Headed up to Killarney Provincial Park? While most of the park's lakes are accessed only by portage, read on to find out where you can launch your kayak on George Lake for a day paddle.
Our Recommended Trip
Put In / Take Out:
The George Lake access has a large parking lot accessible through the George Lake campground at Killarney Provincial Park. The approximate location of the parking lot is 46.013953, -81.405913.
The George Lake access has a large parking lot accessible through the George Lake campground at Killarney Provincial Park. The approximate location of the parking lot is 46.013953, -81.405913.
Trip Length: 3-4 hours, approximately 12 km around the perimeter. You can cover as much or as little of the lake as you wish. There is also a 80m portage over to Freeland Lake, which offers additional paddling, but we started out after lunch and knew we didn't have the energy or time to explore both lakes. Plus our kids were begging us to find them a rock to jump from! Priorities, right?
Cost: We were already camping in the Provincial Park, so didn't have to pay any additional access fees, but you would have to pay to access the provincial park if you were looking at this for a day trip.
Degree of Difficulty: Beginner friendly. The only thing to keep in mind is that this is a remote lake with little to no cellular coverage, and you may not see any other paddlers or Parks staff, so make sure you're equipped.
Degree of Difficulty: Beginner friendly. The only thing to keep in mind is that this is a remote lake with little to no cellular coverage, and you may not see any other paddlers or Parks staff, so make sure you're equipped.
Gear Recommendations
Life jackets and all Transport Canada required safety gear is always a must. Sunscreen and sun hats are definitely recommended when you're out on the water.
Given the remote location of this lake, we recommend extra water and snacks, as well as a head lamp. We always have a first aid kit on board while kayaking, and I think in a more remote location that this would be a good add-on if you aren't already carrying one.
Given the remote location of this lake, we recommend extra water and snacks, as well as a head lamp. We always have a first aid kit on board while kayaking, and I think in a more remote location that this would be a good add-on if you aren't already carrying one.
Why George Lake?
As one of the most beautiful and untouched wilderness parks in Ontario, Killarney Provincial Park's 50+ lakes and coastal regions of the Georgian Bay make it a true destination for serious paddlers. The park offers outstanding canoe-tripping opportunities through its back-country routes, with most of the park's lakes accessible only by portage. It also offers outstanding sea kayaking opportunities to explore the coasts of the Georgian Bay.
But what about for recreational kayakers? We had no plans to take the family out onto the Georgian Bay, which is cold, unpredictable, and unforgiving. So where to? While Killarney boasts 50+ lakes, it offers only 4 boat launches. George Lake is the most easily accessed, with a beach launch right off the campground. It is a calm, easily accessible, and family-friendly spot to explore Killarney's beauty from the water!
But what about for recreational kayakers? We had no plans to take the family out onto the Georgian Bay, which is cold, unpredictable, and unforgiving. So where to? While Killarney boasts 50+ lakes, it offers only 4 boat launches. George Lake is the most easily accessed, with a beach launch right off the campground. It is a calm, easily accessible, and family-friendly spot to explore Killarney's beauty from the water!
Rocky Shores
Killarney's landscape is dominated by the La Cloche Mountains, a series of rounded white quartzite hills running on the north side of the lake. From the water of George Lake, you also can see outcroppings of pink granite along the southern shoreline of the lake. It was interesting to see the contrasts between the two types of rock from up close in the kayaks.
The lake was very quiet; we saw a few canoes setting out, and toward the end of the day met a couple of kayakers as well. Even though the lake hugs up next to the campground, it is still incredibly remote, and in many spots had no cell service, so this isn't a typical conservation area - you're in the wilderness.
Speaking of wilderness, we saw several species of birds, including a merganser with 8 babies hitching a ride, a red tail hawk, a bufflehead, a few turkey vultures, and some Canada geese. We also saw another bird of prey that we couldn't identify. My younger son would prefer that every bird of prey was a Peregrine falcon, but we'll never know if he was correct!
There are six back-country camping sites along the north and north-east shores of the lake. You need to book in advance if you want to camp at one of these sites. We opted to stay in the George Lake Campground.
The La Cloche Silhouette Trail, a 78 km hiking loop, begins and ends at the George Lake Campground. Hiking the full trail takes 7 to 10 days (according to the park's map), but there are also a number of shorter hiking trails around the park. For experienced hikers, the Crack, is highly recommended to take in the park's stunning vistas and get a birds' eye view of the park's lakes and rivers. The trail is a 9km in and out starting from the Crack parking lot (21 km if you start at the campground). It is marked "difficult" - be sure to read up on it to make sure it's a match for your abilities before setting out.
Additional Reading
Outfitter Options
Killarney Outfitters has a canoe and kayak rental kiosk on George Lake for both day use and also rents equipment for overnight tripping. Other outfitters also service Killarney Provincial Park but aren't based on George Lake.
