Explore Ken Reid Conservation Area
Ken Reid Conservation Area spans 110 hectares (272 acres), safeguarding diverse landscapes such as forests, meadows, and the provincially significant McLaren’s Creek Wetland. It boasts a network of 12 interconnected trails that stretch close to 12 kilometers, including two popular boardwalks.
Facilities at Ken Reid are extensive, including a playground, picnic areas, a group camping site, an off-leash area for dogs, an accessible platform for observing wetlands, and The Talking Forest, 9-hole Nature's Edge Disc Golf Course and more. Additionally, it intersects with the Victoria Rail Trail, offering seamless access for trail enthusiasts.
Open throughout the year, Ken Reid Conservation Area not only accommodates an Off-Leash Dog Park but also houses our Administrative Centre.
Located just 3 km north of Lindsay, the area is accessible via 277 Kenrei (Park) Rd., from the north end of Angeline St., or off Highway 35.
Ken Reid Conservation Area Trail Map
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Off-Leash Dog Park
Bring your favourite four-legged friend and enjoy hours of fun at the Off-Leash Dog Park. Remember to bring your own water and don't forget to pick up after your dogs. Extra dog waste bags are available near the entrance to the Off-Leash Dog Park at Ken Reid Conservation Area.
Facilities
The Off-Leash Dog Park offers:
- Trails
- Garbage bins
- Benches
- Dog waste bags
- Separate area for small dogs and guide dogs
Rules of the run
To maximize enjoyment for all users, we ask that you please respect the following rules while using the off-leash area:
- Keep dogs leashed when entering and exiting the park
- Dogs must be at least four-months-old and have up-to-date vaccinations
- Dogs must wear a current license tag
- Dogs named under the Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act are not allowed
- Keep your dog under control and within sight
- There is a maximum of two dogs per person
- Dogs must be neutered or spayed
- Restrain aggressive dogs at once; dogs involved in a fight must leave the off-leash area
- Promptly clean up after your dog by picking up and disposing of waste in the disposal bin
- People food is prohibited
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Use of the off-leash park is at your own risk
Report an incident
To maintain the safety of users, we ask that any violations or incidents be reported to Kawartha Conservation as soon as possible. File reports through our online reporting system or by contacting the Administration Centre.
Nature's Edge Disc Golf
One of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities has arrived at Ken Reid Conservation Area with the launch of the regions newest 9-hole disc golf - Nature's Edge.
The 9-hole course takes players on a picturesque journey through mature woodlands, grasslands and more.
The course features two sets of tees: Red Tees are for recreational players, while the advanced Blue Tees offer a greater challenge for disc golf enthusiasts.
Integrating the 9-hole disk golf course into the unique value of Ken Reid Conservation Area, each hole will provide information on a local bird species and connect golfers to the more than 170 species of birds that visit or live at Ken Reid. The informational signs will add an educational component and supports our goal of introducing a passive-use activity that introduces more people to Ken Reid, and encouraging more people to get out and explore nature.
The Talking Forest
Explore the trails throughout our Conservation Areas like never before, taking in the tales of trees that call the parks home. The Talking Forest is an interactive trail that allows users to hear some of the different stories the trees in our parks have to share, from the trees themselves. There are currently Talking Forest trails located at Ken Reid Conservation Area, Windy Ridge Conservation Area, and most recently Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area. Along the trails you will be greeted by the voices of various trees who will provide you with fun facts, historical information and may even direct you to other points of interest in the parks. Enhancements and development of The Talking Forest are supported by the RBC Tech for Nature program. Download the app today to see what the trees have to say.
The Talking Forest app is free to download and is currently available on Android and IOS platforms. Subscribe to this page for updates on The Talking Forest and new trails.
Trail Information
Ken Reid
Original Talking Forest Trail
- 15 Stations along Woodland Loop and Marsh Lookout trails
- Approximate total length of trail: 2.22 km
- Approximate time to complete total trail: 1 hour (walking consistently at an average adult's pace)
First Nation's Trail
- 8 Stations along the Point Loop Trail
- Approximate total length of the trail: 2.7 km
Pigeon River Headwaters
- 7 Stations located along the Brown Trail
- Approximate total length of trail: 1 km
Windy Ridge
- 11 Stations located around the loop trail
- Approximate total length of trail: 1.5 km
Join the fun, download the app
- Visit the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Search for and download "The Talking Forest" app.
- Make sure your location services are turned on. This allows you to follow along the trail.
- Select the talking trail you would like to follow.
- Leave your phone in your pocket as you explore the trails or use it as a guide to help pinpoint stops along the trail.
- Turn your volume up and listen carefully.
Download The Talking Forest for Android.
Download The Talking Forest for Apple.
Tell us what you think
Have you tried The Talking Forest? We want to hear your thoughts. Take a minute to provide us with feedback from your experience on the trail.
Kawartha Quest
Welcome to Kawartha Quest, where your adventure begins!
Kawartha Quest is a fun, interactive outdoor adventure series for all ages.
Combining your amateur skills in animal tracking, wildlife identification, map building and more, participants will be guided through the trails at Ken Reid Conservation Area where they will complete a series of challenges to reveal letters to a secret code word.
Once complete, participants can upload the secret word on the Kawartha Conservation website to receive a Certificate of Completion and a participant button.
To begin your adventure today, download the Kawartha Quest Passport and head to Ken Reid Conservation Area for a visit filled with fun, adventure and learning for the whole family. Passports are also available in the brochure racks at the Administration Centre and the map kiosk at the main parking lot. See you soon.
Download the Kawartha Quest Passport
We would LOVE to see pictures from your adventures at Ken Reid Conservation Area. Share your adventures by tagging us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and using #KawarthaQuest.
Facilities
Ken Reid offers:
- Year-round paid parking
- Hiking trails
- Accessible trail
- McLaren's Marsh Accessible Lookout
- Boardwalks
- Playground
- Outdoor Classroom
- Group Camp
- Field Centre
- Washrooms
- Accessible washrooms (located at the Sturgeon Lake parking area)
- Picnic shelters
- Garbage cans
- Administrative Building
Facility rentals
Rent one of our facilities for your next celebration, corporate event or field trip. Ken Reid Conservation Area offers a number of different facility rentals to meet your needs. Not sure if Ken Reid Conservation Area can host your event; contact our Conservation Areas Technician to see if we can help.
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Greenspaces and Pavilions |
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Discover the perfect backdrop for your event at Ken Reid Conservation Area! Our Greenspaces and Pavilions are ideal for gatherings that keep things simple – no need for third-party vendors or exclusive access. We have three fantastic locations: Group Camp, Escarpment Pavilion, and Lakeview Site. Each site comes with basics like vaulted privies, picnic tables, and garbage bins. The Group Camp offers non-potable water and an extra pavilion. The Escarpment Pavilion is close to the Administration building and an off-leash dog park. Meanwhile, the Lakeview Site features accessible privies, beautiful views of Sturgeon Lake, and a playground. |
| Outdoor Classroom |
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| Field Centre |
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Consider booking the Field Centre for your next event at Ken Reid. Located directly across from the
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| Group Camp - Overnight |
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Group camp provides a unique outdoor setting with ample privacy and lots of space for groups looking for an overnight camping experience. Tucked away in the back of Ken Reid, Group Camp offers guests with access to a variety of amenities including:
Stay for the day or bring your tent and spend the night; group camp is available for daily and overnight rentals. |
| Special Events |
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Looking to host an event that will require restricted access, third party vendors or host groups of 500+ people? Consider booking a special event at one of our conservation areas. Kawartha Conservation has been host to a variety events, ranging in size, such as weddings, charity runs, Christmas at Ken Reid, Trillium Lakeland District Schoolboard's Eco Summit and annual cross-country runs. With access to open greenspace and facilities such as garbage cans, vaulted privies and picnic shelters, there's something for every occasion. |
| Facility | Rental Fee |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Classroom | $80.00 + HST |
| Field Centre | $175.00 + HST |
| Greenspace or Pavilion | $85.00 + HST |
| Group Camp - Overnight | $150.00 + HST |
| Special Events | $250.00 - $3000.00 + HST |
Activities
Ken Reid has lots to offer. You can:
- Hike or bike on 10 km of trails
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (trails ungroomed)
- Try birding with our free Bird Checklist
- Walk your dog on leash along our trails or at the Off-Leash Dog Park
- Launch a canoe or kayak on Sturgeon Lake - access points accessible from the Dragonfly parking lot (to the Iron Bridge), or the Sturgeon Lake parking area. A brief portage from the parking lot is required to reach both access points.
- The Talking Forest
Please note that fishing within Ken Reid Conservation Area is not permitted.
Events at Ken Reid
We host a variety of events at Ken Reid, Including:
- Christmas at Ken Reid
- Kawartha Fall Festival
- Camps for kids
- Forest therapy
- Seniors walks
- Guided hikes
For a full list of events, please visit our Events Calendar.
Parking
Parking is available at multiple locations at Ken Reid Conservation Area from April to November. Annual parking passes and daily parking can be purchased in a number of ways for your convenience. Those looking to purchase Senior Annual parking passes may do so by contacting the Administrative Centre.
Parking is $4 including HST per vehicle per day, or $96.05 including HST for an annual parking pass, which includes all Kawartha Conservation conservation areas. Seniors 65 + can get an annual Parking Pass, good for any of our conservation areas for $67.80.
| Pay on-site using our Pay and Display |
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Pay for your daily parking pass using our pay and display machine. As you enter the park, stop at the pay and display machine to purchase your daily parking pass using coins, Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Place your ticket on your dash, face up, so information is visible through windshield. Annual parking passes can be purchased by contacting our Administrative Centre. |
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Pay on-line or with mobile app |
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Visitors can pay for parking using the Passport Parking Mobile App or Passport Parking website. Once you had logged in, input Zone 3181 for Ken Reid Conservation Area. The Passport Parking Mobile App is available for Android and Apple. |
| Contact our Administrative Centre |
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Contact us at our Administrative Centre during regular business hours to purchase your Annual or Senior Annual parking pass. |
| Parking type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Daily rate | $4 |
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Annual pass |
$96.05 |
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Seniors annual pass (65+) |
$67.80 |
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