Lake Superior Provincial Park

Infobox Protected area
name = Lake Superior Provincial Park
iucn_category = II

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caption = Pictographs at Agawa Rock
base_width = 300
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Central Ontario
nearest_city = Wawa, Ontario
lat_degrees=47 |lat_minutes=45 |lat_seconds= |lat_direction=N
long_degrees=84 |long_minutes=50 |long_seconds= |long_direction=W
area =convert|155646|ha|acre|abbr=on|lk=on
established = 1944
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Ontario Parks
world_heritage_site =

Lake Superior Provincial Park is one of the largest provincial parks in Ontario, covering about convert|1550|km2|sqmi along the northeastern shores of Lake Superior between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. The Trans-Canada Highway now runs through the park, but when the park was originally established in 1944, there was no road access.

Ecology

The rugged Canadian Shield of the park is wooded with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees such as pine, maples and birch. Sugar maple dominates many forests in the southern two-thirds of the park. The predominantly rocky coastline is interrupted by sandy beaches in a few locations. The park supports a large moose population. Other large animals found in the park include:
* White-tailed deer
* Woodland caribou ("Rangifer tarandus caribou")
* Black bear
* Grey wolfDuring the summer months, the park provides habitat for warblers and other birds of the northern forests.

A number of rivers flow from the park's interior:
* Agawa River
* Baldhead River
* Coldwater River
* Gargantua River
* Old Woman River
* Red Rock River
* Sand RiverSeveral waterfalls on these rivers can be seen from the road or reached via hiking trails.

History

Traces of ancient volcanic activity can be seen in rock outcrops near Red Rock Lake and several other sites. At Agawa Rock, near the mouth of the Agawa River, are pictographs created by the original inhabitants of this region. The figures painted on the rock with red ochre record both historical events and legendary figures. The first written description of these pictographs appears in a work by Henry Schoolcraft in 1851.

Activities

Recreational activities in the park include canoeing, camping and hiking. A section of the Voyageur Trail follows the lake's shore through the park.

Facilities

Campgrounds are located at:
* Agawa Bay
* Crescent Lake
* Rabbit Blanket Lake

External links

* [http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/lakes.html Official Park Website]
* [http://www.lakesuperiorpark.ca/ Friends of Lake Superior Park]