Balsam Lake Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide

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Balsam Lake Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at Balsam Lake Provincial Park is pretty easy.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online though, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

We really didn’t have much trouble booking our site at Balsam Lake. Of course, this was probably due to the fact that we visited the park on the first weekend in October (We had a much more difficult time getting a prime spot when trying to book in July).

When we arrived at the park, we noticed that at least two of the campgrounds had already been closed for the season.

Balsam Lake is open for camping from the beginning of May until the end of October.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park Address:
2238 Kawartha Lakes County Rd 48, Kirkfield, ON K0M 2B0
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake

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Arriving at the Park

Once you arrive at the main entrance to the park, you will find several long RV parking spots available.

The gatehouse also doubles as a small Park Store during the shoulder season.

This meant that we were able to grab a printed map and my park patch, as well as purchase ice and firewood at the gatehouse.

We arrived just before the 2 o’clock check-in time, so we were lucky that our site was clear by the time we filled our rig with water.

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Balsam Lake Provincial Park Map

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Navigating the Park

We found that Balsam Lake Provincial Parks was a little tricky to navigate.

While there were plenty of signs to help you find your way around certain areas of the park, other areas were a little on the confusing side.

We ended up taking the “long way” to our campsite, as well as getting turned around several times when we decided to go for a walk through the trails and the other campgrounds.

The main park roads were paved. However, the smaller campground roads were a little more narrow and were gravel.

They were in decent shape for the most part.

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Parking

In general, we found that Balsam Lake had plenty of good-sized parking lots located throughout the park.

There were a total of 10 large parking lots in the beach/day-use area alone!

You will also find parking lots at the entrance of each campground, one at the comfort stations, one at the gatehouse, one at the park store, and several at the entrance to the park.

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Balsam Lake Provincial Park Camping

Balsam Lake Provincial Park accommodates a variety of camping styles.

From car camping to tenting, group camping, eco-camping, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all. You will even find one camping cabin at this park.

Of course, you also have the option of reserving either an electric or non-electric site.

Unfortunately, not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites, so you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park has 8 main campgrounds – Hawthorn, Maple, Cedar, Fir, Ash, Oak, Elm, and Poplar Campgrounds.

All in all, Balsam Lake is home to 515 campsites.

The Maple, Cedar, Fir, Ash and Oak campgrounds offer electric sites, while the other campgrounds only offer non-electric sites.

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Group Camping

Balsam Lake has 3 large Group Camping sites located northwest of the beach area.

Vault toilets and water taps are available. Comfort stations with showers, and the beach, are located nearby.

Unfortunately, trailers of any kind are not allowed on the group campsites.

A minimum of 20 people is required to secure a group camping site.

The sites can be reserved in advance online or by phone.

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Eco-Camping

Balsam Lake is home to 6 walk-in campsites. These non-electric sites were large, forested and quite private.

The parking lot was pretty close to the sites, so you would not need to drag your gear very far.

There are a couple of vault toilets central to all the eco-sites, a water tap off of the parking area, and a full comfort station nearby as well.

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Campgrounds at a Glance

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Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Balsam Lake, we stayed in the Oak Campground.

The campsite was pretty private, with plenty of thick shrubs and trees for shade.

While we could see our neighbours on either side, we were not right on top of them, nor did we have anyone directly behind us. It wasn’t bad at all!

Our campsite was a pretty decent size with plenty of space for our Teardrop as well as for our dining tent. I thought it was quite cozy.

We also liked the fact that we were close to the Legacy Trail that led to the beach, as well as being just down the street from the canoe launch.

The waterfront sites located in our campground were quite nice. The lots were large and there were steps to take you down to the water where you could launch your canoe.

Unfortunately, there is no beach access from these waterfront sites.

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What Amenities Does Balsam Lake Offer?

Comfort Stations

There were 4 comfort stations with showers at Balsam Lake. Most were shared between two campgrounds.

The Comfort station near the Poplar campground is also shared with the Eco-Campsites.

Vault toilets were located in all campgrounds, as well as between the picnic shelters in the day-use/beach area.

The comfort stations were quite clean and well-kept. They looked pretty new/updated in comparison to some parks we have been to.

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Laundry

A coin laundry can be found attached to each of the comfort stations.

There were 2 sets of machines in our campground. While the laundry room was very clean, I did notice that only one washer and one dryer were working, however.

I’m not sure what the situation was in the laundry facilities at the other campgrounds.

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Park Store

The main Park Store is located near the boat launch parking lot.

The store was closed during our visit, so we did not get a really good look at it.

However, the gatehouse has a small variety of essentials and gifts that are available when the Park Store is closed.

According to the Ontario Parks website, the park store sells Ontario Parks merchandise, clothing and souvenirs, as well as a small selection of items that you may have forgotten when packing for your camping trip.

Apparently this store also sells ice cream. However, I am not sure if they mean scooped, or just a small freezer containing novelty ice cream.

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Visitor’s Centre

There is no Visitor’s Centre at Balsam Lake Provincial Park.

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Day Use Area

Balsam Lake has a pretty nice day-use area, which is not surprising given how beautiful the park is.

The day-use area is located outside of the campground area, just further down the main road.

You will find 10 good-sized parking lots in the day-use area. From there, it is a short walk across a grassy picnic area to the beach.

If you are looking for the Dog Beach, it is located at the northern end of the park, closest to Parking Lot 1.

You will find plenty of picnic tables, water taps, vault toilets and three picnic shelters in the picnic area.

There is also a large, well-equipped playground near the picnic shelters and steps from the beach.

During the summer, Ontario Parks also runs its Discovery Program out of a small Nature Kiosk located adjacent to Parking Lot 2.

If you want to visit the park for the day-use area only, you can reserve your daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance.

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Boat Launch

Balsam Lake has a boat launch with adjacent boat trailer parking for guests who are bringing watercraft with them.

The boat launch can be found near the Park Store and just outside the south end of the beach area.

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Amphitheatre

Balsam Lake has one of the nicest amphitheatres that we have seen in a provincial park.

The seating was in good shape and the area was well-kept.

And while I’m not sure what programming they run here, the amphitheatre is adjacent to both a parking lot and a comfort station, making it quite convenient.

You will also find access to the Lookout Trail from behind the amphitheatre.

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Balsam Lake Provincial Park Beach

Balsam Lake Provincial Park is home to a huge sand beach along the North Bay portion of Balsam Lake. The beach is sandy, shallow, and quite warm.

The beach is about a 5-minute drive from the campgrounds. John and I were able to ride our bicycles there in about the same time, so it really isn’t far.

While it was too chilly for us to swim during our visit, the water looked pretty clear, with a nice sandy bottom.

The water was also quite calm at this beach. Even in October, we saw a few brave souls paddleboarding in the lake!

And speaking of paddleboarding, during the summer there is a rental shack right on the north end of the beach.

There, you will find canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and PFDs, as well as some snacks and refreshments.

While it was closed during our visit, this would definitely be a big convenience to people wanting to enjoy the lake.

There are signs at all beach access points warning of no lifeguard on duty. But this is pretty common at all Ontario Parks.

Another thing to be aware of is that dogs are not allowed on the regular beach at any time.

But as I mentioned, the dog beach is right next to the regular beach and didn’t look any different.

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What Services Does Balsam Lake Offer?

Balsam Lake has all the usual services found at other Ontario Provincial Parks.

Water

There is one sanitation station at Balsam Lake Provincial Park. It is located a short distance from the main gate, away from the campgrounds, and right off the main road.

You will find two water fill stations, one on either side of a single lane. This unfortunately means that only one person can fill at a time.

A quick look at the map shows that there is also a separate water fill station located in Parking Lot 10 near the beach.

We didn’t notice this while camping, nor did we see anyone using it while we were walking. So I can’t confirm if it is actually there and/or functioning.

You will find plenty of water taps located throughout the campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

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Dump Station

Just like with the fill station, there is only one dump station in the sanitation area.

It is located before the fill station on a curved single-lane road.

At the dump station, you will only find one hose and sewer which are both located on the driver’s side.

Aside from having to run your “Stinky Slinky” under your rig to the other side, I’m not sure what you would do if your rig had everything on the passenger side.

It would not be possible to enter the sanitation loop from the other side when it’s busy.

The sanitation area road was pretty long. Meaning that even though we were sixth in line, Nellie was not sticking out on the main road.

And just like at other parks, expect the sanitation area to be busy around check-out time.

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Garbage and Recycling

There was a garbage/recycling area located at the roundabout near the entrance to the campground area.

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Wi-Fi

Just like at most Ontario Parks, Balsam Lake only has pretty spotty cell reception.

This meant that while I was able to make phone calls from our campsite, I really couldn’t do much else.

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Things to Do at Balsam Lake Provincial Park

1. Enjoy Some Hiking

Balsam Lake Provincial Park is home to four hiking trails. The trails were quite nice and very easy to manage.

You will find the trailheads located throughout the park.

The trailhead for this hike can be found near the Poplar Campground.

John and I hiked this trail on a warm October afternoon and thought that it was pretty nice.

The trail was well-marked but got pretty narrow at times, so it would not be stroller-friendly.

There were a few muddy areas and a ton of poison ivy. I would definitely recommend not wandering off the beaten path.

You will find ponds with croaking frogs, old hardwood, cedar groves, pine forest, reasonably nice hilly lookout spot.

While the view wasn’t spectacular, the lookout platform was a really nice spot for us to sit and enjoy the warm afternoon for a bit.

The birding is awesome on this trail. The bugs (even in October) not so much!

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This easy trail connects you to from the Lookout Trail to the Pond Loop Trail.

The hike takes you through fields of wildflowers and a pine plantation.

The walk was not difficult although we did encounter some muddy patches. There were also parts of the trail that went from packed dirt to gravel.

My favourite part about this trail was just how peaceful the forest was!

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The trailhead for the Woodland Loop can be found just off the main road before you hit the roundabout. There is a designated parking lot for this trail.

We found the trail to be quite level with a few muddy patches. Bring bug spray as there are plenty of mosquitos as well as ticks.

The trail goes through several different biomes from forested areas to marshland and meadows.

There are no viewpoints on this trail, and the signage was lacking in a few areas. If you are not careful, you will end up missing the turn to loop back to the parking lot.

This missed turn will then start you on the Pond Loop.

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The Pond Loop Trail can be accessed from both the Woodland Loop and Lorie’s Link Trail.

The trail itself is quite flat, taking you through marshy areas, forests, and around a quiet pond.

You will definitely see some small creatures out including frogs, snakes, and if you are lucky, even a porcupine!

This makes it a perfect trail for taking the kiddos on.

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2. Enjoy a Bike Ride

While there are no designated bike paths at Balsam Lake, and you can’t ride on the hiking trails, you are more than welcome to ride on the park roads.

We found that the park roads were in pretty good shape for the most part.

You can even ride on the Lakeshore Legacy Trail which takes you from the Oak campground, past the beach, and out to the park boundary.

There are some nice cottage roads just outside the park boundary that are also easy to ride on if you so choose.

As I mentioned earlier, John and I were able to ride from our campsite to the beach with very little effort.

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3. Go for a Boat Ride

Balsam Lake is the perfect place to go for a boat ride.

On the weekend we visited, the lake was pretty calm. We noticed several boats out on the water, including a sailboat.

Of course, if you don’t own a large boat, a kayak or canoe would be just as much fun!

And as I mentioned earlier, the park has plenty for rent during the summer months!

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4. Try Your Hand at Fishing

Fishing is another fun activity that you can take part in during your stay at Balsam Lake.

Walleye, Muskellunge, Large and Small Mouth Bass are the main fish species found in the lake.

And if you did not bring your own fishing gear, the park’s Tackle Share program will have you suited up in no time.

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5. Go for a Swim

As we mentioned earlier, our early October visit didn’t give us the opportunity to hit the water (even though it was quite warm that weekend).

However, the water did seem quite nice. John dipped his toe into the lake and said that it was actually quite warm.

I did notice that the water was nice and clear, with a sandy bottom that would be nice to get into.

In fact, there was a large family with several kids who were actually swimming. Brrrr… not for me!

Based on this, I’m gonna guess that the swimming is pretty great!

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6. Take Part in the Discovery Program

From what we can see on the website, a basic Discovery Program is offered at Balsam Lake.

During July and August, kids can pick up a Discovery Activity Book, and use the equipment and materials provided to explore the park.

And as I mentioned previously, the park also runs several activities out of the kiosk in the day-use area.

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7. Do Some Birding

While we are not avid birders, Balsam Lake is home to a variety of different species.

From hummingbirds to bluebirds, cardinals, northern orioles, pileated woodpeckers, hawks, osprey and owls, there is no shortage of birds to spot.

Of course, my favourite was just listening to the call of the Loon across the lake.

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Is Balsam Lake Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Balsam Lake to be pretty accessible.

All the comfort stations allowed for barrier-free access to both flush toilets and showers.

The Gatehouse, as well as the Park Store, were also barrier-free.

However, we did not notice any designated barrier-free campsites in any of the campgrounds.

Nor did we see an accessibility mat on the beach (but that could just be because of the time of year).

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Are Pets Allowed at Balsam Lake?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Balsam Lake Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and on the hiking trails but must be leashed at all times.

As we mentioned earlier, you will find a small pet beach area off Parking Lot 1 in the day-use area.

The dog beach was just as sandy and pleasant as the regular beach.

Just remember, dogs are not allowed in the other areas of the beach.

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Is There Winter Camping at Balsam Lake?

No. The park is not open for winter camping. The park is also not open for any type of winter activities.

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Our Park Rating

We give this park 4 out of 5 stars for having:

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Final Thoughts

Balsam Lake was a wonderful experience.

We found the park to be very well maintained, with plenty of activities available to keep the whole family busy.

We really enjoyed the beautiful forests and the many wooded campsites.

I also couldn’t get over how peaceful the park was, especially at night!

Our only regret was that we didn’t book our stay during the summer months.

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Pin This Post for Later!

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