Whether you prefer a day of serene paddling on a scenic small lake or a portaging journey in the backcountry, the Haliburton Highlands has an option for every kind of paddler.
“We have over 500 lakes in Haliburton County, so the range of paddling opportunities is endless,” says Thom Lambert, content creator for the Haliburton Highlands Economic Development and Tourism Department. “There are not a lot of other places you can go and have access to this many styles of paddling, which includes everything from suburban paddling to backcountry wilderness paddling.”
Lambert notes that, unlike other regions, the majority of the lakes in the Haliburton Highlands are smaller in size and not connected to one another. This not only means there is reduced boat traffic, but it’s also easier to navigate for those who may be new to paddling.
“Even though you might be on a really beautiful lake with stunning scenery and great picnic, fishing, or swimming spots, it’s not hard to find your way back to shore and get to your car, which isn’t the case with bigger lakes,” Lambert says. “Every lake also has its own character, because it’s not connected to the others.”
While some people associate overnight camping trips with long portages, carrying their boats and equipment across land from one lake to another, the Haliburton Highlands offers a range of options for outdoor adventurers to skip the portaging altogether and enjoy their watercraft where it belongs — on the water — whether it’s a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP).
“We have opportunities for the people who are doing trips on SUPs and kayaks, and for families who don’t own super lightweight gear that’s easy to portage,” says Lambert. “There are opportunities that are just as beautiful as Algonquin Park, but you can be on a campsite for a couple of nights and never have to carry your stuff.”
Some of the no-portage camping sites are located on Kingscote Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park. Around 11 per cent of the park’s southern area, known as the South Gate, is actually located within Haliburton County.
Other areas with portage-less campsites on Crown land include Koshlong Lake and Havelock Lake, while several lakes in the eastern part of the county include paddle-in sites on the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails, a backcountry canoe routes system that is municipally managed and regulated by the Township of Algonquin Highlands.
“The nice thing there is that you know you’re going to a maintained site that gets visited and cleaned up regularly and, if there’s danger, they’ll close it,” Lambert notes. “You also know that, if a site is open, it’s easily accessible. Whether you’re doing a portaging trip or not, it gives you a sense of confidence.”
The lakes in the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails each have something unique to offer, with ideal swimming spots on Big East Lake, many bays to explore on Sherborne Lake, and picturesque campsites on St. Nora Lake — just a few of the hotspots.
“These campsites are what a lot of people think of as a traditional northern Ontario campsite — camping on a rocky point with amazing views, great breezes, and good swimming,” Lambert says. “It’s an opportunity for backcountry tripping but in a much less crowded and more accessible space, and one that is hours closer for people driving in from the south.”
The access point on St. Nora Lake is right beside the Algonquin Highlands Trails office, making it easy to get anything you need before starting on your adventure.
“You can rent a canoe right there, paddle out on St. Nora, do no portaging at all, and have an amazing weekend with beauty and solitude,” Lambert points out. “It really couldn’t be easier to access.”
With the smaller lakes across the county, the Haliburton Highlands offers ideal opportunities for people who prefer paddleboards to canoes or kayaks.
“Unless you’re a really skilled SUP paddler, the reality is it’s not quite as easy in rough water,” Lambert explains. “In the Haliburton Highlands, people can access a really beautiful small lake and paddle there, knowing that they’re always going to be able to get out of the wind and to the right shoreline.”
“They’re not going to be that far from their car, but they’re experiencing the same stunning scenery as they would in other places. That’s what makes it so interesting to people who might be more familiar with urban paddling.”
For those looking to paddle in a more suburban setting, the Gull River extends from the northern border of the county more than 80 kilometres to the southern border, flowing through a popular spot in the village of Minden. While locals often use floaties and tubes, the river can easily be used for SUPs as well, with Minden close by as a lunch destination.
“It’s a great day paddle there because most of the time the current isn’t super strong,” Lambert says. “People often stop at riverside breweries and restaurants or at The River Cone, which overhangs the river. It’s a really unique opportunity for village paddling, which most people don’t think of doing with a SUP.”
For a more relaxed experience using a SUP, Wolf Flow SUP Yoga & Fitness helps visitors and locals use their board as a tool for connecting with nature, while learning to paddle and explore the county.
“Owner Karley Stevenson does a great job of making it really accessible to people, with great equipment, and she’s a really good instructor and knows the area really well,” Lambert says. “It’s a neat opportunity to go out with somebody who’s going to lend you gear, make sure you’re in a safe paddling spot, and guide you through the learning process.”
For those who prefer paddling canoes or kayaks, other businesses in Haliburton County offer guided trips that provide comfort and security for those who otherwise may not know where to begin. Algonquin Outfitters leads an excursion into Ragged Falls along the Oxtongue River beginning at Algonquin Park’s West Gate, and Deep Roots Adventure leads the High Falls Paddle, Explore, and Dine Trip, which departs from the Kingscote access point.
“It’s stunning,” says Lambert. “You get to paddle up this beautiful quiet river that anybody can paddle — there’s nothing to worry about in terms of the current or rapids — and it takes you right to the bottom of this beautiful section of the York River. There’s not a lot of other places where you can paddle to the base of a waterfall, hike up to the top, and go for a swim.”
Whether you’re a novice or experienced paddler, use a canoe, kayak, or SUP, and prefer taking a day trip or camping overnight in the backcountry, Lambert assures there’s something for everyone — and, of course, the scenery will never disappoint.
“There’s nothing quite like paddling in the Haliburton Highlands,” says Lambert.
For a full list of paddling routes, and a list of accommodations, restaurants, and watercraft rentals in Haliburton County, visit the My Haliburton Highlands website at myhaliburtonhighlands.com/summer/paddling/ and myhaliburtonhighlands.com/no-portage-paddling-trips/.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Haliburton Highlands Economic Development & Tourism. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
