Camping & Hiking · Water Sports · Ontario
A large lakeside family campground on Colonel By Lake just off Highway 401 near Kingston, with a beach, pool and farm birds. Popular and busy, though some find it pricey and the facilities dated.
Rideau Acres is a big campground wrapped around the water of Colonel By Lake, a short hop off the 401 outside Kingston. Many sites look out over the lake or sit among trees, and visitors often mention watching boats go by. Ducks, geese and even guinea fowl roam the grounds, which kids tend to love.
Families make up much of the crowd, and several return every summer. There's a pool near the entrance, a small beach, a playground, mini golf, disc golf, boat docks and boat rentals, plus trails that climb to a lookout. Staff get credit for being polite and accommodating, and a few guests noted that speed and family-camping rules are enforced. Cottages are also available, and one visitor found theirs clean with air conditioning.
The park is large enough that bikes are handy for getting around, and it runs special events and long-weekend fireworks in summer. Seasonal trailers take up a good share of the sites, and one guest said the seasonals were friendly. It also works well as a quick overnight stop for travellers on the 401.
Opinions split on value and upkeep. A few reviewers felt the washrooms, laundry, pool and lodge need renovating, and that the price is high for what's offered. With only a handful of washroom buildings and one laundry, some sites mean a long walk. Sites near the water can be messy with goose droppings, the gravel roads get very dusty, mosquitoes can be heavy, and one visitor warned that zebra mussels in the water can cut feet, so pack water shoes.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 882 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Rideau Acres Campground directly.
