The vast and rugged region of Northern Ontario is nothing if not road-trip-worthy. Adventure here is evergreen, just like the trees you’ll see as you wind through the region’s boreal forest. Spend your non-driving hours hiking and paddling through long summer days or embracing the cold season on snowy trails.
Stretching from the shores of Lake Superior all the way to Toronto, this west-to-east road trip covers roughly 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) of conifer-dense landscapes, deep gorges, roadside waterfalls, and memorable towns and landmarks. While one week barely scratches the surface of everything there is to see and do in Northern Ontario, it’s a good start. The flexible stops and choose-your-own-adventure options of this seven-day itinerary are designed to help you make the most of your trip. Ready to hit the road?
Days 1 & 2: Thunder Bay
Photo: Destination Ontario
Northern Ontario’s second-largest city and one of Canada’s most beloved outdoor destinations, Thunder Bay is a natural starting point for this road trip. Spend a day or two here to kick off your journey right. Start with a walk along Thunder Bay’s waterfront and marina, where you’ll get an eyeful of Lake Superior, or head about 15 minutes east to the Terry Fox National Historic Monument, where the site’s namesake hero ended his cross-Canada run (the Marathon of Hope) in 1980.
To get some movement of your own, detour to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park about an hour from downtown Thunder Bay. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the park’s eponymous rock formation, which you can summit on one of Sleeping Giant’s many hikes. The park is also home to Thunder Bay Lookout, a worthwhile pull-off for sweeping views of the lake and surrounding cliffs.
Time permitting, stop at the Diamond Willow Amethyst Mine to dig for Ontario’s official gemstone en route to Eagle Canyon Adventures. The latter is a popular Thunder Bay day trip, typically open from mid-May to mid-October, where a suspension bridge spans a dramatic gorge and ziplining offers a high-adrenaline way to take in the forest canopy.
For a comfortable stay in town, book a room at Delta Hotels Thunder Bay, which overlooks the waterfront and keeps you close to the marina, restaurants, and walking paths.
Day 3: Thunder Bay to Wawa
Photo: lastdjedai/Shutterstock
The drive from Thunder Bay to Wawa follows one of the most scenic stretches of road in all of Ontario — think dramatic shoreline, towering cliffs, expansive lake views, and lookouts that rank among the province’s most breathtaking. The journey will take about five hours without stops, so you’ll want to be selective when choosing which highlights you visit. Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park, about an hour east of Thunder Bay, makes a great first opportunity to get out of the car, with a short boardwalk where you can stretch your legs and peer down into a canyon that plunges 100 metres (330 feet) or so.
Farther on, Nipigon is located at the crossroads of Lake Superior and the Nipigon River. The town’s Bridgeview Lookout Tower delivers a bird’s-eye view over the river and Dog Head Mountain to give you a sense of the surrounding landscape’s scale. As you get closer to Terrace Bay, midway to Wawa, two potential detours vie for your attention: Aguasabon Falls is a quick roadside stop that leads to a powerful waterfall cascading through a narrow gorge, while from the top of Terrace Bay Lighthouse you can spy Lake Superior, the Slate Islands, and, potentially, the islands’ resident caribou via the onsite telescope.
Beyond Coldwell, the highway pulls away from the lakeshore for the final stretch toward Wawa. When you arrive, you can stay in town or continue south for 15 minutes or so till you find Rock Island Lodge, located on a scenic peninsula jutting out into Lake Superior. Either way, be sure to check out the famous Wawa Goose at the intersection of Highway 101 and the Trans-Canada before you reach your accommodations for the night.
Day 4: Wawa to Sault Ste. Marie
Photo: Colin Field / Destination Ontario
Today’s drive will feel refreshingly short, taking just two to three hours. That leaves plenty of time to see the sights along the way, including the raw beauty of Lake Superior Provincial Park, where you’ll find rocky shores with beach access and multiple trailheads just off the highway.
One real high point of this stretch is Pancake Bay Provincial Park, known for its long sandy shore and almost tropical-looking waters. There’s a reason Pancake Bay has earned a reputation as one of the finest beaches in the province, and it’s an ideal place for a midday stroll or a calm, refreshing swim if the weather’s nice. Just down the road, Batchewana Bay Provincial Park is another solid pitstop option. Go for a walk on the beach or set up a picnic complete with a couple of locally beloved apple fritters from Voyageurs’ Lodge & Cookhouse, located within the park.
Once you’ve arrived at Sault Ste. Marie, make sure to check out the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, where you can watch boats pass through the historic locks. From there, choose between two cultural stops: the Art Gallery of Algoma, featuring regional and Indigenous art, or the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, where interactive aircraft displays offer a lesson in aviation’s role in forest protection.
Spend the night in town at The Water Tower Inn. The hotel is laidback and relaxed without a ton of fanfare, the perfect spot to rest up before heading out on the next leg of your journey.
Day 5: Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury
As you make your way from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury, you’ll notice a shift in scenery as Highway 17 pulls away from the lakeshore, trading the water for more forested areas that create a pleasant backdrop for the next few hours of driving.
Your next excursions are in Sudbury, whether you choose to embrace the natural setting or get to know the city’s industrial roots. Science North, right on Ramsey Lake, is a standout for interactive exploration, with hands-on exhibits centred around science, nature, and technology. (In the winter, there’s also a great skating path on Ramsey Lake.) Nearby, Dynamic Earth and the Big Nickel showcase the region’s mining heritage. After being car-bound for a good chunk of the day, check out the Bell Park boardwalk for a scenic waterside walk not far from downtown.
Whichever activity you select, feel free to take it somewhat easy in Sudbury today, checking into your pick of comfortable, no-frills hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn or nearby wilderness lodges and resorts for the night. Tomorrow brings a full day of exploring the city and its surroundings at a gentle pace.
Day 6: Sudbury
Photo: Peter Lusztyk / Destination Ontario
After several days on the road, now’s a great time to slow down and enjoy Sudbury and its surroundings without rushing from stop to stop. Make no mistake, though: there’s plenty to see and do. Take the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, a nature escape minutes from downtown. Its network of well-marked trails winds among forest, wetlands, and rocky outcroppings, making it ideal for a quiet morning walk. Sudbury also has a trail system with short, accessible hikes leading to elevated viewpoints.
If you’re up for a little extra driving, Killarney Provincial Park is 1.5 hours outside of Sudbury and is home to sapphire-hued lakes, rugged white quartzite ridges, windswept forests, wetlands, and mountains. More than 30 kilometres (18 miles) of trails provide options for everything from gentle lakeside walks to more challenging hikes with sweeping views. It’s recommended to pre-book your day pass to the park given its popularity, especially in the summer and fall. After exploring, the rustic yet refined Killarney Mountain Lodge is a standout place to stay about 10 minutes from the park.
Day 7: Sudbury to Toronto
Photo: Barb Simkova / Destination Ontario
The final leg of your trip clocks in at roughly five hours (so it might be worth planning an extra day in Toronto if you’ve never been). Once you’re on the road, consider stopping an hour south of Sudbury at French River Provincial Park for riverside trails and classic canoe-country scenery. Or, pull over farther south (about three hours from Sudbury) at Muskoka Lakes, a cottage-country region that’s a great place to grab a bite.
Arriving in Toronto will be a dramatic contrast after a week in Northern Ontario. First-timers might want to gravitate to top attractions like the CN Tower and Sankofa Square. Repeat visitors should wander a bit further to the Distillery District or check out the sights, sounds, and smells of Kensington Market. Toronto is a major international hub with no shortage of waterfront fun, global cuisine, and cultural draws to keep you busy for as long as you’re there.
End your tour of Northern Ontario at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel for a touch of luxury, and toast to a memorable road trip with an expertly crafted cocktail at the Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails lobby bar. You’ve just spent a week covering big distances, bigger landscapes, and countless excuses to pull over and explore beautiful Northern Ontario — cheers to that! 