Public travel plan
A Camper’s West-to-East Road Trip Along Lake Superior’s Northern Shore
This source-faithful route follows Highway 17 from the Sleeping Giant area toward Sault Ste. Marie, with two nights at Sleeping Giant, an overnight in Wawa, and a night at Pancake Bay described in the source. The Ontari…
Source videos
Travel inspiration behind this plan
Plan notes
Useful context before you go
This source-faithful route follows Highway 17 from the Sleeping Giant area toward Sault Ste. Marie, with two nights at Sleeping Giant, an overnight in Wawa, and a night at Pancake Bay described in the source. The Ontario Parks parking advice is easy to miss: obtain the required paper parking permit at a parks office or campground before pulling into park stops. At Agawa Rock, go only when the lake is calm and the rocks are dry; the shore rocks are slippery and the route can be dangerous in bad weather. The creator also notes that mobile data helped with campsite navigation, trail checks, food searches, and bookings. Cost ranges are rough USD estimates per traveler, assuming shared vehicle costs and campground-style stays.
Resources for this plan
Shared by the source creators. These are not VibePlanit endorsements and may be affiliate links.
Browse RV rentals · CJ Explores ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link
Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Days 1–2: Sleeping Giant and Silver Islet
Use Sleeping Giant as the first campground base; the source describes spending a couple of nights here. Silver Islet is a short scenic excursion from the park area.
-
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park CampgroundSleeping Giant Provincial Park Campground, Ontario, Canada
Settle into the campground for the first two nights. The visit included sightings of a bear and fox along the road, as well as woodpeckers, squirrels, and chipmunks; wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
-
Silver IsletSilver Islet, Ontario, Canada
Take the scenic drive around this small lakeside community and stop at the store and cafe described along the shore. The shop name is not specified in the source; the creator tried its self-described famous cinnamon bun, served warm with a scone-like texture.
Day 3: Gorge, Nipigon Lookout, and the Route to Wawa
Continue east along Highway 17, using the named stops as breaks along the drive. The source describes a quick lunch stop at the Nipigon lookout and notes that clouds can obscure views near Aguasabon Falls.
-
Eagle Canyon AdventuresEagle Canyon Adventures, Dorion, Ontario, Canada
Cross the two suspension bridges over the gorge; the creator describes the second as a 600-foot pedestrian bridge and mentions a zip line, but was unsure whether the zip line was operating during the visit.
-
Nipigon LookoutNipigon Lookout, Nipigon, Ontario, Canada
Use the roadside stop for a brief lunch break, then walk up the lookout path to the platform for views over the river and bridge. Eagles were seen overhead during the visit.
-
Aguasabon FallsAguasabon Falls and Gorge, Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada
Follow the short stop to the falls and gorge. Low cloud and mist reduced the views during the visit, so conditions may change what is visible.
-
Winnie the Pooh MemorialWinnie the Pooh Memorial, White River, Ontario, Canada
Pause at the Winnie the Pooh memorial site in the town associated with the story’s origin. The source recounts that Lieutenant Harry Colborne purchased a teddy bear there and named it Winnie.
Day 4: Wawa Shoreline, Old Woman Bay, and Lake Superior Provincial Park
The source places an overnight in Wawa before continuing east. The Ontario Parks parking permit is required for park stops; obtain the paper slip at a parks office or campground before arriving at them. Katherine Cove has a smaller car park, so parking can be competitive.
-
Sandy BeachSandy Beach, Wawa, Ontario, Canada
Visit the white-sand shoreline near Wawa, with its dunes, geese, and quiet lake views. The source describes this as an unexpectedly beach-like stretch beside a freshwater lake.
-
Old Woman BayOld Woman Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Pull in for the scenic bay view and picnic area. The creator describes it as a peaceful roadside stop with picnic benches.
-
Katherine CoveKatherine Cove, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Walk along the cove’s shoreline and enjoy the calm, shallow water. The source says the smaller car park can fill up, and notes that swimming here felt warmer than the lake’s colder stretches.
-
Bathtub IslandBathtub Island, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Reach the small island from the shore near Katherine Cove by wading across the shallow water. The route is not signposted; the creator says visitors may notice cars pulled over beside the highway. The crossing became slippery and deeper in places, so take care and expect wet feet.
-
Agawa Rock PictographsAgawa Rock Pictographs, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Follow the lakeshore route to see the pictographs on the rock face. The source describes a slippery shore-rock approach and says to visit only in safe conditions, with calm water and dry rocks; bad weather can make this area dangerous.
Day 5: Pancake Bay and Sault Ste. Marie
The source describes dinner on the beach and a night at Pancake Bay, followed by a morning swim before continuing to Sault Ste. Marie. It also mentions a seasonal fish-and-chip shop in Agawa, serving poutine and coleslaw; the shop is not named in the source, so it is not mapped as a specific business.
-
Pancake Bay Provincial ParkPancake Bay Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Use the campground as the final lakeside overnight stop. The source describes dinner on the beach, a sunset, and a morning swim before driving on toward Sault Ste. Marie.
-
Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic SiteSault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Finish the route at the canal and national historic site. The source describes recreational lock passages and mentions tour boats and buses in the area, alongside the canal’s role in the waterway connecting Lake Superior toward Lake Huron.