Pukaskwa National Park

Pukaskwa National Park is a federal protected area on the north shore of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada, preserving coastal boreal forest, freshwater shoreline and rugged wilderness terrain. The park emphasizes backcountry recreation, wilderness camping and protection of natural habitats along the lake.

The park’s signature feature is a long coastal hiking route that follows the Lake Superior shoreline for roughly 60 kilometres, with rugged beaches, cliffs and mixed forest in between. There are also shorter trails, day-use areas and boat or paddling access points along the coast.

The park was established to conserve representative boreal ecosystems and the cultural and natural features of the Lake Superior coastline; it is managed for low-density recreation and ecological integrity.

Pukaskwa occupies a remote stretch of northeastern Ontario on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, with nearest access points via Highway 17 and small towns such as Marathon to the west and White River to the north; parts of the park are accessible only by foot or boat.

• Trail logistics: The coastal trail usually requires multi-day backpacking and not all sections have regular cell coverage; plan for remote conditions and self-sufficient camping.
• Wildlife and landscape: The park is notable for rugged Lake Superior shoreline, boreal forest and wildlife including black bears and moose; sections are accessible by car while the coastal trail is remote.

What to See #

• Coastal Hiking Trail: A long wilderness coastal route popularly called the Coastal Hiking Trail runs roughly 60 kilometres along Lake Superior's shoreline inside the park and is the park's primary trekking route.