Lake Superior Provincial Park is one of the largest provincial parks in Ontario, covering about along the northeastern shores of Lake Superior between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa in Algoma District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada.

At Agawa Rock, near the mouth of the Agawa River, there are pictographs created by the early Ojibwe people of this region. The figures are painted on the rock with a mixture of powdered hematite and animal fats and are estimated to be 150–400 years old. In March 2015 Justice Logan dismissed all but one of the eleven counts in the case. In his decision, Logan upheld that a Treaty right existed for the Batchewana First Nation to use Gargantua Harbour for commercial fishing and agreed that the road was necessary to get to the shore. He upheld one charge against Sayers and the Band for obstruction, requiring a fine to be paid. relative humidity, wind chill, humidex, and sunshine data from weatherstats.ca based on Environment and Climate Change Canada data, UV indices from World Weather Online.

Activities

Campgrounds

thumb|right|Camping at Lake Superior Provincial Park

Agawa Bay

Agawa Bay has 152 campsites. There are two comfort stations located in the campground equipped with showers, laundry facilities and flush toilets. An amphitheatre is located in the campground, and presentations here by park staff are a common occurrence in the summer months. All the campsites are within walking distance to Lake Superior. There is a premium for campsites located beside the beach. Permits are obtained at the Agawa Bay gatehouse. Firewood and ice is available for purchase at the Agawa Bay gatehouse.

Agawa Bay is also the location of the park's visitor centre where information can be obtained about the park and surrounding areas. There are washrooms and a gift shop open to the public from May through September. The visitor centre has a display area orchestrating the history of the park and the influence that Lake Superior Park had on the fur trade, the Group of Seven artists and shipwrecks in the region. There are trailer storage opportunities available, but arrangements must be made with senior staff located in the northern part of the park at the park office. The visitor centre has received a number of awards for its design.

Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake (now closed) had 46 campsites and was located approximately 2 kilometres off of Highway 17 beside Crescent Lake.

Rabbit Blanket Lake

Rabbit Blanket Lake has 60 campsites. There is one comfort station located within the campground equipped with showers, laundry facilities and flush toilets. The campground is located beside Rabbit Blanket Lake. Firewood and ice can be purchased at the Rabbit Blanket gatehouse or the park office.

Lake Superior Coastal Trail

The Lake Superior Coastal Trail is a rugged 65 km backpacking trail that takes 5 to 7 days to complete while backcountry camping, entirely within the park.

Ecology

Forests

Due to its size and location, the park lies in both the Eastern forest-boreal transition ecoregion and the Central Canadian Shield forests region. Its rugged landscape is wooded with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees such as pine, maples and birch. Sugar maple dominates many forests in the southern two-thirds of the park.

Topography

The predominantly rocky coastline is interrupted by sandy beaches in a few locations. The park is situated within the Great Canadian Shield, dominated by exposed rocks or a thin layer of soil over rock.

Fauna

The park supports a large moose (Alces alces) population. The best time for viewing moose is in the months of April, May, and June when the spring melt occurs. Other large animals found in the park include:

  • White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
  • Black bear (Ursus americanus)
  • Grey wolf (Canis lupus)

During the summer months, the park provides habitat for warblers and other birds of the northern forests.

Lakes and rivers

In addition to its namesake, the park has numerous smaller lakes in its interior. A number of rivers also flow from the park's interior:

  • Agawa River
  • Baldhead River
  • Coldwater River
  • Gargantua River
  • Old Woman River
  • Red Rock River
  • Sand River
  • Speckled Trout Creek

Several waterfalls on these rivers can be seen from the road or reached via hiking trails.

References

  • Friends of Lake Superior Park
  • "Gargantua Harbour Decision" under Justice of the Peace Thomas Logan, 24 March 2015, ScribD