Categories: Lifestyle

This Ontario park on a picturesque lake has a crescent-shaped sandy beach

Photo via Franklin McKay / Shutterstock

Looking for a fun day trip destination before summer’s end? Silver Lake Park is less than an hour and a half away from Ottawa, offering visitors a breathtaking place to unwind over the weekend.

Complete with clean facilities, easy access from major Ontario city centres, and fantastic swimming opportunities, this provincial park warrants a spot on your summer bucket list for more reasons than one. At 9 km long, the lake is the perfect size for all kinds of boats and paddles – with canoe rentals available to visitors as well. The main draw of the provincial park? Its crescent-shaped sandy beach!

In addition to plenty of kayaking and fishing opportunities, visitors can hike along the ‘short and sweet’ Marsh Trail, which Ontario Parks ranks as “easy” at just 30 minutes to complete. The boardwalk crosses the marsh at the eastern end of Silver Lake to higher ground, where visitors can witness the transition from marshy wetland to flora and fauna-covered upland forest.

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Campers can set up at over 100 treed campsites, most of which are vehicle accessible and some of which even have electrical service. Larger trailers and RVs can be accommodated at the Wesley Campground. Barrier-free access can be found at one campsite on the Dawson Campground as well as the designated comfort station, complete with showers, flush toilets, and drinking water.

Note that while biking is permitted on campground roads, there are no designated bike trails.

So there you have it, Ontario! No need to travel far for this beachy oasis.