Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: July 2021
Silver Lake Provincial Park is located in Eastern Ontario in Frontenac County. It’s a relatively small park and its main draw is its wide sandy beach which is reputed to be one of the best beaches in the region. It also offers boating, fishing, camping and hiking.
After spending the morning hiking at Charleston Lake Provincial Park we drove to Silver Lake to go for a swim. It turns out everyone else had the same idea on a hot Sunday afternoon. When we arrived at the park there was a sign outside the entrance to indicate that the day-use area was full. As we were pulling in, another car was leaving, so we figured it was okay for us to enter.
We parked at the main beach area, which was packed. All the real parking spots were full, so like a few other cars, we parked along the side of the road. From here we went to check out the single hiking trail at Silver Lake, the Marsh Trail (500m roundtrip, rated easy). We walked through part of the Wesley Campground to reach the trailhead, which is located between sites #84 and #86.
The trail features a short boardwalk that crosses a marsh at the eastern edge of Silver Lake.
The path then weaves through the forest and passes three picnic tables along the way. These seemed like great spots to pack a lunch or snack and just enjoy the surrounding area (assuming you packed bug spray that is).
The trail leads to the Algonquin Campground across from site #121. We walked through the campground and back to the beach area. Silver Lake offers around 150 campsites. But from what we saw in the two campgrounds, the sites themselves seemed a bit small and didn’t offer much in terms of privacy.
We contemplated going swimming, but the beach area just seemed too crowded for our liking. Instead we walked down to the shore to take a couple of pictures before returning to the car.
We figured we might as well test our luck at the nearby Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, which is less than a 15 minute drive down the road.
L
My progress on the Ontario Parks Challenge can be found here
Beautifully clear water!
No wonder this is such a popular spot to go swimming. The water looks so pristine and inviting. It’s just too bad that the beach area was crowded otherwise we would have totally gone for a swim here.
Yes, it looked ideal! 🙂
I love the look of Silver Lake Provincial Park and I could just see myself following one of those boardwalks. Thanks for documenting such an interesting post. Marion
Thanks for your lovely comment, Marion. Silver Lake was very picturesque with its crystal clear waters. I’m such a fan of trails that wind along a boardwalk through a marshy area. Thankfully the bug situation wasn’t too bad. Take care. Linda
I’m always amazed at the sheer number of provincial parks you have! This one reminds me a lot of Wisconsin (where I’m from).
For sure. I’m so grateful that we have so many provincial parks in Ontario as it means that there are no shortage of hiking trails to explore. I’ve never been to Wisconsin, but if the landscape looks like Silver Lake, than it must be beautiful.
The boardwalk area and lake are beautiful, so inviting! I didn’t expect to see a home across the lake.
Silver Lake is very picturesque and pristine. It’s too bad that only a small portion of the shoreline is part of the park, which is why you can see a few private cottages on the opposite part of the lake.
I see, that’s unfortunate isn’t it…
It really is. There are a few parks like this where it’s a mix between park land and private cottages. It’s not nearly as scenic and you don’t get that same feeling as when you’re completely surrounded by wilderness.
Exactly! You never kow what the land owners may do.
For sure. Or how much noise they can create. This is particularly problematic on a lake as sound carries.
Beautiful waters. Exuding calm and happiness. Thanks 🙏
I find being by the water so peaceful and relaxing. It’s amazing how much difference the sun can make on my mood and how it has a way of just making the landscape seem more vibrant and colourful. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
I love walking on boardwalks – brought back great memories of our Camino in Portugal! And the water is so clear – surely a good day out in the park 😉.
I enjoy walking along boardwalks too. I find I can actually enjoy my surroundings rather than having to stare at my feet to ensure I don’t trip over any rocks, roots or other obstacles on the trail. It’s too bad that the beach area was crowded otherwise we would have totally gone for a swim. Either way, it was still nice to enjoy the warm weather and sun.
The lake is just lovely – it’s wonderful to see summer scenes now that it’s October!
It feels like the summer was so long ago. Although, we’ve had warm weather the past week and if it weren’t for the leaves changing colour, I would have sworn it was still summer. Silver Lake is a lovely little area. It’s amazing how crystal clear the water was.
I guess we can’t tell from the photos, but I believe you on the crowds. Seems like everyone is trying to get out as much as possible! Beautiful photos!
The beach and swimming area were pretty packed. I walked further down the shore to take a few pictures of the water, but I wouldn’t want to have gone swimming here as it looked too rocky. Thankfully the trail wasn’t busy though and we had it all to ourselves.
Yeah, that’s the trouble with certain places, isn’t it! Just too darn crowded. I’m glad you were able to find some solitude though, and those photos were gorgeous!
Thanks for your kind words. It all worked out for the best as we ended up going swimming at a nearby park that wasn’t very busy at all.
Another wonderful travelogue! 😊💕
I really do appreciate our clear and fresh Ontario water so so much. Something about it is just so inviting and soothing to the soul. I miss summer so much already and am counting down the days till it’s summer lake swimming weather again!
Looks like another wonderful outing. The trail and boardwalk also look inviting but not as much as the water.
And another park crest!
Thanks! It’s pretty amazing just how many fresh lakes, rivers and streams Ontario has. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to go swimming and spend time by the water. We just have to get through winter and then summer will be here before we know it!
Silver Lake is gorgeous, especially on a nice sunny day. I’m glad we could sneak in for an hour to check out the trail and snag another badge even though the park was full.
When I was in my early 20s and just starting to travel with the hubby, I had that air of snobbery that the blue and turquoise water of the Caribbean were superior to our lakes. I still love a good tropical getaway but I have learned to truly value and appreciate our fresh “brown” lake water. Can’t wait to dive in again next summer!
It’s funny to look back and to see how much we’ve changed from our younger selves. I still can’t get over how much I used to pack when I travelled. I would bring a fresh pair of clothes for every day and then some. Now I just wear the same shirt and pants for multiple days at a time. Thankfully I never had any problems with swimming in our brown lake water here in Ontario though!
Yup, I love light packing as I get older and just being chill about recycling worn clothes. Underwear is where I draw the line though! 😆
Totally. That and socks!
I wear flip flops, no socks, the second the temperature hits 13 degrees. 😆 I save a lot of laundry effort from socks. Haha.
I go through socks like candy. I usually wear thicker wool socks for hiking and change into regular socks around the camp. I sometimes even have fluffy socks that I like to sleep in if it’s cold overnight while camping. So yah, I can see that you save a lot of laundry effort by not wearing socks!
There are quite few nice places along Hwy 7. We passed by few times this park, but never had a chance to stop. Instead, we did camp in Sharbot lake PP several years ago, and had a wonderful time. The water can be soo clear!!
For sure. There are a bunch of great parks scattered in that area. I’m happy to say that we had much better luck with the swimming and crowd situation at Sharbot Lake. I was surprised that it wasn’t very busy considering that Silver Lake was packed. We drove through the campground at Sharbot Lake and some of the sites along the water looked really nice. I wouldn’t mind coming back there sometime to go camping.
It looks so green there I am almost missing it already!
No kidding. I also miss how much daylight we used to have during the summer. Now it’s getting colder and darker every day. At least the leaves are still changing colour here. It’ll be more gloomy once they’ve all fallen.
Last winter, it was February when I realized I was craving the sight of green, living things. My friend in Oregon sent me a card with flowers and cacti on it and I said, “How did you know I was craving the sight of green things?” She didn’t. It was a lucky guess, but still funny
That is funny and also really sweet of your friend. Maybe this explains why I have so many plants in my house, perhaps it’s to cope with the winter.
After last winter, we decided to sprout our own greens, so yeah. I get it
Good call. It’s always nice to have some greenery around you. Hope your mum is doing okay from her appendicitis.
It’s a necessity when you’re up north! She’s slowly recovering thanks. I know from experience she probably won’t feel like herself for about a month
Glad to hear that she’s recovering, even if it is slowly.
Thank you 😊
The beach looks so beautiful! Looks like a nice park – too bad it was busy.
I can see why Silver Lake is so popular for now as the water looks so crystal clear. I had to walk further along the shore to take a picture of the water as I’m not a fan of having randoms blocking my views. It’s too bad we couldn’t go swimming here, but we had much better luck at Sharbot Lake.
That water looks beautiful! As the above commenter says, too bad it was so busy. Lovely park.
The crowds certainly have a way of ruining things. I’m glad we were able to at least sneak in to explore the shore of Silver Lake, the trail and campground even though the park was full. Thankfully we had much better luck with the beach area and crowd situation at Sharbot Lake, which is located just down the road.
That water is soo clear and beautiful – and another patch, woop! Have a great weekend guys 🙂
Silver Lake did not disappoint, except for the fact that the beach area was crowded. We ended up going to another nearby park to go swimming which wasn’t nearly as busy. And yes, always glad to add to my badge collection. They’ve become quite popular and many parks were sold out later in the summer. Enjoy your weekend as well. Linda
Looks like a another fantastic park to explore, especially when the sun is out – everything is so green and vibrant. I love walking on boardwalks – there are a few national parks in Ireland where we can do it, it makes a big difference when the weather isn’t cooperating. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva xx
For sure. The sun has a way of transforming the landscape (and my mood). I’m such a fan of boardwalks, except when it’s wet outside as they can become slippery. It’s a nice way to see an area that otherwise would have been inaccessible or muddy. Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Too bad about the crowds and bugs but that water sure does look appealing. I can see why it’s a popular place, especially with a wide sandy beach.
Silver Lake lived up to its reputation for having such a lovely beach and shoreline. At least we had the trail all to ourselves. And hey, it all worked out in the end as we went to another park down the road which also had a great swimming area.
It is unfortunate that some of the loveliest places are plagued with crowds, everyone else having the same idea. Beautifully clear water though, and the boardwalk is well done. Enjoyed the photos.
No kidding. It seems like everyone has gotten into spending time outdoors these days. I’ve never seen our parks so busy. Thankfully we had the trail all to ourselves and were able to go to another nearby park that wasn’t very busy to go for a swim.
The boardwalk reminds me of the one in Bunchberry. Love the wetlands too, but not the mosquitoes that go with them. Cheers. Allan
I’m such a fan of boardwalks. It’s a great way to explore an area that otherwise would have been inaccessible. Since the terrain is flat, I can focus more of my attention on the surrounding area rather than watching where my feet are going. Take care. Linda
The clearest, clearest water!!!! Love these boardwalks and open spaces, but I really love the clear, blue water. Thanks for sharing your walk with us.
That explains why the beach area was so packed! The water looked crystal clear, especially on a nice sunny day. The trail itself is short and scenic. I’m always such a fan of boardwalks that cross over a marshy area. Thankfully the bugs weren’t too bad. Thanks for virtually following along on our hike with us. Linda
I forgot about bugs. You hikers must be pretty equipped all the time!!
We’ve learned from past mistakes, so I always carry some extra bug spray in the car and my backpack. Thankfully it’s fall now and the bugs are (mostly) all gone for the year!!