Contact(s)
Conservation Area Status
The total number of daily visitors to our conservation areas is limited and access may be restricted. Get real-time capacity information, including whether the conservation area, or an activity, is open or has reached its operating capacity.
Pinehurst Lake, a 9-hectare (23-acre) kettle lake is surrounded by a Carolinian Forest offering visitors a great place to camp, swim, picnic, hike, fish and paddle. In the winter it has snowshoeing and ice-fishing.
Conservation area information
- Season: Open year round, with camping from May 1 to October 15. Closed December 25 and 26.
- Hours: Open for day use from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The gatehouse may not be open during all conservation area operating hours. When the gatehouse is closed, please register and pay for your day use visit using our online ePass system, upon arrival.
- Not all facilities are available during all conservation area operating hours.
- Location: 468 Pinehurst Road, north of Paris - Google Map of conservation area location
- Book a campsite on our camping reservation system
- Conservation area fees
- Winter programs operate when conditions allow
- Photo gallery on Flickr
- Events calendar
- Download a conservation area map (650KB PDF). (Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.)
Activities
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Camping |
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Campsites: Pinehurst has 169 campsites serviced with hydro and water and 64 unserviced sites. Quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. All camping areas are radio-free. Up to six people are permitted per campsite. Check-in is after 2 p.m. and checkout is before noon.
Group camping: Three unserviced group campsites are available for registered youth groups only. Group campsites can be reserved on our camping reservation system. Seasonal sites: Please see our seasonal camping page for information on seasonal camp sites. Alcohol and Cannabis: Alcohol is permitted only on registered campsites. Cannabis is permitted on campsites and in open spaces. Smoking of cannabis is not permitted near playgrounds or in the beach area. A total alcohol and cannabis ban is in effect on the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends (Thursday at noon to Tuesday at noon). Radio free areas: All sites Trailers: All trailers to be set up on gravel drive, if available on site. |
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Canoeing |
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The lake is suitable for non-motorized boats. |
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Fishing |
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Pinehurst Lake has sunfish, largemouth bass and black crappie. You must comply with Ontario fishing regulations. |
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Hiking |
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The conservation area has 10 kilometres of marked nature trails winding through hardwood forests. The map in the conservation area brochure shows the trails. Outside the conservation area, the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail is a 10-minute drive from Pinehurst Lake. |
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Cycling |
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Cyclists can enjoy themselves on 10 kilometres of trails as well as the conservation area roads. Please obey the rules of the road and, for your safety, wear a helmet. |
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Swimming |
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The sandy beach on Pinehurst Lake is a great place to spend a summer afternoon. The beach is not patrolled so parents or guardians must keep a close watch on their children at all times. Please note we are currently not offering the life jacket loaner program. Learn more about beach conditions. |
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Events and activities |
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There are no events scheduled at this time. |
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Picnicking |
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Picnic tables are scattered throughout the conservation area. For cooking purposes, day-use visitors may use barbecues in designated picnic areas. Never leave barbecues unattended, and please use extreme caution. |
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Birding |
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More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the area, including 64 species confirmed to be breeding. Notable species include bald eagle, Cooper's hawk, Acadian flycatcher, Louisiana waterthrush and the red-head woodpecker. Go to our Birding section for more information. |
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Winter programs |
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Pinehurst Lake offers ice fishing, cross-county skiing and snowshoeing.
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Facilities
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Gatehouse |
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This is the location of the community bulletin board, pay telephone and lost and found. It is the place to go to get further information about the conservation area and report any problems or concerns. |
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Group facilities |
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There are three picnic shelters available for weddings, family reunions, corporate picnics and other events. There are washrooms near all three shelters. More information is available on our Group Facilities page. |
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Washrooms |
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The main washroom in the serviced campground area and the washrooms at the beach have flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Vault toilets are located throughout the conservation area. |
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Concession stand |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the food concession stand will remain closed this season. |
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Playgrounds and sports fields |
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The conservation area has a beach volleyball court, a playground and a playing field suitable for group activities. |
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Waste and recycling |
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Garbage containers are located throughout the conservation area and will be emptied as frequently as possible, however people are reminded to visit responsibly and if garbage bins are full, to take their waste with them and dispose of it at home. Recycling bins are located in the campgrounds and at the dumping station. Please use the bins, as there is no collection from the campsites. |
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Dog policy |
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Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash no longer than two-metres and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the swimming area. Please clean up after your dog. Dog owners can be fined if these regulations are not followed. |
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Nearby services |
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