2026 Algoma-Travel-Guide - Flipbook - Page 70
ST. JOSEPH ISLAND
Many colourful stories – some legend, some historical
fact — are told about St. Joseph Island. The second
largest freshwater island in the world, in the channel
between Lakes Huron and Superior, this 140,000-acre
island is east of Sault Ste. Marie via Highways 17 and
548. Named Anipich, the Ojibwe word for “place of the
hardwood trees”, the island was given its present name
by Jesuit missionaries in honour of the patron saint of a
church they had built.
The British chose St. Joseph Island as the ideal location
for a fort because of its proximity to Fort Mackinac, the
navigation routes controlling the fur trade and access
to the Great Lakes. It was from Fort St. Joseph that
a surprise invasion took place in 1812, leading to the
capture of the American Fort on Mackinac Island. Fort St.
Joseph National Historic Site of Canada is a must-see
stop.
St. Joseph Island is the ideal destination for “ride and
bike” cyclists. Whether an avid cyclist, a weekend
enthusiast, or just for fun and fresh air, St. Joseph Island
offers the perfect mix of rolling hills, canopied side roads,
picturesque vistas, low traffic rates and friendly services
for distance riding or circular routes.
The island is linked to the mainland by a toll-free bridge
with full-service marinas, libraries, public beaches, and
trails within easy walking distance of the business centre.
HILTON BEACH
The beautiful Village of Hilton Beach offers many
amenities, including a general store, post office, motel,
seasonal tourist park (with trailer hookups), a public
library, playgrounds, a boardwalk and a public beach.
Visitors are invited to walk around the Village and
experience the local wildlife, including otters, muskrats,
deer, and an abundance of birds and butterflies.
Our full-service marina is one of the largest in the North
Channel and one of the most scenic on the Great
Lakes. Hilton Beach hosts unique events all summer
long, including one of the largest art shows in the area,
a classic car show, and a community night parade &
festival.
For more information, visit our website at
www.hiltonbeach.com or email info@hiltonbeach.com
69
2026 ALGOMA TRAVEL GUIDE
St. Joseph Island has something for everyone. The two
villages, Hilton Beach and Richards Landing, have a
variety of businesses to serve the traveller, as well as
hosting many community events.
