National park · Canada
Blue Lake Provincial Park
Go for a beach-and-camp day: 1 km (0.6 mi) sandy beach, easy trails, open mid-May to mid-September. Day-use entry is a per-vehicle fee (check current rate); book campsites months ahead for July–August weekends.Go for a beach-and-camp day: 0.6 mi (1 km) sandy beach, easy trails, open mid-May to mid-September. Day-use entry is a per-vehicle fee (check current rate); book campsites months ahead for July–August weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
23 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (23 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 23 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (23 km²)
- 2,314 ha (23.14 km²) per the park's own listing; some sources round differently (check).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Dryden
Blue Lake is a 2,314 ha recreational park on the Canadian Shield in northwestern Ontario, about 10 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway at Vermilion Bay. It is a camping and swimming park first: a 1 km sandy beach with buoyed swim areas, four short-to-long hiking trails, canoe and kayak rentals, and a canoe route that leaves the park for a 97 km loop. The operating season is short — roughly mid-May to mid-September — and the park is busiest in July and August, so book early and aim for June or early September if you want quiet.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
23 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (23 km²) · national park since 1960
2,314 ha (23.14 km²) per the park's own listing; some sources round differently (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Dryden.
Why go
- A 1 km (0.6 mi) sandy beach with buoyed swimming areas — rare for this part of the Shield.A 0.6 mi (1 km) sandy beach with buoyed swimming areas — rare for this part of the Shield.
- Four marked trails from a 1 km (0.6 mi) barrier-free boardwalk to an 11 km (6.8 mi) full-day hike.Four marked trails from a 0.6 mi (1 km) barrier-free boardwalk to an 6.8 mi (11 km) full-day hike.
- Canoe and kayak rentals on site, plus a 97 km (60 mi) canoe route that starts here.Canoe and kayak rentals on site, plus a 60 mi (97 km) canoe route that starts here.
- Boreal birding: Common Loon, Bald Eagle and Chimney Swift are all recorded in the park.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanPark closed; winter road access only
- FebPark closed
- MarPark closed
- AprPark closed; ice still on the lake
- MayOpens mid-May; cold water, few campers
- JunWarm days, long light, bugs at their worst
- JulPeak season; book campsites far ahead
- AugBusiest and warmest; beach fills by mid-morning
- SepOpen to mid-September; quiet, cool nights
- OctPark closed
- NovPark closed
- DecPark closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common LoonMay–Sep · Most vocal at dusk. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Bald EagleMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Chimney SwiftMay–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Black bear and mooseMay–Sep · Store all food in a vehicle or food locker, never in a tent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and black fliesMay–Jul · Worst in June; bring repellent and a head net. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Vermilion Bay
Highway 647 (Blue Lake Road) north from the Trans-Canada Highway for about 10 km (6.2 mi) to the entry station.Highway 647 (Blue Lake Road) north from the Trans-Canada Highway for about 6.2 mi (10 km) to the entry station.
15 min
From Dryden
Drive east on Highway 17 to Vermilion Bay, then north on 647.
45 min
From Kenora
Drive east on Highway 17 to Vermilion Bay, then north on 647.
1 h 15 min
From Winnipeg
Highway 1 east to Highway 17, then to Vermilion Bay and north on 647.
4–4.5 h
From Thunder Bay
Highway 17 west to Vermilion Bay, then north on 647.
4.5–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and day-use area | 1 km (0.6 mi) sandy beach, buoyed swim areas, picnic tables, hibachis, water taps, wheelchair ramp.0.6 mi (1 km) sandy beach, buoyed swim areas, picnic tables, hibachis, water taps, wheelchair ramp. | Open with a day-use permit. |
| Campgrounds | Tent pads and pull-through sites, about half with electrical hook-ups; two barrier-free sites. | Registered campers only. |
| Visitor Centre | Log cabin at the south end of the beach with plant, rock and wildlife displays and bird checklists. | Open in season. |
| Goblin Lake and backcountry lakes | The 11 km (6.8 mi) trail and the canoe route lakes away from the campground.The 6.8 mi (11 km) trail and the canoe route lakes away from the campground. | Open; register for overnight canoe trips. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entry station and store · Gate≈49.904, -93.471On Highway 647; day-use permits and campers' basics.Map ↗
- 2Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈49.900, -93.475Log cabin at the south end of the beach.Map ↗
- 3Blue Lake beach · Beach≈49.898, -93.4781 km (0.6 mi) of sand with buoyed swimming; approximate.0.6 mi (1 km) of sand with buoyed swimming; approximate.Map ↗
- 4Boat launch · Ranger station≈49.901, -93.479North end of the beach; approximate.Map ↗
- 5Goblin Lake Trail · Trail≈49.885, -93.510Approximate start of the 11 km (6.8 mi) route.Approximate start of the 6.8 mi (11 km) route.Map ↗
- 6Vermilion Bay · Town≈49.855, -93.390Nearest services on the Trans-Canada Highway.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park coordinates from the official listing; trail, beach and launch points are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use vehicle permit | CAD 12–21 (≈ US$9–16) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; Ontario Parks day-use rates change by year — check the current rate before you drive out. |
| Campsite, non-electrical | CAD 36–45 (≈ US$30–35) | site per night | 2026 estimate, based on the last published Ontario Parks rate band; Ontario seniors and Ontarians with disabilities pay less. |
| Campsite, electrical | CAD 41–51 (≈ US$30–40) | site per night | 2026 estimate; about half the sites have hook-ups. |
| Canoe or kayak rental | CAD 25–60 (≈ US$19–45) | half day | Check at the park office; life jackets loaned against a refundable deposit (reported as $25). |
| Ontario Parks seasonal pass | CAD 90–150 (≈ US$70–110) | vehicle per season | 2026 estimate; worth it only if you visit several Ontario Parks in one year. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use permit permit or guide
Campsite reservation permit or guide
Canoe route 12 (overnight) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$12–21≈ US$9–16
- C$36–45≈ US$30–35
- C$41–51≈ US$30–40
- C$25–60≈ US$19–45
- C$90–150≈ US$70–110
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Ontario Parks — Blue Lake Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Park hours
- The park operates roughly mid-May to mid-September; outside that window there is no gate service or camping.
- Food storage
- Keep food, coolers and scented items in a vehicle or locker; this is black bear country.
- Power boats
- Allowed on all lakes in the park; watch for canoes, kayaks and sailboats, and use the boat launch at the north end of the beach.
- Pets
- Allowed in campgrounds and on trails but must be leashed; not on the beach swim area (check signs at the gate).check
- Fires
- Only in provided fire pits, and only when no Ontario fire ban is in force.
Where to stay
In the park
Blue Lake campground
Car camping from private tent pads to pull-through electrical sites; comfort stations with showers and flush toilets, plus coin laundry.
In the park
Barrier-free campsites
Two sites held for campers who need barrier-free access; book through Ontario Parks.
In the park
Rental travel trailer
A furnished trailer with cook stove, fridge, air conditioning and shower; vault toilet nearby, no toilet inside.
Near the park
Vermilion Bay and Dryden motels
The nearest beds outside the park, 15–45 min away, if the campground is full.
Safety
Black bears medium
Cold lake water medium
Rough footing on Rock Point and Goblin Lake medium
Thunderstorms and wind on the water medium
No cell coverage in places low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Spruce Fen Boardwalk Trail is barrier-free.
- Both comfort stations have barrier-free access, and the day-use area has a wheelchair ramp.
- Two campsites are reserved for campers who require barrier-free access.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; the fen boardwalk exists to keep feet off fragile floating vegetation.
- Pack out all rubbish — the park store sells basics but there is no full-service waste system in the backcountry.
- Keep canoes and kayaks off the shallow fen edges and out of the beaver pond channels.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Blue Lake Provincial Park?
Day use is charged per vehicle, not per person. Ontario Parks day-use rates change by year and by park; budget roughly CAD 12–21 per vehicle (2026 estimate) and check the current rate on the Ontario Parks page before you drive out. Camping is separate: roughly CAD 36–45 per night for a non-electrical site and CAD 41–51 for an electrical site (2026 estimate), with lower rates for Ontario seniors and Ontarians with disabilities.
What are the best hikes in Blue Lake Provincial Park?
For most visitors it is the Spruce Fen Boardwalk Trail (1 km, barrier-free, 30 min) and the Boulder Ridge Trail (1 km, easy, 30 min). The Rock Point Trail (4 km, moderate) is the best half-day walk, through cedar groves and jack pine ridges. The Goblin Lake Trail (11 km) is the only full-day hike and follows the lake edge through bush.
When is the best time to visit Blue Lake Provincial Park?
June and early September. The park is open roughly mid-May to mid-September; July and August are warmest but also busiest, and campsites book out months ahead. June has long daylight and few people but the worst mosquitoes and black flies. September is quiet and cool, with the park closing mid-month.
Can I visit Blue Lake Provincial Park without camping?
Yes. The day-use area has the 1 km beach, picnic tables, hibachis and water taps, and you can walk all four trails on a day-use permit. The gate is about 10 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway at Vermilion Bay, so it works as a stop between Kenora and Dryden.
Do I need a reservation to camp at Blue Lake?
Yes for any campsite — reserve through the Ontario Parks reservation service. July and August weekends fill first, and the two barrier-free sites and the rental travel trailer are the hardest to get. Outside the operating season there is no camping at all.
Are there canoe rentals at Blue Lake?
Yes. Canoes and kayaks are rented at the park, and life jackets are loaned against a refundable deposit (reported as CAD 25). Route 12, a 97 km loop that runs partly through the park, starts here; pick up the route map at the park office.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go