Kawarthas Playground

One of the many lakes of The Kawarthas

You might already know something about The Kawarthas, or you may live here, or you be planning to visit us soon.  If you're fortunate enough to live in our Kawartha playground, nothing we have to say will come as news to you.  For anyone planning to move here or visit, take note.  This information is secret.  Guard it carefully and be selective with whom you share it.

Snowshoe prints (Photo by Jeff Stover)

The Kawarthas is one of the best places on earth to live.  The Kawarthas is one of the best places on earth to visit.  The Kawarthas is perfect in any season (okay, well, talk to us about how to share the woods with the spring black flies a bit north of here).  The Kawarthas is perfectly situated in a central Ontario playground that includes the Canadian Shield, but is also easily accessible driving distance to more urban experiences in 'big' cities like Toronto and Ottawa.  The Kawartha area includes small towns, villages and medium-sized cities, and lots of things to see and do in the shopping, sightseeing, concerts, dining out, antiquing categories.  Lots to do, inside and outside.

The Kawarthas is the birthplace of the modern canoe.  Maybe that's why Peterborough is home to the Canadian Canoe Museum, North America's only canoe museum.  Water is the reason we are here:  local towns and villages have evolved on rivers and waterways that include the Trent Severn Waterway and the world's highest hydraulic liftlock.  Pioneer Catherine Parr Traill wrote of her first breathtaking glance of Stoney Lake at the edge of the Shield. 

Jen Deck playing at Crowe River Bridge

The Kawarthas has a plethora (hundreds, thousands) of lakes and waterways for both flatwater and whitewater paddling.  The Kawarthas has extensive on- and off-road cycling routes and thousands of miles of wooded, paved and gravel trails in an extensive trail network covering thousands of square miles over multiple counties.  The Trans Canada Trail graces the neighbourhoods and riverside of our largest city, Peterborough, and winds its way across the Province to the east and west -- it's your choice which direction to take. 

We're located within a few hours drive of Algonquin Park and many other Provincial Parks which may be on your wish-to-visit list.

It's a fact, we live in the best situated outdoor playground anywhere.  Most importantly, we have people who play here, and who want to help you play in The Kawarthas.  So, when you visit, just ask us and we'll share more of our secrets.