Accessible Travel in Algoma Country

Visitors to Algoma Country are in for a treat with the abundance of offerings in the region. From breathtaking landscapes to thrilling outdoor adventures, rich cultural experiences, and delectable food and drink, there’s something to captivate every traveller. The variety of attractions and activities available here ensures that you’ll never run out of things to see and do.

Ontario Travel Accessible Resources

If you are a visitor with a visual or non-visual disability, click here for information about how Ontario is committed to making it easier for you to experience what the province has to offer.

Trip Planning

To assist in planning your trip, we’ve highlighted a few businesses, outdoor experiences and services that provide mobility services, accessible options, or additional language support to cater to diverse visitors. Algoma Country is dedicated to ensuring that your visit is as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Water-based Adventures

Photo Credit: Prince Township

You will find water adventures by canoe or kayak on Lake Superior, St. Marys River and Lake Huron. There are barrier-free kayak or canoe docks at the Bellevue Marina in Sault Ste. Marie, in downtown Blind River on the riverfront, the Gros Cap Marina in Prince Township, and the Thessalon Marina. All of these locations have parking and restrooms available on-site.

A Day At The Beach

Photo credit: Town of Thessalon

Beachgoers will love reaching the water’s edge! You can find Accessibility mats at Sellers Beach in Blind River which has barrier-free washrooms and changeroom, Lakeside Park in Thessalon, and Spruce Beach and Spine Beach in Elliot Lake. Water wheelchairs are available at the beaches in Elliot Lake and so are lifeguards. Parking and restrooms/changerooms are available on-site.

For families with little ones who want water adventures, enjoy the splash pads in Sault Ste. Marie and Elliot Lake. Bellevue Park in Sault Ste. Marie has an Adventure & Sensory Playground.

Land-based Adventures

Provincial Parks On Lake Superior

There are several ways to have land-based adventures on trails and beaches in some of the region’s provincial parks. Pancake Bay Provincial Park offers all-terrain wheelchairs to reach the water’s edge, has a wheelchair ramp for beachfront access and is barrier-free. The campground also has four barrier-free campsites.

At Lake Superior Provincial Park, the largest park in the region, visitors will enjoy learning about the Power of the Lake at the Visitor Centre. If you’re looking to camp at Agawa Bay or Rabbit Blanket campgrounds, each has an accessible campsite.

• There are accessible campsites at Agawa Campground and one campsite at Rabbit Blanket Campground.
• All 3 park comfort stations are accessible: the Visitor Centre and the Coastal Trail from the Visitor Centre to the end of the old group camping is accessible. The trail in this location is a mix of gravel and paving stones.
• The park also offers an accessible beach wheelchair available for free use from the Agawa Visitor Centre.

Provincial Parks On Inland Lakes

Photo courtesy of Dave Sproule, Ontario Parks.

The comfort station at Fushimi Lake Provincial Park is barrier-free including showers, and has a barrier-free campsite in the nearby campground. The campground comfort station has flush toilets, mirrors, sinks, hand sanitizer, hand dryers and showers.

Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park offers two barrier-free campsites with access to the Red Pine comfort station which is barrier-free. These sites provide a beautiful view of Ivanhoe Lake and easy access to the paved roadway.

Photo courtesy of Dave Sproule, Ontario Parks.

Missinaibi Provincial Park has two barrier-free campsites, and barrier-free privies at the Barclay Bay campground.

The campground at Mississagi Provincial Park is rustic with campsites and limited facilities in general. One of the privies near campsites #50, 51 and 59, has barrier-free access.

Photo courtesy of Dave Sproule, Ontario Parks.

Nagagamisis Provincial Park‘s comfort station and showers are barrier-free and offer a barrier-free campsite. The park’s barrier-free comfort station, located in Bedwash Campground, has flush toilets, mirrors, sinks, hand sanitizer, hand dryers and showers.

Wakami Lake Provincial Park has barrier-free access available in Birch Hill Campground – there is one barrier-free campsite and one barrier-free privy.

Read more about Beach Accessibility in Ontario Parks by clicking here

Local Trails

The Attikamek Trail at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site is a 2.2 km trail across the lock gates on South St. Marys Island. Visitors will experience the natural world of quiet woods and wetlands. The Rains Point Trail at Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is accessible for 500 m to the viewing platform. This was the site of an 1837 settlement founded by Major Rains. Although the buildings are gone the lilacs, rosebushes and grapevines planted by their owners remain here today.

The John Rowswell Hub Trail in Sault Ste. Marie is a 22.5 km multi-use, non-motorized trail that offers an interactive experience around the city.

The Aasaakamigo Assinii Miikana (Mossy Rock Trail) is a new, fully accessible hiking trail loop in partnership between Mississauga First Nations and the Town of Blind River. This shared trail includes teachings along the trail through the lens of First Nations. The trail is well-signed and is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, cycling, walking, or snowshoeing. Access the loop at the west end of Youngfox Road. There is a parking lot.

In Echo Bay, take the Lake George Marsh Boardwalk, which leads to a bird-viewing platform with views of the local significant wetland. This section is 670 metres and is wheelchair accessible.

Galleries, Museums And Historic Sites

Learn and experience the region’s history at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, and the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and Fort St. Joseph National Historic Sites. Some sites, like the Sault Ste. Marie Museum has an elevator, and the Timber Village Museum in Blind River has a lift.

Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of history paired with culinary with Blaq Bear Tours to learn about Sault Ste. Marie’s heritage, art, and evolving food scene.

Art galleries and museums in Algoma’s cities and towns can learn about the history and culture of the region. Visit a shopping centre, like the Station Mall which has accessible parking, restrooms and offers wheelchairs at Guest Services.

Places To Stay

Accessible and barrier-free accommodations and campgrounds can be found at numerous hotels, motels, and lodges in Algoma. Among notable establishments are:

• Birchland Cottages
• Bear Paw Lodge
• Companion Hotel/Motel
• Fairfield Inn & Suites
• Laurentian Lodge
• Quattro Hotel
• Comfort Inn
• Water Tower Inn
• Villa Inn & Suites
• Holiday Inn Express
• Wawa Motor Inn
• Como Lake Resort
• Sault Ste. Marie KOA

Find all accommodation types in the region by clicking here.

This blog is maintained with regular updates to ensure visitors have access to the most up-to-date and pertinent information to enhance their experience in the region.

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