charleston lake provincial park

We visited this park during a weekend stay in the Gananoque and Rideau Lakes region. We were impressed by the rugged terrain, unspoiled waterfront and lake vistas - no cottages. There are many trails, some of which follow the shoreline and include lovely views of the lake and islands, with picnic table well located along the way. There are both drive-to and back-country campsites to suit all styles of camping. There are also boat ramps, to allow further exploration of this very pretty lake, by motorboat or canoe. This is a very large park and it occupies almost half of the shoreline of a 7 mile long lake. The staff were very helpful and accommodating. This is a beautiful spot to visit for a day, or even better, for a week of camping and boating. When you drive along Hwy 401 between Gananoque and Brockville, you would never suspect there is such a pretty, rocky piece of the Canadian Shield only 15 minutes to the north. It is well worth the detour to enjoy Charleston Lk.

Very clean park , well maintained canoes , amazing scenery Went with our dogs and had smooth , picturesque canoe trip and picnic.

One word only "AWESOME"...We were amazed to see that how well maintained this park was...My wife liked it enough that now she agreed and said if we were have to go caming again this will be only place she will go back to... Nice fun programs for kids... Nice trails as described by others, nice and clean beach and water...

What a gorgeous lake! What can I say about this place? The water is crystal clear; we saw hundreds of fish, snails, turtles, dragonflies, not to mention all the beautiful plantlife - it was a magnificently vibrant ecosystem! Even though there are motorboats allowed on one side of the lake, and there is a busy family beach on the other, this place still managed to convey a sense of peace and tranquility. Definitely worth the trip if you are looking for a nice place to paddle around for a few hours! The only reason why I'm not giving this park a rating of excellent is because of the motorboats - I don't think any motorboats should be allowed in our National & Provincial parks, but that's just me. Other than that, this lake is one of the nicest - if not THE nicest - lake we have paddled on so far this year!

Good park with nice lake, and apparently there's canoe-in and interior sites. Will have to check those out next time. The sites are big and fairly private and facilities were clean. Not too far off the 401 so gettng there is pretty quick. There's an LCBO in Lansdowne, so you can pick up "supplies" there. Oh and there's a convenience store just past the tracks.

I have to say I'm not a hardcore camper, give me a hotel any day. This place made my experience worthwhile. Great place to camp! Super friendly staff. Will definitely return.

We stayed on site #325 for 3 nights and we liked it. Site was very close to the lake. This spot is very good for family who has small children as the toilet is nearby. Many hiking trails, water sports and more. We also went to Kingston for a half day trip. It took 40 min. Will go back next year.

We stayed on site 302 from july 14th to the 20th. We love it here. Lots of water recreation. Canoe, kayak, swimming. Site close to garbage. I would rather a different site next year. But in the shady acres location. Big park. Lots to do. Highly recommend.

We've been going to Charleston Lake for camping for years now and it continues to be a favorite destination for our family. Our son is a little older now (9 years) so he's not as interested in the educational programs run by the park staff but there's still lots for him to do. One of his favorite activities now is fishing with his buddies and while they're mostly catching and releasing small sunfish, this is still a lot of fun for them. We continue to love the beaches and the camp sites we've used have all exceeded expectations. Bring lots of bug spray though because the mosquitoes can be fierce and don't leave food out at night as the raccoons are both numerous and bold. But if you're looking for a bit of a return to nature, this is still one of the best camp sites in Ontario.

I picked this park on the web without a lot of research except for its location not too far off the 401 as we were going to southern Ontario. The park is not that far from main highway little directions indicate the path to follow so our GPS helped. Perhaps they don't want to tell about their treasure. Our arrival was problem free , reservation was found , map and instructions provided and we were on our site within 10 minutes. Upon driving up to it we were struck by how beautiful the place is. The trees are mostly maples and huge forming a dome like filtering the light while at ground level it is very clean. We were a minute from the lake and small beach which at dusk provides for a beautiful sunset. Dry toilets were nearby with full facilities including showers and laundry were 5 minutes away. We went hiking on a 10 km loop which was partially closed although muddy which is normal at this time of the year it was well indicated and provided for good observations of forest and good view points half way. The campground was 3/4 full and we feared it would be noisy at night but peaceful surroundings and the evident presence of patrolling wardens made for great night of sleep. If you need a good camping spot for a small family or a spot like us to breath a couple days while traveling it is a great spot.

Our family stayed on site 249 for four nights and enjoyed our stay. The park is quiet and camp sites are private and well spaced out. The main washrooms and showers were exceptionally clean for a provincial park and we never experienced a wait for shower time. The beach is small and busy but great for young kids. All in all a great spot to camp.

The park is open year-round, although during the winter only one trail is easily accessible. Access from Thanksgiving to Victoria Day is free. During the off season, it's unusual to meet anyone else on the trails. The lake is surrounded by cottages, and is very busy during the summer. I tend to avoid the park during the high season; instead I come every week or two during the off-season, when I can watch wildlife undisturbed. There are a variety of well-sheltered drive-in camping sites. If you prefer quieter camping, there are interior sites accessible only by foot or canoe. During the high season, the campground and beaches are quite busy, but the trails all offer quieter options. If you find that you've forgotten any essentials, the grocery is well-stocked and tools can be bought at the feed store across the street.

I went for an afternoon fall hike at Charleston Lake in September 2013. There are several trails to choose from within Charleston Lake Provincial Park. While the Quiddity Trail on the park's west side is a nice easy one, with gorgeous fall scenery, the Sandstone Island Trail is one not to be missed. It is located on the east side, and is moderately rugged with a few steep uphill climbs. It is beautiful, with sandstone rock overhangs and incredible views of the lake anywhere from lake level to about 80 feet. It's a contrast from the mostly granite Frontenac Axis in which the park is located. Set aside about 2 hours to complete that trail. You will not regret doing so. However, you could set aside another hour or two and easily complete another trail in the park (Quiddity, Shoreline Centennial being other great choices).

This is a great provincial park for families with two beaches and lots of nature trails. For those trying to escape the masses, fall is the time to go. The park is still open until October but with few visitors especially during the week. Boat traffic on the lake drops considerably. Backcountry camping is at its best weekdays in September. Hot warm days with cool nights and lots of activity from Mother Nature's creatures. Bring a kayak, loadit up and enjoy the best of the Canadian Shield!

We've been to Charleston Lake a number of times in the past and this visit was yet another memorable experience. The nature programs for the kids are top-notch although pre-teens and teenagers won't likely enjoy them as much as the younger ones. The sites are, for the most part, private and well-maintained. Watch out for the poison ivy though, it can be nasty!