Porters Lake

Porters Lake is the westernmost community on the Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia.

Understand
Porters Lake is a bedroom community of the Halifax region with about 3,200 people (2011).

By car
Porters Lake can be reached by the 107 highway, where it has two exits. Exit 19, West Porters Lake Rd. and Exit 20, which is closest to the shopping plaza.

Exit 19 is only accessible in the westbound direction (only going to and coming from Dartmouth and Halifax).

Porters Lake is also along Highway 7, which passes through the centre of town and is the main artery of the community.

By bus
Porters Lake is connected to Dartmouth and Cole Harbour by two Halifax Transit bus routes.
 * 401 Preston-Porters Lake-Grand Desert, a community bus with infrequent service. There is no weekend service on this route. ($3.50, 2019)
 * 370 Porters Lake, an express bus for commuters traveling between Porters Lake and Dartmouth. ($2.50, 2019)

Do

 * Lake and Shore Days, Porters Lake. Annual week long celebration and parade.
 * Boating: Porters Lake is a popular lake for boating. It is 19 km long with ocean access at the south end of the lake near Lawerencetown. The other lakes in the region are also popular for boating. The boat launch is located at the end of Keizer Dr.
 * Hiking: Crowbar Lake Wilderness Area, 1800 Myra Road, Porters Lake.

Beaches
Porters Lake and the surrounding communities have a lot of freshwater lakes with some supervised swimming areas.


 * Conrad Settlement Beach, 382 Conrad Settlement Road, Conrad Settlement. Conrad Settlement Beach is a small unsupervised community beach next to a small dam.


 * Kinap Beach, 181 Greenough Dr, West Porters Lake. A small supervised beach next to Kinap Athletic Club. Lifeguards on site Jul-Aug: M-F 11AM-5PM. No weekend supervision.


 * Lake Echo Beach, 3168 highway 7, Lake Echo (located right next to community centre). A large gravel-sand freshwater beach on Lake Echo. Located in the center of the community with plenty of parking and a boat launch. Lifeguards on site 11-5 daily during July and August.


 * Sandy Point, 99 Sandy Point Rd., Porters Lake (located at the end of the road, easily accessible from the 107 Highway). A large gravel-sand beach, Sandy Point beach is a great beach for those who don't like swimming with aquatic life, the mix of salt and freshwater keeps it free of leeches and jellyfish. It is an unsupervised beach.

Sleep

 * Porters Lake Provincial Park, 1160 West Porters Lake Rd., West Porters Lake. Popular local provincial park with trails, picnic areas, campground, beach and boat launch. Open May-October.
 * Porters Lake Provincial Park, 1160 West Porters Lake Rd., West Porters Lake. Popular local provincial park with trails, picnic areas, campground, beach and boat launch. Open May-October.