Outdoors: Five activities to do at these Parks Canada sites

Outdoors: Five activities to do at these Parks Canada sites

Think you've done it and seen it all at the Parks Canada sites in Algoma Country? We think you may have only scratched the surface what you can see and do at the 3 unique sites located in our area: Fort St.

Think you've done it and seen it all at the Parks Canada sites in Algoma Country?

We think you may have only scratched the surface what you can see and do at the 3 unique sites located in our area: Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site and Pukaskwa National Park.

Each site has its own story to tell and helped to shape our region, and Canada, as you know it today.

HIKING AND NATURE WALKS

Pukaskwa National Park has amazing hiking opportunities: Coastal Hiking Trail, and Day Hiking Trails.

But there are also some awesome nature walks and hiking trails at the Fort and the Canal:

Hike Huron's Edge 

A tour at Fort St. Joseph is a time-travel tour back to the early 1800s when the fort was a vibrant frontier outpost.

But just because you've completed a tour of the centre and grounds of the old fort ruins, doesn't mean there isn't more to explore.

The Rains Point Trail is a short walk (and wheelchair accessible) through the forest and then connects to an old road that leads to the site of an early settlement founded by Major Rains where you'll see the remnants of the grapevines, rose bushes and lilac bushes that were planted over a hundred years ago.

The Cemetery Trail branches off this main trail and leads to an old cemetery containing graves dating from 1796 – 1812.

Nature trails can take anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes.

The Attikamek Trail 

Located on Whitefish Island, beside the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Site, follow the boardwalk and trails that will take you through this pretty island in the St. Marys River.

The Island was once a gathering place for local Ojibwa fishermen to harvest whitefish.

Today, the island is home to many birds, beaverville, and beautiful foliage.

 We recommend: after a guided tour of the Canal Site, enjoy this nature walk, followed by lunch under the shade of a century-old tree from the on-site food truck, Grill'em.

HOST YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

If you're looking for an elegant, out of the ordinary place to host an event, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Site offers a lovely Victorian backdrop: beautiful gardens and the stunning red sandstone Gothic Revival Style architecture of the Superintendent's Residence.

Perfect for: weddings, receptions, special events and even family get-togethers.

 Learn how you can book at the site at parkscanada.gc.ca/saultstemariecanal