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The Lakes Campground
Overview
The Lakes Campground offers a serene escape nestled in the heart of Cape Breton Island. This family-operated destination provides a welcoming atmosphere for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Maritimes. Known for its scenic mountain views and proximity to freshwater lakes, the park serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the world-renowned landscapes of Nova Scotia. Visitors often appreciate the peaceful, unhurried environment that defines this northern retreat.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the North East Margaree valley, the park is surrounded by the lush greenery and rolling hills of the Margaree Highlands. It is conveniently located near the shores of Lake O’Law, offering campers easy access to tranquil water vistas and cooling breezes. The surrounding geography is defined by the winding Margaree River, a Canadian Heritage River famous for its pristine waters and lush riverbanks that provide a perfect backdrop for photography and nature watching.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility caters to various camping styles, offering full hookup RV sites alongside partially serviced areas and wooded tenting spots. Essential comforts include clean washroom facilities, hot showers, and on-site laundry services to accommodate those on longer journeys. Families often enjoy the open green spaces and the designated playground area for children. Each site is equipped with a fire pit and picnic table, encouraging traditional campfire evenings under the dark, star-filled skies of rural Cape Breton.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find themselves perfectly positioned to explore the Cabot Trail, one of North America's most famous scenic drives, which is accessible within a short drive. The Margaree River is a premier destination for Atlantic salmon fishing and gentle river tubing during the summer months. For those looking to hike, nearby trails offer varying levels of difficulty with rewarding views of the highlands. Local artisan shops and galleries in the Margaree area provide a taste of authentic island culture.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is an excellent choice for nature lovers and anglers who want to stay close to the water and the wilderness. It appeals primarily to RVers looking for a quiet, rural setting rather than a high-traffic resort environment. Because of its central location on the island, it serves as a strategic stop for road trippers planning to navigate the Cabot Trail while maintaining a comfortable and consistent home base for several nights.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Discounts
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Brittany Maclean
A group of us including kids, booked 2 camp sites, a week later called and booked another. We were told no problem she would add it to the credit card she had on file. The following week we arrive for our weekend getaway only to be told we only had 2 camp sites, she has no record of the 3rd camp site and they are sold out. So now instead of 3 tents with kids we are now cramped into 2 tents. When we booked no one said that there would be a pub crawl at the camp ground that Saturday night. Which would have been fine, if there wasn't karaoke happening at one site until 3am. Along with another site not far away with music cranked until 3am. I am all for having a good time, but people piss loaded drunk walking around screaming and going on until 3am is crazy. when people booked for that weelend they should have been told what was going on. We would never have booked those sites with kids if we known. We had 5 hours of fun the first day then everyone was cranky and tired the second due to no sleep. Then there's the bathrooms, we arrived saturday around 1130am. By Saturday night 1 of the only 3 bathroom stalls in the campground were out of order. By Sunday morning the first one had shit all over the floor with that toilet plugged, the second was plugged to the top, and the other flagged off out of order. No toilet paper to be found that started Saturday night. We left first thing Monday morning and still no toilet paper or toilets working. If I had a campground and knew there was a pub crawl going on Saturday night, first thing Sunday morning washrooms should have been done. Was rediculous really. Just pure laziness. The pics in another post of the bathrooms are good compared to now. You couldn't pay me to get inside that shower in the women's bathroom. The bench by the water are literally falling apart. The picnic table at our site wasn't safe to sit on or the one by the go karts. Also restaurant was garbage bagged french fries bearly cooked, chicken fingers were gross. Also seen go kart workers, in same outfit and dirty work boots in the kitchen area. I was here 10 years ago loved it. We were hoping for same experience but I will never return here. Do your research before booking a site I wish I had of. Cape breton is beautiful with way better options.
Emma Miles
We stopped into The Lakes while out snowmobiling for a bite to eat. Food was good, staff was great and even had toys for the kids to play with while we waited. Beautiful view of mountains out the back window and surrounded by nature.
Angela Neatby
Good for solo cyclists! The people were really nice, they have a great little store with all kinds of candy and snacks and there's a great restaurant too. I was a solo cycle tourist headed for the Cabot Trail and this is a good place to stop for the night on your way. The owner was so nice he opened up early for me. He made me a coffee and gave me a bandana because I lost mine. The washroom is fine and the ladies shower is also fine. There's laundry as well. If you want Wi-Fi you just have to go near the main building.
CTP
The first site they offered us was on steep incline, the second had garbage strewn about. Neither of us would dare take a shower because the bathroom floors were oil-slick slippery and filthy-I mean truly disgusting. Don’t expect WiFi to work in your site because the owner “does not like computers”. The picnic tables are in such a sad state that you’ll get peeling paint stuck to all your things. Just roll on by this one….
Greg D
Just to give people a heads up. Made a reservation a week ago. Called to cancel 3 days prior to arriving as plans changed. Was told my card will still be charged as I did not cancel the reservation a week before. Even tho I’ve yet to see anywhere where this is stated.