Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: September 2021
Oastler Lake Provincial Park is located along the rocky shore of the Boyne River near Georgian Bay and Parry Sound. It’s a relatively small park and its main draw is the lake and its water-based recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.
On the drive back home from our two-week Northern Ontario road trip, we stopped at Oastler Lake to check another park off our Ontario Parks Challenge and organize our cars. The park is conveniently located right off of Highway 400.
We drove to the day-use area near the main beach, but unfortunately there’s no parking there. Instead we drove through the campground in search of any empty site, which also proved to be challenging. Despite the fact that it was mid-September, the campground was packed. We finally managed to find something.
Sure enough, within a few minutes of us unloading everything out of our two cars, someone pulled up saying that this was their site. Awkward. We told them we were just packing up and that we would be another 10 minutes or so. Thankfully they didn’t seem to mind and patiently waited for us to finish. Since we knew someone was waiting on us, we just kind of threw everything back in the two cars and probably made a bigger mess than when we started.
On the drive out of the park, we tried to use the washrooms at the comfort station, but again, there was no parking. We didn’t seem to have much luck here. We then drove back to the day-use area so I could hop out and check out the beach and surrounding area. There’s a sheltered picnic area here, which is always a bonus, but again, not ideal since you can’t actually park your car there. There’s also canoe rentals, which are on a first-come, first-served basis for campers.
Overall this park didn’t leave a good impression. Besides the obvious lack of parking, the campsites themselves were close together and there wasn’t much privacy. I’m glad we made a short detour here to check it out as I doubt we’d ever return, or at least not during the peak season.
On the drive back home, we made another detour in Barrie at Allandale Station Park for another Moments of Algoma installation. The easel faces the train station and is located near the pavilion. Lawren Harris often used Allandale station as his basecamp to Northern Ontario. In addition to being an artist, Harris had served as a gunnery instructor at the nearby Camp Borden and spent his summer at his family’s summer home at Woodend, Allandale.
We then continued our drive back home. And just like that, we were done our road trip.
L
My progress on the Ontario Parks Challenge can be found here
The beach looks so sparkly and inviting. Too bad that you couldn’t stick around for a bit. Better luck next time…
The issue with having nice weather on the weekend is that it tends to bring out the crowds. It’s too bad we didn’t visit Oastler Lake on a weekday as I’m sure we would have had a difference experience. Oh well, it was still nice to check out another park, even if we didn’t stay long and couldn’t park anywhere.
Well, no one can say you didn’t try 😁. It looks like there is a great beach at the park … at least you’ve got a few nice pictures!
Noooo, is the road trip really over now? Hopefully there are still a few more hiking in parks waiting for us …
Exactly. We came, we saw, we left … in the span of like 15 minutes. That’s the issue with having nice weather in the fall is that everyone then wants to extend their camping season. At least we know what the park is like in case we ever return. Our two week road trip felt like it went by so quickly. I do have a few more parks to write about and a last minute trip we took later in the fall. 2021 really does feel like it dragged on considering I’m still writing about it 🙂
Obviously this was a favourite place to play for the locals. Too bad about the lack of parking. It does look like a nice place on that sunny day. Thanks for sharing. Allan
I find that most people who go camping like to return to the same places. It’s too bad we didn’t visit on a weekday as I’m sure it would have had a totally different vibe. Some of the sites along the shoreline looked nice, but I don’t think we have any plans on returning anytime soon. Thanks for reading, Linda.
I love that last shot from Oastler Park. Clearly such lovely weather prompted all the locals to head to the park and beach area. You were really out of luck there. That was a great road trip and as always I’ve enjoyed following your adventures.
Thanks for your lovely comment. That’s the issue about having nice weather is that it tends to bring out the crowds. I’m glad we managed to squeeze in one last park on our road trip, even if it was a bit of a bummer. Overall it was a wonderful trip. Thanks for virtually coming along on our adventures 🙂
That park was a bummer compared to many others you guys visited. Why the lack of parking? The beach looks beautiful though. ❤️🇨🇦
The parking situation (or lack thereof) was very annoying. Maybe they turned all the parking areas into more campsites as that would explain why the park looked so crowded and cramped. Clearly I’m still a bit bitter about our visit to Oastler Lake. I think if we came on a weekday we would have had a different experience. Next time.
You’ll have to go back!
Someday. There’s just so many parks and places we have yet to explore!
What powerful blues you’ve shared this week from the sky to the lake and back again! Oh, to be out and about right now, soaking up the chill of spring but all its magic, too.
It always helps to spend time outdoors when the sun is shining and the weather is fabulous. It’s finally starting to feel like spring here in Ontario. Most of our snow has melted, the days are getting longer and the birds are chirping. Now all we need are the flowers to start blooming and trees budding. Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Spring flowers are in your future! Thanks for commenting.
I can hardly wait 🌷🌸
Sounds like kind of a weird park. What’s the point of a giant picnic area if you can’t park there?
Right!? Perhaps it’s designed that way to keep out day-use visitors? I’m glad we stopped to check this park out as it’s been on my radar for awhile. I don’t think we’d ever return though.
We stopped by Oastler Lake last fall on our way to a weekend getaway to Killbear. I agree with you there isn’t much to see here but the nice beach provided a lovely detour.
The beach did look nice and sandy. Surprisingly it wasn’t very busy. Maybe that’s because there’s no parking and many of the campers were too lazy to walk there?
The nicest camping spot we’ve found, to date, was up in Washington, a large lake with ducks, cabins, bridge, and waterfall in the backdrop.
Sounds like the scenery was beautiful and that it was a lovely spot to camp. I like the sound of those cabins. We’ve done a lot camping over the years, especially during the pandemic. We’ve stayed in some pretty awesome campsites. Anything by the water is always a fan favourite.
Your road trip ended with some glorious weather autumn and that beach cove very inviting if not a little chilly.
We had a some pretty rainy weather at the start of our road trip, but I’m glad we ended on a high note. Having nice weather makes such a huge difference when camping. I was sad to say goodbye to Northern Ontario, but it was nice to sleep in a real bed again.
I’m sure you returned home with happy memories but I can imagine that sleeping in a comfortable mattress was a joy after so long. Really enjoyed following your adventures in Northern Ontario Linda.
You are too kind. It was nice to trade in our tents and sleeping pads for our warm house. Northern Ontario is such a scenic area and I’m glad we were able to visit for so long. I have a feeling we’ll be back someday.
It looks like a great park so it’s too bad that you weren’t able to stay. I’m guessing that it’s a popular local area. Strange that the spot you tried to camp in was “booked.” And the lack of parking seems like very poor planning. Following along on your trip has been very enjoyable. Cheers. 🙂
Oastler Lake definitely looked like a hot spot for the locals. The campsites were a bit too close together for my liking and I can see that the noise levels could be a problem. If we came on a weekday we might have had a different experience. I had so much fun exploring Northern Ontario that it was tough to return to hustle and bustle of the city. I have a feeling we’ll be back someday. Thanks for following along on our adventures 🙂
Too bad about the parking spots and the campsites. It’s a beautiful area though 🙂
No kidding. It was such a shame because the lake itself looked beautiful and a great spot to stop for a snack. It’s too bad we couldn’t actually park anywhere to enjoy it.
The trees, the lake, the Sun peeping, calling…just the perfect motivation for me to get out of the couch and enjoy outdoors now. I have been lazy lately and tired. Exercise is like an ordeal and uninteresting. It’s nice to see positivity and happiness through another person’s eyes and lenses. 🙏
Thanks for your lovely comment. I find having nice weather can usually provide great motivation for getting outdoors. We’re expecting a lot of rain today, so I’ll likely take it easy and have a lazy day on the coach. Have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Yes, weather makes a difference. Was rainy yesterday too and mood seems sad and lazy. I wanted to stay home but it’s weekend to work.
In some ways it’s better to have miserable weather on workdays as you don’t feel like you’re missing out. We’re hoping to go away next weekend, so fingers crossed we have some blues skies and sun.
I think this weekend is sunny. Hoping to go outdoors myself too.
Nice!! We’re hoping to go away this weekend, rain or shine, or rather snow. Either way, it’ll be nice to be outdoors.
Yes, rain or shine , Adventure goes on.
Not your favourite stop then!?!
Hahaha, no, most definitely not. It was not the worst park we’ve been to, but it’s pretty close. At least we weren’t planning on staying the night there.
I wonder how “booking” a parking site works over there. Did those people who claimed that you were on their site somehow managed to book it online? Was there a proof that they had actually booked it? I’m really curious about this because it’s quite different from what I’m more used to here. On a lighter note, at least there were blue skies when you were there.
I think they did book it either online or in person when they checked in at the park office. It was just bad timing for us. We were just looking for an empty campsite to organize our cars and eat a snack. And yes, while we didn’t have the best experience at this park, at least it wasn’t raining!!
Wow! The blue of the sky is so beautiful, amazing place, looks fo me. You are an expert. Thank’s for share Linda. Have a wonderful time!
Keep well.
Elvira
Thanks! I definitely feel like an Ontario Parks expert (and fan girl) these days after visiting so many provincial parks last year. Even though we didn’t stay long at Oastler Lake, it was still nice to explore a new park. Take care. Linda
Beautiful photos looking the place is beautiful ! Thank you for sharing 👌👍😊
Thanks for your kind words and for commenting. I love the way the sun makes the water shimmer and shine. We didn’t stay long, but it was still nice to check out a new park.
Beautiful – I love the photo with the geese…although the parking arrangement sounds pretty awful!
The lack of parking was bizarre. I guess the park is more geared towards campers than day-use visitors. I think if we came on a weekday we would have had a totally different experience.
At least the weather was spectacular even though the park left much to be desired. It is good you had the chance to check it out before planning a stay.
Exactly, I’m glad we were here for a quick pit stop as I don’t think we’d have enjoyed camping here. The campsites were close together and I’m sure noise can be a real issue on weekends.
That was a learning experience. Too many people not enough space. Next
Yup!! Given how popular camping has become, I’m surprised we’re not trying to set aside more land to create new or expand existing provincial parks.
Agreed. In NB we have
Sorry hit send but accident. We have nature Preserves. Mostly donated land by private citizens or acquired with donors. Lots of them to explore no camping on them though.
Many of the newer parks in Ontario have been created the same way. It’s either from a private donation or when the Nature Conservancy of Canada helps out.
Yes, great organization
Agreed. We’re hoping to participate in some of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s volunteer programs this year.
It worked out well that you were planning to stay at this place, but I would have loved the artist installation stop.
Even though we had some issues with parking at Oastler Lake, I’m glad we managed to squeeze in one last visit to a provincial park on our drive back home. Plus it’s always good to take advantage of the nice weather. The Moments of Algoma art installations were such a fun scavenger hunt and a good excuse to pull over at certain areas that we otherwise would have driven straight through. It was a neat way to learn more about Canadian art and the Group of Seven.
So stunning are the pictures.
Thanks for your kind words. It helps that we had such fabulous weather which always makes the water look super clear and sparkly. I’m counting down the days to summer. Take care.