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Natural Features at Charleston Lake Provincial Park

A Provincial Park with much history and unique natural features offering wilderness viewing opportunities is Charleston Lake Provincial Park located east of Gananoque and near Kingston Ontario.

Charleston Lake Provincial Park is made up of two types of bedrock which are granite and sandstone.

Charleston Lake, which is in Charleston Lake Provincial Park travels through the Precambrian Canadian Shield.

Since the two types of bedrock are different in Charleston Lake Provincial Park, this means the ecology of the regions in both types is also diverse due to the various living conditions.  Plants and wildlife seem to live best on one type or the other.  Another interesting fact is that when the two bedrock types border each other, there is additional diversity of plants and animals along the border.

Located in Charleston Lake Provincial Park, is Blue Mountain which is situated in the eastern section of the park.  Blue Mountain is the highest point in the county and presnts great views of the surrounding area.

In Charleston Lake Provincial Park the numbers of species are large here but the diversity of these species in geographical areas in this region are interesting.

There are so many species that are intermixed and near the ends of their extended ranges that Charleston Lake Provincial  Park hosts a high number of species that are designated rare, threatened and endangered.

Charleston Lake Provincial Park is part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere along with Frontenac Provincial Park.

History of Charleston Lake Provincial Park

In Charleston Lake Provincial Park Natives once lived under rock shelters or rock overhangs on the Charleston Lake shores.  It has been learned that Native people came to Charleston Lake during part of their seasonal hunting and gathering.

Within Charleston Lake Provincial Park you can see the remains of old homesteads and farms, and small mine sites, which were apparent efforts of inhabitants who tried to make a living on the landscape.

During the late 1800s in Charleston Lake Provincial Park, Charleston Lake was a popular resort area for wealthy vacationers from the city in Ontario and New York.  Visitors to Charleston Lake came to enjoy the lodging in hotels, travel in wood-burning steamships, and the fishing guides.

Plants and Animals in Charleston Lake Provincial Park

Charleston Lake Provincial Park consists of a diverse landscape which attracts a unique variety of plants and animals.

Some northern species in Charleston Lake Provincial Park include Black Spruce and Pitcher Plant.  Some southern species include Pitch Pine and Shagbark Hickory.

Species at risk within Charleston Lake Provincial Park include the Black Ratsnake, Red-shouldered Hawk and the Southern Flying Squirrel. 

Mammals that can be found in Charleston Lake Provincial Park include Beaver, White-tailed Deer, Fisher and Mink.  Reptiles that can be found in Charleston Lake Provincial Park include Northern Map Turtles and Eastern Ribbonsnakes.

Birds that make their home in Charleston Lake Provincial Park include the Cerulean and Golden-winged Warblers and Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos.

Outdoor Activities at Charleston Lake Provincial Park

Outdoor activities at Charleston Lake Provincial Park include canoeing around the shoreline and passing by the many islands.  For convenience, there is a canoe launch and storage racks on each beach in Charleston Lake Provincial Park.

There are education programs throughout the summer season covering many themes.  Charleston Lake Provincial Park also welcomes school groups during the spring and fall seasons.

Charleston Lake Provincial Park offers canoe and kayak rentals if you wish to leave your canoe or kayak at home.

There are a variety of hiking trails in Charleston Lake Provincial Park with leisure and casual distances.

During the winter season you can snowshoe on the trails, which are limited because they are not maintained.

Refer to Ontario Parks camping information at Charleston Lake Provincial Park.

You can also visit the Friends of Charleston Lake Provincial Park for more information.

Things to do outdoors near Charleston Lake Provincial Park

View these sources if you are interested in finding out more information for canoe and kayak clubs in Eastern Ontario, cross country skiing clubs in Eastern Ontario, Outdoor Activity clubs in Eastern Ontario region, Trail Associations in Eastern Ontario, Windsurfing clubs in Eastern Ontario, Nature Conservation clubs in Eastern Ontario and rock climbing clubs in Eastern Ontario.

You can refer to the official Eastern Ontario road map for more detailed directions of how to get to Charleston Lake Provincial Park from where you are travelling from.

For more information contact Charleston Lake Provincial Park  (613) 659-2065

{Gone Outside- Canadian Outdoor Tourism Network}

 

Location(s)

Address:	Charleston Lake Provincial Park 148 Woodvale Road Lansdowne, Ontario
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