Charleston Lake Provincial Park
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Charleston Lake Provincial Park is located on Charleston Lake near Athens, Ontario, Canada in the township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.
The park occupies 23.53 km² in the Frontenac Axis region, a southern extension of the Canadian Shield. The park's forests and animal life, therefore, include species normally found further north, yet the southern climate allows species more typical for the southern latitude to co-exist with the northern species. The park includes hiking trails, swimming areas and campgrounds.
The lake includes a number of islands and has an irregular shoreline which makes it an interesting location for canoeing and kayaking. The trail to Blue Mountain is only accessible by water.
Blue Mountain is also accessible off Hwy #2 on Blue Mountain Rd. You will have to cross private land and hard to follow trails to reach the summit of the breathtaking 360° view abroad. The trek will take approx. 2-2 1/2 Hrs.on foot or 1.5 Hrs. on bike. Expect to carry your bike in many places where hard Granite jets out of the earth below which forms the mountain in which you are exploring. A compass may be useful for the non-experienced hiker. Enjoy beautiful Ontario as the early natives did in the day :)
This area was the site of a re-introduction program for the peregrine falcon. The park also provides habitat for the rare and harmless black rat snake, which is also the largest snake found in eastern Ontario.