Emerald Lake — Hotel in Puslinch

Man oh man has this place gone DOWN HILL! I have been coming to Emerald Lake since I was a small child. It was always my favorite summer destination. As an adult I have brought my own son. I have missed the last two summers and I see alot of the good has gone down.

First off the price. The price is ridiculous. A family of 5 and it cost $120.00. I would not mind the price, IF some of the other issues I will list below did not occur.

On a packed long weekend they are letting car after car inside. There are no parking attendants and people park ridculous. Leaving way too much space between cars, setting up their picnic area next to the car in what is suppose to be designated parking areas. With the high entrance fee two-three parking attendants for weekends to allow smoother flow and more room for other guests would be very wise.

The slide looks and smells like it hasn't been cleaned in years. It straight up smelled of pooh and was filthy. People going up the stairs getting the filth all over them and then going on the slide and getting it in the water.

The food stand prices are ridiculous as well. Not to mention they are "out" of half of their menu options.

The loads of rocks at the diving platforms. There are TONS, it hurts your feet and frankly is a safety hazard. Also they got rid of proper ladders that went up the cliff to jump again. There are no life gaurds at the top monitoring things. We even had some boys try to butt us and they said " theres no lifeguards up here so we can't get in trouble".

The whole floating toys. Part of the price raise was because of these toys. However you have to pay extra for life jackets. On a busy day they do not have enough jackets. So you have to wait for one to be returened but people hold on to them the whole day. You can finally get one as its time to leave. They raise a price for something a bunch of customers can't even partake in.

The spray pad was broken down.

Lastly in the past I have expirenced this as well. But water quality seems the worst its ever been. Literally have a sore throat and a rash. The water smelt and felt disgusting. Some proper water treatment pumps would make a huge difference.

Do I think this place will care about any of that? No. They came off like as long as they have your money and people are still coming why care and go the extra mile. Well right now that may be the case. However look at near by Gulivers Lake. They stopped caring now no one wants to go there. A little effort would go a longggg way. Use the crazy sums of money to make this the BEST park again..not some semi...

Having read others' negative reviews I want to say their negative perceptions are reasons I prefer this lake. The Lake is built on a former quarry which means the edge slops into a rock shelf that has a drop-off, not a big drop off but it is there as other lakes also have. No pets or alcohol permitted which means no rowdy beachgoers or off-leash animals running around and in the water. Of course, not all drinkers or pet owners are irresponsible but having these rules in place means issues I have seen at other parks will not happen here. Lifeguards are attentive to water safety as playing on the air toys in the lake requires a level of safety that many may not adhere to. Life jackets are required on the water toys to ensure safety for all. The lake is divided up into areas for a number of water activities. However, even if you don't go into the lake you have an entire water park activity such as a water spray park with a shallow pool for kids to enjoy along with a big water slide plus playground areas making a full-day adventure. A train does pass by the lake not too often where the train tracks are blocked by surrounding fences so no chance of kids getting on the tracks. Kids enjoyed seeing the train and liked hearing it. This is a private park with rules to ensure safety and family fun for all and what that means is that individuals do not have to deal with irresponsible park goers who may become drunk and obnoxious along with irresponsible pet owners. Now not every drinker is irresponsible nor is every pet owner but as having experienced this at other porks as it only takes a few to be a problem this park avoids any potential confrontations that may occur by setting out rules. No pets are allowed in the waterpark section but in the camping or RV section, there is a pet running area fenced in. Many families are at the waterpark when we visit and the rules in this private park mean you will have a safe and fun experience. Other poor rating reviews are based on those not liking the rules however it is exactly due to these rules that I found it makes it very family-friendly. So no alcohol, no pets, lifeguards who ensure water safety, lots of lake activities, and activities outside of the lake. For these reasons, i rate this experience as a...

I’ve been going to Emerald Lake since before I could even walk. It’s not just a campground or a waterpark to me, it’s a place filled with some of my most cherished childhood memories. Every summer, without fail, my family and I pack up and head to our favourite spot, making sure we visit at least twice a year.

One of my earliest memories at Emerald Lake is of my dad helping me take my first jump off the cliff diving platform. I was terrified, standing at the edge, staring at the deep, clear water below. But he held my hand and said, “One day, this will be your favourite thing to do.” And he was right. Now, every visit starts with me taking that leap, sometimes with friends, sometimes solo, but always with the same rush of excitement.

Over the years, this place has become more than just a getaway, it’s where I’ve built lifelong friendships, celebrated milestones, and even had heartwarming family moments that will stay with me forever. The huge inflatable water obstacles, the RV and tent sites, the weekend entertainment, and the cozy cottages there’s something for everyone here. And whether it’s a quiet evening by the campfire or an adrenaline-packed day at the waterpark, there’s never a dull moment.

One visit that really stands out was the last trip my grandfather took with us. He had always been the one to grill the burgers, tell the best campfire stories, and cheer us on as we tackled the rock-climbing wall and jungle floats. That summer, he wasn’t as strong as he used to be, but he still insisted on sitting by the shore, watching us laugh and splash around. As the sun set, he told me, “No matter where life takes you, always find your way back to places like this.”

And that’s exactly what I do. Every year, without fail.

Emerald Lake isn’t just a park, it’s a tradition, a second home, and a place where time slows down just enough to remind you what truly matter's. If you’ve never been, I can promise you this: visit once, and you’ll want to return every year,...