Charleston Lake Provincial Park

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Lansdowne, ON
Charleston Lake Provincial Park

Official page for Charleston Lake Provincial Park.

02/14/2025

Are you creative with a passion for nature?

Apply to be a Discovery Ranger at Ontario Parks!
Get your resume in early for the best chance to join us this summer. The first round of applications closes February 18, 2025.

https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/apply-discovery-program/

02/13/2025

Students: Have you applied to work with Ontario Parks this summer?
We’re recruiting: Discovery rangers / gate attendants / maintenance workers /

Apply early for your best chance to spend the summer with us:

https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/apply-park-ranger/

01/23/2025

Applications for 2025 student summer positions are now open!

Apply here: ontarioparks.com/careers

10/16/2024

The park is closed for the season.
We’ll be signing off social media until the spring. Thank you to all our visitors this year.

For information go to http://ontarioparks.com/park/charlestonlake… or call 613-659-2065.

10/13/2024

There are only two more nights of camping left in the 2024 season at Charleston Lake. We just want to share our thanks to all the staff and visitors who helped to make this another great season!
To celebrate a wonderful summer, here are some of our favourite wildlife pictures taken throughout the operating season!

10/12/2024

This week is and we have some safety tips for how to put out a campfire, once you are done enjoying it.
Use the following steps to put your fire out:

1. Pour lots of water on the campfire
2. Stir the ashes with a stick
3. Pour more water over top of it

Repeat these steps until the ashes don’t hiss, everything looks wet, and no more smoke comes from the ashes.

10/06/2024

Did you know that some birds call Charleston Lake home year-round?
Not all birds will migrate to warmer climates for the winter months. Different species like Black-capped Chickadees, Barred Owls, Downy Woodpeckers, and more are all permanent residents of Charleston Lake.
Bird species that do not migrate often have special adaptations that help them survive colder months. These adaptations usually involve increasing a bird’s success at finding food during colder months when sources are much scarcer.

10/05/2024

The fall season provides beautiful weather for hiking, but there are a few important things to remember before hitting the trails.
🍂Check the weather before heading out and if there are any warnings, stay home
🍂Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or shoes
🍂Layer up your clothing
🍂Bring a first aid kit and a way to contact help if needed
Always remember that safety and preparedness are the most important parts of a successful and enjoyable outdoor adventure!

09/29/2024

As the end of September approaches, so does .
There are so many different mushrooms to see when visiting Charleston Lake! Let us know your favourite fungi seen in the park or drop by the park to do some FUN-gi exploring on your own.

09/28/2024

Did you know that nine different snake species call Charleston Lake home?
The Eastern Ribbonsnake is one species that can be found regularly when visiting the park! They are a semi aquatic species, meaning that they prefer moister habitats like marshes.
Oftentimes, these adorable snakes can be found basking in the sun on the sides of the boardwalk on the Quiddity Trail, so make sure to keep your eyes open!

09/24/2024

Do you have an Ontario Parks Passport?
If you love exploring different Ontario Parks, then we highly suggest that you pick up an Ontario Parks Passport! It can help you keep track of all the different Parks you have visited, the date you visited them, and a brief description of each park.
If you are visiting Charleston Lake, make sure you stop by our gatehouse or our rental office to pick up your very own Charleston Lake sticker!

09/22/2024

Happy first day of fall!
Fall weather provides great conditions for numerous different fungi to thrive and show off their mushrooms! Mushrooms are actually the reproductive structures of a fungus. Similarly to an apple growing on an apple tree, the mushrooms are the fruit of the fungus!
The world is home to millions of fungi species, which can make identification of a specific organism difficult. Don’t worry though, even without knowing the name of a fungus, you can still enjoy the magnificent mushrooms its produces!

09/20/2024

Who likes purple?
Various types of Gentians can be seen in bloom in late summer and in the fall. Look for these purple beauties in areas that tend to be wet or moist, such as along shorelines.

[Two pictures of purple-coloured wildflowers]

09/15/2024

When we think of fall colours, we often think of the trees, but did you know there are also some wildflowers that bloom during this time?
Early fall provides perfect conditions for certain plants to flourish. Some wildflowers, like Asters and Goldenrods are displaying their vibrant coloured petals, adding to the beautiful mosaic of fall colours!

09/14/2024

As we near the start of fall, the signs of bird migration are well underway. Throughout the coming weeks, a variety of birds, just like this White-throated Sparrow, will be stopping in at Charleston Lake during their migration!
These birds are a lovely reminder that autumn has arrived so keep your eyes open for some of the different songbirds passing through.

09/11/2024

We continue our series with a very vivid fungus! This Orange Mycena (Mycena leaiana) is an adorable brightly coloured fungus. These mushrooms are generally found in small clusters growing on the wood of deciduous trees.
Reminder that no matter how pretty a fungus looks, foraging is not allowed within Charleston Lake Provincial Park, so please leave the fungi alone!

09/08/2024

We have been getting a lot of rain this year. Don’t worry though, wet weather doesn’t need to stop your day of hiking, it just takes a little more planning and some extra thought.
🌧️ Check the weather before heading out
🌧️ If there are weather warnings like strong winds, floods, or thunder and lightning, stay home
🌧️ Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or shoes
🌧️ Bring a first aid kit and a way to contact help if needed
Always remember that your safety is the most important part of any outdoor adventure.
http://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/wet-weather-hiking/

09/06/2024

We are almost a week into September and the flora is beginning to hint at the upcoming fall weather. Plants on our Quiddity Boardwalk are already starting to show their fall colours, with beautiful hints of red, orange, and yellow slowly appearing. Check back in the coming weeks to enjoy the sight of Charleston Lake’s vegetation turning from lush greens to warm reds, oranges, and yellows!

Address

148 Woodvale Road
Lansdowne, ON
K0E1L0

Telephone

613-659-2065

Website

http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/charlestonlake

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It all started in 1976...

Charleston Lake Provincial Park opened in 1976 and has been a favourite destination for families and explorers ever since. Our parks’ 2891 hectares of protected natural environment offers day use, camping, connection with nature and a variety of activities for our visitors. Visitors can hike one of our great hiking trails that include a vantage point from the highest peak in the county. They can explore the rocky lake and forest landscape that is an extension of the Canadian Shield. They can visit our Discovery Centre to say hello to our resident Gray Ratsnake or attend a Discovery Program with park naturalists to see a whole new side of the park. Visitors can enjoy a family friendly camping trip, full of excellent swimming, boating, fishing, and plenty of wildlife viewing. There are a variety of camping opportunities for every type of explorer. From back country sites to roofed accommodations, we are sure to have the perfect place for you to create lasting memories.

Company Overview

As a natural environment class park, Charleston Lake Provincial Park protects 2891.00 ha of land. Our mission is to protect provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural landscape and maintain biodiversity while offering opportunities for inspiration, education, health, and recreational enjoyment; this is with the intention that these areas are/be managed to maintain their ecological integrity and preserved for future generations.

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