Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is on the Sibley Peninsula on Lake Superior, a 75 km drive from Thunder Bay that Ontario Parks says takes just over an hour. Ontario Parks lists more than 100 km of trails, a car campground on Marie Louise Lake, backcountry campsites and rustic cabins. This guide uses the park’s own Ontario Parks pages.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Phone | 807-977-2526 |
| Mailing address | RR 1, Pass Lake, ON P0T 2M0 |
| Gatehouse | About 35 km south on Highway 587 |
| Size and age | 24,400 ha, established 1944, Natural Environment class |
| Car camping season (2026) | May 15 to October 20 |
| Open for day use | All year |
Quick answer
Park at the South Kabeyun Trailhead, 36.5 km south on Highway 587, for the Giant’s main trails, and arrive early in summer because the lot can fill. Every vehicle needs a valid permit on the dash, and you can buy day-use permits up to five days in advance.
Trails
Ontario Parks says the park has over 100 km of trails. It rates the Top of the Giant Trail (3.3 km one way, 21.8 km round trip from the parking lot) and the Head Trail (the steepest in the park) as difficult. The Nanabosho Lookout Trail is also difficult. The Sea Lion Trail is moderate, about 2.4 km round trip from the trailhead. Tee Harbour Trail is easy, 12.4 km round trip from the lot. Joe Creek Nature Trail is a 0.7 km easy walk down cascades to Lake Superior, and Plantain Lane Nature Trail is wheelchair accessible and 0.3 km long. The Kabeyun Trail, 37 km one way, is the park’s backbone and is mostly hiked in sections.
Cycling is allowed on listed trails, including Sawyer Bay and Burma. Thunder Bay Lookout Road is a 9 km mountain bike ride, and Marie Louise Drive is 12 km.
Camping and cabins
Marie Louise Lake Campground has 200 campsites, almost half with electrical service. Two comfort stations have showers, flush toilets and laundry. There are two group campsites, for up to 25 and up to 50 people. The park has five rustic cabins, and Ontario Parks says full-service cabins are rentable year round.
Backcountry permits are required at all 27 backcountry sites, sorted into seven zones. The Tee Harbour Zone has 10 sites. Permits are sold year-round online or through the Ontario Parks reservation line (1-888-668-7275), and in person at the Marie Louise Lake Park Office from mid-May to mid-October.
Water, fishing and wildlife
Power boats are allowed only on Marie Louise Lake, with motors of 10 horsepower or less, and there is a boat launch in the campground. Canoes and stand-up paddleboards rent from the park store. Ontario Parks says sportfishing is allowed but baitfish may not be used or possessed in park waters except Lake Superior, and fishing rods and tackle can be borrowed free of charge. More than 200 bird species have been recorded, about 75 of them nesting in the park. Marie Louise Lake has a public beach with a buoyed swimming area, and Middlebrun Bay has a sandy Lake Superior beach 2.3 km from its trailhead; Ontario Parks says lifeguards are not posted at any swimming area. In winter, the park lists 50 km of groomed classic and skate cross-country ski trails and a 550 m skating trail through the campground.
Park rules
Pets must be on a leash of no more than 2 metres and are not permitted in the swimming area or on the beach. The park’s activities page names the Sifting Lake Trail as the only trail where pets may be off leash. Adults 19 and over may have alcohol in most areas of operating provincial parks, with marked alcohol-free areas. Fireworks are prohibited at all times, off-road vehicles are not permitted, a campsite holds at most six people and the longest campground stay is 23 consecutive nights.
FAQ
Is Sleeping Giant open in winter?
Yes, for day use all year, and the park lists groomed cross-country ski trails. Checked November 4 2026.
Can I use a motorboat?
Only on Marie Louise Lake, 10 horsepower or less. Checked November 4 2026.
Do I need a permit to hike?
A valid permit must be displayed on every vehicle in the park. Checked November 4 2026.
Cottages on the water
Browse cottages in Northern Ontario.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check. The municipalities near the Sibley Peninsula are not in our rules dataset yet, so we state no short-term rental rule here. Confirm with the municipality before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phone 807-977-2526; 24,400 ha; established 1944; Natural Environment; RR 1 Pass Lake P0T 2M0; gatehouse about 35 km south on Hwy 587; car camping May 15 to October 20 2026; over 100 km of trails; 50 km groomed ski trails; open all year; full-service cabins for rent year round | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/sleepinggiant | 2026-11-04 |
| 2 | Trail ratings and distances (Nanabosho, Head, Top of the Giant, Sea Lion, Tee Harbour, Joe Creek, Plantain Lane, Kabeyun 37 km); cycling trails and 9 km and 12 km rides; 200 bird species, about 75 nesting; power boats on Marie Louise Lake only, 10 hp; baitfish rule; canoe and SUP rentals; Marie Louise Lake beach buoyed; Middlebrun Bay beach 2.3 km; no lifeguards; 550 m skating trail; Sifting Lake Trail only off-leash trail | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/sleepinggiant/activities | 2026-11-04 |
| 3 | 75 km drive from Thunder Bay, just over an hour; in-person backcountry permits at Marie Louise Lake Park Office mid-May to mid-October; South Kabeyun Trailhead 36.5 km south on Hwy 587, capacity issues, arrive early; permit on dash; 27 backcountry sites in seven zones, Tee Harbour 10 sites; permits online, 1-888-668-7275 or in person; 200 car campsites, almost half electrical; group sites 25 and 50; five rustic cabins | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/sleepinggiant/camping | 2026-11-04 |
| 4 | Two comfort stations with showers, flush toilets, laundry; boat launch in campground; day-use permits up to five days ahead; fishing rods and tackle on loan free | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/sleepinggiant/facilities | 2026-11-04 |
| 5 | Pets on 2 m leash, not on beach; alcohol for 19+ in most areas; no off-road vehicles; fireworks prohibited; six campers per site; 23 consecutive nights | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/sleepinggiant/rules | 2026-11-04 |
Photo: Jaime Dantas, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).