The best camping near Charleston Lake Provincial Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Charleston Lake Provincial Park adventure.

Nicknamed the Queen of Lakes, Charleston Lake reigns supreme for its scenery and water sports.  

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Charleston Lake Provincial Park

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103 Acre Marlborough Forest

5 sites · RVs, Tents103 acres · Ottawa, ON
Camping at the 103 Acre woods is part of the Marlborough Forest. It has groomed pathways in the meadow and rustic pathways through the woods for your hiking pleasure. If you are interested in backwoods camping, it's easy to do here, park your car in the driveway, grab your gear, and head to the back forty! If camping is not your thing and you just want some private land for the day, such as a photo shoot, or just wandering around, firepit lunch or firepit dinner, just book a site. If you reserve both sites, the entire land becomes yours for the time you are here. I only list 2 sites for camping so you will have plenty of space and privacy from any other campers. Lots of space to spread out and have your privacy. If you want complete privacy, reserve both sites! For the tenting campsites, I have 2 available. One is in the front 40 near the playstructure and closer to the house. It's called the "Cedars". You can drive directly to your campsite. The other campsite is a short hike into the woods and is just off to the side. It's called the "103 Paces". When staying at the 103 Paces campsite, you can drive through the meadow and park just outside of the woods. From there, there is a lawncart you can use to transport your gear to the campsite. Each campsite has a firepit for your use and is close to a shared composting toilet. If you are staying in an RV, you can park in the driveway and still access all the other parts of the property. Tent campers can select anywhere they want to pitch a tent and enjoy the beauty of the 103 Acre woods. Depending on where you choose to camp, you might be able to drive right up to your site. Firepit and wood available for use providing there is no burn ban. Water from the hose attached to the house is available for use. You are welcome to use the outside outlets to charge your devices. RV Electric hookup can be used for an extra fee. I have a composting toilet in a privacy cabana. There will be sanitizer to sanitize your hands. The composting toilet is a shared facility for both campsites. Comes with toilet paper. If you prefer to have your own composting toilet, you can add that on for an extra when you are booking. It's 10.00 more for your stay. I have a few water jugs to have water at your site if you don't have your own jug. A compost bin is available for food. A trash can is provided for waste. Recycle bins are in use as well for paper and plastic. I have patio table that can be used at your site if it's in the front 40. Back forty, I have a smaller more portable table that can be used. It's not too heavy to port. Firewood is not necessary to bring, there is lots of wood locally here on the property to use, you just have to gather it up yourself. I have a wheelbarrow that can be used to transport it to your site. There are wetlands and forests and meadows. There is very little light pollution here. Come and gaze at the stars If you are lucky, you might get to hear the resident whippoorwill, he is nocturnal. The sky is beautiful at night. Wake up to the sounds of many birds. There is a play structure for kids with 2 slides and a bridge, monkey bars, swings, firepole, and climbing wall. There are many things to find in the back 40. You might find a vintage car bumper, and in the spring if you look really hard, you might come across Lady Slipper orchids. They are stunning in the wild. If you want to trudge through the wetlands, be sure to bring your rubber boots. In the front 40 you can take some fun pictures with a vintage abandoned front end of an Aston Martin truck. The 103 Acre woods is conveniently located 3K from the Rideau River and Canal in Burritt's Rapids. Burritts Rapids has a nice "Tip to Tip" trail you can hike on the island of Burritts Rapids. Also there is the Henry Street Park, which has a small beach on the Rideau River. The Rideau Trail is located nearby as well. There are many entrances to the Rideau Trail just minutes away. Located 10 minutes or so from Merrickville. Great fishing along the Rideal Canal lock system. Merrickville has a small beach on the Rideau River. Merrickville has a wonderful Gelato place "Stella Luna". Get your Gelato and walk back to see the boats in the historic Rideau Canal. Lots of history in Merrickville and Burritt's Rapids. If camping is not your thing and you just want some private land for the day, such as a photo shoot, or just wandering around, firepit lunch or firepit dinner, just book a site. If you reserve both sites, the entire land becomes yours for the time you are here. There are 2 well-behaved chiahuahua's who live on the property. They will see you at the meet and greet. They will for sure welcome you to their yard. Your dog is welcome, just remember to pickup after them.
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CA$47
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Glampanee

1 site · Lodging9 acres · Napanee, ON
Enjoy the lovely setting of this romantic spot in nature. This is for experienced campers as this is off grid. You will feel relaxed in this yurt located on a 9+ acres and close to Prince Edward County. Everything will be provided to make your stay/experience as comfortable as possible: toiletries, shower kit (water will be provided), BBQ, portable water... We will also facilitate (upon request and availability) RMT service and food from local restaurant(s) for additional cost. What's nearby: - In Napanee We are located 7 minutes (8 km) away from Mackinnon Brothers Brewing Company. https://www.greaternapanee.com/live/discover-greater-napanee/ - Prince Edward County for wine fanatics, shoppers and beach lovers (about 45 minutes away) https://visitthecounty.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Paid+Search&utm_campaign=brand_navigational_search_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7NmzBhBLEiwAxrHQ-RF0l1Q2Qef7WxXrwwCkUGlbUk-pFzs1IOV7riFLx2BLg4fnEVCVshoCF8UQAvD_BwE - Amherst Island (about 50 minutes away) https://naturallyla.ca/a-day-on-amherst-island/ Walking Trails in the area https://www.alltrails.com/canada/ontario/greater-napanee Kayak trails and more https://naturallyla.ca/explore/on-the-water/paddling/
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CA$150
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Tiny Village Woodland

23 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents96 acres · Arden, ON
Tiny Village Woodland Park, is a private campground spread across 96 acres of stunning nature, offering a variety of spots for every kind of camper. Whether you're into cozy cabins, fancy glamping, or just pitching your tent under the stars, we've got you covered. And if you're all about RVs, we've got serviced daily spots and even seasonal spots for those who want to make Woodland Park their home away from home. Our mission? To provide an extraordinary experience for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. We believe that enjoying the great outdoors shouldn't come with a hefty price tag. So, whether you're roasting marshmallows with the family or taking a solo hike to recharge, we've designed Woodland Park to be your affordable escape into the beauty of Mother Nature. Cherish the simple joys in life, for it's the little moments that transform your time with us into something truly special. We're here to ensure that your stay at Woodland is more than just a getaway – it's a memory in the making, filled with relaxation, adventure, and those unforgettable, cherished moments.
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CA$50
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White Wolf Acres

7 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Renfrew, ON
Gorgeous, serene 38 acres of pristine woodlands, trails and meadows. Our property is named after our large White German Shepard, don’t worry she’s friendly. Enjoy the sounds and sights of nature. Take a stroll down our personal trails, or bring your four-wheelers/bikes and enjoy the 1000s of kilometres of trails that begin after our driveway. Piles of rocks throughout the bush indicate that this land once was farmed. A creek runs through the property with a beaver pond. The land has a main trail that goes right through to the back of the property. The land is a mixed forest with maple, pine, hemlock, birch and cedar. The land is rolling and flat with good walking trails. Great hiking, cross country skiing or biking trails. Only 50 minutes to Kanata, 30 minutes to Perth, Almonte or Carleton Place, and for downhill skiing only 30 minutes to Calabogie. Many lakes in the area for fishing, swimming and boating. We look forward to having you stay with us, happy camping, Jacob and Andreya
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CA$40
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Glamping - Intimate Cabin & Campsites

2 sites · Lodging260 acres · Perth, ON
Learn more about this land: Beautiful 260 acres of mixed forest, open field, and biodiverse marsh all for yourself! In the wild countryside just North of the Historic Town of Perth, Ontario. Includes large fire pit, cookstoves, covered deck, 10x10 wood cabin (sleeps 2), groomed camp/tent sites for your additional guests to pitch their tents. We only rent to one person/party at a time so the whole place is yours to share with whomever you like or just with yourself! Very private. Our house is a half km from the campsites and you are kilometers from the nearest neighbours. During Summer and much of Spring and Fall, you should be able to drive up to the cabin. Unless your vehicle has especially low clearance. The road/path out to the cabin started as a well made tractor path that has held up well over the years but has some rocks and bumps. (Check with us ahead of time if driving to the site is important). Otherwise, when you arrive, you can park at our 100 year-old farmstead and then enjoy a beautiful, 10-minute walk to your site (We are happy to bring in your supplies loaded in our mini-tractor's little, red, wagon, if check-in happens while we are here). This pathway may be a bit muddy, slushy or icy but is kept cleared of fallen snow and mowed in the warmer months. You will sleep in a double sized bed on a firm wooden frame. The mattress is a 14", deep pillow-top, Sealy with a box-spring. Both mattresses are securely wrapped in full mattress covers and it is topped with a thick mattress pad for maximum coziness. Linen or fleece sheets are available and the bed has a large, warm hypoallergenic duvet, (duvet cover also available in linen or fleece), with three pillows of various firmness. The room contains two cozy chairs, one of which folds out into a lounge chair or even a bed. There is a newly constructed outhouse that is bright and easy to access. There is a hanging solar light that can be turned on as needed. During the year when the temperature stays above zero, there is a handwashing station set up behind the outhouse. Water and soap for this station is provided. There isn't running water in the cabin but we are happy to provide you as much tasty well water that you would like, for cooking/drinking/cleaning. We are ready to top up your water supply, as you need it. Propane water heater available upon request. No shower space in the winter but sponge/cloth bathing possible inside the cabin. (Cloths, towels, and body soap supplied). There is a beautiful, bright, roomy, cedar, outdoor shower available during the warmer months. Water is provided for a portable, rechargeable shower pump. Water can be heated in the sun or warmed up with some added boiled water. There are dishes, pots and pans, and other basic food-prep type equipment for your use. There is an area inside to prepare food that doesn't need cooking or to make ready food that is going to be cooked outside on our grill or propane stove. A small cooler is available to store any perishable food you may have. During the winter, the cooler can be kept at a proper temperature by moving it in and out of the deep freeze that is the Canadian outdoors. You will need to bring ice during the warmer seasons. A fully charged Lithium Ion Energizer power station is available that is trickle charged on sunny days by a solar panel. This pack is capable of powering most of the devices that you would bring on your trip such as laptops, iPads, or Bluetooth speakers. The power should last with moderate use for a couple of days but we are happy to pick it up daily to recharge if you require that. The cabin itself has solar lighting for the evenings and a bright light that you can plug into the power station, when needed. For extra guests beyond the initial 2, those guests will have to bring their own tents and beds/bedding and camp in the large clearing beside the cabin or elsewhere on the property. There is a large, 12x16 floating deck, directly outside the cabin that is covered by a large gazebo with optional walls. Seating and a cooking area is located on the covered deck.. The deck and the area near the cabin and fire pit is mowed and kept clear of snow and you will find a nice fire pit for outdoor warmth and relaxation with plenty of seating. The pit is equipped with gear for you to do open fire cooking. Fire wood is available for $5/large bundle or you may bring your own. There is a 12'x14', hard-top, walled/screened, furnished gazebo in the cleared area around the cabin close to both the cabin and the firepit that will be available until the snow becomes too difficult to clear that far. The land is a rugged mix of Canadian Shield, pocket swamps, forest and old fields slowly returning to the wild. There are some basic paths but you are also welcome to strike out on your own and enjoy the land. The area around the cabin is set up with larger groups in mind while still maintaining an intimate feel. We encourage friends and/or family to come together and camp out with two able to sleep in the cabin itself. Additional guests who may be using tents, tent-trailers, vans, etc, to join you on your stay, are able to pick close by, mowed clearings, to set up camp or they can move further into the woods and find a more secluded campsite. Firewood is available upon request at $6/bundle, ideally before arrival but more can be provided during your stay. Outdoor Theatre Option For a fee of $20, a large screen can be set up in the hard-top gazebo for use with a provided projector. A generator is required to power the projector and will be provided, fully fueled. Additional fuel can be purchased, if needed. There are also two, stereo-capable, rechargeable, Bluetooth speakers that can be used with the system. Guests can bring a laptop, gaming system or even just media on a USB stick. Note: the projector is picky about what files it will play from a USB. The best option is a laptop or similar device. HDMI cable provided.
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CA$95.55
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Farm yard

5 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Iroquois, ON
Learn more about this land:Our property just north of the St. Lawrence River has three grassy campsites that can hold up to five guests each. We have sheep, chickens, ducks, and a miniature donkey, who we look after now that we are retired from our dairy farm. It’s a relaxing environment where you can build a campfire and explore nearby riverfront attractions like Morrisburg Beach. On-leash pets are welcome.  Rest of description: There is a firepit for campfires, a gazebo for shade, and a seating area on the lawn with wooden furniture. RVs up to 45 feet long can be accommodated on a pull-in site that will require leveling. Electrical and water hookups are available; generators are not allowed.  The property is less than 15 km from the towns of Iroquois and Morrisburg, where you can find restaurants and stores and check out the St. Lawrence River. Thousand Islands National Park is about an hour south, but closer to the property, there are parks, golf courses, and other outdoor attractions such as Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area, Iroquois Beach, and Morrisburg Beach.
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CA$67.50
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Songwood Forest

1 site · Lodging88 acres · Oxford Station, ON
Songwood is 88 acres of oldfield-farm-turned Managed Forest, backing onto hundreds of acres of County land, part of Limerick Forest. It sits on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We say “miigwech” and “niá:wen” to thank them and other Indigenous Peoples for taking care of this land from time immemorial and for sharing the land with those of us who are newcomers. After centuries as part of the borderlands between the Algonquin and Iroquois native peoples, the land was surveyed by European settlers in 1791, but the ground conditions were so poor that the first settler did not occupy this property until the mid-1850’s. Over the next century, the land was cleared and farming was attempted. But because of the shallow soil and wet conditions, the land was not good for farming. By the 1950’s, the fields in the southern end of the property were abandoned, allowing the pioneer varieties of plants and trees to once again spring up. In 1969, the Graham family purchased the property and began the process of introducing suitable tree seedlings to abandoned fields, to aid in habitat regeneration for wildlife. The only harvesting of the farm’s trees is for firewood, to aid in the development of a healthy ecosystem, and to maintain the trails by which to enjoy nature. In 2006, the property received FSC certification based on our sustainable forest management approach. Today, we are a proud member of the Ontario Woodlot Association. We love to share our forest! Recently, we renovated a small cabin in the woods to provide a space to withdraw into nature for a bit, to embrace a little forest therapy. It’s also a place for our five children and eight grandchildren to come home to. We hope you enjoy your stay.
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CA$135
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The best camping near Charleston Lake Provincial Park guide

Overview

About

Situated just east of Kingston in the Frontenac Arch UNESCO World Biosphere, Charleston Lake Provincial Park encompasses some 2,400 hectares of wilderness on the shores of Charleston Lake. The lake has 100-plus islands to call its own, plus over a dozen fish species and several at-risk species of turtles that thrive in its fresh water. Geologically, Charleston Lake is divided between the hard granite of the Canadian Shield and the softer sandstone to the east, both of which provide a special landscape of rock formations, caves, and deep ledges. Whether you paddle its rugged shores, hike its trails, or just relax on the sandy beach, the Queen of Lakes enchants.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best glamping experience: The Tall Pines cabin is located on its very own island. Though a boat is required to reach it (canoes can be rented at the park), it is well-worth the short paddle to have this slice of paradise to yourself. There are also four yurts for those looking for more comfort.
  • Best for adventurers: For those willing to rough it, there are 10 backcountry campsites, which, depending on your choice, can be reached in 10 minutes or two hours.
  • Best for families: The Bayside and Shady Ridge campgrounds are located near the lake in a mature, wooded setting.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Reservations are accepted online and by phone up to five months in advance of your arrival date. Bookings open at 7am and for popular parks like this one, your finger should be ready to click at that time (don’t try earlier or it won’t work).
  2. Prepare in advance and have all ideal sites and alternatives chosen. Make sure your browser and JavaScript software (which controls the clock) are up to date.
  3. Don’t give up if you don’t get the early slots—check often for cancellations, as even prime campsites sometimes open up at the last minute. Booking weekday or shoulder season stays also helps, as even the nicest roofed accommodation and yurts sometimes rest empty on sunny Wednesdays in September.

When to go

The park is open from May to October. July and August are the busiest months because of its popularity with families, while fall is ideal with fewer crowds, fewer bugs, and beautiful fall colours.

Know before you go

  • Although there aren’t any bears at Charleston Lake, plenty of raccoons roam the area. Secure your coolers with bungee cords and tie them down so they can’t be dragged away.
  • Take precautions with ticks, as lyme disease is present in this area (along with most of southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes). Use repellent, wear protective clothing, and do checks after hikes.

Top cities near Charleston Lake Provincial Park

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