One of the things I love most about visiting Thunder Bay is just how easy it is to get outside. You don’t need to drive for hours to get to a good hiking trail or spend a full day in the backcountry.
There are conservation areas within 15 minutes of downtown, while some of the region’s provincial parks are less than an hour away.
And there’s a lot of variety! You can take on a challenging full-day hike in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, or spend an hour walking to waterfalls in Pigeon Falls Provincial Park.
There are trails through boreal forest, swimming spots along rivers and lakes, and viewpoints overlooking some seriously impressive canyons.
On my partner and I’s two trips to Thunder Bay, we’ve had the chance to visit many provincial parks, conservation areas, and natural attractions.
This guide covers seven of my favourite parks, trails, and outdoor activities, and I’ve included a range of difficulty levels, from short walks that are accessible to most visitors to longer hikes that require more time, preparation, and experience.
Thunder Bay is on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe peoples of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850.
1. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Distance: 1 hour from Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Trails range from easy to challenging
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park covers much of the Sibley Peninsula along Lake Superior. The park has more than 100 kilometres of hiking trails, with routes through boreal forest, along the Lake Superior shoreline and up onto the cliffs of the Sleeping Giant.
The main facilities are around Marie Louise Lake, where you’ll find the Visitor Centre, campground, washrooms, showers and a public beach. There’s also a park store, and canoe and SUP rentals are available for paddling on the lake.
You’ll need a valid Ontario Parks vehicle permit to visit. I recommend reserving your daily vehicle permit online before leaving Thunder Bay, especially during the summer. Cell service can be limited in the park, so download your maps ahead of time too.
We’ve spent two full days at Sleeping Giant and we’ve still only seen a portion of the park. Here are a few outdoor activities I’d prioritize:
Hike to the Top of the Giant
If you’re up for a challenging full-day hike, the Top of the Giant is the one I’d recommend. I did this hike on my first trip to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, and while it was definitely challenging, the views from the top made the effort worth it.
Starting from the South Kabeyun Trailhead, the complete route is approximately 21.8 kilometres round trip and can take around 6 to 10 hours. Once you reach the top, there are several viewpoints looking out over Lake Superior.
The views are incredible. You’re standing at the top of sheer cliffs that drop hundreds of metres toward the forest and Lake Superior below, with the lake stretching far into the distance. It really gives you a sense of the scale of the Sleeping Giant.
This is a hike I’d plan for properly. We brought plenty of water and food, wore proper hiking shoes and started early so we had lots of daylight to finish the trail.
Hike the Sea Lion Trail
The Sea Lion Trail is a great option if you want a shorter hike. From the South Kabeyun parking lot, it’s about 2.4 kilometres round trip and takes roughly an hour.
The trail leads along the Lake Superior shoreline to the Sea Lion, a natural rock arch formed from diabase. You’ll also pass a pebble beach at Perry Bay, where you can stop by the water or go for a swim if conditions are safe.
Lake Superior stays very cold, even in summer. But when I hiked this trail it was a hot enough day that I didn’t mind, and so I went for a swim at the pebble beach. It’s a bit rocky as you’re getting into the water, but worth it for this beautiful swimming spot!
If you’d rather swim somewhere more sheltered and with warmer water, Marie Louise Lake has a designated public swimming beach near the campground.
Take in the View from the Thunder Bay Lookout
For a much easier way to get up onto the cliffs of Sleeping Giant, drive to the Thunder Bay Lookout. The lookout sits about 100 metres above Lake Superior, with a metal viewing platform that juts out from the side of the cliff.
The platform extends beyond the rock beneath you, so when you walk to the end, you’re essentially standing suspended over the drop.
You can see the steep cliffs immediately below you, the forest running along the shoreline, and Lake Superior stretching out toward Thunder Bay. I’m not particularly afraid of heights, but looking straight down from the end of the platform definitely made my stomach drop a little!
You reach it via a roughly 9-kilometre gravel access road off Highway 587. The drive takes about 20 minutes, and you do need to go slowly.
We found that parts of it had lots of potholes, and there were some steep inclines. Ontario Parks recommends a vehicle with adequate clearance for the road.
Once you arrive, the viewpoint is just a short walk from the parking area, so you get some of the park’s most dramatic views without having to do a long hike.
2. Eagle Canyon Adventures
Distance: About 45 minutes from Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
About 45 minutes east of Thunder Bay, Eagle Canyon Adventures is a privately owned outdoor attraction in Dorion, Ontario, best known for its two suspension bridges across Eagle Canyon.
We visited Eagle Canyon on our first trip to Thunder Bay, and I remember feeling a little nervous when I first stepped onto the first suspension bridge. It’s one thing to know how high it is, but it feels very different when you’re actually standing on it and can see the canyon far below your feet.
The larger bridge stretches 600 feet across the canyon and hangs 152 feet above the canyon floor, while the second is 300 feet long and 125 feet high.
The park is at 275 Valley Road in Dorion, off Highway 11/17. There’s a large parking area, washrooms and a small gift shop where you can buy drinks and snacks.
Walk Across Both Suspension Bridges
The main reason we came to Eagle Canyon was, of course, to walk across the suspension bridges. From the entrance, you have to hike uphill to reach the canyon rim, so there is a bit of a climb before you even get to them.
I’d definitely cross both bridges while you’re there. The longer bridge was the highlight for me because you really feel the height once you get toward the middle.
You can look straight down into the canyon, with the spring-fed lake far below you and forest covering the steep slopes on either side.
And the bridge moves! I’m generally fine with heights, but feeling it sway under my feet while looking down more than 150 feet definitely made the crossing a little nerve-racking. I loved it, though, and the views from the middle of the bridge were worth the nerves.
Hike Down into Eagle Canyon
After we crossed the bridges, we continued down into the canyon itself. There are quite a few stairs, but I really liked doing this part because you get to see the canyon from below after having just walked across it from above.
At the bottom, the trail follows the shoreline of the spring-fed canyon lake. Looking back up toward the canyon walls and bridges gives you a much better sense of just how high you were standing a few minutes earlier.
I’d give yourself around 1.5 to 2 hours here if you want to cross both bridges and hike down into the canyon without rushing. I also recommend wearing proper walking shoes because you’ll be dealing with hills, stairs and potentially uneven trails.
Tip: We paired Eagle Canyon with nearby Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park, and I’d recommend doing the same. They’re close enough together that it makes sense to visit both on the same day from Thunder Bay.
3. Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Distance: About 1 hour from Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Easy
About an hour east of Thunder Bay, Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is home to a massive gorge with cliffs that drop 100 metres to the canyon floor.
The gorge is about 150 metres wide, and one of the most interesting things about it is the unusual microclimate at the bottom.
Arctic plants that would normally grow about 1,000 kilometres farther north survive on the canyon floor because its narrow opening and high walls create cooler, shaded and moist conditions.
Ouimet Canyon is a day-use park located about 12 kilometres up Ouimet Canyon Road from Highway 11/17. There’s a parking lot, picnic area and vault toilets, but no campground, visitor centre or food concessions.
You’ll need an Ontario Parks daily vehicle permit, which can be reserved online up to five days before your visit. The park isn’t open during winter, you can only visit between mid May and early October – be sure to check if it’s open before going.
The main thing to do here is walk the 1-kilometre loop trail, which takes you through the forest and along a boardwalk to two viewing platforms on the canyon rim. From the platforms, you can look across the gorge and down the sheer rock walls to the canyon floor below.
The day we were there it was extremely windy, so windy, my hat flew off and went straight down into the canyon. So be sure to hold onto your hat if it’s a windy day when you visit!
You don’t need more than an hour or so here unless you want to spend extra time at the lookouts or have a picnic.
You cannot hike down into the canyon. Access to the canyon floor is restricted to protect its sensitive Arctic and sub-Arctic plant communities, so stay on the designated trail and use the official viewing platforms.
Tip: Ouimet Canyon is only about a 15-minute drive from Eagle Canyon Adventures, so I’d combine the two into the same day trip from Thunder Bay.
4. Cedar Falls Conservation Area
Distance: About 30 to 40 minutes from Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Easy
About a 30 to 40-minute drive west of Thunder Bay, Cedar Falls Conservation Area is a good choice if you want a shorter hike that still gets you out of the city.
The 23-hectare conservation area protects a section of Cedar Creek and the surrounding forest, with a series of small waterfalls and rapids along the creek.
To get there from Thunder Bay, take Highway 11/17 toward Kakabeka Falls, turn onto Highway 590, then Garbutt Road and Broome Road. The conservation area is at the end of Broome Road, where you’ll find a small parking area.
The main trail is short, at around 0.8 to 1 kilometre, and follows a well-marked route through the forest toward Cedar Creek and the falls. The trail is generally easy, although there are some stairs and incline sections along the way.
The waterfalls are also unfenced, so take care around the rocks and edges, particularly when conditions are wet. We went on a dry day and had a really nice time dipping our feet in the river (just be careful – it can be slippery!).
I like Cedar Falls as an option for a day when you don’t want to commit to one of the longer hikes around Thunder Bay. You can walk to the falls, spend some time along the creek and be back at the parking lot fairly quickly.
5. Cascades Conservation Area
Distance: About 15 minutes from downtown Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Easy
Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Thunder Bay, Cascades Conservation Area is one of the easiest outdoor areas to reach from the city. The conservation area follows the Current River, where exposed bedrock creates a series of cascades, rapids and pools surrounded by forest.
From the parking area, it only took us about 10 minutes to walk down to the river. There are several trails you can follow if you want to spend more time exploring the area.
The Cascades are also a popular local swimming spot, although it isn’t a designated swimming area and there are no lifeguards. Water levels and currents can change, and the exposed rock can be slippery, so use caution around the river.
I actually took a tumble myself while walking along the rocky parts, and so I recommend wearing shoes that have good grip while on this little hike.
There is a $5 per vehicle day-use fee, and the conservation area is open from dawn until dusk.
6. Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Distance: About 30 minutes from Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the trail
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is an easy half-day trip from Thunder Bay and one of the places I’d recommend visiting even if you don’t have time for a longer hike.
The main attraction is Kakabeka Falls itself, where the Kaministiquia River drops 40 metres into the gorge below. It’s an impressive waterfall, and I especially liked that you can see it from several different angles without having to hike very far.
The easiest way to see the falls is along the 750-metre Boardwalk Trail, which starts near the main parking area.
The accessible boardwalk and pedestrian bridge connect viewing platforms on both sides of the river. I recommend walking the entire boardwalk rather than stopping at the first viewpoint because each platform gives you a slightly different perspective of the falls and gorge.
If you want to spend more time hiking, the 1.25-kilometre Mountain Portage Trail follows part of the historic portage route around the falls. There’s also the more challenging 2.5-kilometre Little Falls Trail, which descends into the river valley.
You can easily spend a few hours here. The park also has a small beach and designated swimming area upstream from the falls, along with picnic areas and a Visitor Centre. If you’re staying overnight, there are almost 170 campsites spread across three campgrounds.
Tip: You’ll need an Ontario Parks vehicle permit for day use. You can reserve one online up to five days before your visit, which I recommend doing ahead of time during busier periods.
7. Hike to High Falls at Pigeon River Provincial Park
Distance: About 45 minutes from Thunder Bay
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the trail
About 45 minutes south of Thunder Bay on Highway 61, Pigeon River Provincial Park sits right along the Canada-U.S. border, where the Pigeon River separates Ontario from Minnesota.
I really enjoyed this park because you get a mix of waterfalls, Lake Superior views, and some interesting history within a relatively small area.
There’s evidence of people living in and travelling through this area dating back thousands of years, and the Pigeon River later became an important travel and trade route.
Pigeon River is a day-use park, so there’s no camping. We parked at the Ontario Travel Information Centre, which has flush toilets and is also the starting point for several of the park’s trails.
If you only have time for one hike, I’d do the High Falls Trail. The 2-kilometre loop takes about an hour and leads to 28-metre High Falls, which sits directly on the international border.
There are some steep stairs and hills along the route, but I found it very manageable. And it’s pretty cool to stand at the viewpoint knowing that the land on the opposite side of the river is Minnesota.
For another waterfall, you can drive to the Middle Falls access point and take the easy 700-metre walk to 6-metre Middle Falls.
There’s also the 2.5-kilometre one-way Finger Point Trail, which I liked for the views across Lake Superior. From the higher sections of the trail, you can look out over the lake toward both the Canadian and U.S. shorelines.
One detail I really liked about Pigeon River was the artwork incorporated into the park. As we walked the trails, we came across carved metal sculptures and benches referencing the history of the area.
I thought this was a nice addition because it encouraged us to stop and learn a little more about the place we were walking through, rather than simply hiking from one viewpoint to the next.
Why I Love Thunder Bay for Hiking and Outdoor Activities
If you love spending time outside, Thunder Bay gives you a lot of options without having to travel far from the city.
There’s a range of outdoor activities you can access within about an hour. You can plan an entire day around a challenging hike at Sleeping Giant, or head out for a short walk to a waterfall when you only have an hour or two.
Whichever parks and trails you choose, remember that you’re sharing these spaces with wildlife.
Black bears, moose and other animals live throughout Northwestern Ontario, so know what to do if you encounter wildlife before heading out. Never approach, touch or feed wild animals, and give them plenty of space.
And of course, be a responsible tourist and take care of the places you’re visiting. Stay on marked trails where required, pack out everything you bring with you, and follow posted rules around swimming, fires and camping. If a trail or area is closed, respect the closure.
After hiking in and around Thunder Bay on two different trips, one thing I’ve learned is that I always end up wishing I had more time. There’s a lot packed into this part of Northwestern Ontario, and I already know I’ll be adding more trails to this list after my next visit.
Happy hiking!
