The Haliburton Highlands area of Ontario’s Cottage Country is known for its of small, scenic inland lakes amid the rolling hills and low mountains that are part of the Canadian Shield rock formation. Hundreds of lakes are surrounded by rolling forests interspersed with small towns and villages each offering its own version of small-town charm. Although you’ll most likely have your own stretch of private waterfront when you stay at one of CottageLINK Rental Management’s rental cottages, sometimes guests ask us about public beaches nearby. Our years of experience have given us an in-depth view of this, so we’d like to recommend the top beaches in Haliburton, Ontario.
Here at CottageLINK Rental Management we take a more expansive view of this lovely part of Cottage Country, and we refer to cottages as being in Haliburton to an extended area that extends east to include Bancroft, south to Apsley and north to Algonquin Highlands. We have many waterfront cottage rentals in this vast area just awaiting your stay!
With such a huge number of lakes, wherever you’re staying there’s sure to be a public beach nearby! Most beaches are not large, and most tend to have limited amenities, but all are great to enjoy on a hot summer day!
Below are the best public beaches in each of the areas in Haliburton, Ontario.
Top Beaches in Haliburton | Haliburton Village and Area | Haliburton Lake | Eagle Lake
There are several beaches in the area surrounding Haliburton Village, but we’ll focus on two of the top beaches in Haliburton with the most amenities, Haliburton Lake Beach and Eagle Lake Beach.
Haliburton Lake
Haliburton Lake is one of the larger lakes in the area, a clean, clear, and deep lake that’s about 30 minutes northeast of Haliburton Village. Haliburton Lake, with a maximum depth of 180 feet, is great for all activities, including fishing, boating and swimming. The beach is located at the southern tip of Haliburton Lake, at 1245 Hodgson Road.
Haliburton Lake Beach Features and Amenities
Haliburton Lake Beach features a large sandy beach area and a large grassy area, providing lots of room for games and for the kids to run around. This beach is where you’ll see fireworks displays on Canada Day, and it’s where popular events take place during the summer months, including the Regatta, held in mid-summer, and swimming lessons.
In addition to the beach, there’s a picnic shelter, washrooms, a playground and beach volleyball court, and a dock and floating raft to enjoy.
Nearby Accommodations
Nearby Dining
While Fort Irwin itself is tiny, there is a marina, gift shop, and a great new restaurant to try, Features Brasserie, all within 5 minutes of the beach.
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake is located about 15 minutes from Haliburton Village, approximately halfway to Fort Irwin and the Haliburton Lake Beach. Although it’s smaller than Haliburton Lake, it’s part of a two lake chain, and you are able to access Moose Lake from the eastern side, if you’re boating. Eagle Lake is also shallower, with a maximum depth of 73 feet.
Eagle Lake Beach Features and Amenities
The Eagle Lake Beach is easily found right at the intersection of County Roads 6 and 14 (Haliburton Lake Road and Eagle Lake Road). If you’re coming from Haliburton Village on Haliburton Lake Road, turn right at the flashing lights onto Eagle Lake Road, and the beach is immediately past the dam.
The Eagle Lake Beach is small, but there is a good-sized sandy area, as well as a playground, portable washrooms, boat launch, floating swim platform, and roped off beach area.
The nice feature about this beach is that it’s within a few minutes to walk to the Eagle Lake Country Market for snacks, drinks, and pretty much anything you might need to purchase to make your visit to the beach better!
The beach is located at the dam, the dividing line between Eagle Lake and the Gull River, which leads to Cranberry Lake and then onto Pine Lake in West Guilford. Although the river is great for tubing, it is not suitable for boating and cannot be navigated that way.
Nearby Accommodations
Eagle Lake Dining
Dining options are more limited in Eagle Lake, but there are two options within the village. Twin Fires Restaurant at Sir Sam’s Inn offers fine dining, but reservations are required if you’re not staying at the Inn. A great selection of ready-to-eat meals can be purchased from Eagle Lake Country Market as well, offering a great option for a beach picnic!.
Top Beaches in Haliburton | Minden and Area | Rotary Park Beach
If you’re staying near Minden, Rotary Park Beach is an excellent place to head for the day to relax and cool off. Situated along the Gull River, this beach offers a mix of sandy shoreline and grassy picnic areas, just off Highway 35 in Minden.
Rotary Park Beach Features
Features of the park include a playground, public washrooms, boat launch, a small dock and picnic tables, along with a small beach. The sandy area is relatively small but well-maintained, and the water is generally clean with a few aquatic plants near the shore.
With easy access to Minden’s shops and restaurants, and best of all, Kawartha Dairy right across the street for a quick ice cream fix, it’s a great beach for a full day of relaxation and exploration.
Nearby Accommodations
Nearby Dining
Dining options are almost unlimited, with a number of restaurants and diners within just a few minutes. The Pepper Mill is a steak and pasta restaurant just north of Minden, and along Highway 35 you’ll find a number of chain restaurants, including Tim Hortons, Godfather’s Pizza, and Dairy Queen. Minden’s 50’s Diner is a fun option, or for Thai food you can’t beat Suwan’s Thai Cuisine. There are many more of Haliburton’s top restaurants to enjoy in Minden, Haliburton, and the surrounding area.
Top Beaches in Haliburton | Bancroft | North Bay Beach
North Bay Beach, Paudash Lake
This is deservedly the most popular beach in the Bancroft area, and one of the top beaches in Haliburton, located approximately 20 minutes west of Bancroft. Paudash Lake is quite large, with a surface area of about 1,900 acres, with several islands, bays, and inlets. The lake is deep, up to 150 feet, so it’s always refreshingly cool, great for a dip on a hot summer day!
Paudash Lake is a neighbourhood gathering place for both locals and cottagers. The annual regatta and children’s rock bass derby is held here. The beach is also home to a yearly family fun day. Activities typically include a scavenger hunt, sand castle and boat decorating competitions and races.
North Bay Beach Features
There is a large sandy beach and an expansive grass picnic area with tables and portable washroom facilities. A boat launch area is located nearby if you’re bringing a boat with you.
Nearby Accommodations
Dining Options
There are a number of great restaurants in Bancroft, ranging from fine dining at The Granite, casual dining and pub options at the Bancroft Brew Pub, Eagle’s Nest, Vito’s Pizzeria, and Wattle and Daub Cafe to name a few. If a delicious frozen snack is more in order, drop by for ice cream treats at Kawartha Dairy!
Top Beaches in Haliburton | Algonquin Highlands | Elvin Johnson Park
For those staying in the northern part of Haliburton in Algonquin Highlands, Elvin Johnson Beach on Halls Lake is a great place to head! Located at the eastern side of Halls Lake at 1221 Old Mill Road beside the Kennisis River, this is one of the top beaches in Haliburton.
Elvin Johnson Park Features
This park features a sandy beach, picnic area, change room and washrooms. There’s also a playground with a zipline and a picnic shelter.
Nearby Accommodations
Dining Options
There are two great restaurants to try in Carnarvon! Rhubarb, just east of the intersection of Highway 35 on HIghway 118, has upscale casual dining, and The Mill Pond (just north of 118 on Highway 35, is one of the most well-known (and long-standing) family restaurants in the area.
Haliburton County has such an enormous number of lakes that you’ll find public beaches tucked away everywhere! They can be hard to find, as some may only be known to “locals”. Beaches range from bustling lakeside hubs that provide swimming lessons and celebrate water events to quiet, hidden bits of sand along the waterfront without any amenities.
Whether you’re looking for a busy beach with lots of activities and events to a quiet dip in a serene lake, you’ll find the right place in Haliburton perfect beach in Haliburton. Book your Haliburton cottage rental with CottageLINK Rental Management today and start planning your trip. Grab your swimsuit, pack a picnic, and enjoy one of the top beaches in Haliburton on one of the stunningly beautiful lakes of this region!
