July 25, 2026

Dorion is a township in northern Ontario about 45 minutes east of Thunder Bay. The township was opened in the 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway built a line through the area with settlement beginning in 1893. By 1906 it had a post office and a school. The population reached 216 by 1911. A road to Lakehead (Thunder Bay) opened in 1922. Electrical service wouldn’t arrive until the 1940s and phone lines in 1960. Cell phone service arrived in 1996. In the 2021 census there were 375 people living in the township. One of the geographical features in the township is Eagle Canyon. It was carved through the bedrock 12,000 years ago by the melting glacial waters from the retreating ice age. Eagle Canyon has become a tourist attraction with the opening of Eagle Canyon Adventures which allows you to explore the canyon on well groomed trails and pathways.

Two suspension bridges stretch across the canyon which provide breathtaking views. The image below shows the first of two bridges, this one listed at 300 feet long and suspended 125 feet above the canyon floor.

The bridges are restricted to 20 people at a time and I was lucky enough on a Tuesday afternoon to have both of them all to myself.

The view downstream gives a good idea of the size of the canyon that you are crossing. With the wind being up and occasional rain drops falling the hike was even more exhilarating. The bridge gets enough sway from the wind to let you feel it move below your feet. I can image the movement it must get when loaded with a bunch of excited children on it.

Looking upstream you can see the second bridge in the distance.

The bridges and trails are all well maintained and suitable for people who have mobility issues. There’s even a shuttle service to bring those who can’t climb the trail to the bridges so that they have the opportunity to enjoy them too. The 600 foot bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Canada.

The view from the middle of the bridge looking downstream lets you see the scenery from 152 feet above the river in the bottom of the canyon.

There are two sets of stairs that lead to the canyon floor. The one I went down, near the longer bridge was either 200 or 201 steps. I may have lost count at one point on my decent.

There are sone nice trails that go along the bottom of the canyon along side the river. From here you can look back up to the underside of the 600 foot bridge.

Once you follow the canyon downstream you will pass under the 300 foot bridge as well. You can then climb back to the top of the canyon on the second set of stairs or follow the trail around Bat Lake and back to the gift shop.

Before you begin your adventure you have to register at the gift shop and along with paying the $25 fee you will be asked to sign a waiver. “Just in case you do anything stupid out there” as the staff was quick to point out.

Google Maps Link: Eagle Canyon Adventures

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