3 Perfect Days in Superior Country, Ontario: An RV Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re just joining us, James and I have been touring Northern Ontario in our RV, exploring three incredible regions—Sunset Country, Superior Country, and Algoma Country—each with its own flavor of wilderness, culture, and wow-moments.

Now that we’ve finished up our time in Sunset Country, this next section of our journey brings us into Superior Country—where boreal forest, Canadian Shield cliffs, and the vastness of Lake Superior create a landscape unlike anywhere else. Superior Country is also home to a spectacular stretch of the Lake Superior Circle Tour, the iconic route that loops around the largest freshwater lake on Earth.

This 3-day itinerary follows the route we took—packed with hikes, biking, waterfalls, paddling, beaches, and some truly one-of-a-kind Northern Ontario experiences. Use it as-is, or as inspiration for your own unforgettable Circle Tour adventure.

Day 1: Exploring the Thunder Bay Area

Boreal forest trails, waterfalls and biking near Thunder Bay, and lakeside camping on Lake Superior

Trowbridge Falls Trails

Start your Superior Country roadtrip just north of Thunder Bay with a dose of outdoor energy. Head to Trowbridge Falls—a mountain-biking and hiking area with trails of varying difficulty and beautiful waterfalls. These trails give even casual riders a taste of flowy singletrack through boreal forest terrains. From one of the higher points, you can also spot Lake Superior.

Don’t have mountain bikes? Neither did we. The local bike shop Fresh Air rents them. And if you’re not a biker, no problem either. Many sections are hikeable, too. There’s also a campground here, but since we were traveling in September, it was already closed and not an option for us. Once you’re done exploring, head to the south end of Thunder Bay and roll into Chippewa Park Tourist Camp, your first home base on Lake Superior.

Where To Stay: Chippewa Park

The campground sits right along the lake’s shore and is just one small part of the larger Chippewa Park. Chippewa Park is huge. It has walking paths, beaches, picnic areas, and even a small amusement park with a historic carousel that is currently being restored through the incredible work of local volunteers. It’s well worth wandering the grounds, especially if you catch the evening light across the water. Chippewa Park also has some of the best views of Sleeping Giant—the iconic rock formation that rises like a great stone giant slumbering out on the lake.

If you want to explore the Sleeping Giant up close, the region’s namesake Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is only about an hour and a half from Chippewa Park. Its hiking trails, cliffs, and sweeping vistas make it one of Northern Ontario’s most popular parks.

Day 2: Nipigon and Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

Scenic Circle Tour stops, waterfront towns, and waterfall trails along Lake Superior’s north shore

Nipigon Bridgeview Lookout

After saying goodbye to Chippewa Park, drive east toward Nipigon, where your first stop is the Nipigon Bridgeview Lookout roadside attraction. Climb the 65 steps to sweeping panoramic views of Nipigon Bay and the striking blue cable-stayed bridge that anchors the town. It’s a quick stop, but one you won’t regret.

What To Do and Where To Eat in Nipigon, Ontario

While there, you could either bust out your bikes and ride into the town of Nipigon like we did, or you could just drive into town. 

Nipigon is home to a charming attraction inspired by the 1941 children’s book Paddle to the Sea—a story about a boy who carves a tiny wooden canoe with a man named Paddle to the Sea in it, sets it down on a frozen stream, and dreams it will have adventures. The self-guided park experience travels through 12 stations starting in the center of town and ending at the town’s marina. The stations recreate scenes from the story, starting at the first station with a giant carved Paddle to the Sea figure at the top of a waterfall.

After leaving Nipigon, continue east on the Lake Superior Circle Tour to the colorful, welcoming Serendipity Gardens Café in Rossport for lunch.

The cozy heritage home housing the café overlooks Lake Superior, and the fresh dishes make this an excellent mid-day stop.

Where To Stay: Rainbow Falls Provincial Park (Whitesand Campground)

Your final destination today is Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, where two campgrounds (Whitesand and Rossport) give RVers a choice between forested peace or open waterfront views.

From Whitesand Campground, you can walk directly to the trail that follows the park’s famous cascades. Boardwalks, stairs, and platforms trace the waterfalls all the way down to a picture-perfect bridge. It’s a short, breathtaking hike that showcases the wild beauty of Superior Country.

Travel Tip: Rainbow Falls also connects to the Casque Isles Trail, a 53 km section of the long-distance Voyageur Hiking Trail. You can sample shorter segments from various access points.

Finish the night at your campsite. We stayed in the Whitesand Campground and loved being tucked into the towering pines.

Day 3: Terrace Bay and Marathon

Paddling beneath ancient cliffs, thundering waterfalls, sunset views and yooperlite hunting on Lake Superior’s pebble beaches

Geological Kayaking Tour – Terrace Bay

Just a short drive from Rainbow Falls, Terrace Bay Beach is the launch point for one of the most unique experiences on the Circle Tour: a Geological Kayaking Tour with Parks Canada.

This paddle takes you along the dramatic Lake Superior coastline, past waterfalls spilling directly into the lake, and beside cliffs shaped by billions of years of geological history. Guides share how the Canadian Shield formed, how glaciers sculpted the region, and how Superior continues to shape the shoreline today. Calm or wild, sunny or misty, this is an unforgettable must-do.

Aguasabon Falls & Gorge

While there, hike to see the famous Aguasabon Falls & Gorge—a short, easy walk that leads you to a powerful 100-foot waterfall thundering into a deep granite canyon. (We missed it due to rain…but we’re still thinking about it!)

Where To Stay: Penn Lake Park

After leaving Terrace Bay, continue driving east to the town of Marathon, where Penn Lake Park offers quiet, forested campsites and easy access to one of the area’s most unique natural attractions—Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach, Marathon

Pebble Beach is an easy bike ride from the campground, and the town of Marathon is very bike-friendly. Before sunset, hop on your bikes and cruise a couple of miles over to Pebble Beach, a wide, curving shoreline made entirely of smooth, colorful stones. No sand—just thousands of wave-polished stones, most as big as your hand, that shift and clack under your feet. And the sunsets from the viewing platforms at the park above the beach are known to be some of the best in the area.

Nighttime Bonus: Yooperlite Hunting in Ontario

Bring a UV flashlight and go Yooperlite hunting. These special rocks glow with bright orange speckles when illuminated under UV. They’ve been occasionally spotted at Pebble Beach!

Wrapping Up Your 3 Days in Superior Country

This itinerary packs a surprising amount into just three days—trails, waterfalls, paddling, geology, beaches, and welcoming communities. That’s the beauty of Superior Country: it’s an easy region to explore, and an even easier one to love. However you shape your trip, this stretch of Lake Superior’s northern shore is one you won’t soon forget.

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