Lake Superior Voyageur Canoe Trips

A nation emerged in the wake of the birchbark canoes, the engines of the fur trade, Canada’s first industry. The canoe epitomizes our history.

We offer a number of trips by Voyageur Canoe along the North Shore of Lake Superior each summer. The routes we travel trace the same coastlines that were paddled by the fur-trading voyageurs in Canada’s early days, two centuries ago. This shoreline is officially designated as the Lake Superior Water Trail, a part of the 24,000-kilometre-long Trans Canada Trail.

New for 2025, we are partnering with the Trans Canada Trail to offer an exclusive Lake Superior Water Trail guided trip by voyageur canoe, with 18 percent of your trip fees supporting the organization’s ongoing development and stewardship of the world’s longest network of recreational trails.

Voyageur canoes are 36 feet (12 metres) long, 5 feet (1.5 metres) wide and carry 12 to 14 paddlers (and their camping and cooking gear and food) on multi-day trips. They’re very stable, seaworthy, easy to paddle and well suited to Lake Superior.

Strength comes from numbers, so voyageur canoes are perfect for beginner and novice paddlers, individuals and diverse groups. Our canoes are fully outfitted according to Canadian Coast Guard regulations including paddles, lifejackets and other safety equipment.

Just like in the days of the fur trade, each trip or brigade will be guided by experienced trip leaders who have an intimate knowledge of the coastline, including the best campsites and great stories to share. Your guides are experienced paddlers with leadership training and wilderness advanced first aid. They are also talented wilderness chefs.

Trips include all meals and are fully outfitted including tents, canoe packs, all group camping, cooking, eating, sanitation, first aid, safety and communication gear, as well as transportation to and from the starting point and finish. Return transport from nearby airports (Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay) will be available at a reasonable additional cost. You’ll be responsible for personal clothing, sleeping bag and sleeping pad (these are also available for rent). 

A joy of travelling on Lake Superior is the lack of portages. This combined with a high-volume canoe means that our trip menu is hearty and healthy, including plenty of fresh foods. Meals are planned, packed and prepared by guides. With sufficient notice, most dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) can be managed. Participants are welcome to help with camp chores or relax and enjoy Lake Superior’s beauty.

A detailed trip package will be sent following registration.