Balsam Lake Provincial Park sits near Kirkfield on the Trent-Severn Waterway, on the north-west side of the Kawarthas. It is a recreational park with a large sandy beach, short trails and a boat launch. It suits families who want a day at the water and boaters who want a launch on the waterway.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 2238 County Road 48, Kirkfield, ON K0M 2B0 |
| Size and year | 448.81 ha, established 1968 |
| Park class | Recreational |
| 2026 operating dates | May 8 to October 26, 2026 (day use, camping and roofed accommodation) |
| Phone | 705-454-3324 |
| Campsites | 515 in total, including 506 car-camping sites, 213 electrical sites, 225 radio-free sites, 62 pull-through RV sites and 6 walk-in sites |
| Water access | One boat launch and 7 docks, on the Trent-Severn Waterway |
| Hospital | Ross Memorial Hospital, 10 Angeline Street N, Lindsay, with a 24/7/365 emergency department |
| Township | City of Kawartha Lakes |
Day use, camping or a nearby cottage
The park runs three ways to stay. You can visit for the day, camp, or book roofed accommodation. Ontario Parks lists a fully furnished four-bedroom rental cottage near the water. Backcountry and group campsites are not offered here.
A day visit suits you if you live within an easy drive and want the beach and trails. Camping suits you if you want a full weekend on the waterway and own the gear. A cottage on a nearby lake suits you if you want a kitchen, a private dock and your own schedule, and use the park as a day trip. Park days and cottage days mix well: the park is the place for a beach afternoon, and the cottage is home base.
Reservations and day-use permits
Each vehicle in a provincial park needs a valid provincial park permit, digital or physical. Book day-use and camping through the Ontario Parks reservation system. Ontario Parks sets the fees, and we do not copy them here. Check the Ontario Parks fee pages before you go, because amounts change each season.
Campsite stays are limited to 23 consecutive nights on a campground site. Campsites are limited to six people.
Trails
The park has four short day-use trails:
| Trail | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lookout Trail | 2.1 km | about 1.5 hours |
| Lorie’s Link Trail | 1.7 km | about 45 minutes; continues from Lookout Trail |
| Woodland Trail | 4.2 km | about 2 hours |
| Pond Loop Trail | 1.8 km | about 45 minutes; continues from Woodland Trail |
Overnight hiking trails are not available. For cycling, the campground roads and more than 10 km of local cottage roads next to the park are open to bikes.
Swimming, paddling and fishing
The beach is sandy and marked with buoys. There are no lifeguards, so Ontario Parks recommends lifejackets for non-swimmers. A dog beach is also listed on the park page.
You can rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at the south end of the beach. Personal flotation devices come with the rentals. Ask the registration office about rental availability in the shoulder seasons.
The park lists walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass as the fish here. Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence. The park lies in Fisheries Management Zone 17, which covers the Trent-Severn, the Kawartha Lakes and the Crowe River. Read the Zone 17 page for seasons and limits before you fish. We do not restate limits here.
The boat launch has trailer parking. Campers and day-use visitors with a vehicle permit can use it for personal watercraft. Power boat drivers need proof of competency, most often the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Power boats may not exceed 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, with a few exceptions.
Park rules that catch visitors out
- Alcohol: adults 19 and over may drink in most operating areas. Alcohol-free areas are marked. Keep liquor sealed or packed away in a vehicle. The park lists a $125 minimum fine for an open container in an unauthorized place.
- Pets: keep pets on a leash no longer than 2 metres. Pets are not allowed in the swimming area or on the beach, except where the park posts otherwise. The park page lists a separate dog beach.
- Fires: fireplaces are designated by park staff. You may not take fallen or dead wood from a provincial park for a campfire. Fire bans can be ordered by the superintendent.
- Quiet: the rules page sets no fixed quiet hours. It says you cannot disturb others at any time of day or night.
- Drones: the rules page does not mention drones. Ask the park before you fly one.
- Vehicles: motor vehicles stay on park roads. Off-road vehicles are not permitted.
Seasons
In 2026 the park operated from May 8 to October 26. Dates change each year, so check the park page for the next season. The Trent-Severn navigation season runs from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, mid-May to mid-October, per Parks Canada.
Nearest town services
Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay runs a 24/7/365 emergency department at 10 Angeline Street N. The hospital lists Peterborough Regional Health Centre, 45 minutes east, as a neighbouring hospital. The park’s mailing address is in Kirkfield. For groceries, gas and the LCBO, see our Hospitals, groceries and essentials in the Kawarthas guide.
FAQ
When is Balsam Lake Provincial Park open?
In 2026 the park operated from May 8 to October 26. Checked November 3 2026.
How many campsites are there?
Ontario Parks lists 515, including 213 electrical sites and 225 radio-free sites. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I launch a boat at the park?
Yes. There is one boat launch and 7 docks, with trailer parking. Checked November 3 2026.
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Not on the main beach. The park lists a separate dog beach. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 2 metres. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I rent a canoe or paddleboard?
Yes. Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are rented at the south end of the beach. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages near the park
Browse cottages in Fenelon Falls and Balsam Lake or the whole Kawarthas region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for the City of Kawartha Lakes. The City of Kawartha Lakes requires a licence for short-term rentals of fewer than 28 consecutive calendar days (By-law 2023-111). Read the City’s owner and operator page before you list. Rules change; confirm with the municipality.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Address 2238 County Road 48, Kirkfield ON K0M 2B0; phone 705-454-3324; 448.81 ha; established 1968; Recreational class | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | 2026 operating dates May 8 to October 26, 2026 for day use, camping and roofed accommodation | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake | 2026-11-03 |
| 3 | 515 campsites: 506 car camping, 213 electrical, 225 radio-free, 62 pull-through, 6 walk-in; backcountry and group sites not available | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake | 2026-11-03 |
| 4 | One boat launch, 7 docks; Trent-Severn Waterway boating; fully furnished 4-bedroom rental cottage; one dog beach; walleye, muskellunge, largemouth and smallmouth bass | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake | 2026-11-03 |
| 5 | Trails: Lookout 2.1 km (1.5 h), Lorie’s Link 1.7 km (45 min), Woodland 4.2 km (2 h), Pond Loop 1.8 km (45 min); campground roads and over 10 km of cottage roads for biking; buoyed sandy beach, no lifeguards, lifejackets recommended for non-swimmers; rentals of canoes, kayaks, paddleboards with PFDs; launch with trailer parking | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 6 | Rules: each vehicle needs a valid park permit; alcohol 19+ in most areas, alcohol-free areas marked; $125 open-container fine; leash max 2 m; no pets in swimming area or on beach; fireplaces designated; no taking dead wood; fire bans by superintendent; no fixed quiet hours; 23 consecutive nights; six persons per campsite; motor vehicles on park roads only; drones not mentioned | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake/rules | 2026-11-03 |
| 7 | Fisheries Management Zone 17 includes the Trent-Severn, Kawartha Lakes and Crowe River | https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary/fisheries-management-zone-17 | 2026-11-03 |
| 8 | Trent-Severn navigation season runs Victoria Day to Thanksgiving (mid-May to mid-October) | https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern | 2026-11-03 |
| 9 | Ross Memorial Hospital, 10 Angeline St N, Lindsay; 24/7/365 emergency department; Peterborough Regional Health Centre 45 minutes east | https://www.rmh.org/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 10 | Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence. | https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licences | 2026-11-03 |
| 11 | Power boat drivers need proof of competency, most often the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. | https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/pleasure-craft-operator-card | 2026-11-03 |
| 12 | Power boats may not exceed 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, with exceptions such as towing a skier straight out from shore and canals and buoyed channels. | https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2008-120/FullText.html | 2026-11-03 |
| 13 | City of Kawartha Lakes requires an STR licence for stays of fewer than 28 consecutive calendar days under By-law 2023-111 | https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/business-development/business-and-economic-development/business-programs/short-term-rentals/owners-and-operators/ | 2026-11-03 |
Photo: Jason Grant, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).