Summary
The Slate Islands of Lake Superior
Lake Superior may be a lake, but it feels more like a sea. It’s known for its treacherous storms, menacing fog, and unforgiving waters. Historically, many ships have succumbed to its depths, and countless sailors have lost their way in the dense fog of Lake Gichigami (Ojibwe name for Lake Superior meaning Great Sea).
About Slate Islands Provincial Park
The Slate Islands host the densest population of woodland caribou in Ontario. Additionally, they are home to an adorable population of snowshoe hares and boast the world’s largest shatter rock cone.
Paddling through the Slate Islands offers a multitude of activities as you can navigate the tranquil interior passageways or venture out to the open waterways while circumnavigating Patterson or Mortimer Island.
Calm Waters Within Slate Islands
When kayaking the Slate Islands, the beauty of this destination lies in its calm waters. You can explore the open water on peaceful days while enjoying the shelter of the islands when conditions are less favorable.
How to Get to Slate Islands Provincial Park
A shuttle to the Slate Islands is available from Terrace Bay through a kayaking tour with Naturally Superior Adventures. The boat transports all your gear and kayaks, and a five-day kayaking trip (including five nights of camping) is priced at $1995 CAD. This package includes the shuttle from Terrace Bay, a guide, camping, and food.
With an expert guide, this tour is suitable for both novice and intermediate kayakers, taking advantage of the calm waters within the Slate Islands. Even if conditions worsen, there are ample activities to enjoy on the islands.
We recommend staying overnight at Naturally Superior, a lovely lodge located in Wawa, Ontario, which features breathtaking views of Lake Superior.
If not booking a tour with Naturally Superior, consider arranging shuttles from Terrace Bay with Lake Superior Adventures.
Inner Slate Islands – Things to See and Do
During our five-day trip, we explored the two main islands: Patterson and Mortimer, along with several smaller islands, revealing an array of fascinating sights. If traveling to Northern Ontario, ensure that the Slate Islands are on your itinerary!
1. Search for Woodland Caribou
The top attraction on the Slate Islands is the woodland caribou, which thrive here in Ontario’s densest population. Chances of spotting these majestic creatures are high, especially with a knowledgeable guide. We were fortunate to see nine caribou during our visit!
Our guide from Naturally Superior Adventures expertly led us to the caribou locations, and within ten minutes of being dropped at our campsite, a caribou passed right by us.
2. Shatter Cones
For geology enthusiasts, the Slate Islands offer the unique shatter cones scattered throughout the park. These formations resulted from a meteorite impact between 400 and 800 million years ago, creating a conical shape in the bedrock adorned with grooves.
The largest shatter cone we encountered reached an impressive 9 meters (30 feet) high, making it one of the most significant examples in the world.
3. Copper Mine
Once, the Slate Islands thrived with a mining and lumber industry until the 1930s when copper mining ceased. Now, abandoned mine sites dot the landscape.
At Lambton Cove, you can journey into an old mine and cautiously explore a dark tunnel, though beware of the deep shaft at its end. Alternatively, consider hiring a guide for a safer experience.
4. Caribou Corral
Research on caribou has brought many visitors to the islands over the years. Researchers would round them up into corrals for counting, tagging, and health assessments. It’s intriguing to see remnants of these old research stations scattered across the islands.
One campsite features artifacts displayed on an honor system, so be respectful while exploring these historical treasures.
5. Snowshoe Hare
Encountering the snowshoe hare is one of the highlights of the kayaking tour. Fearless of humans, these charming creatures often hopped into our campsite.
With no natural predators on the Slate Islands, the animals exhibit remarkably bold behavior, continuing their activities even with campers nearby. We enjoyed observing them frolicking and interacting with one another.
6. Arctic Tundra Plants
Although the Slate Islands aren’t located in the Arctic, they feature unique plant life typically found only in polar regions. This is attributed to the cooling effects of Lake Superior, with water temperatures reaching as low as 3 degrees Celsius during our visit.
This cluster of islands, surrounded by frigid waters, presents harsh yet fascinating conditions, nurturing a distinctive ecosystem. Some plants found here are only seen again hundreds of kilometers north!
Outer Slate Islands – Things to Sea
Kayaking allows for exploration around the islands, enabling diverse camping locations. After spending several days in the inner islands, we ventured out to the outer Slate Islands.
7. The Milky Way
With no light pollution in sight, the night sky over the Slate Islands is breathtaking. We enjoyed stunning views of the Milky Way, with stars twinkling brightly in the clear sky. This location is perfect for night photography enthusiasts!
8. Stunning Sea Cliffs
The stunning sea cliffs are a highlight of exploring the Slate Islands. Beyond the sheltered interior channels, the wild shore of Patterson Island is breathtaking.
Paddling toward these cliffs gives the sensation of being at the edge of the world, surrounded by endless water. High cliffs provide a comforting sight as bald eagles soar overhead, and you can’t help but admire the striking beauty of Patterson Island’s coast.
9. Slate Islands Lighthouse
The highest lighthouse on Lake Superior is located on Patterson Island. This island is the largest of the Slate Islands and hosts the quarters for the lighthouse keeper.
During our paddle to Sunday Point, we discovered a picturesque landscape featuring the vibrant red and white lighthouse proudly overseeing the keeper’s quarters.
Like many lighthouses along the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, this one is no longer operational. However, the family of the last keeper maintains it using solar power, preserving its beauty for future generations.
10. Woodland Caribou – Again
Caribou are so nice, we had to mention them twice! We also encountered caribou along the outer coast of the Slate Islands.
Sighting several caribou while paddling was rewarding, but the highlight was having a curious caribou wander into our campsite. It lingered for quite some time, even as we slept on the outer edge of Patterson Island.
Overall, we spotted nine caribou during our visit. Although we couldn’t capture a photo of the males with antlers, we managed to document the remarkable experience.
11. Pukaskwa Pit
Another intriguing phenomenon observed on the Slate Islands is the Pukaskwa Pits, ancient rock formations found along the North Coast of Lake Superior. One can be seen on Mortimer Island’s cobblestone beach.
Dating back 5,000 to 10,000 years, these pits were likely created by the ancestors of the Ojibway People. Their exact purpose remains unclear, but they may have served as spiritual sites for vision quests, hunting blinds, or temporary shelters, making them an interesting focal point for exploration.
12. Deserted Beaches
If you appreciate deserted beaches, the Slate Islands are a perfect destination! Our guide, Jen, even bravely took a refreshing dip! The beauty of these beaches lies in their pebbly shores.
The smooth pebbles offer comfort for sitting and sleeping, making them a far better alternative to messy fine sand. These beaches are long, beautiful, and tranquil.
Travel Planning Resources
For your next adventure planning, consider using these reputable resources:
Book Your Flights: Start your journey by finding affordable flight deals on Skyscanner, our go-to provider for years.
Find Hotels: Discover great prices for accommodations with Booking.com if you’re in Europe, or TripAdvisor if you’re elsewhere.
Apartment Rentals: To find the best rates for apartment rentals, check VRBO.
Travel Insurance: Always travel with insurance. We recommend:
Activities: If you’re looking for walking tours or private guides, we suggest Get Your Guide.
For further assistance in trip planning, explore our Resources Page, featuring companies we trust while traveling.
