Spectacular is the only word to describe this steep-sided canyon, formed by jointing planes in the Precambrian bedrock. Situated in the rough, hilly terrain above the Lakehead, Ouimet Canyon - like its sister, Cavern Lake Provincial Park - supports an unusual group of rare, arctic-alpine plants in the valley floor.

The cold-climate flora include sub-arctic thickets, fir-club moss and lichen, alpine woods, arctic pyrola, encrusted saxifrage, and fragrant shield fern. The vegetation is a remnant of colder meteorological conditions that prevailed during the last ice age - and that still prevails along the canyon floor, where snow lingers until late spring.