From parks with secret lake escapes to rolling dune beaches, these seven stunning provincial parks are perfect for visiting this summer.
These dreamy spots prove you don’t have to leave the province to find the perfect summer getaway. Here are seven provincial parks near Ottawa you won't want to miss.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 148 Woodvale Rd., Lansdowne, ON
Why You Need To Go: Charleston Lake is a family favourite camping destination offering swimming, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing.
The park, which is located about an hour and a half from Ottawa, is home to two swimming beaches, one in the park's day-use area and one in Shady Ridge campground. The beaches feature a gently sloping shoreline and lakebed, making them great for all ages to enjoy.
The park also offers plenty of hiking trails and scenic sites, including the Shoreline Centennial Trail, which provides serene views of the water, and the Blue Mountain Trail, where you can get scenic vistas from the highest point in Leeds County.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park website
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 16151 Hwy. 41, Cloyne, ON
Why You Need To Go: Two hours from Ottawa in the village of Cloyne, you'll find Bon Echo Provincial Park, a park that offers history, recreation and natural beauty.
Here, you can paddle on the lake to Mazinaw Rock, where you can view one of Canada's largest visible collections of Indigenous pictographs. You can bring your own canoe or rent one at the park's Lagoon.
The park also has three natural sand beaches to enjoy, located in both day-use and campground areas.
There are plenty of hiking trails of easy to moderate difficulty, including trails that lead to quiet forest ponds and beaver swamps, and an off-leash trail for furry friends.
Bon Echo Provincial Park website
Silver Lake Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 22726 Hwy 7, Maberly, ON
Why You Need To Go: Just under an hour and a half from Ottawa, you'll find Silver Lake Provincial Park. Located between Sharbot Lake and the town of Perth, Silver Lake is a bit tucked away, making it more of a hidden gem.
The park is named after its stunning, shimmering lake. Silver Lake offers beautiful blue water surrounded by forest with a pleasant, sandy beach area.
You can lie out on the sand, take a dip in the sparkling water, or explore the lake by stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, which are all available to rent at the park.
The lake also offers great fishing, and the park is also home to an easy boardwalk hiking trail where you can see marshes and wetlands.
Silver Lake Provincial Park website
Fitzroy Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 5201 Canon Smith Dr., Fitzroy Harbour, ON
Why You Need To Go: About 45 minutes from downtown Ottawa, Fitzroy Provincial Park is a natural haven with towering white pines, cascading waterfalls, and rich history.
The park offers ample bird-watching opportunities, a boat launch into the Ottawa River (as well as canoe/kayak rentals), fishing, and a comfort station with washrooms, picnic tables, BBQs, a volleyball court and more. There are also two beaches in the park — one for day use visitors and a camping beach in Two Rivers Campground.
The park also has two easy-to-moderate hiking trails, including the Terraces Trail, which allows hikers to see shale pillars and massive boulders left by glaciers.
Fitzroy Provincial Park website
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 25467 Hwy. 7, Sharbot Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Ottawa is Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, a park situated on two beautiful, clear lakes that offer great swimming, canoeing, and fishing.
In the park, you'll find two sandy beaches located on Black Lake that are great for swimming. The larger Sharbot Lake, which has docks, is great for large boats and waterskiing.
You can paddle a canoe on either lake for a serene way to spend the day, enjoy some fishing, or embark on a scenic hike.
The Ridgeview hiking trail is an easy-to-moderate trail that climbs the ridge that divides Black Lake and Sharbot Lake, and leads to a spectacular view.
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park website
Bonnechere Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 4024 Round Lake Rd., Killaloe, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located on the shores of Round Lake in the Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Township of Renfrew County, Bonnechere Provincial Park is a pleasant spot to visit for a day trip this summer.
The park is located about 2 hours from Ottawa and offers plenty to see and do.
Here, you'll find a lovely sandy beach with shallow, gradual drop-offs, making it great for swimming. There's plenty of space on the sand to lay out your blanket or beach towel, but there are also picnic tables in the shade for when you want to cool off.
The park is also great for bird watching and fishing, and offers a number of hiking trails, including the Walks of the Little Bonnechere River, a compilation of 10 local trails and stopping places, each offering a variety of experiences and opportunities to explore natural and cultural history.
Bonnechere Provincial Park website
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 3004 County Rd. 12, Picton, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Provincial Park has everything you need for the perfect summer day.
The park is home to the world's largest baymouth barrier dune formation — huge sand dunes that were formed by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago. It's also known for its beautiful beaches, which some say are the best in Canada.
You'll find natural white-sand beaches here, including Outlet Beach, which is located in the East Lake sector of the park, and Dunes Beach, a beach located in the Dunes day use area where you can see towering sand dunes.
There are also several hiking trails in the park that will take you past its dune system, old pine plantations, wildflower fields and other areas of the park.
Sandbanks Provincial Park website
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
