January 2, 2020

A Cozy Winter Camping Experience at Silent Lake Provincial Park

Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
We love camping at Ontario Parks in the summer, which allows us to enjoy the serene outdoors and all the wonderful things we can do in the warm weather - thinking of it makes me miss summer! We have also learned to embrace the beauty of winter; the fresh cool air, soft snow, the beauty of trees covered with white snow, and all the fun activities we can do in the winter from skiing, tobogganing to snowshoeing and more. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
When we travel in winter to enjoy the festive season or to explore winter themed events and activities, we usually stay in hotels. We tried winter camping in one of the roofed accommodations at Ontario Parks, which is truly a lovely way to get close to nature, away from the everyday hustle and bustle. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
The cozy cabins at Silent Lake Provincial park located in Bancroft is equipped with all the comforts such as hydro and heating we needed to try winter camping without setting up camping gear. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Silent Lake Provincial Park
There is a ramp that leads to the cabin. On the patio, there is a propane barbecue with a side burner, shovel to clear out snow, and an outdoor thermometer. There is a picnic table by a fire pit outside facing the back of the cabin, which overlooks a beautiful forest where we spotted a variety of birds. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park
The interior of the cabin is beautiful and simple with rustic furnishing and lovely décor which has lots of personal touches. The space is laid out in an inviting way for the family to spend quality time playing board games or cozying up by the indoor fireplace. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Silent Lake Provincial Park
There is a queen bed on one side, and a bunk bed on the other with a double mattress on the bottom and single mattress on the top. There is a lamp over a side table with a drawer in between the beds. The dinning table by the fireplace has two chairs and a bench.
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
The kitchenette has a microwave, electric kettle, mini fridge, counter space, and shelves. There is also a blanket box and a fan to use in the summer. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
The mudroom has baseboard heating, a bench, racks to dry clothing and hang jackets, plastic chairs, boot trays, and cleaning tools like a broom and mop. The heated mud room came in very handy to dry our winter gear. We found the cabin spacious and would accommodate up to 5 people comfortably. There are lots of windows that bring in light during the day, and makes the cabin feel airy. There is also a good amount of light fixtures throughout the cabin.   
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
We like that the cabins are in a separate area close to the park entrance, and nestled among trees close to the lake. The comfort station is in a short walking distance, and it has washrooms, shower rooms, and a dishwashing room. The shower rooms are accessed by code for those staying in roofed accommodations. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
We have to bring our own bedding/sleeping bags and pillows to place over the mattresses, lanterns or flashlights, utensils, dishes, and pots, and water jugs. Check in time to the cabin is at 3 p.m. and check out is at 11 a.m. There is a parking spot for two vehicles by the cabin. Roofed accommodations at Ontario Parks get filled quickly, so plan and reserve early. The experience we had was a memorable one.  
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
While staying at the cabin, we had plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors and the scenery at Silent Lake Provincial Park. There is a trail for snowshoeing and another for cross country skiing. Snowshoes can be rented out at the Park Office. On the day we planned to hike, it forecasted freezing rain so we didn't take snowshoes, instead hiked the 3km Bonnie's Pond Hiking Trail in hiking/winter boots. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
We loved the hike which has different terrain that winds through mature beech trees, and passes a large beaver pond, pine, and hemlock forests to a breathtaking lookout. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Although the trails are maintained, the weather can change very quickly so we found some parts of the trail were slippery, and others fun to hike with fresh snow, lots of creeks and ponds. It is best to wear proper footwear and warm clothing, and leave a little early as it gets dark fairly quickly during the winter months. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
It is pleasant to see how the area had transformed in winter with fallen trees and branches covered with snow, and tall trees standing pretty. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Since this trail was a loop, with clearly marked signs it gave us the confidence to go through the forest which took about two hours, and we found seeing the lookout was well worth the hike.  
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
If you enjoy cross-country skiing bring your own gear, as the park has more than 40 km of cross-country trails that wind their way through hardwoods, cedar swamps, groves of White Birch and beech stands. The terrain is supposed to be rugged, and ideal for family skiing. All four connecting loops start and finish at the day-use parking lot and are colour coded for easy recognition. 
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Seeing Silent Lake Provincial park in the summer compared to winter was absolutely worth it! There are 31 Ontario Parks open in winter, which we plan to visit and see how different they are. Check the Ontario Parks website as some offer winter camping, roofed accommodations, and day use winter activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or skating.    
Silent Lake Provincial Park winter
Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Ontario Parks. Please note that all opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2010 - 2020. Please Ask First 

33 comments:

  1. This is absolutely beautiful. I could see myself staying there, getting inspired to write or do some photography.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So beautiful. Great place to relax.
    Florence Cochrane

    ReplyDelete
  3. What beautiful photos.I love being back in nature like this 1

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is absolutely beautiful winter scenery. I would love to have a stay here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been considering trying winter camping in one of the yurts or camping at Ontario Parks, I am so glad to hear you had a great experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angie, It is a memorable fun experience hope you try it soon.

      Delete
  6. Wow great scenery would love to go their in the summer with my grand kids.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, this looks like a heavenly place. Its so peaceful and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a pristine lovely area for winter camping.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to go here Its so beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  10. This looks like the perfect place to go hiking

    ReplyDelete
  11. Its fantastic to have signs that are clearly marked for hiking

    ReplyDelete
  12. This seems like a great place to get away.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It would be awesome to see the beaver pond and the beautiful trees in the winter

    ReplyDelete
  14. The indoor fireplace looks like a great place to sit by and have a cup of tea and read a book

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks beautiful. If you cant enjoy Canada's outdoors in the wintertime, what are you doing?

    ReplyDelete
  16. This place has a lot of beautiful scenery

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have never gone camping in the winter time It would be an amazing experience

    ReplyDelete
  18. We used to do Winter camping. Love that cabin! The scenery and activities would be so nice

    ReplyDelete
  19. The ice looks like a great place to enjoy skating for an afternoon

    ReplyDelete
  20. It would be nice to see all of the winter birds

    ReplyDelete
  21. It would be fantastic to go cross-country skiing on the scenic trails

    ReplyDelete
  22. I could picture myself and family there! Big fire outdoors, the beautiful scenery!

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is a beautiful place for a winter holiday

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the cabin it looks so cozy

    ReplyDelete
  25. This looks like a fantastic camping experience

    ReplyDelete
  26. This looks like a scenic place to go hiking

    ReplyDelete
  27. This place is perfect for a winter getaway experience

    ReplyDelete
  28. This looks like a fantastic place to enjoy winter camping

    ReplyDelete
  29. This looks like a great place to go snowshoeing

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love to go winter camping here The cabin looks so cozy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting :)