The Off-Leash Dog Park offers:
- Trails
- Garbage bins
- Benches
- Dog waste bags
- Separate area for small dogs and guide dogs
Ken Reid Conservation Area
Explore
Ken Reid Conservation Area
Ken Reid Conservation Area offers a natural escape just 3 km north of Lindsay, where 110 hectares (272 acres) of diverse landscapes await. A sanctuary for nature enthusiasts, families, and explorers alike, this unique area preserves a stunning array of ecosystems, from dense forests and sprawling meadows to the remarkable McLaren’s Creek Wetland—a provincially significant treasure.
Visitors to Ken Reid Conservation Area can explore a thoughtfully designed network of 12 trails, covering nearly 12 kilometers, each with something unique to offer. Two popular boardwalks offer an immersive wetland experience, where the natural beauty and wildlife of the area come to life. Trails meander through scenic views, while the accessible observation platform invites you to pause and soak in the serenity of the wetland habitats.
The area is designed with community enjoyment in mind, featuring a playground, picnic spots, a group camping area, and a designated off-leash dog park. Ken Reid Conservation Area also hosts the engaging Talking Forest, a unique interpretive experience that brings local stories to life, and Nature’s Edge Disc Golf Course, an enjoyable 9-hole course set against the backdrop of nature’s beauty. With the Victoria Rail Trail intersecting the area, Ken Reid serves as a hub for hiking, biking, and other outdoor adventures.
Open year-round, Ken Reid Conservation Area is not just a destination for relaxation and recreation; it’s also home to the Kawartha Conservation Administrative Centre, ensuring it remains a vital part of the region’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Easily accessible from 277 Kenrei (Park) Rd., via Angeline St. or off Highway 35, Ken Reid Conservation Area is a gateway to nature where every visit promises a new discovery. Come, connect with nature, and see why Ken Reid is a cornerstone of conservation and community in Kawartha Lakes.
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
Nature's Edge Disc Golf
Experience the perfect balance of sport and nature at Nature’s Edge Disc Golf Course in Ken Reid Conservation Area, Kawartha Lakes. This 9-hole course invites both beginners and seasoned players to explore scenic fairways winding through mature forests, open meadows, and natural wetlands - a truly immersive outdoor experience just minutes from Lindsay.
Designed with accessibility and challenge in mind, the course features two tee options: Red Tees for newcomers and recreational players, and Blue Tees for advanced players seeking longer throws and technical lines that test accuracy and skill. Each hole highlights the area’s natural beauty while promoting outdoor recreation and environmental appreciation.
Whether you’re playing a casual round with friends, introducing your family to disc golf, or enjoying a fitness-focused challenge, Nature’s Edge Disc Golf Course offers a fun, affordable, and eco-friendly way to connect with nature in the heart of the Kawarthas.
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.
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
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.
|
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 |
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.
The Outdoor Classroom is located behind the Field Centre at Ken Reid Conservation Area. With access to a chalkboard, seven tables and seating for approximately 30 people, the Outdoor Classroom makes a great addition to any field trip.
Consider booking the Field Centre for your next event at Ken Reid. Located directly across from the Administrative Building and the main parking lot, the Field Centre offers plenty of indoor and outdoor space for your different event needs.
- Equipped with heat and electricity.
- Tables and seating available for approximately 30 people.
- Max capacity of 60 people with no fixed seating.
- Access to port-a-toilet on site.
Group camp provides a unique outdoor setting with ample privacy and lots of space for groups looking for an overnight camping experience. Ideal for organized groups such as the Scouts, Girl Guides. etc.
Tucked away in the back of Ken Reid, Group Camp offers guests with access to a variety of amenities including:
- gated access to site
- private parking
- picnic shelter
- picnic tables
- garbage cans
- four vaulted privies
- non-potable water
- tent camping
- fire pit
- open space
Stay for the day or bring your tent and spend the night; group camp is available for daily and overnight rentals.
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.
Activities
Ken Reid has lots to offer. You can:
- Hike or bike on 12 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 and hunting 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
A Prescription for Nature Program
PaRx
Kawartha Conservation is paving the way for residents to enhance their physical and mental health, through a new collaboration with Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx.
Visitors issued a PaRx nature prescription from their health care provider can receive a 25% discount on an annual parking pass from Kawartha Conservation, which is good for:
- Ken Reid Conservation Area
- Durham East Cross Forest
- Windy Ridge Conservation Area
- Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area
This collaboration will empower residents to reap the health benefits of spending time in nature.
To access your 25% discount please talk to your health care provider about getting a PaRx Prescirption, and then call Kawartha Conservation at 705.328.2271 to complete your Annual Parking Pass process, or come into our Administrative Office Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Click here to visit the PaRX website for more information
Partners
How to pay for
Parking
Parking is available at multiple locations at Ken Reid Conservation Area. 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.
| Parking Type | Cost (HST Included) |
| Daily Rate | $4 |
| Annual Pass | $96.05 |
| Seniors Annual Pass (65+) | $67.80 |
Pay on-site using our Pay and Display
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.
Pay on-line or with mobile app
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
Contact us at our Administrative Centre during regular business hours to purchase your Annual or Senior Annual parking pass.
Save 10% on Stays when booking at
Days Inn
Visiting Ken Reid Conservation Area, mention Ken Reid when booking, or use the Discount Code: 1000068806 when booking online at Days Inn and Suites Lindsay and receive a 10% discount on your stay.
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