ALWAYS check Alerts and other information on the official website, as conditions and facility availability are subject to change.
NOTE: Either this is a backcountry camping and hiking park best enjoyed by experienced paddlers and adventurers or it may involve an exceptionally long drive. Accessing the park may be tricky. It is outside the scope of our website, and you should contact the park for information about activities and facilities.
New Camping Rules for 2023 (14-night max) – new for 2023 are revised rules about the maximum number of nights you can camp. In this park, if you are camping between July 1 and the Saturday of the Labour Day long weekend, you’ll be restricted to no more than 14-nights at this park. Outside of those dates, it’s still the old 23-night maximum. Ontario Parks promises this will be clear when booking.
Rules for backcountry camping and the roofed accommodation haven’t changed.
Facebook and Website Links
Esker Lakes Official website
Esker Lakes Official Facebook
Information
Phone #: 705-568-7677 (summer) 705-272-9117 (winter)
Main entrance co-ordinates:
Address: Highway 672 Kirkland Lake P2N 3K4
Opening seasons: May 19, 2023 to September 17, 2023
Activities
Camping & Accommodation
Esker lakes do have your classic campground but also has backcountry camping available for more info click here for more information on what camping is available at the park
Hiking, Biking & Paddling
Hiking
Esker Lakes has four different hiking trails:
Prospector’s Trail: 1.4 km, 1 hour, easy
This short forested trail skirts the southeast shore of Panagapka Lake. It’s a nice route for a stroll and a convenient way to reach many park facilities.
Lonesome Bog Trail: 1.5 km, 1 hour, easy
This picturesque trail encircles Sausage Lake, including the bog at the east end, via a boardwalk that takes you right across the wetland. Beaver are helping to speed the bog’s transition to a meadow.
Recreation Trail: 1.5 km, 1 hour, easy
This short, meandering trail just east of the campground is convenient and an invigorating route for a brisk walk or run.
Trapper’s Trail: 9 km, 4 hours, moderate
The Trapper’s Trail begins at the north end of Panagapka Lake and continues north towards Gourlay Lake before heading east and traversing Seahorse Lake and Roach Lake. It then links up to the section of the Fire Road that will take you back to the Park campground thus forming a 9 km loop. The Fire Road runs approximately 9 km on a S to N course and is an enjoyable day hike to do end to end and back again.
The trapper’s cabin on the trail was built by an Ojibway woman who was trapped in the area until 1970. Unfortunately at this time the trail to the trapper’s cabin is not suitable for hiking and is closed until further notice.
Biking
Biking is available on park roads.
Paddling
The collection of picturesque lakes in Esker Lakes Provincial Park, separated by short, fairly level portages and no motorboats, makes the park ideal for canoeing. There are about 15 kilometres of canoe routes and a canoe launching site on Panagapka Lake. There are many different options when paddling these lakes, with plenty of side trips available. Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially near the many wetlands. Canoe rentals are available including paddles and personal floatation devices.
Maps & Resources
the Ontario parks website has a map for camping and also one for the trapper’s trail click here for more information
Local Facilities
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