Hiking in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park: The Ultimate Guide

by Stephanie · September 8, 2025

Just outside Thunder Bay is a spectacular park that should be on all outdoor adventurers’ bucket list places to visit in Canada! That park is Sleeping Giant Provincial Park! It’s home to one of the best hiking trails in Ontario that leads to epic clifftop views over Lake Superior, Top of the Giant Trail. And that’s just one of the many reasons to visit this incredible park.

I’ve had the joy of visiting Sleeping Giant a number of times now and even with 8 years in between trips, it still wows me. So, I’m sharing everything you need to know about hiking Sleeping Giant Provincial. This guide shares tips on hiking the Top of the Giant Trail, what to know before you go, and other things to do in the park.

So, lace up your hiking boots and let’s start planning a trip to Sleeping Giant!

sign at the entrance of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — the welcoming sign at the entrance to the park

Where is Sleeping Giant Provincial Park?

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is located 1 hour drive east of Thunder Bay on the Sibley Peninsula. The peninsula juts out into the northern waters of Lake Superior. (View on map)

And it’s one of the top places to stop on a Toronto to Thunder Bay road trip!

A Bit About the Park

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is home to the highest cliffs in Ontario – making it no surprise why it’s one of the best provincial parks to visit!

Beyond hiking the famous Top of the Giant Trail, the park is home to over 100 km of trails – the largest trail system of all Ontario parks. Trails range from long (like the 37 km Kabeyun Trail) to short (many under 1km).

But there’s so much more to do and see in the park! It’s a great destination all year round with activities ranging from canoeing in the summer to cross-country skiing in the winter.

I love Sleeping Giant for its dramatic landscapes and natural beauty. Home to boreal forest, unique geology and, of course, epic views, it’s no surprise why it won CBC’s top wonder in Canada.

It’s a great day trip from Thunder Bay or you book a few nights camping in the park.

View of the Sleeping Giant with Marie Lake on a cloudy day — View of the Sleeping Giant with Marie Lake

Why is it called Sleeping Giant?

The first time I visiting Northern Ontario I was intrigued by the different names of places. And as a story teller, I loved learning about the Indigenous stories behind them.

Before visiting the park, I recommend taking in one of the many views of Sleeping Giant to give you better perspective to on the name. It literally looking like a giant person lying down on its back.

One of the legends of Sleeping Giant tells of a giant named Nanabosho, son of the west wind, Kabeyun. While sitting on the beach one day he discovered silver. And afraid for his people, he made them bury it at the end of the Sibley Peninsula.

Sometime later, Nanabosho saw a warrior heading to where the silver was, with two white men in his canoe. Desperate to save the secret, he created a storm that sunk the canoe and drowned the white men. But Nanabosho was punished by the Great Spirit. He was turned to stone and now lays watching over his silver secret.

Top of the Giant Trail

Hiking Sleeping Giant Provincial Park – especially the Top of the Giant Trail is one of the top things to do in Thunder Bay!

This bucket list hike is on many people’s bucket list and I’m so thrilled that I got to hike it twice.

A few key things to know about hiking the Top of the Giant Trail:

Park at South Kabeyun Trailhead parking lot
Top of the Giant Trail is approximately 22 km
it takes between 6 to 9 hours
elevation gain is 290 metres (950 feet)
to shorten it to closer to 6 hours you can ride your bike along the Kabeyun Trail
it is a difficult trail when it comes to not just the length but mostly the steep switchbacks up the cliff
trails are VERY well marked with distances on markers

How Long Does it Take to Hike the Top of the Giant Trail?

On average it takes people between 6 to 9 hours. For those who hike it in 6 hours, it’s because they have biked part of the trail.

My first hike in 2017 took 9 hours and I hiked 27 km. However, we did the Sea Lion and also added a visit to Lehtinen’s Bay, which is located past the junction to turn off the Kabeyun Trail to reach the Top of the Trail.

On my second hike it took 8.5 hours and we hiked approximately 24 km. We add the Sea Lion and took our time. To break it down more, it took 5.5 hours from the parking lot to the top and only took just over 3 hours to return to the car.

Sea Lion rock formation along the coastline of Sleeping Giant Provincial park — view of the Sea Lion

Hiking the Top of the Giant Trail Review

After heading off from the South Kabeyun Trailhead parking lot follow the Kabeyun Trail for approximately 1 km to the Sea Lion Trailhead. This short, just under 1 km, out and back trail is a popular addition to hiking the Top of the Giant Trail in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Tip: if you want to see the Sea Lion, it’s best to do it at the beginning of the hike as you won’t likely have the excitement for it after.

The Sea Lion Trail is a mix of wooden steps and rocky sections through the forest. Until to your right a sweeping view of Lake Superior and the Sea Lion comes into view. The information boards show the Sea Lion timeline, when it had its head, prior to the 1900s, to now without it.

Head back out on the Kabeyun Trail, known as the park’s highway, thanks to it’s wideness and length throughout the park. The trail goes through dense forest with various views of the water.

Tip: If you want to stop for a little beach time or a break, pop into Tee Harbour.

Bay in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park known as Tee Harbour with a a rocky coastline and dense tree line beyond the beach. — views of Tee Harbour

Small lake in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park called Talus Lake, with climbing hillsides behind it — view of Talus Lake with water in 2017

Talus Lake in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park all dry with just grasses showing between the trees from the trail — view of Talus Lake in 2025

Next is the Talus Lake Trail, which will give you a hint at the intensity to come. It includes some wooden stairs, rocky terrain and on my first hike the lake was full of water. However, on my last hike it was devoid of water and all you could see was the grasses from what was once the bottom of the lake.

Then comes the literal vertical climb up giant steps and over rocky switchbacks. I don’t recall as many ‘stairs’ on my first hike but on the last one there were lots. I’m assuming to make the climb easier but I found them more challenging due to them not being typical stairs. The boards are various widths and heights.

Tip: slow and steady is a good pace for this part.

Rugged stairs along the Top of the Giant Trail with a large rock to one side of the trail and a tree to the other. After the stairs is a rooty and rocky trail. — stairs along the Top of the Giant Trail

As you reach the top of the climb there’s a number of great lookouts that make for idea lunch spots. Both hikes I enjoyed my lunch at the Tee Harbour Lookout.

From Tee Harbour Lookout it’s less than 45 minutes to the Top of the Giant. But this stretch is a definite break from the switchbacks, as it’s most through the forest with a little bit of rolling trail.

Views of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and Lake Superior Tee Harbour Lookout along the Top of the Giant Trail — views from Tee Harbour Lookout

All those hours of hiking and hard work pays off as you reach the gorge – otherwise known as ‘the knees of the giant.’ Here, standing on some of the tallest cliffs in Ontario you are rewarded with (in my opinion) THE BEST view!

Standing 750 feet above Lake Superior – I could cry! Both times I reached the gorge; I was overwhelmed by the beauty (pictures don’t do it justice!) and how thankful I am to have this special place here in my backyard of Ontario!

Me standing on cliff on the Top of the Giant Trail in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — the EPIC views from the Top of the Giant

me standing at the Gorge Lookout in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — a sweeping view of the Gorge!

What to Know Before You Go

There are a few key things to know before you visit Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Be sure you are prepared before you go.

Cost: Parking Fee – $18 (Day Pass)
Limited to NO cell service in most of the park (especially along the Top of the Giant Trail)
Top of the Giant Trail takes 6 to 9 hours and is difficult
Pack sufficient water (I recommend at least 2 L), food and a small first air kit (check out my day hiking packing list to make sure you have all the essentials!)
Pack out what you pack in (Leave No Trace Principals)
There are camp toilets at the Trailhead and a few ‘thunder boxes’ (pit toilets without walls) scattered along the trail

trail markers in Sleeping Giant Provincial park — descriptive trail markers

Hiking Trails in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

There are over 25 hiking trails in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. While the Top of the Giant Trail is the most popular, it actually takes a few different trails to reach it. Trails in the park range from 37 km to many under 1 km. The following are a few notable ones.

Kabeyun Trail – 37 km linear
Sea Lion Trail – 0.8 km return
Middlebrun Bay Trail – 9.8 km return
Nanabosho Lookout Trail – 1.4 km return
Joe Creek Nature Trail – 1.4 km return
Thunder Bay Bogs Nature Trail – 0.7 km loop
Cemetery Trail – 1.6 km return
Thunder Cape Trail – 2.4 km return

Other Things to do in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Biking

The park is a popular spot for biking. There are 6 main trails to choose from, some of which run along old logging road.

Biking trails include; South Kabeyun to the junction with Talus Lake Trail, Sawyer Bay Trail, Pickerel Lake Trail, Burma Trail, and Sawbill Lake Trail.

Canoeing

There are plenty of opportunities to canoe in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. With around half a dozen lakes in the park, including the large Marie Louise Lake.

And don’t worry if you don’t have a canoe. You can rent canoes and kayaks at the park store.

Birding

The park is home to a wealth of wildlife, including around 200 bird species. Thanks to the boreal forest, lakes, and other unique habitats, you’ll find a diverse range from waterfowl to warblers.

I was excited to see a number of birds along the Kabeyun Trail like; brown creeper, veery, golden-crowned kinglet, magnolia warbler, black-and-white warbler, and Tennessee warbler.

Heading up the switchbacks an adorable spruce gtrotted along the path in front of us and into the woods. Then up atop of the cliffs I spotted a sharp-shinned hawk and a bohemian waxwing.

Lehtinen's Bay in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park with towering cliffs in the distance — views from Lehtinen’s Bay

Swimming

If you’re looking for a great beach, there are plenty of places to go swimming in the park, from the various lakes to the bays that run along the Lake Superior coastline. Top spots to swim include Marie Louise Lake and Pounsford Lake.

But please note that there are no lifeguards at any of the locations so swim responsibly and stay safe.

Camping

One of the best things to do in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is go camping. With 200 campsites at the Marie Louise Lake Campground. You can reserve your camping site here. And for the adventurous, there are also backcountry camping locations.

If you’re looking for a little more comfort, don’t worry the park has you covered too! There are five rustic cabins available.

Lookout

Don’t forget to check out the incredible Thunder Bay Lookout that’s located in the northern end of the park. It will give you epic views over to Thunder Bay!

Cross-Country Skiing

Sleeping Giant is a great park to visit all year round, with plenty of reasons to visit the park in the winter. The Sleeping Giant Loppet, a cross-country ski festival, takes place in March and is quite the event!

But you can also go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The park is home to some of the best cross-country skiing in Ontario, with 50 km of groomed trails.

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