A Northern Lake Lost in the South

Charleston Lake is located in the Frontenac Axis which is a piece of the Canadian Shield which extends southwards and crosses the Saint Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands Area. This lake has many of the characteristics of more northern lakes, such as those found in Algonquin Park. In the same vein, the park also includes spruce bogs. However, the park also has characteristics of the Saint Lawrence lowland area to the east. The lake includes fish typically found in southern Canadian lakes and those found in more northern lakes. Charleston Lake is said to have a hundred islands and a hundred miles of shoreline.

Like Presqu'ile Park, this is a relatively small natural environment park, a true jewel of a park. The total area of the park is 2400 hectares.

Hiking trails include:

• the Blue Mountain Trail which goes from Huckleberry Hollow to the top of Blue Mountain. Usually, you connect with this trail by boat or canoe.
• the Sandstone Island trail - 3.3 km (2 miles).
• the Shoreline Centennial trail - 1.6 km (1 mile).
• Quiddity Loop - a short hike of 2.6 km (1.5 miles).
• Tallow Rock Bay East Trail - 6 km (3.5 miles).
• Tallow Rock Bay West Trail - 14 km (8.5 miles).
• Beech Woods Trail - 1.8 km (.8 mile).
• Hemlock Ridge Trail - 1.8 km (.8 mile)

Nearby Frontenac Provincial Park provides 7100 hectares for wilderness camping and canoeing.

Links to Related Places

• Charleston Lake Provincial Park information
• The Friends of Charleston, Lake Park, R.R. 4,Lansdowne, Ontario KOE 1LO
• Frontenac Provincial Park
• Guide to Frontenac Park
• Satellite Image at Fastline = Frontenac Axis - ST. Lawrence Information Network on the Environment
• Thousand Islands Area