Located between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, Chutes Provincial Park is a little gem with a lot to offer.
With incredible views, rich history, and a full-service campground, Chutes offers the perfect basecamp for exploring surrounding attractions.
Check out these five reasons to visit Chutes:
1. Waterfalls everywhere
If Chutes has a signature view, it’s the waterfalls!
Falls Lookout is a wide platform right on the edge of the park’s main falls. Even in summer, when the river flow is much lower than in spring, the power of the water shows its strength, cascading right in front of you.
Follow the Twin Bridges Trail upstream along Aux Sables and you’ll pass a series of rapids, waterfalls and waterfalls that form the heart of the park.
These are the Seven Sisters.
2. A mighty river
The Aux Sables River flows south from the highlands of the Penokean Hills. These roots of an ancient mountain range that was once as tall as the Rocky Mountains have now become rounded knobs.
The name of the river, “Aux Sables River”, refers to the sandy banks of the river. In addition to the park’s beach, much of the river within the park boundaries falls over rocky ledges, channels, and rapids.
Aux Sables River It means “sand river” in French, but the river flows through picturesque rocky shorelines in some parts of the park.
The Twin Bridges Trail follows the river, passing several overlooks and overlooks, giving visitors places to stop, relax and be surrounded by nature, accompanied by the relaxing sound of moving water.
3. A rich history
Surprisingly, Chutes Provincial Park is not named after the French translation of “waterfalls.”waterfalls”, but for the long wooden “slide” that stretched along its length a hundred years ago.
Lumberjacks release logs into the Aux Sables River during a spring river trip in the early 20th century.
In those days, lumberjacks “pinned down,” cut down tall white pines and drove them down northern rivers to mills, long before roads came to the area.
The large wooden log slide that gives the park its name, at the main falls in the early 20th century.
To prevent logs from falling over the falls and being damaged, loggers built log chutes (wooden trestles filled with water) through which logs were sent for safe transportation over the falls.
Interpretive panels at Falls Lookout tell the stories of those loggers.
4. “Autumn” for our autumn colors
Fall is a great time to visit parks and Chutes is no exception.
The river and its waterfalls, cascades and rapids reflect the reds, golds and burgundy of the changing leaves of autumn, making the park “postcard perfect.”
5. Explore the area
Chutes is just an hour west of Sudbury on the Trans-Canada Highway/Highway 17 and 20 km north of Lake Huron’s famous North Channel.
Reserve a campsite at the park’s full-service campground and use it as a base to explore this region.
sudbury
Visit this festive city in summer, with the Northern Lights Festival Boréal and the Sudbury Blueberry Festival among the highlights.
Sudbury is also home to two incredible science centers: Science North and Dynamic Earth, both interactive and perfect for families.
Photo: Sudbury Tourism
Don’t forget the Big Nickel!
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world.
To residents of the region, it is simply called “The Island.” Home to picturesque villages, unique shops and restaurants, the island is a must-see.
Cultural heritage
Manitoulin Island is a hub for indigenous artists with many art galleries and museums to explore. Communities organize gatherings during the summer, with dancing, drumming and other events.
The Great Spirit Circle Trail offers cultural and natural tourism experiences from an indigenous perspective.
Try a trail
Explore the region on foot along one of the many trails:
Bahía Miseria Provincial Park
The known Manitoulin Island Cup and Saucer Trail explore the high points of the Niagara Escarpment landscape that stretches from the north of the Bruce Peninsula to the island.
Also in Manitoulin, Bahía Miseria Provincial Park It is a trail-filled nature reserve that protects a globally rare limestone pavement habitat called “alvars” and is home to many rare flowering plants.
Mississagi Provincial Parkabout an hour northwest, it has fantastic hiking trails that pass through a variety of forests and feature panoramic viewpoints.
Mississagi Provincial Park
Willisville Hiking Trail and Heaven’s Gate Trail wind through the western part of the La Cloche Mountains, the white quartzite hills that make Killarney Provincial Park famous.
Are you planning a visit?
The campground is conveniently close to trails and the river, and contains both electric and non-electric sites. A comfort station with hot showers, flushing toilets, and laundry facilities is located in the center.
The day-use area centers on the park’s sandy beach and swimming area, which also features a fenced, off-leash pet exercise area with water access.
Picnic tables and a picnic shelter can also be found here.
The park is open until October 10, 2023.