Pigeon River Provincial Park is a day-use park on the river of the same name. Said river features numerous rapids, waterfalls, and hills, as well as scenic views. These views are atop cliffs and lookout platforms, beautifully showing off a unique part of the world. Located right on the Minnesota border, the park is a popular stop for those not even from Canada. I visited in August 2025.
Although modern-day Pigeon River park is day-use only, this was not always the case. Originally only 5 hectares and known as Middle Falls Provincial Park, the park was opened in 1957. The original land is now the Middle Falls Walk and parking lot, but was once a full-fledged recreational park, featuring group camping. In 1973, a park reserve was established east of the Middle Falls Provincial Park by the Thunder Bay government. This 902 hectare park reserve was offered to the province by Thunder Bay in 1983, and officially agglomerated into Pigeon River Provincial Park in 1985. There was even plans to create a full campground near the modern-day tourist information centre, but these fell through due to a few reasons. Of course there's the usual lack of demand, but more importantly - the 907 ha park was now a natural environment park, with conservation overtaking recreation as the main goal. And thus, the park has put its focus on that ever since, including reclaiming 42 hectares of flooded river swampland into dry land in 1995.
As for the original park name, Middle Falls, it was named after the waterfalls it was originally sat upon. As for the current name, it comes from the Voyageur term "Riviere aux Tourtes", coming from the French Voyageurs who traversed the river. "Tourtes", meaning pigeon, allegedly deriving from the vast swarms of the now-extinct passenger pigeon in the area.
Pigeon River has rather few amenities, but the few are:
- tourist information centre for border crossers
- interpretive panels throughout the trails
- convenient location on Highway 61
- gateway to Grand Portage State Park, across the river
- lookout platforms and bridges showing off the unique landforms
- a 500m wheelchair accessible trail
The trails I did at Pigeon River are: (no bikes on any)
Pigeon River's most iconic trail is one worthy of that title. From the main parking lot, you walk north along Highway 61 before walking through a tunnel under the road. You then climb up a small hill before plummeting down to a little view over the valley. You finally walk down the hill and over a bridge to a scenic viewing platform overlooking High Falls. And it's always a pleasure to view the Americans at Grand Portage across the river.
This trail climbs the steepest hill in the whole park, overlooking valleys and ridges. A part of the Great Trail, this one's a great way to access the main park from the Middle Falls Parking Lot. And let's not forget the nice view of the Pigeon River valley. Just a warning, the spur of trail to the lookout itself is overgrown. Make sure to follow the Great Trail arrow signs to access it.
As the name suggests, this is a connector trail - but not a direct one. This trail truly connects the High Falls Loop to the Lookout Trail, which in turn, accesses the Middle Falls Walk. Regardless, this climb up red rocks accesses the same lookout as the Lookout Trail, while taking an easier and more convenient hike.
Starting from the Middle Falls parking lot, this trail travels west upon the former campground road, quickly leading to scenic views of Middle Falls. There are picnic tables along the way, as well as broken-up asphalt beneath your feet, reminding you of the park's history. Do recommend.
Pigeon River is confusing to access because it's spread across multiple roads.
To access Middle Falls, it's easiest to go to the Middle Falls parking lot on Highway 593, as opposed to taking the long and overgrown walk.
To access High Falls or the lookout, you must park at the tourist information centre on Highway 61. Then there is a trail to your north, which you must take under the highway. Then you can access your desired trails.
To access Finger Point Lookout or the boardwalk, they're both directly accessed from the main parking lot on Highway 61. Finger Point Trail starting from the same trail accessing High Falls, except heading east.
The Minnesota-Ontario Highway 61 border crossing viewed from the Lookout Trail. (taken with zoom lens)
Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.
A marshy habitat near the border bridge (this was the area reclaimed in 1995).
White tailed deer
Wildflowers
Birds of prey, such as bald eagles
Day trip from Kakabeka Falls or Sleeping Giant.
Be sure to wave to "those cross-river smelly Americans" (I heard someone say this and I had to write it lol).
Stop at the tourist information centre if you happen to be an American, as there is some great info about Ontario and its park system.
Above is 6m high Middle Falls. At the top of the page is 37m tall High Falls.
Standing at 37m tall, High Falls is the perfect northern Ontario companion to Niagara. And although they both divide Canada and America in twain, they couldn't be more different. Even though Niagara Falls is natural, it's been modernized and industrialized up the wazoo, while High Falls actually give you a taste of nature. Even in just the path the water of Pigeon River takes - there's no grace; just the rush and power of the wild and boreal north. Combined with the northern-feeling coniferous forests and jet black rock, its a very different feeling. And when I said power, I meant it - you can feel it. It was a rainy day when I visited, but you can still experience the thud of white water on the floor, and the explosion of mist in your face. Be sure not to miss this when you're in the area, because what a sight it is!
A nice day-trip, although this felt very industrial, and not properly protected. Especially the hike along the road and walking under it; it felt like the park was an afterthought - which to be fair, it was. The highway came first. But it takes a little away. Regardless, it's an impressive falls worth a stop, so maybe a 7/10 day trip, but a 5/10 park.
