Lake Major is a freshwater lake in the Halifax Regional Municipality of Nova Scotia, located roughly 25 kilometres east of downtown Halifax and approximately 20 metres above sea level. Covering a surface area of about 377 hectares with a maximum depth of 65 metres, the lake stretches approximately 11.5 kilometres in length, making it one of the largest undisturbed lakes in the municipality. It forms the core of a 7,000-hectare watershed that supplies drinking water to around 118,000 people across Dartmouth and surrounding communities, and has been designated a Protected Water Area since 1986.

Access is via Lake Major Road off Highway 107 from Dartmouth. Paddlers continue to the intersection with Old German Road and park at a pull-out area with a guard rail, where a short 10-metre trail leads to the water's edge. There is no formal boat launch on the lake, and installation of permanent boat launches is prohibited under the watershed regulations.

The paddling character shifts quickly after the put-in. A small number of homes are visible near the launch area on both sides of the lake, but within a few minutes paddlers are largely alone. The only other built structure visible along the route is the water supply pumping station, located about one kilometre upstream. The shoreline features numerous large exposed rock cliffs at the water's edge, a few small islands, a split rock formation through which a boat can pass, and a large rock overhang accessible by water. The lake is wide through most of its length, narrowing toward both the head and tail ends.

The standard route is a 14-kilometre out-and-back paddle, typically completed in around three hours. Wind can be a factor on this exposed lake; paddlers should be aware that conditions may not be consistent on the return leg.

Regulations under the Environment Act restrict vessel motors to 9.9 horsepower or less, and carrying more than 23 litres of gasoline aboard is prohibited without special authorization. Swimming is restricted to areas beyond 100 metres from the water supply plant intake. Fishing is permitted beyond 100 metres of the intake but must be conducted from shore only, not from a boat. Dogs must be kept on leash in the watershed area. Open fires are subject to daily burning restrictions from March 15 to October 15.