Trans-Canada Camping Trek
Embark on an epic 3,000-kilometer cross-country transit from Eastern Ontario to the Gateway to the North. This high-mileage route traverses the rugged Canadian Shield and the vast Prairies over four focused driving days.
Cardinal -> Sault Ste. Marie -> Thunder Bay -> Winnipeg -> Prince Albert
- Sault Ste. Marie Canal
- Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout
- The Forks National Historic Site
- Kinsmen Park
North to the Great Lakes
Start your journey from Cardinal, heading northwest into the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield. 08:00 Cardinal Visitor Center: begin the long drive through the heart of Ontario. 13:00 The Big Nickel ⭐: a quick stretch at Sudbury’s famous landmark before continuing west. 17:00 Chutes Provincial Park: explore the waterfalls and hiking trails along the Aux Sables River. Tonight stay: Chutes Provincial Park Campground — fall asleep to the sound of rushing waterfalls. Day summary: a long driving day transitioning from the St. Lawrence Valley to the rocky northern forests.
Cardinal Visitor Center
Cardinal Visitor Center
The Big Nickel
The Big Nickel
Chutes Provincial Park
Chutes Provincial Park
Superior Shores and Memorials
Travel along the dramatic coastline of Lake Superior, passing through Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa. 09:00 Sault Ste. Marie Canal: walk the historic grounds of this 19th-century engineering marvel. 12:30 The Wawa Goose: stop for a photo with the iconic giant goose overlooking the highway. 17:30 Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout: pay respects at this moving monument with a panoramic view of Thunder Bay. Tonight stay: Trowbridge Falls City Park & Campground — a scenic spot nestled in the boreal forest near the city. Day summary: incredible lakeside vistas and a meaningful stop at the Terry Fox monument.
Sault Ste. Marie Canal
Sault Ste. Marie Canal
The Wawa Goose
The Wawa Goose
Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout
Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout
Trowbridge Falls
Trowbridge Falls
Into the Prairie Gateway
Cross into the vast plains as the forests of Ontario give way to the open horizons of Manitoba. 10:00 Husky the Muskie: a classic roadside stop in Kenora on the shores of Lake of the Woods. 15:00 The Forks National Historic Site: explore the meeting point of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in Winnipeg. 18:00 Birds Hill Provincial Park: arrive at this massive park just north of the city. Tonight stay: Birds Hill Provincial Park Campground — enjoy the quiet prairie trails and lake access. Day summary: a transition from lake country to the beginning of the Canadian Prairies.
Husky the Muskie
Husky the Muskie
The Forks National Historic Site
The Forks National Historic Site
Birds Hill Provincial Park
Birds Hill Provincial Park
The Land of Living Skies
Complete the final leg through the rolling farmland of Saskatchewan toward the northern woods. 11:00 Meewasin Valley Park: enjoy a walk along the South Saskatchewan River in the heart of Saskatoon. 14:30 Prince Albert National Park: enter the park where the prairie meets the northern coniferous forest. 17:00 Kinsmen Park: reach the final destination in the city of Prince Albert. Tonight stay: Prince Albert National Park (Beaver Glen Campground) — immersive nature at the edge of the wilderness. Day summary: a beautiful drive across the plains ending at the gateway to the north.
Meewasin Valley Park
Meewasin Valley Park
Prince Albert National Park
Prince Albert National Park
Kinsmen Park
Kinsmen Park
- Expect daily driving times between 7.5 and 8.5 hours; start early to maximize daylight.
- The stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and Kenora has limited cell service and services.
- Watch for wildlife, especially moose in Northern Ontario and deer in the Prairies.
- Confirm hotel bookings in advance as stopping points are regional transit hubs.
- Day 1: 9h 32m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 2: 7h 31m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 3: 7h 46m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 4: 9h 38m driving — plan rest stops