There is no better place to visit the bright waters and happy lands of the Kawarthas than Emily Provincial Park. Park your RV along Pigeon Lake and sleep next to the sounds of water lapping the shorelines. Emily Provincial Park, located in Omemee, Ontario, Canada, offers RVers and day recreationists adventure and activity along with peaceful lakeside camping.
The Kawartha Lakes are known as a beautiful section of south-central Ontario comprised of lakes, rivers, and waterways. The lakes draw in recreation seekers throughout the year and tourism around the vicinity thrives because of the Kawarthas. The Kawarthas mean bright waters and happy lands, a name derived from the Anishinaabe word meaning the land of reflections. The chain of lakes represents the happiness the bright water brings to its visitors, a name that aptly describes the scenic area.
Emily Provincial Park, one of the popular destinations along the water, is a seasonally operating park offering tent camping, group camping, and RV camping. The day use areas bustle during the warmer months because of the swimming, boating, paddling, and other lake activities, and in between seasons, activities like wildlife viewing and fall color photography keep patrons coming back until the official close of the season. Whatever kind of RV camping you prefer, if you plan to be near the Kawarthas, plan a trip to Emily Lake Provincial Park along your journey.
Emily Provincial Park is located 83 miles (134 km) northeast of Toronto and 184 miles (297 km) southwest of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Guests visiting the park must pay a daily vehicle permit fee as well as an overnight camping fee for more than one vehicle. Prices vary depending on the residency and ages of the guests. Fees are payable upon entry.
To get to the RV camping area, enter the park through the main park entrance and proceed past the park office and the gatehouse. The first campground, the Cedars Campground, is a tent and group camping area. The RV campgrounds are located past the Cedars camping area.
The Circle Campground, built in a circular formation, is a pet-friendly campground that permits RVs and trailers over 32 feet in length. The sites, built on natural surfaces, have fire pits, picnic tables, and many of the spaces have 15 and 30 amp electrical service. The Circle Campground has drinking water, comfort stations, vault toilets, a laundry facility, and it is close to a playground and a hiking trail. The closest dump station is located near the park’s entrance near the park office and the gatehouse. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
The Hill Campground is a pet-friendly campground that sits close to the water. The RV spaces sit on natural surfaces, and many of the sites accommodate RVs and trailers over 32 feet in length. Each space has 15 and 30 amp electrical hookups as well as a picnic table and a fire ring. The Hill Campground has dumpsters and recycle bins, a comfort station, a laundry facility, and access to drinking water. There is an amphitheater, playground, and large parking area nearby. The closest dump station is located near the park’s entrance near the park office and the gatehouse. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
The Lookout Campground is the smallest of the RV campgrounds, and it sits closest to the water’s edge. This campground is a pet-friendly facility that accommodates RVs and trailers over 32 feet in length. The sites have natural surface driveways, and each space has 15 and 30 amp electrical hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Inside of the campground, there is drinking water and vault toilets, and many of the spaces aren’t far from the swim beach, the boat launch, hiking trails, and the amphitheater. The closest dump station is located near the park’s entrance near the park office and the gatehouse. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
When the weather turns cold, it is hard to find outdoor activities that accommodate many RVers’ adventurous spirits. Instead of waiting for camping season to start, why not get involved in a winter sport that will satisfy your need for adventure until the weather warms? Emily Provincial Park, although closed seasonally, permits cross country skiing, winter hiking, and snowshoeing through the park’s boundaries. Be aware that even though you can access the trails during the off-season, the park’s facilities are closed, and the parking is limited.
Whether you prefer boat fishing or shoreline fishing, there are plenty of places to drop your pole in the water at Emily Provincial Park. If you fish closer to the shore or from the boat dock, your catch will most likely be a panfish. If you have a boat and you head into deeper waters, fish like smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, and muskie are more prevalent. If you forget your fishing gear, stop by the Park Office and buy tackle or live bait. Ontario requires fishing licenses, but the rules for permits vary by residency and age. Visit Ontario’s travel and recreation department for fishing information before heading out on the lake or river to fish to ensure you adhere to all fishing rules and regulations.
During the fall, plan a scenic bike ride on the roads that run through Emily Provincial Park. The park permits bicycles on the streets whenever the weather conditions support cycling, but bikers should be aware that the roads are more populated during the summer months. Bring your bike, a helmet, and map out your route to ensure you have an enjoyable bike ride. If you prefer a little more isolation on your bike rides, opt to ride the Kawarthas section of the Trans Canada Trail, a multi-province trail that provides excellent riding and hiking opportunities across Canada.
During the warm days of the year, there is no better way to cool off from a long hike or outdoor activity than taking a swim. People staying at Emily Provincial Park may choose to swim from two beach areas on Pigeon Lake. The South Beach, located near the Lookout Campground, is the closest beach area for RV campers. The North Beach is located near the day use area and the tent-only campground, Cedars Campground. Both beaches are pet-free zones, so you’ll have to leave your pup with a friend. There are no lifeguards on duty at Emily Provincial Park, so swimmers should enter the water at their own risk.
For campers who crave water adventure, there are numerous boating activities for people who want to spend their time on the lake. If you have a boat or small watercraft that needs more than a sand launch, use one of the boat launches, located at the South Beach and the North Beach. The park also has three boat docks for use. If you don’t have a boat, and you are interested in canoeing, rent a canoe at the Park Store, and take your time learning the sport on the slow-moving Pigeon River. Rental fees and boat launch information is available at the Park Office.
During the summer, why not get your kids involved with some of the park’s special programs? The programs, created with kids in mind, are meant to educate and teach children about nature, outdoor activities, and local conservation efforts. The park also hosts a free hands-on fishing program that instructs new anglers the art of fishing, no matter your age. Information on all of the programs is available at the Park Office and posted to activity boards throughout the park.
