Balsam Lake Provincial Park

Balsam Lake Provincial Park Balsam Lake Provincial Park is a recreational park approximately 2 hours from Toronto. Come enjoy some great fishing as well!

There are 5 campgrounds and 3 hiking trails, as well as a large clean sandy beach, where we offer canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals. We offer Natural Heritage Education programs throughout July and August, where you can learn about the natural environment and local history through a variety of children's programs, guided hikes, evening presentations and more! We have one of the cleanest lakes in

the Kawartha Lakes area, which makes for great swimming from our sandy beach. Balsam Lake is the highest elevation lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Our loon isn’t just visiting… it’s nesting right here on the beach 🐦‍⬛💙 To celebrate one of our most iconic (and sensiti...
06/08/2026

Our loon isn’t just visiting… it’s nesting right here on the beach 🐦‍⬛💙

To celebrate one of our most iconic (and sensitive) summer residents, we’ve gathered a full loon merch collection!

Perfect for showing your love for the lake.

From mugs to tees and everything in between, each piece is inspired by the wild beauty just steps from the shoreline.

If you stop by, remember to give our loon plenty of space so we can keep sharing this special moment together and follow all posted signage.

Plan Ahead for a Perfect Summer Day ☀️🌿 Longer days, warmer weather, and more people enjoying the outdoors—summer is a b...
06/07/2026

Plan Ahead for a Perfect Summer Day ☀️🌿

Longer days, warmer weather, and more people enjoying the outdoors—summer is a beautiful (and busy!) time at Balsam Lake.

A little planning before you arrive can go a long way in making your visit smooth and stress-free, especially on busy weekends. Knowing what to expect, arriving prepared, and showing a bit of patience for others helps create a better experience for everyone.

✨ A great park day starts before you even arrive.

🔗 Check out our park blog for a helpful pre-trip checklist: https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/pack-trip-camping-checklist/

Are you an early planner or more of a last-minute packer?

Bad hair day? Birds get them too. 💨🐦 👇 Rate this bird’s look: 1–10 Did you know birds can actually control many of their...
06/06/2026

Bad hair day? Birds get them too. 💨🐦

👇 Rate this bird’s look: 1–10

Did you know birds can actually control many of their feathers using tiny muscles at the base? This allows them to fluff up for warmth, sleek down for flight, or create eye-catching displays.

And when things get a little too messy, birds rely on preening. A grooming behaviour where they clean, realign, and waterproof their feathers using oils from a special gland.

Feathers aren’t just for flying—they help with insulation, waterproofing, camouflage, and even attracting mates.

So that wild “hairstyle”? It might be functional and freshened up later!

May showers bring June flowers! We know this year everything has been a little late but the saying works this way too b...
06/05/2026

May showers bring June flowers!

We know this year everything has been a little late but the saying works this way too because Balsam Lake provincial park is currently in BLOOM.

If you are looking for a wonderful mid week visit and want to enjoy the spring we have the flowers.

05/29/2026

Not everything at Balsam Lake Provincial Park moves quickly.

Porcupines spend their time high in the trees or moving slowly through the forest, taking the season at their own pace.

Spring brings fresh food and quieter moments - if you’re lucky, you might spot one resting or feeding nearby.

As always, wildlife is best appreciated from a distance.

Thank you to everyone who helps keep the beach a welcoming place.Following the posted guidelines - like keeping the sand...
05/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who helps keep the beach a welcoming place.

Following the posted guidelines - like keeping the sand smoke free and using barbecues off the beach - helps everyone enjoy their time by the water.

We appreciate it. 🌿

This animal takes its time.That’s how it has survived for a very long time.Turtles have been around for more than 200 mi...
05/23/2026

This animal takes its time.
That’s how it has survived for a very long time.

Turtles have been around for more than 200 million years, thanks in part to an incredible adaptation, their shell.

Because of that protection, they don’t need to go anywhere fast.

Ontario’s turtles are no different. Each spring, turtles travel long distances (sometimes 10 km or more) from their overwintering home to favourite lakes, ponds, or nesting sites. Along the way, they sometimes have to cross the roads we use every day.

If you see a turtle crossing, slowing down and giving it time to get across can make all the difference.

Thanks for sharing the road.

Happy World Turtle Day

Did you know when a bee flies near you, it’s doing a quick vibe check?Using visual cues, bees can react to certain colou...
05/21/2026

Did you know when a bee flies near you, it’s doing a quick vibe check?

Using visual cues, bees can react to certain colours or scents.

That brief fly by is often just an information check before they move on to something more useful - like finding flowers.

Tiny animal.

Always working.

Happy World Bee Day 🐝

Mid week calm at Balsam Lake. 🌊🌿
05/21/2026

Mid week calm at Balsam Lake. 🌊🌿

Come find us at our Discovery program events today! Free to park visitors. All ages welcome!
05/17/2026

Come find us at our Discovery program events today!

Free to park visitors.

All ages welcome!

Address

2238 Highway 48 Rue R. #1
Kawartha Lakes, ON
K0M2B0

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

7054543324

Website

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