Sharbot Lake Provincial Park

Enjoy time in nature at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, a local favourite in eastern Ontario’s Frontenac County for outdoor activities. Established in 1958, the park sits between Black Lake and the northwest shore of the sprawling Sharbot Lake. It offers water sports like canoeing, swimming, boating and fishing, plus hiking, biking, birdwatching and camping.  

The park encompasses 80 hectares and is popular for its seasonal campgrounds, open spring through fall. It’s home to nearly 200 campsites, with over 150 of them within the park’s forest. Some offer electricity and are barrier-free (for accessibility). Although tent and car camping are the favoured activities, the Beach Front and Maple Grove campgrounds can accommodate larger trailers and RVs. The campgrounds provide restrooms, showers and drinking water. 

Hikers can enjoy two designated routes through the park. The Discovery Trail is a 1.2 km loop that takes about one hour to complete. You’ll meander through forests of maple, oak and birch trees and eventually connect to the Ridgeview Trail. A slightly steep climb allows you to explore the ridge that divides the two lakes and offers exceptional viewpoints that look over the waterways. 

The two trails are the perfect place to experience birdwatching. Capture glimpses of loons on the lakes or listen for songbirds like warblers, eastern phoebe or the vibrant scarlet tanager. While exploring the woods, keep your eyes out for barred owls and red-shouldered hawks. 

For water enthusiasts, the two lakes offer several activities. Black Lake’s two sandy beaches are perfect for swimming. Or enjoy your time on the water with boating, canoeing or fishing. You can rent canoes on either lake, but Black Lake is more sheltered and provides calmer waters. Sharbot Lake hosts a few docks and is a great spot for larger boats and water skiing. 

You can fish on either body of water. Try your luck catching walleye, bass, northern pike, perch or sunfish. Feel free to bring your own boat and use one of the docks on either lake. 

You’ll find Sharbot Lake Provincial Park just off the Trans-Canada Highway and near the small community of Sharbot Lake. The park is about 75 km north of Kingston via Road 38. 

We recommend visiting the Ontario Park’s website for up-to-date information and details about Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. For more details on the recreational space and other places of interest to explore nearby, keep scrolling to see what Destination Ontario recommends. 

 A raven rests on the side of a canoe at the lake's edge

Photo credit: Megan Birrell

More about Sharbot Lake Provincial Park

Sharbot Lake Provincial Park is an excellent option for both day and overnight recreation. The park offers a day use area near the Black Lake beaches, equipped with picnic tables (some sheltered), flush toilets and a playground for kids. 

Other facilities in the park include a laundromat for campers and a park store. At the convenience shop, you’ll find camping essentials like ice and firewood, plus souvenirs and worms for fishing. Visit the nearby community of Sharbot Lake for more supplies, a grocery store, cafes and restaurants. 

Many visitors opt to spend some time in Sharbot Lake and enjoy the larger swimming beach there. You can also connect to the Trans-Canada Trail, a system of connected green spaces, roads and waterways that stretch across the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans. 

Sharbot Lake Provincial Park is a beautiful nature reprieve and city escape in southeastern Ontario. Enjoy a day trip or overnight camping adventure exploring this delightful park’s trails, beaches and forests.

Last updated: August 18, 2023

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