Ontario’s Blue-Water Lakes
So blue you won’t believe your eyes.
By Virginia Marshall
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.
Recommended Articles
Sparkling waters
Mississagi Provincial Park
Guide to the Animikii Trail
How to plan a trip on this leg of the Path of the Paddle.
After the Burn
What to know about canoe tripping in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park following the wildfires.
Paddler's Bucket List
Choose from 10 different types of canoe trips.
Skip the Portage
9 outstanding no-carry canoe trips in Ontario.
8 Secret Paddling Hotspots In Ontario
Explore waters less travelled.
Temagami’s Prettiest Lakes
Find out which you should plan a canoe trip to this summer.
Reset on the Water
10 SUP yoga clinics and retreats in Ontario.
Go Ahead, Be a Joiner
Find a Facebook Paddling Club that's right for you.
Best Paddling Routes
For canoeists and kayakers from Buffalo and Rochester.
7 photography tips
How to take stunning pics from your canoe.
Still Waters, Ancient Pictographs
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Guide to the Omimi & Quetico Trails
How to plan a trip on these legs of the Path of the Paddle.
Haunted Waters
6 spine-chilling paddling routes to canoe and kayak in Ontario.
Next-Step Canoe Trip Destinations
Ready to take your skills to the next level? Try these routes for more experienced trippers.
Spanish River Canoe Trip
Everything you need to know to plan an adventure on this beginner-friendly whitewater river.
Fall Paddling in Ontario
Don’t miss out on the best season for canoe tripping.
Killarney’s Most Beautiful Lakes
10 lakes you need to book a campsite on.
Canoe & Kayak Sault Ste. Marie
7 incredible paddling destinations near the Soo.
Want to Live Longer?
Take a canoe trip - this medicine isn’t hard to swallow.