Explore Canada Series: Part 1 - Algoma Country

🏞️ Intro

If you’re craving a taste of rugged Northern Ontario—the real north, not cottage country north—Algoma is where it begins. Wedged between Lake Huron and the inland sea that is Lake Superior, Algoma Country is raw, scenic, and unapologetically wild. It’s a four-season playground packed with old-growth forests, stormy coastlines, quiet fishing lakes, and trails that feel like they were made just for you.

This is where you go when you want to unplug, breathe deep, and feel small in the best possible way.

🌟 What Makes the Region Special

Agawa Canyon Tour Train
This one-day, 114-mile rail journey is a Canadian Signature Experience that takes you through some of the most remote and photogenic wilderness in Ontario. Leaving from Sault Ste. Marie, it cuts through granite cliffs, over trestle bridges, and into the heart of the Agawa Canyon. Peak fall colours? Unreal.
Group of Seven Touring Route
Ever wonder what inspired Canada’s most iconic painters? This self-guided driving route follows in their footsteps—past the same windswept pines, rugged lakeshores, and northern light that defined their art. Look for roadside signs, info panels, and even a mobile app to connect your road trip to their legacy.
Fishing in the Backcountry
From the St. Marys River rapids to hundreds of fly-in lakes, Algoma is a paradise for anglers chasing northern pike, bass, walleye, and brook trout. You can fish solo or hire a local outfitter who’ll get you into the kind of spots that don’t make it onto Instagram.
Motorcycling, RVing & Road Tripping
With routes like Ride Lake Superior, Grand Algoma, and Ontario’s Tail of the Dragon (Hwy 129), this region is road trip heaven. Whether you're towing a trailer, riding two wheels, or packing your gear into a trunk, every bend reveals something worth pulling over for.

🧭 Travel Tips: How to Get There + What to Know

Getting There

By air: Fly into Sault Ste. Marie (YAM) via Air Canada or Porter. Car rentals are easy to arrange upon arrival.
By road: Highway 17 (Trans-Canada) runs right through the heart of Algoma, with jaw-dropping views along Lake Superior. Coming from the U.S.? Cross the International Bridge from Michigan and you’re there.

Fuel + EV Planning
It’s a mostly rural region, so plan your fuel stops in advance. If you’re driving an EV, check out charging stations before you go.
Be Bear-Wise & Leave No Trace
Store food properly, don’t feed wildlife, and use your camera instead of your hands. Bring binoculars for birdwatching, and a bit of patience for moose spotting.
Best Seasons

Summer for backcountry adventures, fishing, paddling.
Fall for the foliage. If you've spent any time in Ontario, you know what we mean.
Winter for snowmobiling, skiing, and backcountry huts.
Spring for fewer bugs and early season fishing.