Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas
Kawartha Lakes is home to 2 Provincial Parks and more than 5 Conservation areas.
Provincial Parks:
Kawartha Conservation Areas:
- Ken Reid Conservation Area
- Durham East Cross Forest
- Windy Ridge Conservation Area
- Fleetwood Creek Conservation Area
- Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area
Additional Designated Nature Areas:
Situated on the west shore of Balsam Lake, this semi-wilderness park has two hiking trails totalling 7 km. The Plantation Trail has stations that review the history of this area from glacial to settlement times, while the Lookout Trail leads to an observation tower that provides a fine view of the surrounding countryside.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter Activities
- Cycling
Located on Arterial Road 48 between Kirkfield and Coboconk.
Visit the Ontario Parks-Balsam Lake Provincial Park Website or call 705-454-3324 for more information.
Situated on the east shore of the Pigeon River, this compact park has a 1 km hiking trail leading to an island with an osprey nest observation platform. Along the way you'll pass through a cedar forest then along a boardwalk.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Swimming
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Boating
- Wildlife viewing
- Fishing
- Winter activities
- Natural Heritage education
Located on Regional Road 10 just north of Omemee.
Visit the Ontario Parks- Emily Provincial Park Website or call 705-799-5170 for more information.
This popular conservation area has a picturesque marsh boardwalk, as well as other nature 
trails, picnic areas and a beach. The lookout area is an excellent place to view Osprey in McLaren Marsh. The Victoria Rail Trail - North Corridor can be accessed from Ken Reid Conservation Area.
Located on Kenreid Park Road just 3 km north of Lindsay, off Hwy. 35.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Cycling
- Cross-country skiing
- Swimming
- Bird watching
- Dog Walking (Dogs must remain leashed and be cleaned up after)
- Canoeing/Kayaking
View map of Ken Reid Conservation area
Visit the Kawartha Conservation website or call 1-800-668-KRCA (5722) for more information
Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area
This 1,134 acre is designed as a Natural Core Area on the Oak Ridges Moraine. The conservation area is available to the public for low-impact recreational activities such as hiking, cycling, Nordic skiing, and environmental education.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Cycling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Bird watching
- Dog Walking (Dogs must remain leashed and be cleaned up after)
Visit the Kawartha Conservation website or call 1-800-668-KRCA (5722) for more information.
Fleetwood Creek Conservation Area
Located within the Oak Ridges Moraine, this 380-hectare natural area is home to 250 species of flora and fauna and 44 species of birds. Three trails lead you through uplands, deciduous forests, meadows and wetlands.
Located east of Hwy. 35 between Pontypool and Bethany.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Cycling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Bird watching
- Dog Walking (Dogs must remain leashed and be cleaned up after)
Visit the Kawartha Conservation website or call 1-800-668-KRCA (5722) for additional information.
Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area
This 125 hectare property features 100 year old Hemlock forest with an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife. Situated partially on the Oak Ridges Moraine this nature lovers paradise features a marsh boardwalk, dense forests and two scenic lookouts.
Directions: From Highway 35, turn west on Hwy. 7 A for 3 km, turn left at Century Farm Road, and turn left at 445 Gray Road.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Cycling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Bird watching
- Dog Walking (Dogs must remain leashed and be cleaned up after)
For more information visit the Kawartha Conservation website or call 1-800-668-KRCA (5722)
A confluence of Pigeon River & Fleetwood Creek Windy Ridge features a panoramic lookout perched atop of the area's tallest ridge. Perfect for walking, hiking, cycling or snowshoeing a multi-use 1.3 km loop trail leads to the spectacular lookout.
Directions: From Hwy. 7 west of Omemee, turn south onto Mount Horeb Rd., destination will be on the right at 998 Mount Hored Rd.
Activities:
- Walking/Hiking
- Cycling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Bird watching
- Dog Walking (Dogs must remain leashed and cleaned up after)
To learn more about Windy Ridge visit the Kawartha Conservation website or call 1-800-668-KRCA (5722)
Emily Forest Tract
This 99.2-hectare section of the Municipal Forest offers several trail loops that explore the unusual glacial moraines and eskers that wind through the forest.
Located on Peace Road just west of Cowan's Bay and Emily Provincial Park.
View Emily Forest Tract map.
Somerville Forest Tract
This large 3,420-hectare section of the Victoria Municipal Forest offers three trail loops, totalling 8.5 km in length, that pass through a picturesque combination of pine plantations, wetlands, hardwood forests and rock outcrops.
Located 5.6 km west of Kinmount on Arterial Road 45.
View Somerville Forest Tract map
The Gamiing Nature Centre (pronounced: ga-min-j) operates off of a 100 acre property on the shores of Pigeon Lake. Gamiing is open to the public daily from dawn until dusk. The trails are well maintained for hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail network travels through various ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Gamiing offers weekly trail hikes through the winter months focused on tracking and survival skills; throughout the remainder of the months there are a wide range of educational workshops that are created to inform individuals about the many benefits of native vegetation and natural property maintenance.
Location: 1884 Pigeon Lake Road, Lindsay
Website: www.gamiing.org
Click here to view Trail Map
The Victoria Rail Trail is an 85 km rail trail with corridors linking Kinmount to Bethany, through Lindsay. This public trail is open year round for recreational uses including walking, hiking, cycling, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing; and, subject to possession of a valid trail permit, snowmobiling and ATVing.
North Corridor
The North Corridor follows the former CN rail line north, from Fenelon Falls to Kinmount. Stop for a picnic lunch at Island Park or view the falls at Trent -Severn Waterway Lock 34. The trail follows Cameron Lake and then the Burnt River, leading into the Somerville Tract, which is heavily forested, perfect for hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing. After leaving the forest, head north past the Crego Creek Bridge and into Kinmount. The Historic Austin Sawmill and old railway station are part of a community park.
Recommended Access Points
- Fenelon Falls - (North) Garnet Graham Park
- Fell Station - West of Arterial Rd. 121
- Burnt River - North of the Burnt River Library
- Watson's Siding - West of Arterial Rd. 121, South of Monck Rd.
- Kinmount - Austin Sawmill Heritage Park
Central Corridor
The Central Corridor begins in the north end of Lindsay at Thunderbridge Road and takes you north to Fenelon Falls. The Ken Reid Conservation Area is the first stop, with facilities including a variety of trails, a marsh boardwalk, Osprey nests, picnic shelters, group camping and a beach area. Follow Sturgeon Lake into Cameron and then north into Fenelon Falls.
Recommended Access Points
- Lindsay (non-motorized) William St. N. Between Eglington Ave. & Orchard Park Rd.
- Lindsay (motorized) Thunder Bridge Rd.
- Cameron (Long Beach Rd. (Arterial Rd. 34) East of Hwy. 35
- Fenelon Falls (South) Old Railway Station
South Corridor
The South Corridor, the old CP Rail Line, extends 30 km from Lindsay to Bethany. This trail begins off King St. E., with the new Rotary Trail - 1.5 km of paved pathway. Going south from Logie St. the trail follows the old CP Rail line to Bethany, progressing through farmlands and the natural areas of Fleetwood Creek Valley, bordered by the Bethany hills. A portion of the trail passes through the newly formed Windy Ridge Conservation Area.
Recommended Access Points
- Bethany (Intersection of Ski Hill Rd. & Jackson St.)
- Pigeon River (limited parking) Mount Horeb Rd. (Arterial Rd. 31)
- Lindsay (King St.)
Trail Use Guidelines
While on the Victoria Rail Trail a few basic rules apply:
- Speed limits of 20 km/hr must be observed by all vehicles (ATVs, Snowmobiles and Bicycles) in urban areas (Lindsay, Bethany, Fenelon Falls, Burnt River and Kinmount); elsewhere the speed limit is 50 km/hr.
- All use of the VRTC is limited between 7:00am to 9:30pm
- ATVs are not permitted on the VRTC between Logie St. & Thunderbridge Rd. in Lindsay at anytime
- ATVs are not permitted on the trail during the winter months
- Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the VRTC during the month of April
- No two-wheel motorized vehicles are allowed
- Only licensed and insured ATVs and snowmobiles with KATVA/OAFTV or OFSC trail permits are allowed
- Dogs must be kept on a leash
- Pedestrians have the right of way over all other users
- Privacy and the rights of abutting landowners must be respected
- Do not littler or removal of natural vegetation
Trail rules are intended to promote harmonious, multi-use recreational activities and will be enforced pursuant to the City of Kawartha Lakes By-Laws governing use of the corridor.
Violations should be reported to the City of Kawartha Lakes during normal office hours (8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday) or to the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
