Conveniently located off Highway 400 in beautiful Muskoka, Six Mile Lake Provincial Park is a great family camping park with plenty of things to do.
That being said, the park can get very busy for both day use and camping. We want to make sure our visitors have all the information they need to have a fun visit while keeping the park safe and secure.
Planning a trip to Six Mile Lake? Here’s what you need to know to have a fun and frustration-free visit:
1. Do I need a reservation to visit for the day?
Yes, reserve your permit in advance to guarantee entry.
Our park is becoming increasingly popular, but we only have space for a limited number of visitors each day.
Daily vehicle permits will be available at 7:00 am, five days in advance. of your arrival date.
Reservations can be made online (here’s a tutorial on how to book, including how to use your seasonal permit).
Do you have a seasonal permit? You still need a reservation to guarantee your spot. When booking, you can provide your permit serial number and your cart will update on the confirmation page to show a $0.00 charge.
2. How can I avoid waiting times at the checkpoint?
Our gatehouse can be busy on weekends, especially after lunch on Friday until 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm
A long line of cars can quickly form during rush hour, especially when people do not follow parking signs and etiquette.
Help us avoid crowds:
- by reserving your daily vehicle permit in advance
- Arrive during off-peak hours (remember: that’s Fridays between noon and 9:00 pm!)
- have only one person per camp entering the checkpoint
- Have your information ready (including proof of discounts, if applicable)
When you reach the front door with your car, turn completely right. Make sure you don’t leave more than half a car’s length between you and the car in front of you.
Make sure you follow us on Twitter for capacity upgrades.
3. How much parking does the park have?
In total, Six Mile Lake has 100 spots available for day users, but they fill up quickly.
We need all of our visitors to practice respectful parking during their visit, which means occupying only one spot at a time and obeying parking and other traffic signs.
Remember that fishing spots, including the boat launch, are hot spots, meaning there will be a lot of trailers, which can take up a lot of space.
Avoid parking problems by:
- arriving early
- Park with consideration (do not occupy more than one space)
- Park only in designated areas (pay attention to signs!)
There is a trailer-only parking lot located next to the volleyball courts.
If you are a first-time trailer owner, practice reversing and parking the trailer before you arrive at the park.
4. Are there beaches?
Yeah! The park has three beautiful beaches, including a pet-friendly beach.
Birch Beach: Ideal for beginning swimmers, no motorized boats allowed.
Maple Beach: Best for experienced swimmers, larger boats and waves allowed.
Pet beach: Ideal for pet owners as pets can walk off leash. Remember that you are responsible for your pet and its interactions with other pets and visitors.
The beaches at Six Mile Lake can be busy at lunchtime, so plan to arrive early.
We test our beaches frequently to ensure the water is safe for swimming. Be sure to check our Alerts page or Twitter account to receive updates on beach posts.
5. Does Six Mile Lake have rentals?
Yeah! You can rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and rowboats.
We are also part of the PFD Loan Program, which allows visitors to borrow a personal flotation device for free.
Rentals and PFDs can be in high demand, so be sure to arrive early on hot, sunny days!
Please note: Rentals are weather dependent. For the safety of visitors, rentals may be canceled at short notice in the event of inclement weather.
6. Does Six Mile have RV camping facilities?
Yeah! We offer electric trailer sites at Birch, Pine and Lakeview campgrounds.
Our other campsites (oak, poplar and maple) are not as suitable for trailers.
Please remember that we are located in the Canadian Shield and some sites may not be level. Come prepared with jacks and pieces of wood to level your trailer.
Some of our sites may require longer electrical cords (up to 30 or 50 feet), so please bring long cords. A small number of cables are available to borrow from the Park Store for a deposit.
Remember that very few sites are accessible, so make sure you know how to back up and park a trailer.
Our trailer sanitation station can be busy on Sundays between noon and 3:00 pm. Please try to come outside of these hours, but if you can’t, please be patient.
Make sure you get as close to the car in front of you as possible. This will help reduce congestion.
7. Is there a “quiet hour”?
There is no official “time,” but did you know that excessive noise is not allowed at any time? It’s there in our rules and it’s a crime punishable by a fine.
Our campsites are close together, so please be respectful of your neighbors at all times, but especially after night falls.
Six Mile Lake is not the place for a party. We welcome many families with young children to our park, and many people (of any age) go camping to enjoy the peace, quiet, and sounds of nature.
Keeping your voice low is the most respectful thing to do. When night falls, sit around the campfire, talk quietly, watch the flames, and enjoy the stars.
8. What are some of the essential activities?
Ride through swamp systems and over the Canadian Shield on our Hiking trails! We have three short but rugged hiking trails with great views.
Our trails are not suitable for bicycles. Wear appropriate footwear and stay on the trail to reduce exposure to poison ivy and ticks.
We also have excellent fishing at Six Mile Lake. Don’t forget your fishing license!
For families, the beach and children’s playground are very popular.
9. What should I know if I take my boat?
A boat launch is located in the center of the park. The park also offers limited dock spaces to registered campers on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are not camping in the park, you must purchase a daily vehicle permit to access the boat launch.
Maintain a safe distance from swimmers, canoeists and kayakers, and respect other boaters.
Operate at safe speeds (DO NOT wake up!) and be aware that the OPP marine unit patrols Six Mile Lake frequently.
Verify that all safety equipment required by law is on board and in good working order. Always wear a well-fitting life jacket/PFD and make sure everyone else on board is wearing one too.
And leave the alcohol behind. Drinking while sailing carries the same legal penalty as drinking while driving a car.
Find more tips for safe browsing here.
10. When is the best time to visit the park?
Why not visit during the week, when the park is quieter?
Working from home? Get an electrical site and call Six Mile your home during the week, while you work!
11. What is near the park?
Port Severn is located about 15 minutes south of the park and makes a great day trip for lunch.
There is plenty to do within a 30 to 45 minute drive in places like Bala, Midland and Penetanishene.
12. Can I visit or stay at nearby cabins or have a picnic at local docks?
There are over 800 cabins at Six Mile Lake and each one is private property – no trespassing please!
Please be respectful of our local residents: stay within park boundaries and off private land.
This includes when you are in a canoe. Do not use the docks or stop along the shoreline; These are spaces that belong to the locals.
13. What else should I know before my visit?
Before visiting Six Mile Lake, take some time to educate yourself about one of the biggest problems: trash.
Our staff went to incredible lengths to keep our parks clean.
They work hard to make sure the trash is emptied frequently, but sometimes, the trash is more than they can handle.
We appreciate our visitors taking the time to properly dispose of their trash during their visit. Please respect our natural world and leave the park cleaner than you found it.
Some other park etiquette our staff would love to share:
- respect our landscape (no axes, knives or nails on live trees)
- Please respect park property (do not carve initials on picnic tables, keep all fires in the provided fire pits)
- respect speed limits and parking areas (no off-road parking please; yes, even a few meters into the bush can cause a lot of damage)
- respect the trails and roads (deviating from the trails can really harm the ecosystems of our park)
- Respect wildlife (give them their space, pick up trash that could hurt them, make them sick, or encourage habituation/unsafe behaviors)
- dispose of all waste responsibly (do not wash dishes in faucets or sinks, flush all gray water into vault toilets, place all garbage in central waste bins, and take home everything else you He took with him)
In fact, it’s a great idea review our Park Rules before your visit, whether you’re an experienced camper or a total beginner.
Six Mile Lake Provincial Park is part of the UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, as well as being a treasured destination that many campers return to year after year.
We look forward to welcoming you and know you will join us in the shared love and stewardship of this special place.