Visiting Picturesque Oastler Lake Provincial Park

Beloved by first-timers and return visitors, Oastler Lake Provincial Park is a small recreational area with a waterfront campground for RVs and tent camping, as well as excellent swimming, paddling, fishing and cycling nearby. The Park’s limited area is centered on the campground and waterfront area, with great scenery nonetheless—the setting is classic Ontario cottage country, with polished rock shorelines and a mixedwood forest of maples and pines. It is located minutes away from Georgian Bay and the community of Parry Sound, just off Highway 400, in Central Ontario.

Where is Oastler Lake Provincial Park?

Oastler Lake Provincial Park is located 125 kilometres north of Barrie. Take the Oastler Park Drive exit from Highway 400 and drive five minutes to the park gate. Continue on Oastler Park Drive another six kilometres to reach downtown Parry Sound. No wheels? You can also take the Ontario Northland bus from Toronto’s Union Station to Oastler Lake Provincial Park, with pickup points in Vaughn, Barrie and various other locations along the way.

Camping at Oastler Lake Provincial Park

There are 149 campsites divided into five campground clusters at Oastler Lake Provincial Park, all with access to water taps, toilets and a comfort station with showers. Electrical sites are located in the Hardwood Hill, Riverside and Beachview campgrounds, while the Lakeview campground is all non-electrical for tent camping. The Point offers more privacy, with 10 walk-in, radio- and generator-free campsites on the shores of Oastler Lake, located 100 to 300 metres from a parking area.

The campground is open from the second weekend in May through Thanksgiving in October. Pets are allowed. Campsite reservations can be made online or by phone, and are recommended from the May long weekend through late September.

Oastler Lake Provincial Park day use and reservations

Besides allowing you to reserve campsites up to five months in advance of your arrival date, the Ontario Parks reservation website provides brief descriptions and photos of each campsite to help you choose the best for your needs.

Oastler Lake day use tickets, also known as Daily Vehicle Permits, can be purchased up to five days in advance online (recommended for weekends and in July and August) or at the Park office for $12.25 per vehicle. 

Things to do at Oastler Lake Provincial Park

Needless to say, Oastler Lake is the central attraction of Oastler Lake Provincial Park. Great beaches and the opportunity for water activities make it a fantastic destination for those who love time on the lake. The Park makes a great base camp for cyclists as well.

Beaches

Oastler Lake boasts having one of the best beaches in Parry Sound, which is no small claim for such a water-rich region. The main park beach—open to campers and day users—offers plenty of space for playing volleyball, building sand castles and relaxing in the sun. A separate dog beach is also available at the pet exercise area. There are no lifeguards. Check the park alerts webpage for beach postings indicating elevated levels of bacteria in the water.

Canoeing, kayaking and boating

Oastler Lake is a good destination for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Canoes can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis, to be used within the park only. The lake is also open to powerboats less than 20 feet in length, with a boat launch and limited docking available.

Fishing

You can catch northern pike and bass in Oastler Lake, as well as rainbow trout around the outflow of the Boyne River.

Cycling

A bicycle is a great way to get around the campground, especially for kids. The Seguin Recreational Trail follows parts of the historic Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway right-of-way between Highway 400 and Parry Sound, with a total distance of 80 kilometres. This multiuse, mostly gravel path is great for mountain biking and it’s accessible via the Georgian Bay Travel Centre, located at exit 214 on Highway 400, about five kilometres from Oastler Lake Provincial Park.  

General information

This general information will help you plan your trip to Oastler Lake Provincial Park.

Wildlife

Georgian Bay is noted as a hub of biodiversity due to a wide range of habitats. Oastler Lake Provincial Park visitors may see white-tailed deer and moose, red fox, snowshoe hare, common loon, ruffed grouse and many songbirds. Store your food securely inside your vehicle to avoid encounters with black bears. While they’re generally shy, black bears can become habituated by receiving human food at camping areas. Be an ethical wildlife-watcher and do not feed or approach any species of wildlife. It is also forbidden to cut wildflowers, shrubs, trees or any live vegetation.

Fire bans

A fire ban may be put in place in dry conditions. Stay tuned to the Park’s alerts webpage or check out the Ontario forest fire info map to see if there is a fire ban at Oastler Lake Provincial Park.

Oastler Lake Provincial Park map

Download a park overview map, including campsite numbers and features, from Ontario Parks.

Trains at Oastler Lake Provincial Park

Do you love the sound of a train in the distance? How about up close? The Oastler Lake Provincial Park campground is located adjacent to an active rail line. Campers can expect to hear several trains passing by throughout the day and night. The nostalgic sound is a treat to some, while other campers have complained of sleepless nights. Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Oastler Lake Provincial Park weather

Oastler Lake weather is typical of Central Ontario. Expect ice-out in late April to early May, with temperatures warming rapidly and moderate precipitation through the spring. Summer weather can be hot and humid, with regular thunderstorms. Cooler temperatures return in late August and early September, with occasional bursts of summer-like conditions in autumn. The leaves change and the risk of frost arrives in late September. Check out Environment and Climate Change Canada for detailed weather forecasts and historical conditions.

Oastler Lake Provincial Park shopping

You can pick up firewood, snacks and Ontario Parks souvenirs at the park office. The town of Parry Sound offers plenty of options for fuel, groceries, dining and shopping, located only six kilometres from the Park.

Equipment rentals

Rental canoes are available at the Park office for use in Oastler Lake Provincial Park. You can also rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards at White Squall in Nobel, north of Parry Sound, or Swift Georgian Bay in Waubeshene.

Plan your visit to Oastler Lake

Easy access, beautiful waterfront campsites and wonderful sand beaches make Oastler Lake a great outdoor destination, located minutes off of Highway 400 and just outside of the community of Parry Sound.

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