Lake Simcoe is a large lake in Ontario, located approximately one hour north of Toronto, within Simcoe County. The lake is bordered by several communities including Barrie, which sits on Kempenfelt Bay, the western arm of the lake. The surrounding region, known as Ontario's Lake Country, offers a variety of paddling opportunities along the lake's shoreline and connecting waterways.

One well-documented shoreline route runs along the eastern shore in the Township of Ramara, launching from McRae Point Provincial Park and following the shoreline past Mara Provincial Park before finishing at Lovely Day Park. This route can be paddled in either direction. Both provincial parks offer picnic areas, swimming, and scenic lake views, with Mara Provincial Park operating from mid-May to Labour Day weekend and McRae Point Provincial Park from mid-May to Thanksgiving weekend. Paddlers should check Ontario Parks for current operating dates before planning a trip around these access points.

The lake is known for its fishing, particularly for those who want to combine paddling with angling. Wildlife along the shoreline includes herons, hawks, and ospreys. The water is described as clear, and the lake's open character means conditions can become wavy, which is a relevant consideration for trip planning. Paddlers are advised to hug the shoreline rather than venturing into open water, particularly given the lake's size and exposure to wind.

Access points for kayaks and canoes are available at several locations around the lake. In Innisfil, road-end access points allow kayak and canoe launches, and the town also operates public boat launches at Innisfil Beach Park and Annesville Beach. The Barrie area on Kempenfelt Bay also provides access to the lake.

The paddling season generally runs from late spring through the fall, aligned with the operating periods of the provincial parks. The broader Simcoe County region offers additional paddling routes on nearby waterways including the Nottawasaga River, Lake Couchiching, and the Trent-Severn Waterway, which can complement a Lake Simcoe paddling trip.