As the sun set, my wife and I dipped our oars, contemplating the yellows and oranges of the fiery sky as they reflected into the calm lake waters. A nearby loon pierced the quietness with its haunting call.
It felt like we were eons away from the bustle of civilization.
In fact, we were a mere 30 minutes north of Canada’s busiest highway, the 401, on Lake Opinicon in Ontario’s Frontenac County.
This gem of a lake is part of the 202 km long Rideau Canal System, which stretches from Ottawa to Kingston. Opinicon Lake is located just an hour and a half from Ottawa and three hours from Toronto, making it easily accessible.
When we visited the area on an August long weekend, we figured we’d embrace the dissonance, camping in our tent trailer at Skycroft. This family oriented campsite is located on the shores of Lake Opinicon and borders more than 20 km of private trails connected to the Cataraqui Trail, a 104-km shared-use trail. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and ruggedness.
The small beach has a bunch of chairs already laid out in the shade and is equipped with loads of kids’ toys. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, SUPs or motor boats, although we brought our own canoe and two kayaks. (Just don’t launch via the beach area, or you’ll get scolded, like we did!) The lake is primarily known for its largemouth bass, but pike, catfish and trout have been caught in the past.
Make sure to stop in for ice cream at The Opinicon Resort while in the area. For only $2, you get a kiddie cone or cup with two generous scopes of amazing ice cream. The regular cones, for about $4, may induce a sugar coma. The playground, which features a zip line and a slackline, will help burn your kids’ energy, whereas if it’s raining, the ice cream parlor offers a large game room and books to pass the time.
You can also take in some history and explore the amazing feats of engineering at Chaffey’s and Davis Locks. There are 45 such locks that stretch from Kingston to Ottawa, allowing boats of pretty much all size to cross 202 km of beautiful Canadian Shield landscape.
The region blends nature and civilization almost seamlessly. One moment, you can be kayaking through pristine waters with nary a soul around and the next you can find yourself among throngs of people strolling through the annual craft fair at Chaffey’s Lock.
For the more adventurous types, there’s nearby Frontenac Provincial Park, which offers only backcountry campsites, accessible by foot or canoe only. Best part is that motor boats are only allowed on the boundary lakes of the park, while electric motors are also allowed on Big Salmon Lake. That means most of the 22 of the park’s lakes are quiet!
For those who prefer more creature comforts, you’ll find a variety of lodgings within a 20 km radius, including the Opinicon Pines Cottage Resorts, The Opinicon and The Poplars Resort as well as numerous cottages and beds and breakfasts scattered on the shores of the myriad lakes and rivers in the area. There’s also the small, picturesque cottage town of Westport, located on the shores of Upper Rideau Lake, which offers quaint boutiques and cafes, a perfect lunch destination if you aren’t in the mood for cooking over a campfire.
