Northern Ontario Road Trip Itinerary: From Toronto to Thunder Bay and back

Namratha Prasad
Jul 25, 2025
4 min read

If there’s one road trip that completely stole my heart, it’s this northern Ontario loop. Over 12 days, my husband and I drove from Toronto all the way to Thunder Bay and back, weaving through some of the wildest and most beautiful stretches of the Trans-Canada Highway. I'm sharing my detailed itinerary, hope this helps with planning your trip into the wilderness up north.

What’s the best time to go?

June to August for warmers temperatures. Late September to mid-October for peak foliage.

What to Pack?

Download offline maps (cell signal is spotty)
Carry extra fuel and snacks between long stretches
Bring layers (cool nights, even in summer) & hiking boots
Prepare for bugs in spring/summer (mosquitoes and black flies)

Where to stay?

Camping: Numerous provincial parks with lakeside campsites
Lodges/Motels: Rustic and charming in towns like Wawa, Nipigon, Terrace Bay
Thunder Bay: Boutique inns, B&Bs, or lakefront stays

Trip Overview

Total Distance: ~3,000 km

Duration:We planned this for 12 days. Between 10 - 14 days would be ideal.

Main Route:

Toronto → Sudbury → Sault Ste. Marie → Lake Superior Provincial Park → Wawa → Marathon → Nipigon → Thunder Bay → Hearst → Timmins → North Bay → Toronto

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Toronto → Sudbury (4 hrs)

We kicked off our journey with a scenic drive north, easing into the calm of Ontario’s wilderness.

French River: Our first taste of Northern Ontario. We stopped at the Visitor Centre and took a quick walk to the lookout over the historic canoe route.
Dynamic Earth & The Big Nickel: A Sudbury classic. We learned about the region’s mining history and snapped the must-have photo with the giant nickel.
Where We Ate: The Motley Kitchen—cozy, creative, and delicious.

Day 2: Sudbury → Sault Ste. Marie (3.5 hrs)

As we followed the shores of Lake Huron, the landscape opened up beautifully.

Hike of the day: We stopped at Killarney Provincial Park on on the way for a 5km hike and it was one if the most scenic trails ever.
Soo Locks on the Canadian side: Watching massive freighters pass through the waterway between Lake Superior and Huron was surprisingly fascinating.
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre: Interactive, fun, and full of aviation history. I loved it far more than I expected.
Evening Walk: We ended the day strolling along the waterfront boardwalk before settling into our riverside stay along the St. Marys River.

Day 3: Sault Ste. Marie → Lake Superior Provincial Park / Wawa (2 hrs)

This portion of the Trans-Canada Highway quickly became one of my favourite drives in Ontario.

Trans-Canada Highway Views: Rocky cliffs, sweeping bays, and endless blue water.
Photo Stops: Everywhere. Honestly, I wanted to pull over every five minutes.
Stay: We chose to stay at a roadside motel in Wawa for two nights as we travlled during fall. If I go here again in Summer, I would aboslutely camp at Lake Superior Provincial park.

Day 3–4: Exploring Lake Superior Provincial Park

This region is unreal. I could’ve spent weeks here, but two days gave us a beautiful taste.

Top Hikes: I’ve shared my top 7 hike picks in another blog.
Must-See Spots:
- Agawa Rock Pictographs—weather-dependent but unforgettable
- Sand River Falls—a series of stunning cascades that were easy to explore
- Katherine Cove—calm waters, scenic rocks, and soft sand
Sunset: Old Woman Bay treated us to one of the most dramatic sunsets I’ve seen.

Day 5: Wawa → Marathon (3 hrs)

A relaxed driving day packed with hidden gems.

Detours:
- Magpie Falls—a thundering waterfall near Wawa
- White River—famous as the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh
Neys Provincial Park: We stretched our legs along the beach, explored remnants of WWII history, and photographed driftwood scattered along Superior’s turquoise shores.

Day 6: Marathon → Thunder Bay (4.5 hrs)

This day was filled with iconic Northern Ontario stops.

Aguasabon Falls - Beautiful and is super easy to access.
Ouimet Canyon – One of the most dramatic geological formations I’ve ever stood above.
Terry Fox Monument – Emotional, inspiring, and a must-stop on the way into Thunder Bay.
Local Treats: We tried the famous Persian pastry and later stopped at Thunder Oak Cheese Farm.

Day 6–7: Discovering Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay surprised us in the best ways.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park: We hiked, relaxed, and admired the views of the Sleeping Giant silhouette.
We strolled around Thunder Bay Marina that evening before heading out for dinner.

Day 8: Thunder Bay → Hearst (5.5 hrs)

This was a quieter stretch of the Trans-Canada, with long forest corridors and peaceful roads.

Day 9: Hearst → Timmins (3.5 hrs)

We continued through the heart of the north, passing small towns and big open skies. Had a relaxing afternoon at the BnB as we had been moving around continuously for the last 9 days.

Day 10: Timmins → North Bay (4 hrs)

As we headed south again, the scenery shifted into rolling hills and lakeside communities.

Day 11: Exploring North Bay + Algonquin Park

We spent the day soaking up some of Ontario’s best accessible wilderness.

Lakeside walks in North Bay
A side trip into Algonquin Provincial Park for hiking, canoeing, wildlife, and quiet moments in nature

Day 12: North Bay → Toronto (4 hrs)

We wrapped up our loop with an easy, scenic drive back home—hearts full and cameras overloaded from one of the most unforgettable road trips we’ve ever taken.

Final thoughts

This wasn't just a drive, it was an immersion into Ontario’s wild north. From glittering lakes and towering cliffs to powerful waterfalls, this road trip redefined what it meant to explore Canada. Indigenous culture, small towns, epic views is ideal for photographers and nature lovers.