Michipicoten Post Provincial Park

The park is located at the mouth of the Michipicoten River on the eastern shore of Lake Superior northwest of Sault Ste. Marie and close to the town of Wawa. It contains 289 hectares (714 acres) of land. The annual precipitation is 1002 mm (39 in).

The lower part of the underlying rocks consists of massive and pillowed magnesium and iron-rich tholeeiitic flows. The upper part consists of intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks. The park's substrate contains alluvial and lowland materials, which were deposited by meltwaters of the retreating glaciers.

Five vegetation communities are found in the park. Waterfowl and other bird species stop here on their migratory trips in the spring and the autumn.

Four aboriginal settlement sites have been identified in or near the park. The settlements seem to have begun as early as 1165 BCE. The people were generally nomadic, however. They would move inland during the winter.

The first Europen to explore this region was Étienne Brulé, between 1617 and 1622. The original post was established about 1714 by the French. It was operated over the years successively by the French, independent traders, the Northwest Trading Company, and the Hudson's Bay Company. The local Ojibway trapped and provided furs to the post for nearly 180 years. The post provided various services during its time of operation.

The park was established as Michipicoten Wilderness area in 1971 to preserve natural and historical resources. In 1982, when it became a historical provincial park, 65 hectares (161 acres) were added. Regrettably, relic hunters are removing historic artefacts and recreation activities are destroying plant cover. There are several other provincial parks, including Michipicoten Island, and one national park nearby.

We would like to thank the following for providing information for this page: Laurel Finney, Natural Heritage Education Co-ordinator, White Lake Provincial Park; Librarian, Michipicoten Township Public Library; Kaireen Morrison, Local Geneologist, Wawa, Ontario; Johanna Rowe, The Wilderness Group; and Mike Pym, Project Management Planner, Michipicoten Island and Michipicoten Post Provincial Parks.

Flora