Silent Lake Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide

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

Making a reservation to camp at Silent 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, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

We booked our stay at Silent Lake for July and had a really hard time getting a site for the days we wanted.

In fact, we had to rearrange our two-week camping trip to accommodate the dates that we could get for this park.

And it’s not that small of a park either!

On the plus side, most of the sites at this park were pretty nice! So I really don’t think you can go wrong.

☑️ Expert Tip – Be sure to pre-register and check in online before arriving at the park. It definitely expedites the process once you arrive. This can easily be done by logging into your Ontario Parks account and heading to your reservation.

The park is open for camping pretty much the entire year. It looks like the park is only closed during the month of April.

Silent Lake Provincial Park Address:
1589 Silent Lake Park Road, Bancroft, ON, K0L 1C0
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/silentlake

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Arriving at the Park

When you pull into the park entrance, it’s just a quick drive to the gatehouse.

There’s regular vehicle parking there, plus several longer spots designed for RVs just behind the gatehouse.

Those extra-long spaces are a huge help when you’re towing a trailer. I really wish all provincial parks would add them.

The gatehouse also works as the park store. We picked up a printed map, grabbed some firewood, and I added a park patch to my collection.

You can also buy ice and rent PFDs from the gatehouse.

We arrived after the 2:00 p.m. check-in, so once we were done at the gatehouse, we could head straight to our campsite.

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Silent Lake Provincial Park Map

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Navigating the Park

Silent Lake is a big park, so you really need to depend on the signs to navigate.

Fortunately, there are plenty of clear signs pointing you toward the campgrounds, day-use areas, and other spots of interest throughout the park.

The main park road was paved, and awesome to drive on with a trailer in tow! That said, there were still quite a few dips and bumps!

The campground roads are one-way, fairly narrow, and made of packed dirt. Still, they were in good shape during our visit and easy enough to manage with a small trailer.

Just be warned, the narrow campground roads are hilly and have some pretty tight turns. Not sure how really large RVs would manage.

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Parking

The parking lots we came across around the park were a good size. We never had trouble finding space to park.

There were parking lots at the gatehouse, one at the comfort stations, large ones at the beach and of course, at the day use area.

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Silent Lake Provincial Park Camping

Silent Lake Provincial Park supports a wide range of camping options.

You can book sites for car camping, tenting, walk-in sites, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres).

There are also roofed accommodations in the form of cabins and yurts.

Of course, you can choose between electric and non-electric campsites as well.

Just note that not every campground section fits every style of camping, so pay close attention to the site details when you book.

Silent Lake Provincial Park has only 2 main campgrounds: Granite Ridge and Pincer Bay.

You will also find 2 “niche” campgrounds at Silent Lake. Six Points Camp Cabins Campground is only home to, you guessed it, the camp cabins!

And the Pincer Bay Walk-in Campground offers only walk-in sites.

All in all, Silent Lake is home to 160 campsites.

Granite Ridge Campground offers a mix of electric and non-electric sites, while Pincer Bay only offers non-powered sites.

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Campgrounds at a Glance

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Walk-in Camping

Silent Lake Provincial Park offers a semi-wilderness experience with walk-in campsites.

In the Pincer Bay Campground, you will find two loops of walk-in sites (Sites #66-73 and #74–88), as well as one loop of walk-in sites in Granite Ridge Campground (Sites #156-167).

If you have never camped in a walk-in site, it is just that.

Campers park their vehicles in the designated walk-in parking lots and walk their gear a short distance into the campsite.

At Silent Lake, the walk to your site will be no longer than 500 m.

The walk-in sites have access to water taps, vault toilets, and a nearby comfort station.

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Roofed Accommodations

As I mentioned earlier, Silent Lake is home to both rustic cabins and yurts. While the cabins are located in one area of the park, the yurts are scattered throughout the two main campgrounds.

Rustic Cabins

The Rustic Cabins sleep up to five people with a queen bed and a twin-over-double bunk.

The single-room cabin features a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, kettle and counter space. There is also a dining table and chairs for indoor meals. 

Outside, you will find a large screened-in porch, a picnic table, and a deck with a barbecue and side burner.

If you are looking to camp in the winter, the cabins are equipped with electric baseboard heating and a propane fireplace.

There are water taps plus a comfort station with flush toilets and showers nearby, and cabin guests can use all park facilities.

Keep in mind that the comfort station is shared with the day use area, so it may get a little busy at times.

Check-in is at 4 pm, and check-out is at 10 am. There is a two-night minimum stay, or three nights on long weekends.

It is important to note that dogs are permitted in Cabins 201 and 202 ONLY. Pets are not allowed in any other Cabins or on-site.

Smoking is prohibited in all facilities.

You’ll need to bring your own food, cookware, dishes, linens, towels, and chairs.

Parking for two vehicles is available at each cabin, with one vehicle included in the fee.

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Yurts

The Yurts sleep up to six people with two twin-over-double bunks (Yurts 10 and 16 have two twin-over-queen bunks).

Aside from the beds, you will also find a small table and chairs, a broom and a dustpan.

Outside, you will find a propane BBQ, a fire pit, and a picnic table.

If you are looking to camp in the winter, half of the yurts are equipped with a wood-burning stove. In this case, firewood is provided.

The other yurts have electricity, so I’m guessing that they come equipped with space heaters.

There are water taps plus a comfort station with flush toilets and showers nearby, and campers can use all park facilities.

Check-in is at 4 pm, and check-out is at 10 am. There is a two-night minimum stay, or three nights on long weekends.

It is important to note that dogs are permitted in Yurts 7 and 103 ONLY. Pets are not allowed in any other Yurts or on-site.

Smoking is prohibited in all facilities.

You’ll need to bring your own bedding, food, drinking water, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, dishpan, lighting (flashlights/lanterns), matches and other personal items.

Parking for one vehicle on site is permitted for yurts 99, 103, and 106. For all other yurts and additional vehicles, parking is located a short distance away.

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Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Silent Lake, we stayed in the Granite Ridge Campground.

Our campsite was pretty spacious, with more than enough room for us to set up our dining tent.

While the sites were not completely private (I could still see my neighbours), there was more than enough shrubbery between sites to provide a good buffer.

We were also right next to the water tap and a short walk to both vault toilets and the comfort station.

There was one big drawback to our site, however. And that was the fact that there was a pretty long and narrow driveway that we had to back into.

What made this harder was that our driveway was halfway down a hill. John had to reverse Nellie up the hill and into our driveway.

One of the really funny things about our stay at Silent Lake was that we were surrounded by teardrop trailers!

From our site, we could see a cute yellow TAB 320 behind us. Behind the yellow trailer was a TAG. And across the street from us, a silver TAB 320. Then, a few doors down from us, was a Little Guy Max.

We actually had coffee with the wonderful couple who owned the yellow teardrop, as well as sitting and having a really nice conversation with the couple (and their dog) who owned the silver TAB.

Nucamp really does foster a wonderful community, and we have met some awesome people who share our love of teardrop camping!

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What Amenities Does Silent Lake Offer?

Comfort Stations

There are 3 comfort stations with showers in Silent Lake Provincial Park.

One comfort station is located in each main campground, with a third located in the day use area.

Even though John and I chose to shower early in the evening, we did not have to wait even once for the showers to be free.

We found the comfort stations to be really clean and well-kept. The water was hot, and the pressure in the showers was decent.

Vault toilets were also located near the beaches, as well as in each of the campground areas.

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Laundry

A coin laundry is available in both comfort stations located in the campgrounds.

The laundry rooms were clean and in great condition.

The one we checked out near our campground had two washers, two dryers, as well as a large laundry sink and folding counter.

All machines were in working order during our visit.

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Park Store

As I mentioned earlier, the Park Store is located inside the gatehouse.

Inside, you will find a variety of Ontario Parks merch, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, water bottles, camping cups, and more.

You will also find a small variety of snacks, an ice cream freezer full of novelty ice cream, a coffee station, as well as some camping essentials that you may have forgotten.

Not only did I buy my patch, but I also picked up a really cool wooden Christmas ornament to add to my collection.

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Visitor’s Centre

There is no Visitor Centre at Silent Lake Provincial Park.

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Day Use Area

The day-use area at Silver Lake is home to the main beach.

There, you will find a beach volleyball court, picnic tables, and a trailhead.

There was a large parking lot located adjacent to the main beach, as well as a comfort station with showers.

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

There are no boat launches at Silver Lake, as motorized watercraft of any kind are prohibited in all areas of the park.

What you will find are several canoe access points throughout the park.

These areas include parking lots, canoe racks, and even picnic tables.

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Silent Lake Provincial Park Beaches

Silent Lake Provincial Park is home to two sandy beaches.

The Main Beach is located in the day use area and is marked with buoy lines. We visited this beach briefly on our last day at the park.

The swimming area was clean and did not get very deep, making it perfect for families with young children.

We did notice that there were some black flies at this beach, which is one of the reasons that we didn’t stick around too long after paddleboarding here.

The water was tea coloured and pretty warm during our visit in July.

The second beach is located in Pincer Bay, closest to the walk-in sites. This is where we enjoyed our beach time!

This beach is smaller, but also has a roped-off swimming area. The area is nice and sandy with a pretty gradual drop-off.

One thing I did notice, however, is that the water here is definitely not as sheltered as the main beach.

Once you cross the buoyed line, the water can get a little rough.

And guess what? No black flies!!

We were able to easily launch our paddleboards into the lake from both of the beaches.

Both beaches had parking lots as well as access to vault toilets or a comfort station within a 5-minute walk.

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What Services Does Silent Lake Offer?

You will find all the usual Ontario Provincial Parks services at Silent Lake.

Water

The water fill station at Silent Lake Provincial Park is really nice!

You will find it in the sanitation loop located directly across the street from the gatehouse.

The water fill station has two nicely paved long lanes with the tap in the middle.

So while there is only one tap, you have the option to use either lane depending on what side your tank is on.

You will find 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

There is only one sanitation station at Silent Lake Provincial Park.

The dump station is located directly across from the gatehouse. It’s a little awkward in the sense that you have to pass through the gatehouse first, then double back to go through the sanitation loop.

The sanitation area consists of a long two-lane loop with two dump stations. Both dump stations are located on the driver’s side, which is where most rigs have their tanks.

Realistically, you could go through the left lane and use the dump station on the right if your tank is on that side. It would just mean that you would be tying up both dump stations at once.

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

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Garbage and Recycling

You will find a central garbage and recycling area at the entrance to each campground.

In this area, you’ll find multiple recycling containers, a bin for fibres only (like cardboard), and designated spots for small empty propane canisters.

There is also a shed for you to put your garbage bags on one side, and mixed bags of recycling on the other.

We don’t usually remember to sort our recyclables, so having an area for mixed items is really helpful.

And just like at Lake Saint Peter, Silent Lake also had a separate garbage bin to dispose of your firewood and kindling bags.

This was definitely a first time seeing this for us. What a great idea!

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Wi-Fi

If you need to stay connected during your time at Silent Lake, we found the cell service to be really decent.

I was able to make calls, answer emails, send texts, and even stream my TV shows from almost anywhere in the campground.

This allowed me to write this blog and get some other work done with absolutely no issues.

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Things to Do at Silent Lake Provincial Park

Silent Lake Provincial Park is an awesome place for outdoor recreation.

No matter what you like to do while camping, this park has it!

1. Go for a Paddle

One thing John and I always look forward to when we’re camping is paddleboarding. And Silent Lake was definitely a great spot for it.

There are so many kilometres of shoreline to explore with your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. And we made sure to cover every inch!

We split the lake in half and took two days to paddle the entire perimeter (a couple of hours each day).

It was so much fun. Plenty of interesting spots to explore, including a small island with an engraved viewing bench, a rock in the middle of the lake that you can climb on, and plenty of gorgeous properties to admire.

Just be sure to head out early in the day. We found that the water in the largest part of the lake became extremely choppy in the afternoon, making paddling a lot less fun.

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2. Enjoy a Refreshing Swim

Silent Lake is a great spot for swimming.

The tea-coloured water is clean and warm enough for a comfortable dip.

It stays fairly shallow, even past the roped swimming area, which makes it a good option if you’re visiting with younger kids.

As I mentioned, just keep in mind that the water can get a bit rough once you head farther out, especially later in the day.

And even though we had to drive to the beach, there was plenty of parking as well as vault toilets just a short walk from the water.

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3. Brave a Bike Ride

There are no dedicated bike trails at Silent Lake. That said, you are welcome to bike on the main road as well as the smaller campground roads.

And as I mentioned before, the camp roads were VERY hilly!

So if you want a really great leg workout, this is the place!

John and I decided that we would rather paddle in the 35+ degree heat, so we did not use our bikes at all in this park.

One thing I would recommend is not taking younger kids out for a ride on the main road. Aside from the hills, the road is very curvy, making for many blind corners.

And with the roads not being very wide, I would not want any littles to get hurt while out riding.

Of course, the campground roads, while also quite hilly and not so smooth, would make a better option for kids who want to ride their bikes.

That said, if you are into serious mountain biking, Silent Lake does offer two loops. The trails can be accessed from the day-use parking area.

I didn’t realize this until just before we left the park!

The trail is divided into two loops: 11 and 17 km in length. The 11 km loop is moderately difficult, while the 17 km loop is considered difficult.

Just be careful though, as the trail crosses the park road and is actually a shared trail with hikers in some areas.

The trail is double-tracked with rugged natural features like rocks and roots.

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4. Take Part in the Discovery Program

During the summer months, Silent Lake runs a full schedule of educational programs.

Check the weekly events calendars posted throughout the park for details on upcoming opportunities.

You can also pick up a Discovery Book at the gatehouse and explore the park on your own.

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5. Try Your Hand at Fishing

For anyone who loves fishing, Silent Lake Provincial Park is a wonderful spot to indulge in a favourite pastime.

Silent Lake is home to Lake Trout, Small and Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish.

Just keep in mind, if you are between 18 and 64 years of age, you will need a valid Outdoors card and fishing license.

According to the park, they also ask that you consult the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations, as Silent Lake has special regulations.

We saw people fishing from boats, from the water’s edge, and even from paddleboards!

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6. Do Some Birdwatching

While John and I are no bird experts, we do appreciate some of the amazing birds that we see while camping.

And Silent Lake Provincial Park had plenty to see!

Some of the birds that you are most likely to see include the Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Ruffed Grouse, Great Blue Heron, Common Nighthawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Barred Owl and the Great-horned Owl.

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7. Enjoy a Hike

Silent Lake Provincial Park is home to 3 hiking trails. The trails were quite nice and were easy enough to explore.

We didn’t have time to hike all three trails, but we did manage to explore one of them and really enjoyed it.

The trailheads are spread out across the park and clearly marked with large signs, so they’re easy to find.

There are also decent-sized parking lots adjacent to the trailheads.

John and I really enjoyed this short trail, which follows the lakeshore through a low-lying area of cedar and Black Ash.

If you just want to get out for a peaceful stroll, this is the trail for you!

The trail also makes its way to higher ground through plenty of hemlock, Sugar Maple and Red Oak trees.

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For many visitors, this is one of the most popular trails in the park. It’s perfect for the nature lover or explorer.

The trail makes its way through mature beech trees and passes a large beaver pond, pine and hemlock forests to a pretty nice lookout.

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The Lakeshore Trail is the most challenging hike in Silent Lake Provincial Park. It is best suited to experienced hikers who are comfortable with rugged terrain and longer distances.

And definitely bring plenty of water, especially on warm days!

The trail shares its first section with the Lakehead Loop before following the undeveloped shoreline of Silent Lake.

Along the way, you’ll pass beaver meadows, hardwood forests, and cedar and black ash swamps. Several lookout points offer some of the best views in the park and make the climb worthwhile.

If you’re looking for an accessible walk, the first 750 metres from the Day Use parking lot is barrier-free and suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility devices.

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Is Silent Lake Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Silent Lake to be very accessible.

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

The Park Store and Gatehouse were also barrier-free.

That said, neither of the two beaches had accessibility mats, and during our walks through the campgrounds we did not notice any sites that were designated barrier-free campsites.

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Are Pets Allowed at Silent Lake?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Silent Lake Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and in the day-use area, but must be leashed at all times.

Unfortunately, we did not see any pet exercise area or dog beach.

Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed at the main beaches.

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Is There Winter Camping at Silent Lake?

Yes! Silent Lake does offer winter camping.

You are able to winter camp in either the Rustic Cabins or the Yurts.

The day use comfort station, which includes flush toilets, showers and drinking water, is available to use all year-round.

Just keep in mind that vehicle access is not available to the yurts or campsites in Pincer Bay campground due to snow.

If you choose to camp there in the winter, you will be required to park in the Bonnie’s Pond Trail parking lot and walk into the yurt (maximum distance of 400m) via the designated packed trail.

On the plus side, toboggans are provided to transport your gear to the yurt.

The park also offers plenty of activities in the winter!

During the winter, Silent Lake Provincial Park has more than 34 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. The trail system is suitable for families with some cross-country skiing experience.

There are four colour-coded loops that all begin and end at the Day Use parking lot, making it easy to choose a route that matches your ability and the amount of time you want to spend on the trails.

The park also offers a couple of snowshoeing trails (with rentals available) and ice fishing.

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Our Park Rating

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

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Final Thoughts

Our visit to Silent Lake definitely exceeded our expectations.

The combination of awesome paddling, excellent hiking trails, and well-maintained facilities made it a memorable camping trip.

We left already talking about when we could come back!

This is one Ontario park we’ll definitely visit again.

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