Lake on the Mountain

Lake on the Mountain is one of those places that stops people in their tracks. A small, deep lake sitting on top of a limestone bluff, 60 metres above the Bay of Quinte, with no obvious source of water feeding it. It has been puzzling visitors and geologists for centuries. The Indigenous peoples of the region considered it a sacred site. Early European settlers thought it was bottomless. Modern science has offered explanations involving underground springs and limestone aquifers, but even with the geology understood, the place retains a sense of quiet wonder.

Located at the eastern tip of Prince Edward County, just above the Glenora ferry dock, Lake on the Mountain is one of the County's most iconic landmarks. It is a small site. You can walk around the lake in twenty minutes. But the combination of the mysterious lake, the dramatic lookout over the bay, and the peaceful surroundings makes it a highlight of any County visit.

The Lake

Lake on the Mountain sits in a natural depression at the top of a limestone escarpment. The lake is roughly 200 metres across and surprisingly deep for its size, reaching about 28 metres at its deepest point. The water is clear and cold, fed by underground springs that filter through the limestone bedrock. Despite being perched high above the Bay of Quinte, the lake maintains a remarkably constant water level year-round.

The lake's origin has been debated for generations. The prevailing geological theory is that it formed as a collapsed sinkhole in the limestone, with underground channels connecting it to deeper water sources. Whatever the explanation, standing at the edge and looking down at this impossibly placed body of water is a strange and wonderful experience.

Swimming is not permitted in the lake. It is a protected area within Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park, and the shoreline is mostly steep and rocky. But the lake is beautiful to look at from the paths and viewpoints around its edge, and the water changes colour with the light, shifting from deep green to dark blue depending on the time of day and the weather.

The Lookout

For many visitors, the lookout over the Bay of Quinte is the real draw. A small parking area and viewing platform sit at the edge of the bluff, offering an expansive view straight down to the Glenora ferry dock and across the bay to the mainland. On a clear day, you can see for miles in every direction.

The view is especially striking when the ferry is crossing. Watching the small vessel make its way across the bay from this height gives you a real sense of the geography. The Bay of Quinte is wide here, and the County's position as a near-island becomes clear from this vantage point.

The lookout is free to visit and accessible year-round. There is a small parking area that can fill up on busy summer weekends, but the turnover is usually quick since most people stay for only 15 to 30 minutes. Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times, and the light at those hours is particularly beautiful.

The Restaurant

The Lake on the Mountain Resort operates a restaurant and patio right at the lookout, and it is one of the most scenic dining spots in the County. The patio overlooks the Bay of Quinte, and on a warm evening, there are few places in Prince Edward County with a better view.

The menu leans toward upscale pub fare with County ingredients. Burgers, fish, salads, and seasonal specials make up the core offerings. The food is solid, but the setting is the real attraction. A patio lunch with a glass of County wine and that view in front of you is a genuinely memorable experience.

Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on summer weekends. The restaurant operates seasonally, typically from May through October, with reduced hours in the shoulder months. Check their website or call ahead to confirm hours and availability.

The Glenora Ferry

Lake on the Mountain sits directly above the Glenora ferry dock, and the two are inseparable in most visitors' experience of this area. The ferry is a free, year-round service operated by the Ontario government, crossing the Bay of Quinte between Glenora (on the County side) and Adolphustown (on the mainland). The crossing takes about 10 minutes and runs approximately every 15 minutes during peak hours.

The ferry is a practical transportation link, but it is also a pleasure in its own right. The short crossing gives you views up and down the bay, and there is something satisfying about driving your car onto a boat, even for such a brief trip. Children tend to love it, and many families make a point of including a ferry ride in their PEC itinerary.

If you are driving to PEC from Ottawa or Kingston, the Glenora ferry is one of two entry points to the County (the other being the Norris Whitney Bridge from Belleville). Taking the ferry adds a small adventure to your arrival and puts you right at the base of Lake on the Mountain for your first stop.

Be aware that ferry wait times can build on summer weekends, particularly Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Waits of 20 to 40 minutes are common during peak periods. On weekdays and in the off-season, you can usually drive straight on.

History and Significance

Lake on the Mountain has a long and layered history. The Mohawk and other Indigenous peoples considered the lake sacred and used the site for gatherings and ceremonies. Archaeological evidence suggests human activity in the area stretching back thousands of years.

European settlers arrived in the late 1700s, and the lake quickly became a local landmark. In the 1800s, a mill was built at the edge of the bluff, using a sluiceway to channel water from the lake down to power the mill wheel at the bay level below. The ruins of this operation are still partially visible in the area.

The site became a provincial park in 1960, protecting the lake and its surroundings from development. Today, Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park is one of the smallest provincial parks in Ontario, but its natural and cultural significance far outweighs its size.

The name itself is wonderfully straightforward. It is a lake, on a mountain. Or more accurately, on a high bluff, since the elevation is modest by mountain standards. But the name has stuck for over two centuries, and it captures the essential surprise of the place perfectly.

Visiting Tips

• Time needed: Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour at the lake and lookout. Add time for a meal at the restaurant if you plan to eat.
• Best time to visit: Early morning for quiet and good light. Late afternoon for golden hour views over the bay. Midday in summer can be busy with tour groups.
• Accessibility: The lookout and parking area are accessible. The paths around the lake are mostly flat but unpaved.
• Combine with: A Glenora ferry crossing, a drive along the Loyalist Parkway, or a visit to the wineries along the eastern part of the County.
• Off-season: The lookout is accessible year-round. The restaurant is seasonal. Winter visits are quiet and atmospheric, with the bay sometimes partially frozen.

Getting There

Lake on the Mountain is located on County Road 7, just above the Glenora ferry dock at the eastern end of Prince Edward County. From Picton, it is about a 15-minute drive east along Highway 33 (the Loyalist Parkway). Signs along the highway point the way.

From the Glenora ferry, the lake is a one-minute drive straight up the hill from the dock. If you are arriving by ferry, it is the most natural first stop in the County.

There is no public transit to the site. You will need a vehicle, though the area is also popular with cyclists following the Loyalist Parkway route. The climb up from the ferry dock is short but steep. For more information on getting around the County, see our weekend itinerary.

A Place Worth the Stop

Lake on the Mountain is not a full-day destination. It is a stop, a pause, a place to pull over and take in something unexpected. But it is one of those stops that stays with you. The mystery of the lake, the sweep of the bay below, the quiet of the provincial park, and the sense that people have been standing in this spot and wondering about it for thousands of years. That combination gives the place a weight that its small size does not suggest.

Whether you visit for twenty minutes or linger over a long lunch at the restaurant, Lake on the Mountain adds something to a County trip that the beaches and wineries do not quite provide. It connects you to the deeper character of this place, the geology, the history, and the persistent sense that Prince Edward County holds surprises if you look for them. Make it part of your first visit, and you will understand why people always come back.