of Wawa. But this town has a few claims to fame that make it worth stopping in.

I’ve hopped a train at the White River Station for a train-in-fly-out fishing adventure at Mar-Mac Fishing Lodge, taken part in the town’s annual Winnie the Pooh Festival, and even spent a night at one of the local motels. But the biggest claim to fame is that White River is where a small, orphaned black bear cub was found. He was transferred to Winnipeg, where he became the mascot of a local military regiment.

That bear was given the nickname Winnie and eventually made his way to the London Zoo, where he inspired the stories of Winnie the Pooh. Make sure you stop at the Winnie the Pooh Memorial, where you’ll find a wonderful park and playground that kids will really enjoy.

White Lake Provincial Park

Just 30 minutes from White River, it is one of the best stops for anglers on the whole drive. White Lake Provincial Park contains White Lake, a vast 6,500-hectare body of water that’s one of the largest on the Lake Superior Circle Route. It’s one of the best places to catch Walleye and Northern Pike.

White Lake Provincial Park has excellent hiking trails, thrilling canoe routes, and both back- and front-country camping, and White Lake is famous for being warm and sandy, making it a great place to stop for a swim.

Pukaskwa National Park

Lake Superior From Pukaskwa National Park
Lake Superior From Pukaskwa National Park

If there is one place in Ontario that most people road-tripping from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay miss, but really shouldn’t, it’s Pukaskwa National Park. This gorgeous spot sits about 20-minutes out of the way of Highway 17, and you’ll need to take some back roads to access it, but the journey is worth it.

This is one of the least-visited national parks in Ontario, but it’s arguably the most visually stunning. The Pukaskwa Coastal Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Ontario, and it’s just one of the many beautiful day hikes and multi-day treks available in the park.

Pukaskwa National Park is the largest and most remote of all Ontario’s national parks, and is Ontario’s only true wilderness park. Don’t miss the Manito Miikana (Spirit Trail) for its panoramic Lake Superior views, or a stop at the Anishinaabe Camp to learn from park interpreters. You can check out my complete guide to Pukaskwa National Park here.

Marathon

The town of Marathon is a popular stop, a little way off Highway 17 on Peninsula Rd. If you’ve made it here, congratulations!

Marathon is roughly the midway point between Sault Ste. and Thunder Bay, which makes it a natural place to break up the drive with an overnight stay for those doing a two-day jaunt.

Popular activities in Marathon include a visit to Pebble Beach and a walk down to Mink Creek Waterfall. It’s also a great place for a meal. The Oar House serves up diner and barbecue fare that will fill you up, and you should grab a coffee from Rumours Coffee House for the road. Accommodations in Marathon are limited; the best option is the Airport Motor Inn. You can stay there or continue on to the towns of Terrace Bay or Schreiber, which have more options.

Neys Provincial Park

Under The Volcano Hike at Neys Provincial Park
Under The Volcano Hike at Neys Provincial Park

As you leave Marathon and head towards Terrace Bay, you’re rounding onto the northern edge of Lake Superior. Along the way, you’ll find Neys Provincial Park, one of the most underrated provincial parks in Ontario.

Neys has a unique history. It was the home of Camp 100, a POW camp that imprisoned mostly high-ranking German soldiers and Japanese-Canadians during WWII. Although much of the camp has been reclaimed by the earth, you’ll still find some evidence if you look closely. My son Dylan made a recent trip to Fredericton, New Brunswick, which had a similar camp nearby. Both have their own fascinating stories.

Neys has both serviced and unserviced campsites, all a short distance from the gorgeous driftwood-strewn beach, plus some great hiking trails. The Under the Volcano hike was by far our favorite. Don’t miss a sunset here. You can find our complete guide to Neys Provincial Park camping here.

Terrace Bay

Terrace Bay Lighthouse on the Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay road trip
Terrace Bay Lighthouse

It’s hard to miss Terrace Bay as you head west. Look to the right, and you’ll see the towering 50 ft. replica of the Slate Islands Lighthouse. From May to October, visitors can climb the lighthouse and take in Lake Superior’s views from the observation tower.

Terrace Bay is a popular fuel and food stop. At the Terrace Bay plaza, you’ll find a range of options. Drifter’s Motel and Restaurant serves up a mean whitefish and chips, and JJ’s Family Restaurant has a wide selection from traditional Canadian fare to Vietnamese and Chinese. Don’t miss the beautiful, hidden-gem Terrace Bay Beach at the end of Beach Road, where the Aguasabon River meets the lake.

Where To Stay In Terrace Bay

If you’re looking for a hotel in Terrace Bay, Ontario, you’ll be glad to hear that the options are going up. A few years ago, the Terrace Bay Motel was the only one. Now, there are at least a couple in which to lay your road-weary head. Drifters Bay Motel is the obvious choice. Right off the highway, with access to a truck stop, restaurant, and a short distance from Aguasabon Falls.

The small and quiet Terrace Bay Motel is a smaller but still excellent place for an overnight. If you’re looking for a few more options, heading down the road to the small town of Schreiber opens up a few more possibilities.

Aguasabon Falls

Aguasabon Falls things to see between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay
Aguasabon Falls things near Terrace Bay, Ontario

It’s easy to miss the turn-off for Aguasabon Falls. As you drive out of Terrace Bay and round the first bend, you’ll find Aguasabon Gorge Rd., about 1 km from the lighthouse. When you get to the parking lot, a short walk down some stairs takes you to an overlook of the Aguasabon Falls and Gorge.

It’s a beautiful view and definitely worth the ten-minute walk. This is also a trailhead for the 52 km Casque Isles Trail if you want to stretch your legs further.

Schreiber

The town of Schreiber is another northern Ontario town that’s really easy to miss. But it has a funky Old West vibe, with false-fronted buildings that harken back to the frontier days. Schreiber also houses the Schreiber Railway Museum, celebrating the town’s history as the oldest railway community on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Where To Stay In Schreiber, Ontario

Schreiber is surprisingly well stocked with places to stay, and it may be one of your best options for a comfortable night on this side of Nipigon. The Voy, located right near the town center, has big, comfortable, and bright rooms. If the Voy is booked, the nearby Villa Bianca Inn has an on-site bar and barbecue facilities.

Schreiber is surprisingly stocked with places to stay. Aside from Marathon and Terrace Bay, Schreiber may be the best option for a comfortable night’s stay on this side of Nipigon. Travelodge by Wyndham in Schreiber is the highest-rated option and the one with the most rooms.

Rossport

Between Schreiber and Nipigon, do yourself a favor and pull off into Rossport. This tiny fishing village on the shore of Lake Superior is one of the prettiest spots on the whole drive, a cluster of heritage buildings looking out over the islands of Nipigon Bay. It’s a beautiful place to stretch your legs, snap some photos, and grab a bite. Serendipity Gardens is a much-loved local cafe and inn if you’re ready for a meal or an overnight.

Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

Waterfall trail at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park
Waterfall trail at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

An excellent spot for camping and exploring west of Terrace Bay is Rainbow Falls Provincial Park. Many make a quick stop to take the boardwalk out to the stellar views of Rainbow Falls, but I highly recommend camping here for a night or two to enjoy the fantastic beaches, paddling, and hiking.

The hiking trails at Rainbow Falls are surprisingly amazing, part of the Casque Isles Trail, with a bit of a climb rewarded by incredible Lake Superior views. You can read my complete guide to Rainbow Falls Provincial Park camping here.

Nipigon

Nipigon Lookout Tower in Northern Ontario
Nipigon Lookout Tower in Northern Ontario

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s definitely worth a stop in Nipigon. Paddle-to-the-Sea Park is a fantastic series of splash pads and playgrounds that follows the Great Lakes’ geography, giving kids a chance to stretch their legs and learn as they play. The Nipigon Lookout Tower offers incredible views of the town with Lake Superior as a backdrop, and it’s only a five-minute detour.

You’ll also find an incredible variety of excellent restaurants in Nipigon. La Luna Cafe is a particular favorite for wraps and sandwiches, and the Edgeview at Sunnyside Cabins serves up a decent chicken parmigiana.

Where to Stay In Nipigon

If you’re looking to stretch out your road trip from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, Nipigon is a great place to spend the night. The town is charming and a perfect place for an evening walk. There are lots of spots for local shopping and exploring. The walk under the bridge is a nice one to catch the views. Timber Wolf Inn is the best motel in town. It’s highly rated and has rooms large enough for most families. If that’s booked, I’d recommend looking at the Town and Country Motel. They have a great location and electric vehicle charging stations if you’re driving an electric vehicle.

There’s also a lovely Airbnb for rent in town. Just 15 minutes down the road, the historic Red Rock Inn in Red Rock is another affordable and characterful option, with a guest kitchen, decks, and some rooms with fireplaces.

Eagle Canyon Adventures

Canada's longest suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon Adventures
Canada’s longest suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon Adventures

Once you depart Nipigon, you’re essentially in Thunder Bay country. Eagle Canyon Adventures, near Dorion, is an excellent stop for adventure lovers. This outdoor park is home to Canada’s longest suspension bridge, a second, shorter suspension bridge, and some gorgeous hiking trails. Give yourself an hour or two to explore.

It’s a seasonal operation, open roughly mid-May through mid-October, seven days a week, with comfort stations on site and a cash entry fee paid at the gate. One heads-up: the zipline that once made this place famous has been closed for the past several seasons, so if that’s your main draw, check their website before making the detour. The suspension bridges are the real reason to come anyway. Eagle Canyon is accessed by taking Ouimet Canyon Road and turning onto Valley Rd.

Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park

Ouimet Canyon in Dorion Ontario
Ouimet Canyon in Dorion, Ontario

Just a little further down Ouimet Canyon Road lies the epic Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park. Here you’ll find a relatively accessible 1 km loop trail to two viewing platforms overlooking the one-kilometer-deep canyon. Life on the canyon’s floor is more in line with the sub-Arctic tundra you’d find near Churchill, Manitoba, than the Thunder Bay region. The canyon’s depth shelters the base so that snow and ice last among the rocks for most of the summer.

Amethyst Mine Panorama

Amethyst Mine Panorama
Amethyst Mine Panorama

No one should visit the north shores of Lake Superior without stopping by one of the amazing amethyst mines that dot this part of Ontario. There are quite a few to choose from, but one of the largest and most established is Amethyst Mine Panorama. A visit here offers the chance for a tour that includes an overlook of the mine itself. It’s not quite the same as our visit to the amethyst mine in Argentina, but at Amethyst Mine Panorama, we had the chance to scavenge for our own gemstones.

At the mine, you’ll find gemstones of all sizes, from an earring to “you’ll need a truck.” If you’re visiting with kids, trust me, you’ll end up leaving with more than you need. But it sure makes for a fun way to stretch your legs. Thunder Bay is known for its wealth of Amethyst. You can find my complete guide to the best amethyst mines in the region in this article I wrote for Ultimate Ontario.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is one of the most epic northern Ontario destinations. Located about 40 minutes south of Highway 17 on Pass Lake Rd., it gets its name from the Indigenous story of Nanabozho, the trickster. When you gaze upon the peninsula from Thunder Bay, the mountain at its edge makes the unmistakable shape of a sleeping man.

Sleeping Giant is home to the famous Top of the Giant hike, a 22 km round trip that’s a full-day effort but offers some of the best views of Lake Superior from the top of Ontario’s tallest cliffs. There’s a wide variety of great hiking trails here, plus excellent camping, and in winter it has some of Ontario’s best cross-country skiing.

The Terry Fox Memorial Overlook

Terry Fox Memorial Overlook in Thunder Bay
Terry Fox Memorial Overlook in Thunder Bay

Congratulations! You’ve made it to Thunder Bay. But there’s one more stop before you roll into the city. The Terry Fox Memorial Overlook sits at a scenic spot overlooking Highway 17 and Lake Superior. This marks the endpoint of this Canadian hero’s legendary attempt to run across Canada while battling cancer. Pay tribute to Terry Fox here and consider making a donation to cancer research.

Welcome To Thunder Bay!

Congratulations on completing the drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay. It’s time to celebrate with a scoop of local gelato, grab a comfy bed at the Prince Arthur Hotel, and enjoy a walk along the beautiful Thunder Bay waterfront.

There’s plenty more to explore here, too. Step back in time at Fort William Historical Park, mine for more amethyst, and don’t miss Kakabeka Falls, the “Niagara of the North,” a thundering 40-meter cascade just 30 minutes west of the city. To help plan the rest of your visit, check out my guide to Thunder Bay here. And if you’re continuing on to Manitoba, your journey is just getting started. You can read my Thunder Bay to Winnipeg driving guide here.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay Drive

How far is it from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay?

About 705 km (438 miles) of driving, which takes roughly 8 hours straight through. With stops, plan for 3 to 5 days.

How many days do you need for the drive?

You can do it in two days with one overnight, but three to four days is the sweet spot for actually enjoying the stops. Five to seven lets you camp in the parks and tackle the big hikes.

What is the best time of year to make the drive?

June to September for warm weather and open attractions, with September adding gorgeous fall color and fewer bugs. Winter is beautiful, but many attractions close and driving conditions can be hazardous.

Where should you stop overnight?

June to September for warm weather and open attractions, with September adding gorgeous fall color and fewer bugs. Winter is beautiful, but many attractions close and driving conditions can be hazardous.

Do you need to worry about gas and cell service?

Yes, plan ahead. Gas stations can be 150 to 200 km apart, so don’t let your tank drop below a quarter. Cell service is spotty between towns, so download offline maps and consider a satellite communicator for the backcountry.

Is the drive worth doing with kids?

Absolutely. Between the beaches, the Winnie the Pooh memorial in White River, Paddle-to-the-Sea Park in Nipigon, amethyst mining, and the suspension bridges at Eagle Canyon, there’s plenty to keep younger travelers engaged.

How long is the drive from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg?

It’s about 700 km and roughly 8 hours, and it’s a spectacular continuation of the trip if you’re heading west. See my Thunder Bay to Winnipeg drive guide.

Enjoy The Drive

If you’re planning this Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay drive, I hope this guide helps you along the way. But if you’ve made the journey already, tell us about your experience and let us know if we missed anything, or tag our Instagram account with your photos. We would love to share in your travels.

Disclosure: Some of the experiences in this post were made possible with the support of Visit Thunder Bay and Ontario Parks. As always, all opinions remain our own. Wandering Wagars is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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Northern Ontario Road Trip Planner

Carla Marienau

Friday 16th of August 2024

Is it possible to get a hard copy of the Sault St. Marie to Thunder Bay drive? We are planning a 2025 spring trip. Thank you.

Kevin Wagar

Monday 19th of August 2024

Hello Carla, I've sent you an email with some information.

Boomergirl

Monday 12th of October 2020

What an impressive post, Kevin. We drove to Winnipeg and back last year. You are absolutely right. The drive between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay is so wonderful, we did Hwy 17 twice between the two cities just so we could soak up more. In our opinion, it rivals the Cabot Trail for beauty.

Kevin Wagar

Monday 12th of October 2020

Thanks so much! I'm actually putting out a Thunder Bay to Winnipeg post in a few weeks. That's a great drive as well! I couldn't agree more about the beauty. That southbound dip into Old Woman Bay stops me in my tracks every time.