Here are the more popular `Thunder Bay and area parks from North to south
Thunder Bay City Parks
Boulevard Lake Park
400 Lyon Blvd W, Thunder Bay, ON
(Located at the end of North Algoma St)
(807) 345-7261
Established in 1913, this spacious park is made up of 650 acres of land around Boulevard Lake. An early attraction was the Black Bay Bridge, a reinforced concrete span bridge built in 1911 (the first of its kind in North America). The park also includes a swimming beach with dressing and washrooms, tennis courts, mini golf, a Children’s play area, concession stands, picnic facilities and trails throughout the park.
Centennial Park
751 Centennial Park Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 7K9
(in Thunder Bay off Arundel St. near Boulevard Lake)
(807) 683-5762
Originally developed as a Centennial Project in 1966/67, the park covers about 147 acres along the majestic Current River. Explore a full scale replica of a 1910 Bush Camp along with a Logging History Museum. The park also holds a Children’s Playground, a small animal farm, the Trowbridge Falls Campground and a beautiful scenic trail along Current River. It also offers sleigh rides, tobogganing, and cross country skiing in winter.
The Bluffs Scenic Lookout
690 Arundel St, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8C4
(Located in Thunder Bay North above Boulevard Lake)
This site provides magnificent views of the Black Bay Bridge, Boulevard Lake and Sleeping Giant. Open all year long with no fee to enter.
Prince Arthur Park and Marina Park
Bobby Curtola Drive
(Located downtown on the lakefront)
The Park’s site has historical significance to the North Ward of Thunder Bay. The excellent quality of facilities include a playground, pedestrian pathways, picnic and recreational area, modern marina with fuel stations and a number of decks overlooking the powerful Lake Superior.
Hillcrest Park
High Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3K5
(Located in Thunder Bay North on High St.)
Featuring the Sunken Gardens(with over 70 varieties of flowers), a beautiful view of the harbour and Sleeping Giant makes Hillcrest Park one of the cities more scenic sites. A Playground is also available.
Kaministiquia River Overlook
Known for being home to Animikii – Flies the Thunder, a remarkable 22 foot tall stainless steel winged sculpture by artist, Anne Allardyce.
Soroptimist International Friendship Gardens
102 Legion Track Dr, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5K4
(Located in Thunder Bay South on Victoria Ave)
(807) 625-2313
Each of the 18 gardens was made by Canadians with different ethnic backgrounds (and reflects there culture). The groups included: Dutch, Italian, Finnish, Polish, German, Lithuanian, Canadian, Slovakian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Chinese, Scottish, Slovenian, Croatian, Greek, Indian, Filipino and Portuguese. The gardens were created as a centennial gift to Canada and there community. There found around two man made lakes making for a breathtaking view.
Chippewa Park
(Located in Thunder Bay South along City Rd off Hwy. 61B)
807) 623-3912
Chippewa Park offers a wide range of activities to enjoy in, including picnicking, sandy beaches, campground (with rustic cabins, laundry facilities, showers, grocery and confectionary store), amusement rides and Wildlife Exhibit. The 10 acre Wildlife Exhibit showcases an elevated walkway, allowing the public to watch the animals. The Park also provides a scenic view of the Sleeping Giant attraction and the Welcome Islands.
Thunder Bay Region Parks
Here are the more popular parks in the Thunder Bay region (from east to west):
Neys Provincial Park
1004 ON-17, Terrace Bay, ON P0T 2W0
(Located 26 km west of Marathon, on Hwy 17)
(807) 825-3403
Known for its beauty being recreated on canvas by the famous Group of Seven artists, this fascinating park sits on the fierce Coldwell Peninsula.. Rock forms have emerged from years of erosion. There are spots where hard, granite rock has been changed into brilliant shapes. Wildlife include moose, bears, wolves, foxes, deer, ruffed grouse, loons, woodland caribou and great blue herons. The Park has four campgrounds providing 144 campsites (61 sites with electricity). Toilets, water taps and firewood are available at each campground along with a centrally located comfort station equipped with showers and laundry facilities. Also so provided are trails, swimming, a playground, and a sandy beach.
Ouimet Canyon
Greenwich Lake Rd, Pass Lake, ON P0T 2M0
(Located 56 km east of Thunder Bay, off Highway 11/17)
(807) 977-2526
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. It also includes a sub-artic microclimate with very unusual flora and fauna.
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
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.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls, ON P0T 1W0
(Located 18 mi west of Thunder Bay, on Hwy. 11/17)
(807) 473-9231
Home of the 39 m high Kakabeka Falls, which cascade into the Kaministiquia River. The Park is full of historical background making it enjoyable for hiking
and cross-country skiing enthusiasts. People have been drawn to this Park for centuries by its natural beauty. The Falls lookout is opened all year round, and the Park itself opens the long weekend in May. There is even a swimming beach in the quiet waters above the falls.
Pigeon River Provincial Park
High Falls Trail, South Gillies, ON P0T 2V0
(Located 40 km southwest of Thunder Bay, off Hwy. 593, near the US border)
(807) 473-9231
One of the top natural location around Lake Superior, focusing on the Pigeon River supported by waterfalls (6 m descent) and natural beauty of the forest. Contains a campground with 22 sites. Enjoy an abundance of outdoor excitement.
Rainbow Falls Provincial Park
Trans-Canada Hwy, Rossport, ON P0T 2W0
(807) 887-2298 (summer) or (807) 887-5010 (winter)
Home of two campgrounds, more popular of the two is the Whitesand Lake Campground. The highlight being the Whitesand River Falls, which flow over a multi-ledged granite bedrock cascading in a zigzag pattern. The sun often provides a rainbow in the mist, which is best viewed from the walking bridge over the gorge. There are many small mammals as well as larger animals such as moose, deer, and black bear that are occasionally seen.
The two campgrounds(Whitesand Lake and Rossport) offer 100 plus campsites with the majority of them having electrical hookup. Other facilities include a shower building, laundromat, vault toilets and drinking water taps. Enjoy hiking trails, camping, swimming, boating, fishing and more. Whitesand Lake Campground is open mid-May through Labour Day. Rossport campground is open from mid-May through the third week of September. Trails and camp roads remained open in the winter for cross country skiing.