A Perfect Park to Develop Your Backcountry Camping Skills

Local outfitters offer exceptional services for guided or self-guided adventures. #PaddleON

Charleston Lake Provincial Park is an easy drive from Ottawa (1 ½ hours) and Kingston (50 minutes). It is a favourite family camping destination offering car camping, backcountry camping and roofed accommodation. It has excellent swimming, fishing and wildlife viewing. Located in the Frontenac Arch UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Discover more backcountry paddling experiences. For information on park fees and reservations, click here.

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

Recommended Articles

Ontario’s Blue-Water Lakes

So blue you won’t believe your eyes.

Temagami Canoe Trip Routes

6 top trip options.

Algonquin Park Canoe Trip Guide

Learn how to plan a backcountry paddling adventure.

The Spanish River

Everything you need to plan your next canoe trip.

Temagami Canoe Trip Guide

Expert advice for paddling in paradise.

Explore the Slate Islands

Your guide to planning a sea kayak trip to one of the most beautiful spots on Lake Superior.

Canoe Trips in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater

Expert advice for paddling in this wilderness park.

Best Fly-in Canoe Trips

The ultimate way to go wild in Northern Ontario's wilderness.

Ontario’s Moose Hotspots

Your best chance of seeing a moose is by paddle.

Train-In Adventure

Take "The Canadian" into the backcountry.

Sun and Sand

Soak it up at the best Lake Huron beaches

The Steel River

Ontario’s ultimate loop canoe route.

Temagami’s Prettiest Lakes

Find out which you should plan a canoe trip to this summer.

Must-Visit Lakes in Quetico

8 awe-inspiring lakes to plan a canoe trip to.

Historic Canoe Routes in Ontario

6 paddling parks where you can touch the past.

Songs About Canoeing

Kevin Callan shares his top 15 favourites.

Philip Edward Island Camping Guide

The inside scoop on this Georgian Bay gem.

Obabika River Canoe Trips

Plan your own backcountry adventure in this waterway park.

Kayak Lake Superior

Spectacular adventure awaits on this inland sea.

Hidden Gems: Best New Canoe Routes

Guidebook author Kevin Callan’s favourite picks.