Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: October 2023
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is located just northeast of Thunder Bay and features a wide gorge with steep vertical cliffs. It’s a day-use park that contains a single hiking trail with two viewing platforms that provide sweeping views of the gorge and surrounding area.
After spending the past few days at Neys Provincial Park, it was time for us to head back to Thunder Bay to fly home. On the drive we stopped at a few provincial parks, including Ouimet Canyon. It was overcast and windy, but at least it wasn’t raining.
From the parking lot there’s a large sign at the trailhead that provides more information about the trail and canyon. The Ouimet Canyon Trail itself is relatively short, about a kilometer, and leads to a couple of overlooks of the rim of the canyon. The first stretch follows along a wide gravel path towards a boardwalk. After crossing the bridge, the trail branches off to form a loop.
The path to the left is fully accessible and contains a gradual decline down to the two viewing platforms. The path to the right also leads to the same viewing platforms, but is steeper and shorter. Since both paths connect to form a loop, it didn’t matter where we started. We turned left. The trail weaves through the forest along a wide gravel path. While most of the leaves had fallen, there were still some bursts of colour along the trail.
The first viewing platform provided our first glimpse of the gorge. There were a few interpretive panels that provided more information about how Ouimet Canyon was created. Over a billion years ago, hot molten rock rose up from the earth’s surface. It flowed and cooled horizontally, becoming a diabase. Over time, the rocks above the diabase eroded and the diabase itself experienced extensive cracking and fracturing.
There are two theories to explain how Ouimet Canyon was formed. The first suggests that it was formed during the height of the last glacial period. The weight of the ice may have caused the eastern part of the diabase to shift or slide 20 to 40 metres to the east. This resulted in the formation of a narrow canyon with distinctly straight sides. Ice, wind and rain continue to shape the canyon walls and create the talus slopes below.
The second theory suggests that the canyon was formed somewhat later, when the glaciers were slowly melting away. Meltwater from retreating glaciers flowed into a large crack in the diabase and tunnelled through the softer rock below. Eventually the diabase above collapsed and formed the canyon.
It’s a short walk to the second viewing platform, which provides another spectacular view of the canyon. The canyon’s narrow opening and high vertical walls creates a unique climate, which supports a different habitat compared to along the rim. In the shady depths of the gorge, the air is significantly cooler year-round, which allows certain arctic and sub-arctic plants to survive beneath the large boulders.
From the second viewing platform, it’s a short, but somewhat steep climb back to the bridge and boardwalk. On the drive out of the park we stopped at an overlook of a marsh. It’s reputed to be a great spot for bird watching, but on a cold and blustery day like today, there wasn’t much to see in terms of the wildlife.
We were eager to hop back into the car to escape the wind. From Ouimet Canyon it’s about an hour’s drive to Thunder Bay.
L
I love this place, the canyon is so interesting with it’s different colors and weather. Thanks for sharing! ❤️🇨🇦
The canyon is pretty spectacular. We’ve been before, but it was nice to return in the fall to see how the landscape transforms when the leaves change colour. Thanks for reading. Linda
Wow! That is a spectacular canyon! It’s great to be able to stop at these day use areas, stretch your legs and then enjoy a fantastic view. Great photos, Linda.
Oh absolutely. It’s always nice to break up a long drive and make stops along the way. That’s one of the reasons why I love road trips so much. And let me tell you, the northern shore of Lake Superior makes for a fantastic road trip! Thanks for reading. Linda
Wow! Looks amazing canyon, how many sotries can tell us this wonderful nature.
Thank’s for share Linda, keep enjoying your time in nature.
Have a lovely evening. Take care.
Elvira
Thanks for your lovely comment. Ouimet Canyon is one of the nicest canyons in Ontario. It’s pretty incredible to hear how it was formed. Hiking the trail was a great way to enjoy nature and get some exercise in. Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Always a pleasure visit your blog, Linda. Must be a very interesting to hear that history. Great experience healthy, fun and relaxing time.
Have a wonderful weekend as well.
Elvira
You are too kind. We’re hoping to do some more hiking this weekend.
Thank you very much, Linda.
Oh! That’s sounds great! Enjoy it and take a lot of photos please.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Keep well. Elvira
I always do! It’s always nice to have pictures to remember the memories.
That is such a beautiful canyon. Well worth a look. By the looks of all the scree in the bottom, it looks like it is still changing. Thanks for showing it to us Linda. Have a great evening. Allan
It’s hard to believe we were still in Ontario! It was neat to learn how the types of plants that grow on the bottom of the canyon are very different compared to along the rim. Thanks for reading and happy Fri-YAY. Linda
Interesting feature!
Oh I know! Geology rocks!
This one is definitely on my bucket list!
There’s a lot of fantastic parks along the Lake Superior shoreline. I can’t believe we missed this one on our first road trip to Thunder Bay. It’s definitely a good one to add to your list. It’s not far from the highway and the trail is super short and sweet.
Amazing rock layers and formations 🙌🏼
For sure. Nature is pretty amazing and sure knows how to put on a beautiful show.
Love your pictures, Linda 🙂 This is such a beautiful park and the 150-metre-wide gorge is such a unique feature with the towering trees at the cliffs’ base looking like something from a miniature village. Looks like there’s no barrier or fence preventing one wrong step resulting in visitors joining the rocks and trees down there. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks for your kind words Aiva. The canyon is pretty spectacular and such an uncommon sight in Ontario. My pictures at the viewing platforms don’t show this, but there are actually protective guard rails to keep you safe. I wouldn’t want to fall down as it looks quite steep and has a big drop off! Thanks for reading. Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Linda
Oh my, this is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
We’ve actually been before, but it was neat to return in the fall to see how much the landscape changed. It was well worth the detour.
Beautiful shots! That is a large gorge! It’s so amazing to me how gorges are formed, nature sure is neat.
Thanks for your lovely comment. The gorge looks like it extends on forever. It’s actually 150 metres wide and 2,000 metres long. It was interesting to hear the different theories as to how it was created. Agreed, nature is neat. And geology rocks!
The canyon sides are so precise, the whole place looks like an artist’s work yet is “just” a natural beauty.
The vertical cliffs in the canyon are quite unique in Ontario. Nature really knows how to put on a show, eh?
Wow, that canyon is just amazing too look at – so unique. What a wonderful hike, and your photos are beautiful as always
You are too kind. It’s a short trail that doesn’t require much effort to reach such spectacular views of the canyon. It was definitely worth the detour.
Love the detail in the bridge crossing. Your photos of the canyon look like a painting.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m such a fan of bridges in general and couldn’t resist taking a picture of it, especially since there were no other people around to block my shot. It’s always a real treat to have the trail to ourselves. The views of the canyon are stunning.
I love the look of those steep vertical cliffs. Very dramatic, regardless of which of the two theories actually created this natural formation.
Oh I know. Regardless of how the canyon was formed, it’s pretty incredible and impressive. We’ve actually been before, but it was neat to return in a different season to see how much the landscape changed with the leaves changing colour.
What a beautifully sculpted place, your photos show a keen sense of calm and isolation. Love the theories about how it may have been formed.
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. It’s a super short and easy trail that leads to such amazing views of the canyon. How could we resist a visit, especially since it was along the way!?
The canyon is spectacular. That first picture would make a darn hard puzzle. The walls are so interesting and I love the fall colours.
No kidding! Especially if it was a puzzle with 1,000+ pieces! The steep walls of the canyon are quite the sight. I love how there are even trees and growing in the most unlikely places in the rocks.
It’s crazy where trees can grow!
Oh I know! To quote one of my favourite movies (Jurassic Park), “life finds a way”.
Looks like such nice weather and such a nice hike to do.
It was quite blustery outside, but at least it wasn’t raining, so I’ll take it! It’s a relatively short hike with minimal effort to reach the spectacular views of the canyon.
The canyon is very impressive, and gorgeous views of it as well! It is really neat to see Earth’s history too looking at that!!!
Oh absolutely. We’ve actually been here before, but it was nice to return in the fall to see how different the landscape looks.
So deserted place with beautiful nature and stunning photos with legend rocks , beautifully made the walkway,
and trees as far as the eyes can see 😍👍🏻thank you for sharing and have a lovely weekend dear friend 🌹🙏💗🌹
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. The nice thing about visiting during the off-season was that we had the viewing platforms all to ourselves so we could take our time and enjoy the views. Hope you had a wonderful weekend too. Linda
Thank you so much for lovely comment message and so welcome 🙏 🌹
All The Best Wishes my dear friend 💗👏
The canyon’s so striking with the sheer cliff face and the trees on top. It’s a beautiful scene.
There were even some trees growing from the side of the steep walls. Not sure how big they’ll get, but it was pretty amazing to see.
Beautiful place. The rock formation is incredible 😍.
It was well worth the detour to check out. And it was nice to visit during the fall when the leaves were changing colour.
Interesting formations, all those vertical cracks makes me think there must be great climbing in the canyon!! Maggie
Your instincts are right. Climbing is off limits in the canyon, but there’s a nearby pinnacle named Dorion Tower that’s fair game.
I just looked it up, looks like a great pinnacle to climb! Maggie
Something to add to the list for the next time you’re in the area! There’s also Eagle Canyon Adventurers that’s located nearby that boasts of having Canada’s longest suspension bridge. We keep meaning to check it out, but never seem to have enough time.
The structure of the canyon is quite unusual; I like the fact that the scenario of its formation is not yet certain, it leaves room for imagination, and a source of research for the future.
There’s a lot that we’ve discovered and know about the world. But you’re right, there’s still some mystery which keeps things interesting.
Thanks for sharing this canyon in the Provincial Park. You visited there too.Anita
Thanks for reading and following along on our adventures. Ouimet Canyon isn’t far from the highway and doesn’t require much effort to hike to, so it was well worth the detour.
Ouimet Canyon was a highlight for us. Such an unexpected place and the views were spectacular. I would definitely go back again one day.
Did you end up stopping by nearby Eagle Canyon with the two suspension bridges?
I’m pretty sure I heard about Ouimet Canyon from you. We unfortunately didn’t have enough time to visit Eagle Canyon, which is too bad as I’m sure it wouldn’t have been very busy. Something to add to the list for next time!
I love the pops of color everywhere! Looks like a beautiful time to visit this beautiful park 🙂
We’ve been to this park before, but it was nice to return in the fall to see how different the landscape looked when the leaves were changing colour. The other great thing about visiting during the off-season was that we had the viewing platforms all to ourselves, which is just how we like it.
Wow, that’s such a cool canyon!!
Oh I know. It was hard to believe that we were still in Ontario! We don’t have many interesting rock features like this.
Wow, those cliffs are amazing! I also like the late fall colours. It’s nice to come across such beautiful places, right?
Oh I know. The views are absolutely stunning. The timing of our trip worked well as we were able to catch the last of the fall colours.
Those rock walls are so dramatic! Definitely worth the hike.
For sure. Especially since the trail itself is super short and relatively flat. It’s the best way to view the canyon.