Winter is a wonderful time to explore the Kawartha Conservation watershed. There is so much to see, do and explore.
With beautiful trails for skiing and snowshoeing, as well as winter walking and hiking, the Kawartha Watershed has something for everyone.
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, a How To for Winter or a new trail to explore, you've come to the right place.
If you have a suggestion or question, use the Website Feedback button at the bottom of the page.
Explore our Watershed this Winter
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Explore Kawartha Lakes |
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Located just 90 minutes North East 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. |
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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. 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. |
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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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Enjoy the magic of the season at home in Clarington. Stay safe as you support local businesses and create new traditions in your hometown. COVID-19 has changed the way we celebrate the holidays as a community. Safely enjoy the holiday season at home in Clarington. Support local businesses, shop our historic downtowns, explore ways to give back, and find joy as you rediscover your hometown. From curbside pickup to local delivery options, picking the perfect tree, or taking in the festive lights of Old Scugog Road, get inspired with local ideas below. |
Family and Children's Activities
| Family Winter Scavenger Hunt |
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Visit Ken Reid Conservation Area and see if your family can complete the following Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt. |
| Christmas Word Scramble |
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Can you find the numbers and corresponding letters located along the trails to unscramble the words? Test your skills at Ken Reid Conservation Area. |
| Family Nature Ornament 1 |
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Looking for some fun Christmas activities to add a little nature to your Christmas ornaments. Here are a couple of fun activities for kids to enjoy. |
| Family Nature Ornament 2 |
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Looking for some fun Christmas activities to add a little nature to your Christmas ornaments. Here are a couple of fun activities for kids to enjoy leading up to and over the holiday season. |
Explore Our Conservation Areas
| Ken Reid Conservation Area |
| Windy Ridge Conservation Area |
| Durham East Cross Forest |
| Durham East Cross Forest |
| Pigeon River Headwaters |
| Pigeon River Headwaters |
| Fleetwood Creek |
How To Resources
| Smart about Salt |
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Without question, winter salt helps keep our roads, parking lots, and pathways clear of snow and ice. However, as populations, traffic, and infrastructure grow, so does our reliance on salt – which isn't necessarily a good thing. |
| Six Ways to Make the Most Out of Winter |
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It’s easy to stay cooped up inside all winter when it’s 20 degrees, you’ve fallen in love with a new Netflix series and you have a cozy bed to lounge in all day. Although it’s nice to enjoy the warmth of your home indoors, cabin fever is almost inevitable at some point in the winter season. |
Five Tips on How to Enjoy Winter if You're Not a Winter Person |
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Have you ever seen the commercials where people frolic about in the snow or cross-country ski in the woods, and thought, “Canadian winter is great, but I’m more comfy on my couch”? I have, and I don’t think I’m alone in this thinking. My cold-weather avoidance instinct trumps my desire to be outdoorsy. If only I could find ways to enjoy winter… |
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4 ways to eliminate winter window condensation |
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Does condensation build up on the inside of your home’s windows during the heating season? If it does, you’re not alone. Winter window condensation is a growing problem in Canada and its root has a surprising origin. |
| Snow Shoveling Tips |
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Snow shoveling isn't fun, but it's often unavoidable. In areas where snow is no stranger, it's ill-advised to allow even the most meager snowfall to go unshoveled in your driveway, lest it later melt and refreeze. The resulting sheet of ice becomes a slipping hazard. While you can apply ice-melt products to it after the fact, why waste the money? |
| Closing up the Cottage for the Winter |
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Hiking down a trail as leaves crunch beneath your feet, pulling on a fleece jacket before manning the grill, warming the night with a crackling fire in the firepit–these are all welcomed signs of cabin life continuing beyond summer. It wasn’t always this way. In days past, September meant kids returning to school and cabin owners closing up their getaways until spring. But still, closing up the cabin is not what it once was–at least not for all families. Sure, some owners still tightly button up their cabin after Labor Day, not to return until May. But, increasingly folks are finding alternatives to locking up their investment for a good portion of the year. Whether you’re gone during winter or visit your place throughout the year, there’s still some preparation to be done for winter. |