Vacation rentals in Sharbot Lake

Surrounded by tall pine trees that reflect in its calm waters, Sharbot Lake is located in southeastern Ontario, about a 90-minute drive from Ottawa. Sharbot Lake is part of the Land o’ Lakes region, whose more than 5,000 lakes are linked by 600 hiking trails. The rim of the lake is dotted with small cabins, and in the nearby village of the same name, you’ll find a handful of shops where you can pick up groceries as well as restaurants and cafes where you can grab coffee or a bite to eat.

The village of Sharbot Lake used to be an important train stop, and you can still find vestiges of its rail history throughout town, including the Railway Heritage Park and the K&P Rail Trail, which provides miles of scenic bike paths. The area’s main draw is Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, where you can partake in a seemingly endless array of outdoor activities or simply relax along the shoreline, admiring the tranquil water and the ridge that separates Sharbot Lake from the neighboring Black Lake.

Like the rest of Ontario, Sharbot Lake experiences hot summers with long, sunny days and cold, snowy winters. The summer is a great time to visit if you plan on taking advantage of the area’s numerous outdoor activities, as the humidity rarely becomes oppressive and the weather is just hot enough to make swimming and boating particularly appealing. The temperature is a bit cooler in the spring and fall, making this a glorious time to get out on the trails to see the bursts of colors created by spring flowers and autumn leaves. Winters are very cold, but the region is popular for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing on the lake during this time, so bundle up and head outside, or simply relax in your cottage with a warm cup of hot chocolate and watch the snow fall.

Sharbot Lake Provincial Park

This park spans Sharbot Lake and the smaller Black Lake, and is a popular spot for outdoor activities such as swimming off the park’s sandy beaches, canoeing, fishing for walleye or bass, birdwatching, and hiking through dense forests of oak, birch, and maple. If you are lucky, you may spot a hawk or owl circling above.

K&P Rail Trail

This cycling and walking trail follows the old rail tracks of the Kingston and Pembroke Highway and is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail, which links the Pacific and Atlantic through a series of green spaces, trails, and waterways. Stretching 46 miles from Kingston to Sharbot Lake, the trail passes through the communities of Tichborne, Verona, Godfrey, and Harrowsmith, giving you plenty of opportunities to pop into one of the local businesses for a refreshing drink or quick meal.

Railway Heritage Park

This park along the K&P Rail Trail takes you through the history of the region’s rail network through a series of signposts and antique trains. There is a small museum in the train caboose, and you can also find a railway-themed playground, perfect for families.