Top 3 Natural Monuments in Lake Superior Provincial Park

On the Nokomis Trail, you have a good view in several places of Old Woman Bay, the expanses of Lake Superior, and the course of Highway 17. In the Ojibwe indigenous language, the word Nokomis means "my grandmother". The name is a direct allusion to the distinctive rock formation in Old Woman Bay. (Visited on June 2, 2026)

Old Woman Bay is located in the north of Lake Superior Provincial Park – about 25 kilometers away from the small town of Wawa. Access is via Highway 17 (Trans-Canada Highway), which runs directly past the bay. The South Old Woman River flows into Lake Superior on the sandy beach. The name Old Woman Bay comes from a distinctive rock formation in the bay. Viewed from a distance and from a certain angle, the contours of the rock cliffs form the profile of an old woman's face. The popular Nokomis Trail begins at the parking lot by the bay. (Visit on June 2, 2026)

The visit to the rock art site is a short walk steeply down to the coast. Everywhere there are signs with warnings indicating the dangerous undertaking. The somewhat steep, walkable rocks are extremely exposed to water; during storms and wet conditions, there is a risk to life. People have died or been injured during visits when they were washed into the water. It looks as if there used to be a walkable platform. However, during our visit on May 31, 2026, none of this is an issue: with calm seas and a bright blue sky, we can view the somewhat faded paintings together. The passage on Highway 17 is closed today; since we have already been in Lake Superior Provincial Park since yesterday and will be staying for a few more days, we are not affected by the road closure.

Beautiful spot to take a break and enjoy the scenery.

After a short ascent and a walking time of approx. 20 minutes – clockwise on the circular trail – you reach the first viewpoint at an altitude of about 270 meters; it is located a few meters off the Awausee Trail. The view extends over Agawa Bay in Lake Superior to the south and the chain of hills to the southeast. The Agawa River is visible in the dense forest on the plain. (Visit on May 30, 2026)

The Agawa Rock Pictographs are a collection of 35 red-ochre paintings on the face of Lake Superior's towering granite cliffs. In Ojibwe, the area is known as Mazinaubikinguning, meaning "the adorned rock of Lake Agawa". Although the glyphs are only a short distance from the parking area this is not a hike one should attempt during inclement weather since you need to negotiate a narrow rock shelf right at the water level in order to access the site.

Lake Superior Provincial Park covers more than 160,000 hectares along the rugged Lake Superior shoreline. Established in 1944, the park is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, waterfalls, and inland lakes; offering world-class hiking, paddling, and trout fishing. Visitors can explore diverse trails, enjoy backcountry camping, and learn about the region’s rich cultural history at the Agawa Bay Visitor Centre. With its mix of accessible and remote landscapes, the park is a spectacular destination for both adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

Depending on which way you are hiking the Awausee Trail, this is either your first or last of the four viewpoints on the trail. Either way, it's a great place to catch your breath and enjoy the view.