Vacation rentals in Balsam Lake

Located in the city of Kawartha Lakes, just under two hours northeast of Toronto, Balsam Lake is a haven for water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Hugging the north shore of the lake is Balsam Lake Provincial Park, where anglers come to catch bass, muskie, and walleye. Part of the Great Lakes Basin at the summit of the Trent–Severn Waterway, the park also features a large sandy beach for sunbathing and clean, calm waters for swimming. There are many hiking and cycling trails throughout the park, which offers fantastic views of the 10,000-year old eskers and kames, as well as the opportunity to spot hummingbirds, hawks, woodpeckers, orioles, and owls.

The area surrounding Balsam Lake is dotted with charming villages that are worth a visit. The nearby Fenelon Falls offers a mix of antique stores, gift shops, coffee houses, and fine dining restaurants, as well as a beautiful waterfall at the mouth of Cameron Lake. For a taste of culture, in Lindsay, you can embark on the self-guided Arts and Heritage Trail, which stops at 24 hidden gems, including museums, art galleries, and studios in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Balsam Lake has a range of cottage rentals to enhance your stay, whenever you decide to visit. Summer offers warm days for enjoying all the outdoor activities at Balsam Lake Provincial Park, and coincides with the start of the fishing season. While it can get hot, the nights by the water provide a cool breeze, so be sure to pack some layers. On Canada Day, the nearby town of Fenelon Falls hosts a blues festival with live music and a fireworks display. Spring sees mostly sunny days, but there is the occasion for rain, and in fall, the temperatures tend to drop a little, so make sure you bring those layers. Winter is quieter and perfect for those who love relaxing in a cabin in front of an open fire.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park’s Lookout Trail

Wander along the 2.6-kilometre walk in Balsam Lake Provincial Park, through eskers and kames formed over 10,000 years ago from the Wisconsin Glacier. This trail guides you through various landscapes, including a cedar swamp, deciduous forest, and an open meadow that blooms with wild bergamot, prairie smoke, and little bluestem. Your biggest reward comes when you reach the lookout tower, which offers spectacular views of Balsam Lake and the surrounding area. Listen out for the abundance of birdlife singing in the trees, including the white-throated sparrow.

Lift locks

Just 20-minutes from Balsam Lake you’ll find the lift locks in Kirkfield and Rosedale, where you can watch the fascinating process of boats traveling through the locks. Kirkfield is home to the highest lift lock in the area, while Rosedale is known for having one of the prettiest lift locks. Both are worth a visit and Rosedale’s tranquil lock station is a beautiful spot for a picnic.

Indian Point Provincial Park

Take the short drive to the northern shore of Balsam Lake, to the most extensive stretch of unspoiled shorelines in the Kawartha Lakes. The Indian Point Provincial Park sits on an alvar, a low limestone escarpment with sparse grassland vegetation. In spring and summer, the 11-kilometre Indian Point trail offers a hike with spectacular natural scenery and lots of birdlife to spot, including mallards, herons and kingfishers. The trail becomes a haven from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter, with the surrounding area resembling a winter wonderland.