Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you purchase or book through an affiliate link, I receive a small commission.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park is among the most underrated Ontario Parks I have ever visited. This park offers a huge lake with over 75km of shoreline to explore, and great hiking trails with one of them boasting the highest peak in Leeds County.
Charleston Lake is located in Lansdowne, Ontario, less than a 1 hour’s drive from Kingston, and a 2 hour drive from Ottawa. It is an amazing park for swimming, paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing!
We spent two days at Charleston Lake Provincial Park over Victoria Day weekend in May. I loved seeing the rock formations making up parts of the Frontenac Arch along the lake, and I also had a great time canoeing and watching an osprey family!
Where to Stay at Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Charleston Lake Provincial Park has 3 car camping accessible campgrounds, Meadowlands, Bayside, and Shady Ridge. There are also interior campsites throughout the park that are accessible through the park’s hiking trails, or by paddling in. Charleston Lake Provincial Park also offers a water access cabin and 4 yurts in the Shady Ridge campground. All of these camping options can be reserved through the Ontario Parks website.
Meadowlands Campground
We booked this camping trip rather last minute and ended up staying at the Meadowlands campground. Site 114 was the only campsite left for the long weekend, and luckily it was right next to a water tap, and a short walk to a comfort station. It is a non-electrical site, so ensure you bring external batteries to keep your phones charged.
This campsite was large, but it also had many tree roots so our tent was quite far from our picnic table and fire pit. There were only two of us and one tent, but it could be difficult to fit more than one tent here due to the tree roots. The campsite was also pretty private on either side but was directly across from another site.
What to Do at Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Paddle Around Charleston Lake
Charleston Lake Provincial Park is an amazing place to go for a paddle. The lake has over 75km of shoreline to explore, along with many islands, bays, and coves. Keep in mind that some of the islands have private cabins on them. Pick up a map from the camp office to see which islands are public. Most islands have some sort of small sign with its name to help with navigation.
We brought our canoe and launched it from the canoe launch. There is a rack available to leave your canoe at the launch, instead of having to bring it back to your campsite. You can also launch from the boat launch, but keep in mind there is no canoe rack there.
Parts of Charleston Lake are motorboat-free, including Running’s Bay and Slim Bay, so these areas would be wonderful for beginner paddlers. Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the camp office and come with everything you need for paddling including PFDs, paddles, and other safety equipment.
When paddling keep your eyes peeled for a ton of birds and turtles enjoying themselves in Charleston Lake. On our little canoe trip, we saw a lot of loons and some different turtle species, and we were even lucky enough to spot an osprey family where the male osprey was bringing back fish to the nesting female osprey!
Hike at Charleston Lake
Charleston Lake has 7 day-use hiking trails. We had time for two of them. We did the Blue Mountain Trail, and the Sandstone Island Trail, both were incredibly beautiful!
Blue Mountain Trail
This trail is accessible from Charleston Lake Provincial Park via paddle-in only. You can access this trail from outside the park, but the parking is on private property, and the out-and-back trail is longer if you choose this route. Check that route out on AllTrails.
We chose to paddle to the Blue Mountain Trail from the canoe launch. It took us around 1 hour to canoe there, but would be quicker if you left from the boat launch instead. Bring the canoe map with you as you paddle, and look for Huckleberry Hollow. Once in view, you’ll see a dock and a picnic table, this is where you begin the Blue Mountain hike.
The Blue Mountain Trail in Charleston Lake Provincial Park starts at Huckleberry Hollow and is a 5.7km out-and-back trail. The top of Blue Mountain is the highest point in Leeds County. On a clear day, you can see New York State’s Adirondack Mountains in the distance!
This is a difficult trail as the Ontario Parks website states. Parts of the trail are quite steep and rugged, and it is also muddy and overgrown in places. At the time of year we went it was also very buggy, as the trail goes past a wetland. This trail technically takes you outside of Charleston Lake Provincial Park, so ensure you stay on the trail and avoid trespassing on nearby private property.
The Blue Mountain Trail can take at least half a day when you consider paddling there and back, and the hike. I strongly suggest bringing along a lunch and stopping to eat either at the picnic table at Huckleberry Hollow or at the top of Blue Mountain.
Sandstone Island Trail
For an easier trail, we also did the Sandstone Island Trail. This trail is accessible from the same parking lot as the boat launch, so keep in mind that the parking lot can be full depending on the time of day.
The Sandstone Island Trail is a 2.6km loop and is considered moderate in difficulty. It is a shorter trail, but it can get rocky at points and there is a portion of the trail where you have to hike over a ton of rocks.
If you’re into geology, the Sandstone Island Trail will be a highlight for you. You’ll visit a rock shelter that was used by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago and is made from granite and sandstone. You’ll also visit a rock cylinder, see some glacial erratics, and the foundation of an 1800s homestead. Don’t forget to grab a guide from the trailhead!
Overall we had an incredible weekend at Charleston Lake Provincial Park. There are so many more activities to do in the park and a lot more paddling and hiking to do. I definitely intend to visit Charleston Lake again and I hope you do too!
