Ultimate Adventure Guide to White Lake Provincial Park

White Lake Provincial Park is a must-visit Northern Ontario camping destination that’s perfect for family, anglers, nature-lovers and adventurers. Located between the small towns of White River and Marathon on Highway 17, White Lake Provincial Park is far away from it all yet still a convenient stopover for travellers on the Trans-Canada Highway. It provides an intimate glimpse of Canada’s vast boreal forest and pristine lakes with easy access. Simply put, once you discover White Lake Provincial Park, you’ll long to return.

I consider White Lake Provincial Park to be a secret gem. My favourite memory is canoeing on a misty morning, gliding across White Lake’s mirror-flat surface. This sprawling body of water is nearly 20 km long and features plenty of shoreline to explore, so it’s no surprise that most visitors come to White Lake for water activities, including paddling and two family-friendly swimming areas. Motorboats are allowed on the lake and there’s a launch adjacent to the campground. The park is renowned for its walleye, northern pike, lake whitefish and yellow perch fishing.   

White Lake Provincial Park’s campground features 187 sites, including a mix of non-electrical and electrical sites. Two group campsites are able to accommodate 50 to 60 people, ideal for outdoor family gatherings. Four hiking trails radiate from the campground, ranging from 500 m to 4.5 km in length. This article provides insider knowledge that will convince you to add White Lake Provincial Park to your list of Ontario campgrounds to explore.

Planning Your Trip to White Lake 

White Lake Provincial Park strikes a special balance of remoteness and accessibility. True, it’s a long drive to get here: plan on at least 12 hours from Toronto or four hours from Thunder Bay. However, it’s situated directly on the Trans-Canada Highway, making it perfect for taking a few days of rest on a road trip without going off course. White River and Marathon, located about a half-hour’s drive to the east and west, respectively, are the nearest towns to purchase groceries and camping supplies.

The campground opening coincides with the start of walleye fishing season on May’s Victoria Day weekend. Expect sunny days and cool nights during the early season. Summers in this part of Northern Ontario are often hot and dry, with the waters of White Lake reaching pleasant swimming temperatures by mid-June. Outstanding spring fishing, wildflowers and songbirds make a visit in June worthwhile, despite an abundance of blackflies and mosquitoes at this time of year. You can anticipate bug-free bliss (and a busier campground) by mid- to late July, with ideal weather throughout the first half of August. Fall colours at White Lake Provincial Park tend to occur in early September, marked by the golden glow of white birch and aspen trees set against evergreen spruces and jackpine.

There’s a good chance of scoring a White Lake Provincial Park campsite without a reservation on weeknights, but it’s always best to plan ahead and make a reservation before you arrive. You can check availability and select your campsite on the Ontario Parks reservations website up to five months before your arrival date. The park closes in late September.

Camping at White Lake

White Lake Provincial Park offers drive-in car camping for tents and RVs, as well as two group campsites capable of holding up to 60 people for family gatherings and events. A total of 187 campsites are clustered in three distinct campgrounds, about one-third of which offer electrical service. Campsites at White Lake Provincial Park are known for their spaciousness and sense of privacy, giving campers the sense of being tucked into the boreal forest. The campground is open from the May long weekend through late September.

You can reserve waterfront campsites in all three campgrounds, perfect for those looking for easy access to White Lake for canoeing or kayaking. The Sundew campground is farthest from the Trans-Canada Highway and offers all non-electrical sites, for a quieter camping experience. Each campsite includes a picnic table and firepit, with access to potable water and pit toilets. A comfort station in the Moccasin Flower campground has indoor toilets, showers and laundry facilities.

You can also stay at other nearby accommodations and visit White Lake Provincial Park with a day use permit. Book a private cabin at White Lake Lodge; the Indigenous-owned Pic River Guest Suite in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation offers a cozy waterfront room; and the Travelodge by Wyndham in Marathon and White River Motel are popular places to stay.

Hiking Trails in White Lake

Hiking trails in White Lake Provincial Park are a great way to get some exercise and a closer look at the boreal forest. The 1.5-km Deer Lake Trail is a great choice for naturalists, taking in an active beaver pond with good opportunities for birding. Tiny Bog Trail is the park’s longest trail, including boardwalks and a viewing platform. This 4.5-km trail showcases unique bog plants like carnivorous pitcher plant and sundew, as well as vast beds of sphagnum moss. The 2-km trail to Clearwater Lake provides canoeists access to a more remote lake to explore.

Nearby Pukaskwa National Park is worth the 45-minute drive from White Lake Provincial Park for its fantastic hiking on Lake Superior. You can explore multiple short trails to stunning hilltop lookouts from the Pukaskwa visitor centre, located at the end of Highway 627. Hikers can also make a 15-km day trip along the Coastal Backpacking Trail to a spectacular suspension bridge high above the cascades of the White River.

Water Activities at White Lake

The clean waters of White Lake stretch north and south of the Trans-Canada Highway, with a lengthy, mostly undeveloped shoreline and plenty of islands to explore. The White Lake dam, located 8 km south of the campground, is a great destination for a day trip by canoe or kayak on relatively sheltered waters. You’ll want to check the weather forecast in advance before paddling from the campground to the big waters of the north end of the White Lake. Motorboats are permitted on White Lake and they’re the best way to access the full length of this expansive body of water.

A couple of smaller lakes within the park boundaries offer more intimate canoeing and kayaking experiences, without the noise and wake of motorboats. Deer Lake is located next to the Wood Lily Campground; depending on water levels you may also be able to paddle the adjacent Beaver Pond to look for wildlife. Meanwhile, Clearwater is more remote, accessed by way of a portage trail. Canoes can be rented at the park gatehouse; Naturally Superior Adventures in Wawa is the nearest outfitter offering canoe rentals, vehicle shuttles and great local knowledge.

White Lake Provincial Park is a favourite destination for families because of its fantastic beaches and swimming. There are two designated swim beaches: the day-use beach includes 200 m of perfect sand, with a smaller swim area located in the Sundew Campground. Both feature warm water, smooth bottoms and gradual drop offs, with safe swimming zones marked by buoys. Alcohol is not permitted at either beach and there are no lifeguards on site.

Fishing at White Lake

Walleye fishing at White Lake Provincial Park is outstanding. The park is located in Ontario Fisheries Management Zone 7, with walleye season open from the third Saturday in May through December 31. Special possession limits are in place on the lake to protect the fishery, with sensitive areas closed to during sensitive times of the year. Fish ON-line is your best source for limits, closures and general fishing tips.

The best way to catch walleye is to jig over bottom structure, such as rock piles and off of points, especially in lower light conditions. Northern pike are also abundant in White Lake and easily caught with spoons, even just casting from shore into weedy areas.

Don’t Miss…

Set your alarm and get out on the water early to experience the magic of paddling through morning mist. I love tracing the contours of the shoreline by canoe in the glassy calm, watching for great blue herons and kingfishers coming to life at dawn.

There are no dedicated biking trails in White Lake Provincial Park, but cycling is a great way to get around the park’s quiet roads. Keep an eye on the park calendar, posted at the gatehouse and comfort station, for upcoming Discovery programs with fun and knowledgeable park naturalists.

Nearby Attractions and Day Trips

The town of White River, 35 km east of White Lake Provincial Park, is known as the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh. You’ll find a roadside park celebrating Winnie’s legacy as well as a community festival each August. The WR Grill is a White River favourite for large portions, while Krazy Fries serves up classic chip truck fare, along with ice cream.

The town of Marathon embraces the Lake Superior coastline, 65 km west of the White Lake gatehouse. Visit Carden Cove on the Lake Superior Water Trail and dine at The Oar House for family favourites or Obrigado Bistro for a unique array of world foods. 

White Lake FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

How do I get reservations?

You can see pictures of campsites and make White Lake Provincial Park reservations online up to five months before your arrival date. Ontario Parks day use permits can also be reserved online.

What is the best time to visit White Lake?

Mid-July through mid-August is peak season at White Lake Provincial Park, with warm weather, minimal precipitation and fewer biting insects.

What are the best spots for photography?

The 1.5-km Deer Lake Trail is a great choice for nature and wildlife photography, affording the chance to capture beaver and a variety of songbirds and waterfowl, as well as boreal forest scenery.

Is there cell service in the park?

At the time of writing, cell service at White Lake Provincial Park was limited to the Rogers network only. 

Plan Your White Lake Adventure Now

White Lake Provincial Park is a secret gem with a wide variety of attractions for families, anglers, paddlers and hikers. Discover a quiet drive-in campground with great access to a vast Northern Ontario lake, conveniently located just off the Trans-Canada Highway. Visit Ontario Parks websites to learn more about camping, outdoor activities and reservations at White Lake Provincial Park.

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