When it comes to paddling Superior Country, people have many options to paddle. Whether on the gorgeous spring-fed lakes surrounded by the stunning mountains of the Canadian Shield or braving the crystal blue waters of the Great Lake Superior, there is much to be experienced and seen.

Since there are so many places to paddle, either by canoe or kayak, around Superior Country, here are some hotspots to get the most out of your on-the-water adventure

Provincial Parks

Provincial Parks provide you with access to many hiking trails, views, and beaches, and they also have some of the best places to paddle! With some of the most significant fresh water available right at your fingertips, the provincial parks in Superior Country offer you many options from which to choose.

Suppose you want to try either canoeing or kayaking but don’t have them readily available. In that case, some of the provincial parks offer canoe and kayak rentals, so you won’t have to miss out on the incredible experience!

Here is a list of provincial parks in Superior Country you can paddle on and its details:

Quetico Provincial Park – Also known as a paddlers paradise for it’s extensive fresh water and rural access, the park can only be accessed by water! Truly an experience like no other, you can kayak or canoe in one of the most remote locations in Northern Ontario. Camping is also available at the park, where you can experience its rugged, rural beauty and famous night sky gazing.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park – Famous for its hiking trails, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park also has great places to paddle. You can either push off the shore of the beach or go down to the very end of the park at Silver Islet and launch into Lake Superior. There are rentals available, and it also has excellent camping.

Rainbow Falls Provincial Park – With two different parts to their park, there are many places to launch both a canoe and kayak. The first location, Rainbow Falls Rossport, is right on the shore of Lake Superior, where you can push off into the great lake for a paddling experience you won’t forget. The second location of the park to paddle is Rainbow Falls Whitesand Beach. It is a beautiful spring-fed lake whose water feeds the waterfall this park is named after – don’t get too close! You can launch right offshore and have canoe/kayak rentals available.

Neys Provincial Park: With a fantastic sandy beach right on the shore of Lake Superior, it’s a great place to launch into the great lake for an expansive adventure on top of its waters. At Neys, you can also explore Little Pic River, where you can launch your canoe or kayak at its boat launch. There are rentals for both canoes and kayaks here as well, so you won’t miss out on the fun!

Pukaskwa National Park – Since Pukaskwa is a national park, it is more prominent in size and offers a much more wide-ranging and experience-demanding adventure. Known for its Lake Superior paddling route, similar to ocean paddling, you will see true Ontario wilderness and unforgettable sights. Pukaskwa also offers paddling routes for rivers that flow through the park, the White River and the Pukaskwa River. For more information on those, contact the park directly here.

Paddling Towns

Many towns across Superior Country are right on the shore of a body of water, and most of these towns have launches designed explicitly for kayaks or canoes! Though not all communities have this launch, they have beaches with easy access to pushing yourself offshore and into the water.

In most of these towns, it is recommended that you bring your own canoe or kayak. Here is a list of the communities on the North Shore with details on whether they have a launch or an accessible beach and where they’re located.

Red Rock – A beautiful spot to paddle on Lake Superior, they have a kayak/canoe launch on the little river that flows to the big lake near the town’s Marina. You can meander down the river and then emerge into the crystal waters of Lake Superior. Feel the refreshing wind that grazes the water at your back, and keep an eye out for local wildlife!

Nipigon – The kayak/canoe launch is located at the town’s Marina on the banks of the Nipigon River. Nipigon is also home to Lofquist Lake, located down Highway 585, the community’s local watering hole. Paddle on a serene spring-fed lake right in the valley of Northern Ontario mountains and sheltered by the wind. Though it has no launch, the beach is where you will push yourself off and into the water.

Rossport – The little town of Rossport, right on the shore of Lake Superior, is known for its kayaking on the great lake. You can launch yourself into the water via the small beach-like shore it has. Exploring the many islands that make up the Rossport Archipelago, the largest group of islands on Lake Superior.

Terrace Bay – With a well known beach on Lake Superior, Terrace Bay Beach, you can push off into the water from the beautifully sandy shore. However, for a much smoother departure, Terrace Bay Beach is home to a paddler launch next to their regular boat launch. Explore the challenging waters of Lake Superior and take in the sight of the horizon where water meets the sky.

Marathon – On the peaceful waters of Penn Lake, you can launch right offshore and explore this beautiful spring-fed lake.

Happy Paddling!

With so many freshwater lakes in the region and being home to the North shore of Lake Superior, paddling Superior Country will be an adventure like no other. Time for you to make some on-the-water memories that will last a lifetime!