Canoe and Camp on Your Own Private Lake

Esker Lakes Provincial Park contains 29 pristine lakes, many connected by portages, creating a peaceful canoe route—plus there are local outfitters nearby that offer exceptional services for self-guided adventures. #PaddleON

Esker Lakes Provincial Park is surrounded by Boreal Forest and offers plenty of bird-watching opportunities. Explore the dozens of kettle lakes, formed when glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago.

Find great backcountry paddling experiences at Ontario Parks. 

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

The Steel River

Ontario’s ultimate loop canoe route.

Best Fall Colour Paddling

Where to see the spectacle from the water.

Songs About Canoeing

Kevin Callan shares his top 15 favourites.

Woodland Caribou Canoe Trip

Get tips about routes, rentals and more.

Kayaking in Northern Ontario

14 paddling spots that are sure to delight.

Superior Paddling Routes

Enchanting places to canoe, kayak & SUP on the greatest lake.

Quetico’s Best Canoe Routes

Expert advice for exploring Canada’s top canoeing paradise.

Best River Canoe Trips

Add these to your canoeing bucket list.

Must-Visit Lakes in Quetico

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

Top 10 Easy Canoe Trips

Go guided and learn canoe and camping skills in Northern Ontario.

2026 Paddling Events in Ontario

Events for canoeists, kayakers, SUPers, and rafters.

So Many Places to Paddle

Ontario is Canada’s canoe, sea kayak, SUP and whitewater capital.

Best Lazy Rivers in Ontario

Relax and let the current take you away.

Canoeing into Canadian lIfe

A Chinese family connects to their new homeland

Mattawa River Canoe Trip Guide

Paddle the rugged and historic waterway.

Kayak & Canoe Sudbury

9 incredible paddling destinations near the City of Lakes.

From Yesterday to Today to Tomorrow

The Ultimate Canadian Canoe Trips are in Northwest Ontario

Hike-in or Paddle-in campsites only

Frontenac Provincial Park

Imagine Paddling Quetico and Not Seeing Another Soul!

Over 2,200 backcountry campsites!

Ontario’s Moose Hotspots

Your best chance of seeing a moose is by paddle.