Closest Access Point: Rock Lake (Access Point #9 )
Distance To Access Point: 11.9 KM (2-2.5 hours)
Difficulty of Travel From Access Point: Medium (there’s only one portage, but it’s 3 KM).
Maintenance Level: Regular
Date of Visit: September, 2019
Welcome to one of my top five favourite sites (sorry Carl Wilson, site 2, you’ve been demoted). This is a fantastic spot on Lake Louisa. It’s got everything you want in a campsite, and more. Lots of space, great views, great swimming, a relatively new thunderbox. Who says you can’t have it all?
Terrain: There is so much terrain. This site takes up the tip of a peninsula and leaves you with plenty of walking around room. There’s a rise from the canoe landing back to the fire pit area (which is about 100 feet back from the water and up a hill) but it’s nothing too difficult. The ground underfoot is relatively clear; the ground cover is mostly dried pine needles and dirt. While there are plenty of trees dotting the peninsula, many of those are tall pine, meaning you don’t feel hemmed in at any point.
Canoe Landing: Probably the only slight (very slight) part of the site is that there’s no perfect canoe landing. The shoreline is mostly large slabs of rock, and you can pull up beside those in many places, but getting in and out of the boat can be a trick. There is, however, a decent spot right at the tip of the site where you can use a rock ledge to load and unload. It’s easier with someone helping steady the canoe, but it’s certainly doable solo as well.
Fire Pit: This is a great pit. It’s situated up a hill but doesn’t feel hemmed in by the trees. If there’s a wind, which there was when we were there, it’s going to blow through you, but it’s not a killer. The pit is well built with three tall walls to protect against that wind, plus a nice overhead shelf that works as a great spot to dry out wet clothes/shoes.
Tent Sites: This site is huge. You could put up enough tents to house an army. Up by the fire pit there’s an open flat area that would work for at least a couple of tents. I set up closer to the water, in a great spot with views both west and east. No matter where you go, it’s going to be flat.
Tent Sites: This site is huge. You could put up enough tents to house an army. Up by the fire pit there’s an open flat area that would work for at least a couple of tents. I set up closer to the water, in a great spot with views both west and east. No matter where you go, it’s going to be flat.
Thunderbox: Seemed pretty new to me. It’s just off to the east of the fire pit.
Swimability: So swimmable. There are tons of good entry areas, and the bottom drops out very quickly. There’s a set of smallish cliffs on the western side of the site that make for a great place to catch the afternoon sun and could be jumpable (I didn’t try, and I didn’t check. Before you cliff jump always always always check the landing zone).
Accessories: Apart from a couple of large log benches, not much. It doesn’t need them though. This site is awesome all on its own.
Views: Spectacular views. You can see the water from pretty much everywhere on the site, even if it is somewhat obstructed from up near the fire pit. Down by the water you can see east, north and west and the stargazing is phenomenal.
Notes: I love this site. The only question I have about it is how far up the top 5 list it’s going to end up. (Spoiler, it might be # 1).
Related Trip Report: South of 60: A Rock Lake Loop
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