Prelude Lake sits on the Canadian Shield approximately 34 km east of Yellowknife, accessible via NWT Highway 4 (the Ingraham Trail). The lake stretches roughly 16 km east to west and is large enough to generate serious wind waves in unsettled conditions — paddlers crossing it should be prepared to be wind-bound for a day if weather deteriorates. The water is deep and cold, characteristic of Shield lakes in this region.

The primary access point for recreational paddlers is Prelude Lake Territorial Park, located at the western end of the lake. The park operates from May 15 to September 15 and offers a boat launch, dock, and a 50-slip marina. A second access point, Powder Point Day Use Area, sits at km 45 of the Ingraham Trail on the eastern arm of the lake and serves as a popular put-in and take-out for canoe routes in the area, including trips to Hidden Lake Territorial Park. Overnight parking is permitted at Powder Point for those accessing backcountry routes.

Prelude Lake functions as a gateway to Hidden Lake, reached via two portages from the Powder Point area. The first portage, approximately 60 m long, begins to the left of a set of rapids visible about 400 m from the Powder Point boat launch. The Cameron River also empties into the eastern arm of Prelude Lake after passing Cameron Falls, a 17 m cascade requiring a 300 m portage on river right. Paddlers completing the Cameron River to Yellowknife canoe route travel the full length of Prelude Lake — approximately 19 km — before taking out at Powder Point or continuing west.

The park's Panoramic Trail, an easy half-kilometre walk largely on boardwalks, leads to two lookout points above the lake. Fishing for lake trout and northern pike is common on the lake; a fishing licence, available in Yellowknife, is required. The park offers 67 non-powered campsites, 12 walk-in tent sites, showers, drinking water, firewood, and a picnic shelter. During peak summer weekends, campsites are often nearly full, and demand for boat launch parking is high. A 14-day maximum stay rule applies between June 15 and August 15.