Kawarthas
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The Kawarthas is a region that, as the name suggests, includes many lakes in fact hundreds of lakes and rivers, and offers some of Ontario's best sport and recreational fishing. The region attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, mostly during the Spring to Autumn months, who come to cottages and resorts in the area, or to some of the many hotels, motels, inns and excellent campgrounds. There is year round activity, though, including fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, golf, festivals, museums, cultural and historic attractions, shopping and more.
Cities and communities
- Peterborough — the region's major business, education, cultural, and health care centre
- Buckhorn, Lakefield and Stoney Lake — cottage country and lakeside resorts on the Highway 28 corridor in the east
- In the City of Kawartha Lakes:
- Lindsay — the former Town of Lindsay is the main settlement of the sprawling rural "city"
- Fenelon Falls — the former Village of Fenelon Falls sits by its eponymous falls in "cottage country"
- Bobcaygeon — the former Village of Bobcaygeon caters to sports fishers
Get in
The city of Peterborough is reachable by Greyhound intercity bus services from Toronto (8 times a day) and Ottawa (approx. twice a day). Otherwise, the car is your best, or only, bet to visiting the Kawarthas.
Can-ar Coach travels once a day from Toronto's Union Station to the Town of Haliburton stopping at Lindsay and Fenelon Falls.
Can-ar Coach travels once a day from Toronto's Union Station to the Town of Haliburton stopping at Lindsay and Fenelon Falls.
Get around
Highway 28 forms a central spine through the Kawarthas and attractions such as Petroglyphs Provincial Park and Stoney Lake are easily accessible from the highway.
Outside of Peterborough and Lindsay, there is little in the way of public transportation - a car is close to being a necessity.
Renting a houseboat is a popular way of seeing the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha lakes. The season typically runs from mid-May to mid-October (when you may get to see the beginnings of the autumn colours). You do not need a boating licence, and you will be given a brief training session when you arrive to pick up your boat. The houseboats are to long, and sleep 4-12 people, although you will be packed in if you plan on maximum occupancy. They are available at different price/comfort levels. Be sure that the company you rent from provides nautical charts and/or GPS, or plan to bring your own. Book in advance for the busiest summer weeks.
Outside of Peterborough and Lindsay, there is little in the way of public transportation - a car is close to being a necessity.
- Peterborough Transit operates 12 regular routes seven days a week and express routes September to April to Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College.
- Lindsay Transit operates three routes M-Sa 7AM-7PM in the former Town of Lindsay.
Houseboating
Renting a houseboat is a popular way of seeing the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha lakes. The season typically runs from mid-May to mid-October (when you may get to see the beginnings of the autumn colours). You do not need a boating licence, and you will be given a brief training session when you arrive to pick up your boat. The houseboats are to long, and sleep 4-12 people, although you will be packed in if you plan on maximum occupancy. They are available at different price/comfort levels. Be sure that the company you rent from provides nautical charts and/or GPS, or plan to bring your own. Book in advance for the busiest summer weeks.
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phone: +1 705 738-2201address: 5 Colony Road, BobcaygeonWide range of boats available. 24-hour telephone service line for emergencies. Provides charts and GPS.
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phone: +1 705 738-4800address: 1601 Mill Line Rd., BobcaygeonOlder houseboats, less service. Charts and GPS not provided.
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phone: +1 705 799-5745address: 23 Russell Dr, Omemee32-foot boat that sleeps 6, or 40-foot boat that sleeps 8.
See
- Visit the Liftlocks in Peterborough.
- See the petroglyphs at Petroglyphs Provincial Park near Stoney Lake
- Stoney Lake is beautiful in summertime.
Drink
If you're thirsty for a pint or wanting to dance a bit, there are several pubs and bars in Peterborough.
Stay safe
Blue-green algae is a toxic form of algae that can be an occasional problem in this region. Do not swim or wade in water where this algae is present, do not drink the water, and do not let pets in the water. Blooms most commonly occur in late summer and early fall. They thrive in areas where the water is shallow, slow moving and warm, but they may be present in deeper, cooler water. Dense blue-green algae blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint. Very dense blooms may form solid-looking clumps. Fresh blooms often smell like newly mown grass, while older blooms may smell like rotting garbage.
Poison ivy is common in wooded areas. All parts of poison ivy, including the roots, contain a poisonous substance which causes an irritating inflammation of the skin of most people, the inflamed areas frequently developing blisters and accompanied by intense itchiness.
Poison ivy is common in wooded areas. All parts of poison ivy, including the roots, contain a poisonous substance which causes an irritating inflammation of the skin of most people, the inflamed areas frequently developing blisters and accompanied by intense itchiness.