Spring is a wonderful time to explore the Kawartha Conservation watershed. There is so much to see, do and explore.
As the colder, winter weather gives way to milder days, birds chirping, and buds appearing on trees, the Kawartha Watershed comes alive for another beautiful season.
Plan a visit to one of the historic towns and villages that make the Kawartha Watershed a unique and wonderful place to visit.
Whether you are looking to go exploring on a day trip, 'How-To' resources for Spring, or a new trail to explore, you've come to the right place.
As well, if you're planning a trip to the Kawarthas, save 10% at the Days Inn and Suites By Wyndham Lindsay when you use Discount Code: 1000068806 online or mention 'Ken Reid Conservation Area' when you phone the hotel at 705.328.0100.
Explore our Watershed this Spring
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Explore Kawartha Lakes |
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Located just 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, Kawartha Lakes has a variety of beautiful communities, each with their own unique charm. You can enjoy a day on our trails or experience some of the best locally-grown food you've ever tasted. If that weren't enough, our 250 lakes and rivers offer endless opportunities for exploration. Memories made in Kawartha Lakes will last a lifetime but we suspect, once you experience all we have, you'll want to return year after year. |
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Explore Scugog |
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In the Township of Scugog, just an hour northeast from Toronto – where the skyline has trees and rolling hills – there are a lot of possibilities. And simple things make for wonderful memories, like walks in the forest where you can watch for deer and rabbits, picnics by the water or lunch in one of our fine dining establishments. Because life doesn’t have to be complicated. |
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Explore Brock |
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Nestled on the east shore of Lake Simcoe and the Trent-Severn Waterway, and only a one-hour drive from Toronto, the Township of Brock offers beautiful rolling countryside, shoreline parks, historic hamlets and villages. Visit our community and discover all that we have to offer. |
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Explore Trent Lakes |
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For the best moments of your life, there’s a wonderful assortment of things to do in Trent Lakes. Nature, relaxation, culture and arts, on and off the water, long walks, longer talks, and soaking up all of life’s goodness. Trent Lakes is a land of opportunity and exploration for families, seniors and singles, and the best ending to a perfect day is the amazing sunset and evening star gazing. |
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Explore Cavan Monaghan |
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The Township of Cavan Monaghan boasts attractions within it's rural environment. |
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Explore Clarington |
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The Municipality of Clarington offers a rich blend of history, rural living and vibrant downtown cores. Conveniently located less than an hour from Toronto, Clarington is a great getaway for a day trip or a week-long vacation. Enjoy the return of spring by supporting local businesses, shopping our historic downtowns, exploring ways to give back, and finding joy as you rediscover your hometown. Get inspired with local ideas below. |
Family and Children's Activities
| Spring Bingo |
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There are so many interesting things to see at our conservation areas this spring. Look for birds, flowers, animal tracks and more to complete the Spring Bingo. |
| DIY Bird Feeders |
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Many birds are returning from their winter migration south, and our backyards and forests will soon be filled with cardinals, blue jays, robins, and more. Help the birds find food after their long journey with these creative DIY Bird Feeders. |
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Spring Texture Trail |
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How many textures can you touch on your nature walk today? |
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The Talking Forest |
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Visit Ken Reid Conservation Area or Windy Ridge Conservation Area and experience the Talking Forest, an interactive Android and iOS app that allows visitors to hear the voice of the trees. |
| Spring Scavenger Hunts |
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Looking for some fun spring activities to add a little nature to your routine? Need a fun way to participate in Earth Day? Try our Spring and Earth Day Scavenger Hunts. |
| Spring Word Scramble |
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Why not plan to get outside this spring and bring the kids to Ken Reid Conservation Area for our Spring Word Scramble? There's always lots to see and do at Ken Reid. |
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Kawartha Quest |
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Kawartha Quest is a fun, interactive outdoor adventure series for all ages. Combining your skills in animal tracking, wildlife identification, map building and more, explore Ken Reid Conservation Area and complete your quest. |
| Story Walk at Ken Reid CA |
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Looking to have your young ones practice their reading skills while getting some fresh air? Check out the Story Walk at Ken Reid Conservation Area, where new stories are made available every month, year round. |
Explore Our Conservation Areas
| Ken Reid Conservation Area |
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Ken Reid Conservation Area is a fantastic place to visit this spring, and with nearly 11kms of trails to explore, facilities such as the off-leash dog park, and fantastic views of the McLaren Creek Wetland, it’s hard not to fall in love with nature at Ken Reid. Whether you are walking, running, or biking, Ken Reid gives you the opportunity to explore at your own pace and see for yourself why spring in the Kawarthas is so memorable. |
| Windy Ridge Conservation Area |
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If you’re looking for a quick hike with stunning panoramic views of Pigeon River, Oak Ridges Moraine, rolling hills and never-ending forests, Windy Ridge Conservation Area has you covered. Located just west of 7A in Omemee and east of Highway 35, visitors can stand atop the area’s tallest ridge, exploring 1.8 km of trails. |
| Durham East Cross Forest |
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Durham East Cross Forest is a beautiful place to visit in the spring, with over 7km of marked trails for you to explore. Located along the Oak Ridges Moraine, it is home to fresh springs, lively wetlands and vital forests intersected by East Cross Creek and Pigeon River. |
| Pigeon River Headwaters |
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Pigeon River Headwaters is a natural and rustic area located approximately 30 minutes from Port Perry to the southeast of Lake Scugog. Visitors can look forward to exploring 3.4 kilometers of trails and boardwalks, surrounded by the sights and sounds of blooming flowers, chirping birds, and rushing water. |
| Fleetwood Creek |
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Fleetwood Creek is a top destination for those looking for refreshing hiking trails, exciting birding opportunities and sweeping views of budding treetops. Just over an hour from Toronto, people come from near and far to experience Ontario’s best treetop lookout in all seasons. |
How To Resources
| Tips for Opening the Cottage |
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Opening the cottage is the most exciting part of the year. It can also be the most stressful. |
| 50 Fun Spring Activities Checklist |
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See how many spring activities you can cross off of your to-do list this season—whether you want to take on the traditional rites of spring, or simply savor a seasonal menu. |
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33 Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Home |
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Nothing feels quite as satisfying as coming home to a house that sparkles. Since cleaning your house from top to bottom can be overwhelming — not to mention, tiring and time-consuming — take it room by room or appliance by appliance with these spring cleaning tips from organizing and cleaning pros. |
| Native Plant Garden Guides |
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Create healthy, natural, and stunning gardens on your property using our free garden guides. Complete with design templates, species lists, maintenance tips, and more, it's never been easier to create gardens that support pollinators, strengthen shorelines, and absorb runoff. |
| Mike Holmes' Top Five Tips for Opening Your Cottage |
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Luckily it’s almost cottage season, but before you get your boat out or fire up that grill, there are a few jobs you need to tackle first. Here are Mike's top 5 tips for opening up your cottage the right way. |
| 5 Tips for Spring Warbler Watching |
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Spring is a prime season for bird watching. Many birds are easier to identify in their brightly colored breeding plumage. Males sing with increasing frequency as they approach their breeding grounds. Bird flocks become quite concentrated during migration, with large numbers of each species passing through in the brief space of a few weeks. |