It looks like you won’t need to travel far to feast your eyes on the Grand Canyon – the Canadian version, that is. Make a trip to the Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park this spring. Hwere’s where you’ll find the Ouimet Canyon, a 150-metre-wide gorge with sheer cliffs that drop 100 metres.
Exploring Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Though we’re just days away from its official season opening, it doesn’t hurt to start planning a trip.
According to Ontario Parks, this day-use park opens on May 16, just in time for the long weekend. For us in Toronto, it’s definitely not day trip worthy – it’s about a 14-hour drive north of the city.
You’ll have to make your way to the Thunder Bay region, along the north shore of Lake Superior, to explore Ouimet Canyon park and the massive gorge.
Gorgeous sights
The journey is a long one but it will all be worth it once you make it to the park. Its showstopper, the gorge, is a 100-meter-deep, 150-meter-wide, and 2,000-meter-long natural wonder, bordered by stone cliffs.
To explore, you’ll embark on a short 1 km forested loop trail and boardwalk. This boardwalk leads to two lookout platforms with some of the best views of the canyon.
“From these observation pods, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the steep, sheer cliffs that drop right down to the canyon floor,” shares Ontario Parks.
And as you gaze beyond the canyon, you’ll even see the shimmering waters of Lake Superior and the stunning sights.
According to Destination Ontario, “the floor of the canyon harbours a cold-climate flora, which represents relics of a post-glacial environment isolated and preserved through the protection of the canyon walls.”
Ontario Parks adds that these arctic plants are usually found 1,000 km north of the region. They continue to thrive “in the unique environment at the bottom of the canyon.”
It’s simply a beauty you have to see for yourself.
If you’re looking for a true adventure, Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is the place to be, filled with natural wonders simply waiting to be explored.
Looks like you have some planning to do this spring.
When: Opens May 16, 2025
Where: Greenwich Lake Road, Pass Lake, Ontario
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