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About Paddling Slate Islands Provincial Park

Slate Islands Provincial Park is located in Lake Superior about 12 kilometres offshore from Terrace Bay, the closest mainland access point for paddlers. The park protects 15 islands in two size groups. The larger island group includes Patterson, Mortimer, McColl, Edmonds, Bowes, Delaute and Dupuis islands; and the smaller Leadman Island group includes Leadman, Cape, Spar and Fish Island.

The Slate Islands were formed about 450 million years ago by a 1.5 km wide meteorite impact on Patterson Island. The resulting shock waves created an unstable crater which later rebounded to create a central uplift cone-shaped peak in the middle. This fragile peak collapsed to form the final crater.

The islands are home to Woodland caribou (boreal population) that began migrating between the mainland and the islands via winter ice bridges in the early 1900’s. Year-round caribou occupancy has been noted from the 1940’s onward.

The islands are a popular destination for sea kayaking, wildlife viewing and camping. The park provides some basic facilities including backcountry campsites and camping shelters.

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Interesting Facts

-Archaeological evidence of human presence has been found on the islands dating back to approximately 1000 CE.

-In 1902, a lighthouse was built on Patterson Island, the largest island, to support marine navigation.

-The Slate Islands experienced periods of early mineral exploration and logging with historical remnants of these activities still seen on the islands today.