A full-day wilderness train journey from the city of Sault Ste. Marie to the Agawa Canyon is a signature Northern Ontario tourism experience—the train draws thousands of international visitors every year. In fact, this spectacular destination inspired some of Canada’s most famous landscape art: Over a century ago, Group of Seven artist J.E.H. MacDonald went so far as to describe the Agawa Canyon “the original site of the Garden of Eden.”
The 150-metre-tall cliffs flanking the pristine Agawa River remain untouched since they were first documented by MacDonald and other painters so many years ago. You can still encounter the same rugged rocky spires, soaring pines and tumbling cascades aboard the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, which departs from the station in Sault Ste. Marie through the summer and fall months. The train runs daily from August 1 to October 18.
Here’s an insider’s guide to making the most of the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, including how to book your tickets, the best times to go, and other local attractions to enhance your visit.
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train website is your go-to spot for booking train tickets. Prices range from $78 for children ages 3 to 12 to $154 for teens and adults, with infants under 2 riding for free (they must sit on an adult’s lap) and seniors’ tickets available for $125. Gift cards are also available. After September 15 (peak fall colours), all tickets are $170 for all ages.
Guests can also consider upgrading their seat to the Agawa Canyon Tour Train’s Stone Gardner car—a restored 24-seat theatre car that features huge side and rear windows and eight swivel lounge chairs that afford a panoramic view of all the famous beauty of the Agawa Canyon. Tickets cost $500/person and include complimentary breakfast, lunch, and drinks.
Starting mid-September, the hardwood forests of Algoma erupt in a sea of red and orange, offset by verdant evergreen trees, as autumn sets in. This is peak season for the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, so plan on booking early if you want to score tickets.
There’s no question that fall in Algoma is astounding, but a summer’s day is almost just as nice—particularly when the cool winds of Lake Superior offer respite from the heat and lush foliage bathes the Agawa Canyon in myriad patterns of sunbeams and shade. Best of all, it’s far easier to book tickets for an Agawa Canyon train tour in August, sometimes even as late as the day before your wilderness rail adventure.
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train departs from its station at 429 Carmen’s Way in Sault Ste. Marie. Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the 8 AM departure time. Free parking is available. The nearby Soo waterfront is the perfect place to explore the city before and after your journey.
The scenic rail adventure is a day-long adventure. Your journey includes approximately four hours on the train to the Agawa Canyon, about a 120-minute stop in Canyon Park for taking in the sights off the train, and a four-hour return to the station in Sault Ste. Marie.
The tour train and Canyon Park are both wheelchair accessible; certified service animals are allowed. The train ride itself is restful, with comfortable seats and large windows to enjoy the view. Restrooms are available on board for your comfort. There’s something for every level of fitness during the stop in the canyon, including well-maintained trails, picnic tables and benches. Interpretive programming is delivered for the train portion of the journey. Wifi is not available on the train. Small bags, personal-sized coolers and purses are allowed on the train—large luggage is not.
The stop in the Agawa Canyon affords just enough time to hear the rustling maple leaves, smell the pines and lift your head to gaze up at the majestic rock walls. Easy trails lead to the gorgeous cascades of Black Beaver and Bridal Veil Falls, which vary in water levels throughout the year. More adventurous visitors can climb 300 stairs for an aerial view of the Agawa River slicing through the canyon. Picnic facilities and restrooms are also available. There’s plenty of room to spread out and discover solitude in Canyon Park.
Visitors can pre-order breakfast or lunch and enjoy along the way or at one of the picnic spots in the canyon. Breakfast and lunch on the train are available for preorder from the St. Joseph Island Black Bear Bakery & Cafe. Choose from a series of fresh sandwiches, soups and salads—there's a kids' lunch, too. Beverages and additional snacks are also available for purchase on the train.
After your tour, head out for dinner nearby at The Whiskey Barrel, Blockhouse Pub, or The Boiler Room down on the waterfront. The Mill Steakhouse and Wine Bar provides upscale dining in a historic sandstone building. You can also check out Peace Restaurant in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, a local favourite known for its vibrant Asian-fusion cuisine.
The impressive Group of Seven collection at the Art Gallery of Algoma adds context to the Agawa Canyon Tour Train experience—this is a must-do either before or after your journey! Looking for more wilderness adventure? Book an interpretive day hike with Forest the Canoe, a local outfitter, or a canoe or kayak outing with Thrive Tours. A half-day at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre is another great way to learn more about the Algoma wilderness with interactive displays and real-life exhibits of Canadian floatplanes. If you’re looking for beach time, check out the top beaches in Sault Ste. Marie. Check out more Group of Seven experiences in Sault Ste. Marie.
