Sleeping Giant lies in the Thunder Bay District of northwestern Ontario, about 80 km north east of Thunder Bay just south of the Trans-Canada #17 Northern Route #11 and Main Route which share the same route between Nipigon and Thunder Bay.
The Sleeping Giant area includes not just the spectacular Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, but includes area between the Terry Fox monument with its view of Thunder Bay and extends east to Hurkett, with views of Black Bay to the east of the Sibley Peninsula.
This stretch of the Trans-Canada also features some spectacular rock cuts through the Canadian Shield.
Sleeping Giant Attractions
Terry Fox Monument
7 km east of Thunder Bay
Honouring one of Canada’s greatest heroes, Terry Fox lost one leg to cancer and began his “Marathon of Hope” in St John’s Newfoundland to raise cancer awareness and raise money for cancer research. He ran 5,000 km reaching this point when cancer ended his journey at this point. He died a week later in Vancouver with his family gathered around. Since then Marathon of Hope runs have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research. The Scenic Lookout looks south across eastern part of the city, with grain elevators and log piles along the lakeshore, look further south to see Mount McKay overlooking the city, and look eastwards to see the Sibley Peninsula looking like a “Sleeping Giant”. The rocks here are soft but covered with a volcanic diabase layer, resistant to erosion. That means the hillsides erode faster (than the protected tops) and become very steep.
Boulder Creek Amethyst Mines
Mailing: 36 Trillium Crt, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 2M1
(Located 40km east of Thunder Bay)
1-807-344-9745
Website
This mine is now a unique family-oriented Dig Your Own mine site,full of affordable fun and adventure, and also sells various amethyst specimen and products. Open year-round, 7 am till 7pm.
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Nature Reserve
Greenwich Lake Rd, Pass Lake, ON P0T 2M0
(Located 56 km east of Thunder Bay, off Highway 11/17)
(807) 977-2526
Website
Hosting thousands of visitors each year, this magnificent canyon (100 m deep) is filled with hiking trails, interpretive displays and viewing spots overlooking Ontario’s beautiful wild. Rocks eroded from the steep wall have fallen to clutter the floor, which is protected from warm summer air to enable an arctic micro-climate and several arctic plants to exist. Unique arctic plants are found here.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
R R 1, Pass Lake, ON P0T 2M0
(Located 40 km east of Thunder Bay, on Hwy. 587)
(807) 977-2526
Website
This astounding Park covers most of the Sibley Peninsula. View the amazing Lake Superior while hiking on over 80 km’s of trail (some taking you to the highest cliffs in Ontario). Others activities available include camping, canoeing,
mountain biking, fishing, swimming at a family beach, picnic areas, canoe rentals and wildlife.