Agawa Canyon Train

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July 5, 2007

The Agawa Canyon Train departs from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario just across the International Bridge from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan daily at 8:00 A.M. from mid-June through mid-October, but check their website for current dates and times.

We boarded early in the morning on July 5^th and found our seats. There are no reserved seats. Although we had eaten a continental breakfast at our hotel, breakfast is served on the train. While the canyon itself is the destination, the journey is worth the trip.

When we arrived at the canyon, it was time for lunch. We had packed a picnic lunch. If you choose not to pack a lunch, you can purchase food on the train. Having found a bench on the edge of a stream, we enjoyed our picnic. Afterwards we hiked to one of the two falls. The train remains at the canyon long enough for you to hike to both falls before returning to Sault Ste. Marie.

However, we had purchased a package that included an overnight stay at the Arrington Resort. We caught the regular passenger train heading north and continued our journey for another few hours to mile marker 215. This is the stop for the Arrington Resort. We were met at the side of the tracks by Mr. Arrington. He loaded his mail, supplies, and our overnight bag onto a pontoon boat. We boarded, and 15 minutes later arrived at his island resort.

Our room for the night was small but cozy. The overnight plan included dinner, breakfast, and two wildlife cruises on the lake. After a delicious dinner we boarded the pontoon again, and enjoyed the lake cruise, absent, however, of wildlife. The next morning after breakfast we chose not to take the second wildlife cruise, but rather to enjoy the lake from the deck outside our room.

The train was scheduled to stop and pick us up about 10:00 A.M. A large group who had spent the week fishing, were also leaving that morning (in the rain), so it was quite a group waiting along the tracks. This group disembarked at the first town with a depot, which is the closest you could actually drive and still reach Arrington’s Resort.

The Arrington’s had packed us a box lunch so we were set for the return trip that stopped throughout the day at various small towns. We arrived back at Sault Ste. Marie around 6:00 P.M.

Whether you take the Agawa Canyon Train as a simple day trip, or opt for one of the overnight options, it is worth the time and expense. The one day trip to the canyon and back was $140 per couple* during the summertime of 2007.



*Check your favorite guide book or online for current rates.

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