Eastern Ontario Weekend Itinerary - Perth, Sharbot Lake and Rock Dunder

There's nothing like a summer weekend, road tripping and camping through Ontario. Whether you love exploring Provincial Parks, visiting small towns, or hiking to an epic lookout, this 3-day Eastern Ontario Road trip itinerary packs all of your favourite road trip adventures into one great weekend!

Day 1 - Hiking Rock Dunder and exploring Westport

You'll want to start your day bright and early to beat the Toronto traffic (if you're coming from the west). This will also ensure you arrive at Rock Dunder Nature Reserve bright and early to beat the crowds! I visited on the Friday of a long weekend in summer, and I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of crowds on the trail in the late morning. By the time I finished, the parking lot was filling up, and I was grateful I got to experience plenty of solitude on the trail and, more importantly - at the lookout!

Rising 275 feet above Morton Bay, Rock Dunder provides breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and woodlands. Hiking trails lead to one of the highest points of land in the region and offer stunning vistas. This is a 4km loop, but you can shorten the hike by heading out and back or tacking on additional scenic trails if you'd like to add on extra kilometres. You'll pay your parking fee at the gatehouse when you arrive at the nature reserve, or you can book your day pass in advance at this website (pre-booking not available in autumn). The park is open from May 15 - November 15th.

Distance: 3 hours from Toronto

The views from Rock Dunder (left) and Spy Rock (right)

Once you've finished up, you'll be hungry - time for lunch! Your next stop brings you to the small town of Westport, Ontario. Head to the back patio at Westport Brewing Company for lakefront views. You can grab a tasting flight along with your meal, and don't forget to buy a few cans to go! Then it's time to stroll the town and explore the cute shops. If you forgot any snacks for camp, stock up at the grocery store in town. If you haven't had your fill of lookouts yet - you're in luck! Just north of town lies Foley Mountain Conservation Area and the famous Spy Rock lookout. Because I like to camp on a budget, I chose to walk from town and access the park via the Rideau Trail, but if you don't mind paying a few dollars, you can park on site. The 2025 price is $10 for a day pass. Keep in mind that if you do walk from town, you will be walking on the side of a road which can get a little busy. I did see a deer in the bush here though!

Vanilla Bean's Cafe Creamery, The Rideau Trail at Foley Conservation Area, and Westport Brewing

After hike number two, you may want a treat. Your last stop in town will be Vanilla Bean's cafe and creamery, where you can grab an ice cream and enjoy it on the patio. Then it's time to head to camp for the night!

Distance: 20 minutes

Camp: Silver Lake Provincial Park

Distance: 25 minutes

Day 2 - Visiting Perth and hiking Murphy's Point

It's time for another small town! Today will bring you to one of Eastern Ontario's most popular small towns - Perth. This town is popular for a reason - nestled along the shores of the Tay River, Perth of full of charm, beauty, and quirky finds. Find parking downtown, then start your explorations with a caffeine hit from one of the many cafes. I headed to North Folk coffee, and since it was a rainy day lingered with my book. My next rainy day activity was the Perth Museum, located in the heart of downtown and free to visit. You'll access the museum through the visitor centre, and take a trip back in time through four period rooms that have been restored to reflect the lifestyle of the Matheson family that owned the house for 90 years.

It's time to head outside, and wander through the beautiful parks and shops that Perth has to offer. Stewart Park, with Tay River ambling through, is a beautiful place to stroll or relax. If you're visiting on a Saturday, head to the farmer's market in the Crystal Palace - open Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, from Mother’s Day weekend and until Thanksgiving weekend. Don't miss the nearby Mammoth Cheese - a replica of the 22,000-lb block of cheese sent to the Chicago World Fair in 1893! You'll find plenty more riverside photo ops here.

Once you're finished exploring downtown, head to Perth Brewing Company for another tasting flight (are you noticing a trend? I love exploring local craft breweries when I go camping!).

Distance: 25 minutes

The Perth Water Tower, North Folk Coffee, Downtown Perth views, and the Mammoth Cheese

After lunch, time to stretch your legs again! Next up: Murphy's Point Provincial Park. Located on Big Rideau Lake, part of the historic Rideau Waterway, this park offers paddling, hiking, fishing, and more. One of the biggest draws is the Silver Queen Mine, an early 1900s mica mine. Tours are offered up to three times per week in July/August and on weekends in the fall - for details and dates, you'll need to contact the park directly. If you're not touring, you can still take a peek inside the mine via the Silver Queen Mine Trail.

It's time to head back to camp for the evening!

Distance: 35 minutes

Optional: If you like cheese, head to the town of Balderson before you visit Perth - it's just 5 minutes north. Here you'll find the Balderson Cheese Store with plenty of - you guessed it - Balderson cheese! This is another cute village to stroll around.

Day 3 - Paddling Silver Lake and hiking at Sharbot Lake

Time to pack in a few more activities before the weekend fun comes to an end! Head to the lake to paddle around before it's time to leave the park. Be mindful that this lake is quite open, and when winds pick up paddling can be challenging. Always be mindful of your skills and the conditions! There's also a short, 0.5km hiking trail here that you can easily fit in.

View over a lake on a sunny day, with trees in the backgroun and foreground

Views from Sharbot Lake (left), Black Lake (centre), and Silver Lake (right)

Just 10 minutes west lies Sharbot Lake, your last provincial park of the weekend. If you'd like to paddle or swim here, the smaller Black Lake provides more ideal conditions. For hiking, head into the heart of the park for the Discovery Trail - a 2.1km loop that meanders along both Sharbot Lake and Black Lake, through forest, and up to a ridge for views of both lakes. Now your weekend has come to an end, and it's time to hit the road and dream of your next Ontario road trip.

See you on the trails!

Shawna