Agawa Canyon
Canyon Scenic river canyon and popular train excursion route
Agawa Canyon in Ontario’s Algoma region is reachable by the Agawa Canyon Tour Train and hiking trails. Travelers come for towering cliffs, waterfalls, fall colours and photography from forested gorge overlooks.
Agawa Canyon is a deep, rock-walled canyon in the Algoma District of Ontario, Canada, carved into Precambrian Canadian Shield bedrock. It is widely noted for its steep cliffs, exposed rock faces and colourful fall foliage.
The canyon is most commonly experienced via the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, a scenic rail service that carries visitors from Sault Ste. Marie into the canyon for day trips, short walks and lookouts. There are short trails and lookout platforms at the rim that provide panoramic views over the canyon.
Geologically the canyon exposes ancient bedrock and glacially influenced landforms of the Canadian Shield; scenic character is strongest in autumn when deciduous trees display fall colours.
The canyon lies in northern Ontario’s Algoma region and is accessed by rail and by logging and forest roads from communities such as Sault Ste. Marie.
- Tour train: Regularly accessed by the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, which brings visitors from Sault Ste. Marie to the canyon for day trips and fall foliage viewing.
What to See #
- Rim lookouts: Lookout platforms and short trails at the canyon rim that provide views over the rock-walled canyon and surrounding forested landscape.
How to Get to Agawa Canyon #
Agawa Canyon is reached from Sault Ste. Marie via the Agawa Canyon Tour Train (seasonal) or by driving north on Highway 17 and taking local forest roads to trailheads. The train departs Sault Ste. Marie and returns the same day during its operating season.
Tips for Visiting Agawa Canyon #
- The Agawa Canyon Tour Train from Sault Ste. Marie is the classic way to see the canyon-book tickets in advance (seasonal).
- Bring binoculars for summer birdlife and autumn leaf-peeping-the canyon's fall colours are remarkable.
Best Time to Visit Agawa Canyon #
Late summer and autumn (leaf-peeping season) are the most popular times; train tours run seasonally and provide dramatic access to viewpoints.
Weather & Climate near Agawa Canyon #
Agawa Canyon's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -20°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1168 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -8°C and lows of -20°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -18°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm).
