Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park: Casting Lures at Sucker Lake On A Beginner-Friendly Canoe Route
Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park 106 Monck Street, Box 500 Bancroft, ON, ON K0L 1C0, Canada
The short paddle to our campsite through Bottle Lake. Motor boats are allowed here, though it was calm enough for our paddle boards.
With opportunities for canoeing, hiking, and camping, the park is located conveniently close to Toronto. Discover the beauty and serenity of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.
Trip Report:
This Kawartha Highlands trip has a beginner-friendly canoe route that can be reduced to a 1-nighter for shorter weekend adventure. Bottle Lake is known for its sandy shores at site #109, #108, #107 and #106 (ours) and is a quick paddle if you’re coming in during the evening after work.
| Type | Backcountry | |
| Toronto Drive | ||
| Duration | ||
| Campground #1 | 106 - Bottle Lake | |
| Campground #2 | 126 - Sucker Lake | |
| Season | Summer (June 2021) |
Day 1: Bottle Lake
We decided to spend out first night at the same lake as the launch site, which is a great option for those starting their trip later into the day. There is a short portage to get to Bottle Lake from the parking lot (178m) where you can launch your canoe or kayaks. We rented a canoe at Kawartha Adventure Rentals and they were able to drop it off at the launch for a fee. Our paddle to the site was short (2km) and we were able to arrive early and settle in.
Campsite #106: was spacious with a nice sandy shoreline you could dip into. Easy to hang a tarp (we needed it) and plenty of flat ground for tents.
We started the camping season with this trip and because it was June it was peak season for mosquitos! We’re talking about highly visible swarms during dawn and dusk so either book during during off season or be prepared with lots of bug lotion! Or bug-resistant clothing. Once we got a system down, we were able to enjoy the night but sometimes would need to retreat back into the tent when the buzzing was too much.
Although beautiful, private cottages can be seen at Bottle Lake, Kawartha Highlands Park
Kawartha Highlands is a popular fishing spot, you can find bass, walleye, panfish and trout
Day 2: Sucker Lake
After packing up, we made our way to our second campsite with another short 3km paddle. There was a portage 81m which was easy to navigate. When we set foot (fin?) into Sucker Lake, we were greeted with heckling tremolo calls from a few Common Loons. We would see these loons throughout our stay here.
The paddle towards Sucker Lake, Kawartha Highlands Park
Campsite #126: was a great location. A smooth rocky outcropping that gave a smooth transition to the waters - an area we hung out often and made launching easy.
The neighbouring campsites are walkable
Day 3: Rest
We spent a full day at Sucker Lake. Because it was motorboat free it was tranquil and there aren’t too many campsites around the lake. #127 was an island in front of us and would be one we would love to try to book next time.
Plein air painting of Sucker Lake featuring island campsite
Afternoon relaxing on the hammock
Leisurely time on the water with our paddle boards, the lake is easy to travel around with various birds to sight
First Catch & Cook Fishing at Sunset
As dawn settled, W casted his rod and success! He managed to reel in a smallmouth bass and we had our first catch & cook experience in the backcountry! The camp was humming with excitement - one of our members was a chef with pro fish-filleting experience and showed us how to properly prepare W’s catch.
Fishing at dawn on Sucker Lake, Kawartha Highlands Park
The fire pit with lake views that we cooked our catch over
Camp meal: fish tacos with freshly caught bass
Day 4: Home
Satisfied to finally cross off a bucket list item, we packed up in the morning and retraced our way back to Bottle Lake. We had a little bit of rain but the paddle was smooth otherwise and quicker than before.
On our way home, bellies full but lighter overall
Final Thoughts
Our experience at Kawartha Highlands Park was a wild success and our route was especially forgiving to new paddlers, particularly those with lightweight watercrafts like us (we had inflatable paddle boards along with the canoes). The biggest con is that the boundary lakes surrounding the park do have private cottages but this is easy to avoid once you portage into more inbound campsites. So don’t feel to need to stay at Bottle Lake, you can easily bypass this area.
A lot of people I know head straight to Algonquin Park, but Kawartha Highlands is a much closer park to Toronto that still offers great backcountry paddling experiences. Suited for all levels. We’ll be back!
For our camping gear list, click here.
Read another beginner-friendly paddling trip at Grundy Lake, Algonquin or more.
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