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, 'How-To' resources for winter or a new trail to explore, you've come to the right place.
Explore our Watershed
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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. 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, or skiing along a scenic trail. 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. Enjoy the holiday season in Clarington by supporting local businesses, shopping our historic downtowns, exploring ways to give back, and finding joy as you rediscover your hometown. Whether it's 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
| Winter Scavenger Hunt |
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Visit Ken Reid Conservation Area and see if your family can complete our Winter Scavenger Hunt. |
| Conservation Area Snow Activities |
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Looking for some fun winter activities to add a little nature to your routine? Here are a couple of fun activities to try outside during the winter and holiday season. |
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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 trees in their own words. |
| Christmas Nature Ornament |
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Looking for a fun activity to add a little bit of nature to your Christmas tree? Here is a couple of fun Christmas ornament crafts for kids to enjoy. |
| Word Scramble Courses |
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Can you find the numbers and corresponding letters located along the trails to unscramble the words? Follow the map, locate the letters and use clues to complete this fun Christmas activity at Ken Reid Conservation Area. Visit Windy Ridge Conservation Area to explore another one of our Word Scramble courses, with letters hidden throughout the trail. Use the trail map, corresponding numbers and clues to unscramble all the words and complete the activity. |
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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 winter, 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, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, Ken Reid gives you the opportunity to explore at your own pace and see for yourself why winter 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 snow-covered 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 winter, with over 7km of marked trails for you to explore. Located along the Oak Ridges Moraine, it is home to cold 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 fresh snow, chirping birds, and cold, 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 the snow-covered 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
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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. |
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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. |
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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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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? |
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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. |
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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. |