Planning a road trip west along the TransCanada north of Lake Superior? If so, be sure to pack your swimsuit as this route has the best beaches in Northern Ontario. Some of these spectacular spots are so amazing they could have been ripped from the pages of a Caribbean destination magazine.
Imagine crystal clear waters, gorgeous golden sand, blue skies, and hardly any other people competing for your perfect patch of sand. Hit a few, or hit them all—once you experience one, you’ll be hooked.
Heading east to west along Highway 17, here is our list featuring some well-known beaches and others you may have never heard of before.
On the edge of the small town of Massey, just an hour east of Sudbury, is one of the most unique beaches along the north shore. Located in Chutes Provincial Park, it comes complete with a stunning waterfall. Here you’ll find the Aux Sables River tumbling over a rocky cliff to a shallow pool, perfect for swimming, with a soft sand beach on one side.
If the waterfall wasn’t enough, how about your own desert island? Depending on the year, one usually forms in the center of the pool, and it’s easy to wade across and set up your beach chairs and umbrella.
Layer on top of all that, one of the most important factors, and something that’s not always found at Northern Ontario beaches: warm water. No bone-chilling waters of the Great Lakes here!
Bring your water toys and let the gentle current float you down the river to an exit point. Travelling with Fido? Well, here he’ll have his own special beach to frolic in the water and chase splashes all day long.
Off-the-beach activities include a six-kilometre-long hiking trail with great views and information on the area’s logging history.
Camping is available here, and spots are usually open even on the busiest of days.
An hour past Sault Ste. Marie and right off the highway, Batchawana Bay is a day-use provincial park that is all about the beach! And what a beach it is; soft sand, shallow water, all located in an area protected from the whims of Lake Superior.
Finding your beach oasis here is so incredibly easy; just drive along the beachfront roadway until you see a spot that suits you. Park the car and grab your beach gear; it’s about five steps to the sand, no sweaty treks carrying armfuls of stuff. The park is rarely busy; you’ll likely have the beach area you choose to yourselves.
Picnic tables, some under large trees, line the shoreline and vault toilets are across the road. Ontario Parks just finished building a shiny new visitor center here. Stop in to find out more about the park and surrounding area.
Most importantly, don’t miss out on a Batchawana Bay rite of passage: the consumption of a giant apple fritter from the general store at Voyageur’s Lodge. Do it in the morning before they are all gone and ride the sugar high!
Just around the headland from Batchawana Bay is Pancake Bay Provincial Park.
Who wouldn’t want to stop at a beach with such an evocative name? Travellers have been pulling up here for centuries, including the Voyageurs, who gave the place its name. Two competing theories for the name are that the Voyageurs, running low on food heading back to Sault Ste. Marie, made a type of pancake with whatever they had left of their supplies, and another theory says they called it Pancake Bay because the area is as flat as a pancake.
Pancake Bay’s 3.2-kilometre-long beach is a spectacular stretch of sand perfect for long, lazy days in the water. Have a picnic at the handy tables just back from the sand while the kids frolic in the water. Short on beach toys? Stand-up paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks are all available for rent at the main entrance.
It's an easy place to linger, and fortunately, there’s a large campground here. Book early to get a spot.
One of the key highlights in Lake Superior Provincial Park is the beach at Agawa Bay, especially for those who love camping. This beach is one of the few where you practically camp on the sand.
Roll out of your tent and shake off your morning drowsiness before taking a few steps to the water for a bracing dip in the lake. In the evening, watch the sun sink into the lake before crawling into your cozy sleeping bag and drifting off to sleep with the gentle sounds of the waves.
Agawa Bay isn’t just for campers; day trippers are more than welcome, with large areas of waterfront complete with picnic tables available.
With one of the most dramatic settings along the north shore of Lake Superior, Old Woman Bay is more about the view than the actual swimming and beaching. It’s a good place for a break if you’ve been driving for hours, and it is right off the highway.
Found 200 kilometres from Sault Ste Marie, 500 kilometres from Thunder Bay, but less than 30 minutes from Wawa, this is an isolated stretch of sand, far from the reaches of major cities. If you’re craving some alone time, somewhere remote and beautiful where there’ll be few people around, Old Woman Bay beach is for you.
The beach is a three-kilometre-long, wide arc of sand with a towering 650-foot-high cliff on its eastern side, said to resemble the face of an old woman looking upwards.
Many people stop here for a quick look at the stunning scenery and then move on. To get away from the minimal crowds, stroll along the beach away from the main parking area and ford the small creek if it’s not too deep. Keep walking, and eventually it will just be you, the lake, and perhaps an inquisitive bird wondering what you are up to as you ponder this ancient place.
For an extraordinary view of the beach and a bit of exercise, take the Nokomis hiking trail. It’s a relatively challenging five-kilometre-long hike back and above the beach.
This understated town likes to keep its secrets. Everyone knows about the giant goose statues (yes, there is more than one), but few people know that Wawa is home to some of Northern Ontario’s most beautiful beaches.
A short drive through town takes you to the appropriately named Wawa Lake, ringed by towering pine-clad hills, but at the southern end, which fronts the town, it's all beach.
Unlike all the beaches along the north shore of Lake Superior, Wawa Lake has warm water lapping its shores. The shallows extend far into the lake, and the summer sun warms this water to a comfortable level. An offshore swimming platform is a magnet for kids and adults alike.
Stroll the pleasant boardwalk at that runs for most of the length of Dr. Rose's Beach. Along the way is a playground and information boards telling the story of the area and providing facts on the flora and fauna.
Pick up all your supplies at Young's General Store and plan a picnic. But be careful, if you take a sip of the crystal-clear water during your swim, legend says that if you drink the water, you won’t ever want to leave!
This park is a good 15-minute drive off the highway just before Marathon, but it’s worth it if you have some time.
For those craving adventure, Horseshoe Beach in Pukaskwa National Park is the place for you. This golden crescent of sand tucked in between two rocky headlands is a magical hideout from the wild waters of Lake Superior.
As you stroll the scenic boardwalk through the boreal forest towards the beach, you’ll be serenaded by countless migratory songbirds. Listen for an O’Canada, O’Canada, O’Canada song, that’s the white throated sparrow reminding you of where you are.
Once you reach the water, you could be forgiven for thinking you are in a tropical destination (just imagine in the pine trees are palm trees!) The beach has soft, golden sand and driftwood, bleached by the elements, spread along its length.
Tuck in behind a log, spread out your towel, and gaze out at the gin-clear waters. You’ll soon see why Canada’s Group of Seven camped here in the early 20th Century and how Lawren Harris was inspired to paint his beautiful Silent Land painting.
If you are tempted to stay, camping is available.
Unlike Wawa, Terrace Bay is happy to share its beach paradise. You just have to find the short, winding drive down the perfectly named “Beach Road” that takes you to this beautifully developed beachfront area, complete with a pavilion, boardwalk, and a scenic waterfall to boot.
A huge arc of sand stretches to the east, while at the western end of the beach, the Aguasabon River flows into Lake Superior. You’ll find lots to do here, whether it’s beach volleyball in the public courts, a long walk down the boardwalk, or enjoying some stand-up paddleboarding in the lagoon by the waterfall behind the beach.
It’s such a stunning spot, it’s no surprise that one of Terrace Bay’s first residents, Willi Heinrich, set up camp here way back when.
Once you leave Thunder Bay, you can either head north on the TransCanada (Highway 17) or break off on Highway 11, towards Atikokan, Quetico Provincial Park, and Fort Frances.
Fort Frances is a small resort town on the shores of Rainy Lake, which is another great spot to enjoy beaches and watersports.
Beginning in town near the marina, a waterfront walking trail follows the La Verendrye Parkway and leads you to the lovely beach at the Point Park. The shallow, warm waters of Rainy Lake are a popular destination for townsfolk and visitors alike, and this is where people come to enjoy it.
Look out to the expansive views up the appropriately named Sand Bay, spread out your towel, set up your umbrella and relax. A playground and a giant Muskoka chair are perfect for the kids when they aren’t in the lake.
Next door to the park is La Place Rendez-Vouz hotel with an exceptional outdoor patio overlooking the lake. After the beach, you can pop over for one of their famous burgers or fresh-caught fish with an icy-cold beverage.
Northern Ontario’s beaches are as varied as they are unforgettable. No matter the season, a road trip here comes with golden sands, wide horizons, and a reminder of how wild and beautiful this part of the province really is—so start building your must-visit list now for your next adventure.
