Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly experience, outdoor adventure, an exploratory road trip, or peaceful relaxation, there’s a version of The Kawarthas that fits your style.
To help you find it, Peterborough County Tourism has designed four traveller personas — The Otter, The Bear, The Fox, and The Bee — that highlight different ways to experience The Kawarthas based on what you enjoy, what inspires you, and how you like to spend your time while you’re visiting this region. To discover your traveller persona, complete the quiz at thekawarthas.ca/quiz/.
This story is for Foxes — daring explorers who love challenges and new places. Seeking nature-based activities and eager to try something new, these adrenaline seekers also relish learning about the places and people around them during their travels. From participating in water activities to exploring the unknown and connecting with locals, Foxes are always on the move.
Here are some not-to-be-missed destinations to travel like a Fox in The Kawarthas.
EXPLORE
Kawartha Adventure Rentals
Jet skis, pontoon boats, fishing boats, stand-up paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks — whatever your watercraft of choice may be, Kawartha Adventure Rentals is ready to get your journey started.
Located in Woodview in the Township of North Kawartha, Kawartha Adventure Rentals is a premier watercraft and outdoor adventure rental company. In store, you can buy or rent new and used equipment and connect with knowledgeable staff to discover everything you’ll need to get your adventure started. From apparel and equipment to maps and water toys, Kawartha Adventure Rentals has everything you need.
To get your camping trip started, Kawartha Adventure Rentals will conveniently deliver your watercraft rental across Peterborough and The Kawarthas to your nearest access point.
Planning to paddle in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park? Kawartha Adventure Rentals runs a shuttle service that will take you and your equipment — whether you own it or rent it — to 10 different access points throughout the park, and pick you up when you’re done. You can even start your journey at one access point and get picked up at another one.
Located at 6401 Highway 28, Kawartha Adventure Rentals has everything you need for your outdoor adventure, so you can focus on enjoying your exploration of The Kawarthas. To learn more or book a rental, visit www.kawarthaadventurerentals.ca.
Kawartha Nordic Ski Club
For outdoor fun when the snow flies, look no further than Kawartha Nordic, located off Highway 28 north of Woodview in the Township of North Kawartha.
Celebrating its 50th year in 2026, this not-for-profit ski club maintains 63 kilometres of classic cross-country skiing trails, 28 kilometres of skate skiing trails, 14 kilometres of snowshoeing trails, and seven kilometres of fat biking trails. There’s even a two-kilometre lit trail for night skiing.
Winding through scenic Canadian Shield wilderness, the trails are open 24/7 throughout the winter (depending on conditions). Visit the rental shop, located at the trailhead, and get outfitted with whatever you need for your adventure — snowshoes, classic skis, skate equipment, or a fat bike — at affordable and flexible rates.
Along with the main chalet at the trailhead where you can gather before and after hitting the trails, Kawartha Nordic offers rustic cabins along the trails that have wood-burning stoves where you can warm up cold toes, dry your clothes, and enjoy a snack.
To learn more and book a rental, visit kawarthanordic.ca.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Have you ever seen the stunning hues of a meromictic lake? There are only a handful of these across Canada and one of them is located in Petroglyphs Provincial Park in the Township of North Kawartha.
The layers of water in McGinnis Lake don’t mix, creating a breathtaking turquoise colour. The lack of intermixing means almost no oxygen reaches the deepest layer of the lake, where few if any organisms can survive. This means the sediment at the bottom of the lake has remained undisturbed for thousands of years — an important resource for researchers tracing past changes in climate at the lake.
To protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem, swimming and other water-based recreation is prohibited at McGinnis Lake, but you can head to a scenic lookout through an easy and accessible looped trail to take in the full glory of the lake’s vibrant colour.
You can also access other trails at the day-use park to explore a range of terrain from wetlands to rock outcrops, oak and birch forest, dense pine forests, and marsh areas. The park is also popular with birders, and there are picnic tables located throughout the park so you can enjoy a full day of exploration.
Of course, you won’t want to miss the feature that gives the park its name: the largest known concentration of ancient Indigenous rock carvings, called petroglyphs, in Canada. Depicting turtles, snakes, birds, humans, and more, over 900 petroglyphs tell the stories of Indigenous peoples of the region from over a thousand years ago. The sacred site is known as “The Teaching Rocks”.
The park’s visitor centre and store, called the Learning Place, is managed by Curve Lake First Nation and features displays about the petroglyphs and their spiritual significance to the Ojibway (Nishnaabe) people. The petroglyphs themselves are covered by a protective building, with interpretive plaques and guides at the site.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park is located at 2249 Northeys Bay Road off Highway 28 near Woodview. To learn more and make a reservation, visit ontarioparks.ca/park/petroglyphs.
Lovesick Kayaking
One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of The Kawarthas is from the water. Fortunately, that’s easy to do thanks to Lovesick Kayaking in the Township of North Kawartha.
Guide and owner Alex Grant will take you on a guided kayak tour of one of the many gorgeous lakes in the region, giving you all the advice, tips, and tricks to get comfortable paddling.
You can explore the flora and fauna of Stoney Lake, Burleigh Falls, Lovesick Lake, and beyond. If you’re lucky, you might get up close and personal with wildlife including loons, osprey, beavers, otters, minks, vultures, turtles, and who knows what else.
Your paddle will also take you through winding creeks and other waterways with easy portages, featuring breathtaking landscapes where the granite of the Canadian Shield meets the limestone of the St. Lawrence Lowlands.
Feeling extra adventurous? Sign up for one of the official Paddle Canada courses led by Grant to get an even more in-depth lesson on major strokes, how to pivot, wet exits, assisted rescues, and more. With Lovesick Kayaking, you’ll be a pro on the water in no time.
To learn more and book a tour, visit lovesickkayaking.ca.
Harold Town Conservation Area
For adventurers who prefer to explore on two wheels, Harold Town Conservation Area in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan is an excellent choice.
Named for the late artist who owned the property until the early 1990s, this conservation area is home to a network of beginner to advanced trails ideal for off-road cycling as well as hiking.
There are around 10 kilometres of maintained multi-use trails against a forested backdrop that are ideal for quick spins, combined laps, and adrenaline-pumping cycling. You’ll find a double track loop trail, with connecting single-track trails, berms, technical rock gardens, switch-back climbs, rock pile features, tight turns, and much more.
The trails also provide remarkable views from the top of the Meade Creek drumlin, a long and low hill shaped like an upside-down spoon that was formed when the glaciers began retreating during the last Ice Age around 13,000 years ago. It’s one of the drumlins of the Peterborough drumlin field which, at 5,000 square kilometres, is one of the largest in North America and has been identified as a significant natural heritage feature within the Otonabee Conservation watershed.
Harold Town Conservation Area is located at 2611 Old Norwood Road. To learn more, visit otonabeeconservation.com/conservation-areas/harold-town-conservation-area/.
EAT
Trowfield Landing Orchards
Who says a food stop can’t be an adventure? At Trowfield Landing Orchards in Selwyn Township, you can head into a 7,000-tree orchard and pick a taste of The Kawarthas to enjoy on the road or take home with you.
From August through October, this seasonal destination offers an abundance of pick-your-own and pre-picked apples to fuel your next adventure. From familiar favourites like McIntosh and Honey Crisp to varieties like Ginger Gold, Silken, and Zestar, there’s plenty to tempt your taste buds.
Different apple varieties are available at different times throughout the season, so there’s always a reason to return and discover a new favourite. But don’t delay — the apples can quickly disappear from the trees at this popular stop!
While you’re there, stock up on freshly made apple cider, locally made pantry staples, honey, and maple syrup, or treat yourself to a butter tart. You’ll also find squash, gourds, and pumpkins to bring a little of the autumn harvest home with you.
Located at the corner of Selwyn Road and Centre Line Smith northwest of Lakefield, Trowfield Landing Orchards is open seasonally from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, as well as holiday Mondays. To learn more and find out what’s ready for picking, follow Trowfield Landing Orchards on Facebook and Instagram.
Muddy’s Pit BBQ
Meat-loving adventure seekers won’t want to miss sinking their teeth into the authentic smoked meats at Muddy’s Pit BBQ, located in Keene in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan.
For more than 15 years, this seasonal meat shack has been a local favourite for its mouth-watering dishes. With everything sourced locally, the high-quality meats at Muddy’s are smoked on site with custom outdoor smokers that use only log hardwood.
The pork back ribs, beef brisket, smoked sausage, and pulled pork are customer favourites, each pairing well with hefty sides including chili nachos, chili dogs, baked beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, and more. The team also likes to get creative with innovative regular specials.
During the summer, you can enjoy some live music while you’re feasting when Muddy’s hosts its popular Juke Joint Sundays — weekly outdoor concerts featuring well-known local musicians.
Located at 3247 County Road 2 in Otonabee-South Monaghan, Muddy’s Pit BBQ is open from April to December. To learn more, follow Muddy’s on Facebook.
Hunnabees Honey & Co.
For a sweet snack during your adventuring, drop by Hunnabees Honey & Co. in the Township of Cavan Monaghan.
This Millbrook business is owned by third-generation beekeepers Dave and Keri Nicolaou, who have a passion for educating and equipping both beekeepers and the public to help pollinators thrive.
The bees at Hunnabees make their honey on a 100-acre property filled with a mix of native and pollinator-friendly crops including milkweed, coneflower, lavender, wildflowers, and more.
At the farm store, you’ll find flavourful honeys, maple syrups, beeswax food wraps, pollen, honeycomb, pasture-raised eggs, and much more.
Along with guided tours and honey extraction experiences, you can visit the apitherapy cabin for some “bee therapy” — where you lie on a bed and meditate while listening to the hum of the bees and smelling the natural aromas of a bee hive.
Located at 1331 Zion Line in Millbrook, Hunnabees Honey & Co. is an ideal destination for those who want a hands-on experience in nature while also learning about the critical role pollinators play in food production. To learn more and to book an experience, visit hunnabees.com.
STAY
Lakefield Park & Campground
Spend your night falling asleep to sounds of nature along the Otonabee River at the Lakefield Park & Campground in Selwyn Township.
Open from May through October, Lakefield Park & Campground has 117 campsites with a variety of options that let you curate your own camping experience while combining comfort and nature.
Whether you’re camping in a tent or trailer, prefer a wooded site or an open site, or need hydro/water/sewer service, there’s a campsite with your name on it.
Your stay at this family-friendly and pet-friendly destination also includes ample opportunities for swimming, birding, or fishing for bass and pickerel.
Just minutes away, you’ll also find golfing, boat rentals, and the shops and restaurants of downtown Lakefield, making for a perfect combination of nature and convenience on a picturesque waterfront.
Lakefield Park & Campground is located at 65 Hague Boulevard in Lakefield. For more information, visit www.lakefieldcampgrounds.ca.
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area
For an adventure like no other, book a stay at the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground in the Township of Douro-Dummer.
Here, you’ll find 52 unserviced campsites in a fully wooded setting. Though it’s immersed in nature, this campground also has comfort stations with washrooms, showers, laundry rooms, and dish-washing stations, so you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for an authentic outdoor experience.
During your stay, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the series of seven limestone caves after which the conservation area is named. Formed thousands of years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, the caves are described as a “natural underground jungle gym.” You don’t need spelunking experience — just a flashlight or a headlamp.
Above ground, you can hike the 15 kilometres of trails through forests and open limestone plains. Don’t miss the scenic view from the lookout of potholes and kettles (depressions formed by glaciers), and the Indian River valley.
That’s only the start of the fun that can be had at the conservation area. Visitors have been swimming, fishing, and paddling the area for more than 60 years since it’s been open to the public.
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area is located at 289 Caves Road in Douro-Dummer. For more information, visit www.otonabeeconservation.com/conservation-areas/warsaw-caves-conservation-area.
Sweet Hills Farm Bunkie
Picture this: getting some restful sleep in a cozy queen bed perched high in an Amish-built bunkie offering unbeatable mile-long views of the rolling hills of Cavan. That’s what you’ll find at Sweet Hills Farm Bunkie in the Township of Cavan Monaghan.
This dog-friendly cabin for couples also has a well-cared-for outhouse and outdoor hot shower, with farm-fresh seasonal produce, maple syrup, eggs, and honey available for purchase so you can craft your own farm-to-table dining experience.
During your stay, you can explore the kilometres of private trails on the 100-acre farm property before enjoying the sunset from a lookout just steps away from the bunkie. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover “The Love Tree” — where, according to local legend, you can leave a keepsake to guarantee a lifetime of love and happiness.
Sweet Hills Farm Bunkie is located at 804 Bland Line in Cavan. To learn more and to book a stay, visit www.airbnb.ca/rooms/667900097491292269.
Connect with Mobile Visitor Services during your travels in The Kawarthas
When you’re travelling in The Kawarthas, keep your eye out for Peterborough County’s Mobile Visitor Services. During the fall, their team will be popping up at events and attractions throughout the eight townships in Peterborough County.
Share your traveller persona by email with tourism@ptbocounty.ca or through Facebook or Instagram @TheKawarthas and you can connect with the Mobile Visitor Services team when you’re on the road and pick up a free water bottle and UV-coated and water-resistant stickers branded with your traveller persona.
Not only will your family get unique keepsakes, but you will also have the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable local ambassadors, receive personalized recommendations, and get insider tips for making the most of your experience in The Kawarthas.
To see where the Mobile Visitor Services team is popping up this fall, check the listings at thekawarthas.ca/findus/.
This story is one of a four-part series created in partnership with the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division.
Drawing on national research from the Canadian Tourism Data Collective’s Traveller Segmentation Program, Peterborough County Tourism has identified four visitor profiles that represent the typical travellers who come to The Kawarthas.
Known as traveller personas, each draws its name from wildlife that inhabit the natural landscape of The Kawarthas: The Otter, The Bear, The Fox, and The Bee. Which one are you? Find out by completing the quiz at thekawarthas.ca/quiz/.
The Otter – All Trails Lead Home
The Otter is a purposeful traveller, looking to find meaning in every place they pass by and every face they see on the journey. For the Otter, it is important to move as a unit, because experiences mean more when they’re shared, and memories are more vividly recalled when filled with ones to love.
The Bear – Rest While You Roam
The Bear is a wise, lumbering traveller, understanding that to really know a place, one needs to stop and breathe it in. Appreciating every berry and butterfly around them, they carve out joy from the simplicity of calm days, good food, and beautiful views. In a world of speed, a Bear sees the world for what it is — imperfect, but entirely incomparable.
The Fox – Brave the Unknown
The Fox is an adaptive traveller, ambitious in each new adventure. Their determined spirit means every problem has twice as many solutions. If there can be found a hill to climb, The Fox will climb it. If there exists a gorge to cross, The Fox will be there to leap it. For every great story, you can be sure. A Fox will be behind it.
The Bee – Sweet as Honeycomb
Like moving from flower to flower, Bees make certain to learn from every place and pollinate the next with stories they have collected. For a Bee, it is vital to share the most vast and wonderful parts of the world with every new person they may meet.
