Silent Lake Provincial Park lies near Bancroft and runs from spring through winter. Its lake is motor-free, so paddlers have it quiet. In winter the park groomed cross-country ski loops and rents snowshoes. This guide covers the 2026 to 2027 season, campsites, trails, beaches and rules.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 1589 Silent Lake Park Road, Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0 |
| Phone | 613-339-2807 |
| Size and year | 1,610 ha, established 1977 |
| Operating dates | May 8, 2026 to March 28, 2027 |
| Campsites | 160: 125 car camping, 40 electrical, 35 walk-in |
| Beaches | Two sandy beaches |
| Boat launch | Not available; canoe launch at the Pincer Bay Canoe Hut and Dock |
| Lake | About 2.5 km long, motor-free (gas and electric) |
Quick answer
Silent Lake suits paddling, short hikes and a quiet beach in summer, and skiing or snowshoeing from winter to March 28, 2027.
Day use, camping or a nearby cottage
The park offers car camping, electrical sites, walk-in sites and roofed accommodation. It lists rentals of canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snowshoes, and two warm-up shelters. A cottage nearby gives you a kitchen and a dock, and the park is a day trip for the beach, trails and rentals.
Trails
| Trail | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lakehead Loop Trail | 1.5 km | about 30 minutes |
| Bonnie’s Pond Trail | 3 km | about 1.25 hours |
| Lakeshore Hiking Trail | 15 km | about 6 hours |
Mountain bikers have an 11 km loop (moderately difficult) and a 17 km loop (difficult).
Paddling, swimming and fishing
Silent Lake is about 2.5 km long and motor-free (gas and electric). Canoe and kayak rentals run in the summer season, and the canoe launch is at the Pincer Bay Canoe Hut and Dock. There are two sandy beaches. The largest is at the day-use area, with a large grassy picnic area, and the other is in the Pincer Bay campground. The adjoining Quiet Lake and Soft Lake can sometimes be reached, depending on water levels, by a short portage that park staff do not maintain.
Ontario Parks lists lake trout, small and largemouth bass, yellow perch and sunfish. It says anglers aged 18 to 64 need a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence, and that Silent Lake has special regulations, so read the provincial summary before you fish.
Winter
Cross-country skiing runs on more than 34 km of trails in four colour-coded loops that start and finish at the day-use parking lot: Green (2.5 km), Red (5 km), Yellow (10 km) and Blue (16.5 km). For snowshoeing, take the 3 km Bonnie’s Pond Trail or a 5 km loop of the Yellow Ski Trail. The park rents snowshoes in winter. Ice fishing for lake trout is permitted, and gas-powered ice augers are not allowed.
Planning a visit
The park’s long season changes what you can do. From May 8, 2026 the park offered camping, beaches and canoe rentals. In winter it offered snowshoe rentals and groomed ski trails, with the 2026 to 2027 season running to March 28, 2027. A summer family can start with the 1.5 km Lakehead Loop and a swim at the day-use beach, which is the larger of the two. A winter group can ski the 2.5 km Green loop first and move up to the 5 km Red loop. Bring your own paddle craft or rent one at the canoe hut, and plan for a motor-free lake, so a motorboat stays at the cottage.
Facilities
The park lists 4 comfort stations, 3 docks, 2 laundromats, a park store, showers, 2 interior earth-pit toilets, 21 vault privies and 2 trailer dump and fill stations.
Park rules to read
Silent Lake’s rules page says each vehicle needs a valid provincial park permit, digital or physical. Pets stay on a leash no longer than 2 metres and out of the swimming area and beach at all times. Fireplaces are designated by park staff, and the superintendent can declare a fire ban. Ask the park about drones.
FAQ
When is Silent Lake open?
May 8, 2026 to March 28, 2027. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I use a motorboat?
No. The lake is motor-free, gas and electric. Checked November 3 2026.
Is there winter skiing?
Yes, more than 34 km of cross-country trails in four loops. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I ice fish?
Yes, for lake trout. Gas-powered ice augers are not allowed. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages near the park
Browse cottages in Bancroft or the Bancroft and Land O’ Lakes region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for the Bancroft area. Our dataset has no confirmed short-term rental rule for this municipality yet, so confirm with its clerk before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1589 Silent Lake Park Rd Bancroft; 613-339-2807; 1,610 ha; established 1977; May 8 2026 to March 28 2027; 160 sites (125 car, 40 electrical, 35 walk-in); two sandy beaches; no boat launch; 4 comfort stations, 3 docks, 2 laundromats, store, showers, 2 earth-pit toilets, 21 vault privies, 2 dump stations, 2 warm-up shelters; rentals canoe, kayak, SUP, snowshoes; roofed accommodation | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/silentlake | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | Trails Lakehead Loop 1.5 km; Bonnie’s Pond 3 km; Lakeshore 15 km; MTB 11 km and 17 km; lake 2.5 km, motor-free; Quiet and Soft lakes by unmaintained portage; Pincer Bay Canoe Hut and Dock; two sandy beaches, largest at day use; fish species; Outdoors Card and licence ages 18-64; special regulations; ski loops Green 2.5, Red 5, Yellow 10, Blue 16.5 (more than 34 km, from day-use lot); snowshoeing Bonnie’s Pond 3 km and 5 km Yellow loop; ice fishing lake trout, no gas augers; snowshoe rentals in winter | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/silentlake/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 3 | Rules: permit per vehicle; leash 2 m; no pets in swimming area or beach; fireplaces designated; superintendent fire bans (re-cited to Silent Lake’s own rules page) | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/silentlake/rules | 2026-11-03 |
| 4 | Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence. | https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licences | 2026-11-03 |
Photo: Ariana Kaminski, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).