Charleston Lake Provincial Park

Charleston Lake Provincial Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Charleston Lake from Slim Bay bridge
Location	Outlet, Canada
Nearest city	Brockville
Coordinates	44°30′10″N 76°02′26″W / 44.50278°N 76.04056°W / 44.50278; -76.04056Coordinates: 44°30′10″N 76°02′26″W / 44.50278°N 76.04056°W / 44.50278; -76.04056
Area	23.53 km²
Established	1972
Governing body	Ontario Parks

Charleston Lake Provincial Park is located on Charleston Lake near Athens, Ontario, Canada in the township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.

The park occupies 23.53 km² in the Frontenac Axis region, a southern extension of the Canadian Shield. The park's forests and animal life, therefore, include species normally found further north, yet the southern climate allows species more typical for the southern latitude to co-exist with the northern species. The park includes hiking trails, swimming areas and campgrounds.

The lake includes a number of islands and has an irregular shoreline which makes it an interesting location for canoeing and kayaking. The trail to Blue Mountain is only accessible by water.

Blue Mountain is also accessible off Hwy #2 on Blue Mountain Rd. It is necessary to cross private land and hard-to-follow trails to reach the summit of the breathtaking 360° view. The trek requires approx. 2 to 2.5 hours on foot or 1.5 hrs. on bike, although cyclists must carry their bikes in many places where hard granite jets out of the earth below which forms the mountain. A compass may be useful for inexperienced hikers.

This area was the site of a re-introduction program for the peregrine falcon. The park also provides habitat for the rare and harmless black rat snake, which is also the largest snake found in eastern Ontario.

Notable personalities

• Sir William James Wanless

Gallery

• 

  floating bridge, Slim Bay

External links

• Charleston Lake Provincial Park
• Friends of Charleston Lake Park