Just minutes south of Parry Sound, Oastler Lake Provincial Park is one of the friendliest introductions to Ontario’s cottage country you could ask for. This compact recreation-class park sits on the shore of Oastler Lake where the Boyne River flows in, and at 32 hectares it packs a remarkable amount of summer fun into a small footprint. Its location right off Highway 69 makes it an easy stop for travellers heading north — and a beloved annual tradition for families who return year after year.
The beach is the star. Wide, sandy and gently sloping, it is regularly called one of the best beaches in the Parry Sound area, perfect for young swimmers and lazy afternoons alike. Behind it, around 140 campsites tuck into pine and hardwood forest, many with waterfront views that have campers booking months ahead. Days here follow a simple rhythm: a morning paddle, an afternoon swim, an evening campfire under genuinely dark skies.
Getting on the water is easy even if you bring nothing. The park office rents canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and pedal boats by the hour, with life jackets and safety kits included — ideal for exploring the lake’s quiet bays or drifting up the Boyne River. Anglers cast for rainbow trout, pike and bass, and a boat launch serves small boats under twenty feet. The park store covers forgotten supplies, and four-legged family members get their own off-leash swimming area.
Two honest tips from seasoned visitors: the railway runs close by, so light sleepers may want earplugs, and the beach is unsupervised, so keep an eye on little ones. Neither stops the regulars from coming back. For a classic Ontario park experience — swim, paddle, campfire, repeat — Oastler Lake is hard to beat.