Balsam Lake holds a specific distinction: it’s the highest point on the entire Trent-Severn Waterway, at 256 metres above sea level, the summit that the water descends from in both directions, toward Lake Ontario one way and Georgian Bay the other. It sits near Coboconk, at the western edge of the Kawartha Lakes chain.
At 16 kilometres long, it’s one of the larger lakes in the system, with generally gentler, shallower shoreline than the granite lakes further east, which keeps the water warmer through the summer. Balsam Lake Provincial Park sits on its shore, adding a public beach and campground alongside the private cottages.
That combination, size, warmer water, and a nearby park, has made Balsam Lake a longtime favourite with families, the kind of lake people buy into planning to bring kids and grandkids back to for decades. It’s also often a more approachable entry point into Trent-Severn waterfront ownership, worth discussing if budget is part of your decision.
Coordinates: 44°34′50″N 78°50′30″W
