St. Joseph Island (Ontario)St. Joseph Island (Ontario) at a Glance
About St. Joseph Island (Ontario)
St. Joseph Island is a large island in the North Channel of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, noted for its rural communities and outdoor recreation opportunities. The island is a long-established local centre for seasonal tourism and cottage country.
Low-density settlements, shoreline parks, marinas and trails used for boating, fishing, hiking and birdwatching. Several small villages provide shops, restaurants and basic services concentrated around sheltered harbours.
The island has been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples and later became the site of European military and trading activity; remains of a late 18th/early 19th-century military post are preserved as a historic site. Settlement and seasonal recreation developed through the 19th and 20th centuries.
Located in the North Channel of Lake Huron near the mouth of the St. Marys River, the island lies off the mainland of northwestern Ontario and is associated with the Sault Ste. Marie region.
- Location in Lake Huron: The island is located in the North Channel of Lake Huron and is closely associated with Sault Ste. Marie as the nearest regional centre.
- Outdoor recreation: Outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking are primary attractions, with multiple small communities providing services for visitors.
What to See#
- Richards Landing: Richards Landing is the island’s largest community and commercial centre, serving as a principal harbour and service point for visitors.
- Fort St. Joseph (historic site): Fort St. Joseph is a National Historic Site on the island with archaeological remains and interpretive displays about the site’s military history.
- Hilton Beach: Hilton Beach is a smaller lakeside community popular for boating and seasonal recreation along the island’s south shore.
Best Time to Visit St. Joseph Island (Ontario)
Summer provides the most reliable access and the fullest range of services.
Weather & Climate near St. Joseph Island (Ontario)
St. Joseph Island (Ontario)'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 -15°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (854 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -15° - -6° | -17° | 47 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -14° - -4° | -15° | 45 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -9° - 2° | -9° | 67 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -2° - 9° | 0° | 68 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 17° | 11° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 22° | 15° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 12° - 24° | 18° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 12° - 23° | 18° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 18° | 13° | 94 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 12° | 5° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -3° - 4° | -4° | 78 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -10° - -2° | -12° | 58 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to St. Joseph Island (Ontario)
Drive: St. Joseph Island is reached from the Ontario mainland via the Bernt Gilbertson (also called the Littleton) bridge at the village of Richards Landing. From Sault Ste. Marie, follow Highway 17 southwest, then take the local route that crosses to the island. Ferry services are not required for vehicles. For visitors arriving from greater Ontario, allow several hours from Sault Ste. Marie or Sudbury.