Ontario Provincial Parks

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is a large protected area located northeast of Peterborough and west of Bancroft in Central Ontario. Covering more than 37,000 hectares, the park preserves a substantial section of Canadian Shield landscape within southern Ontario, including lakes, wetlands, forests, and exposed bedrock formations. The park is managed to balance conservation objectives with regulated recreational use across both backcountry and access-point areas.

The park contains an extensive network of interconnected lakes and waterways that form part of the Trent–Severn and Crowe River watersheds. These water systems influence the park’s ecology and land use, supporting aquatic habitats and shaping travel routes through the interior. Surrounding uplands are characterized by thin soils, rocky ridges, and mixed forests typical of the southern Shield, with conditions that vary by elevation, drainage, and seasonal change.

Kawartha Highlands supports a range of plant and wildlife species adapted to forest, wetland, and shoreline environments. Common forest types include mixed hardwood and conifer stands, while wetlands and lake margins provide habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, and mammals native to the region. Wildlife presence and activity fluctuate throughout the year depending on water levels, temperature, and human use patterns.

Public access to Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park includes designated entry points, interior water routes, and limited trail infrastructure. Camping is regulated through a permit system, with both backcountry and access-point sites available in specific areas. The park’s management approach emphasizes low-impact use, with guidelines in place to reduce environmental disturbance while allowing visitors to experience a representative example of southern Ontario’s Shield landscape.

General Information

Location

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is conveniently situated near Bancroft, Ontario, making it easily accessible for both local residents and travelers from surrounding areas.

Latitude: 49.6583346 Longitude: -89.40982199

Camping

Camping at Kawartha Highlands provides an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, allowing visitors to embrace the tranquility of nature. The park offers various camping options and well-maintained campgrounds to cater to different preferences.

Backcountry Camping

The park provides well-defined canoe routes with marked portages and over 100 backcountry campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and box privy. Most campsites offer at least three tent pads, accommodating various group sizes.

While there are no car camping, RV, or group camping facilities within the park, its diverse canoe routes cater to both novice and experienced paddlers. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy sightings of Common Loons, Great Blue Herons, Ospreys, and various songbirds. Anglers will appreciate the park’s lakes, home to species such as Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Bass.

Facilities & Recreation

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is a large backcountry park known for its interconnected lakes, rugged terrain, and extensive wilderness travel opportunities. Access points are limited and offer minimal facilities, with parking capacity that can fill quickly during busy periods. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive prepared, and be self-reliant while exploring the park.

Water-based travel is central to the park experience. While there are no formal boat launches, several access points allow visitors to launch canoes and kayaks onto the lake system. Boating is permitted on the park’s lakes, and canoeing and kayaking are especially popular due to well-established routes that include marked portages and designated backcountry campsites. These routes are suitable for a range of skill levels, from first-time backcountry paddlers to experienced trip planners.

Fishing is a major draw in Kawartha Highlands, with lakes supporting a wide variety of species including lake trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, splake, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and panfish. Several lakes are stocked with trout, adding to the park’s appeal for anglers. A valid Ontario fishing licence is required, and all fishing activity must follow provincial regulations.

Day-use visitors can enjoy activities such as paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing, though services are limited and there is no potable drinking water available. Visitors must bring their own water or be prepared to treat water from natural sources. Firewood is not provided within the park, and campers are expected to bring their own or purchase it locally in accordance with park rules.

Hiking opportunities are available through short, informal routes that travel through rugged landscapes and provide scenic views of lakes, wetlands, and forested areas. Pets are allowed within the park but must be kept under control and are not permitted in designated swimming areas. Swimming is popular in the park’s clear lakes, though there are no developed beaches or lifeguard services.

Camping in Kawartha Highlands is entirely backcountry-based, with sites designed for tent camping and typically offering multiple tent pads. Each campsite is equipped with a box privy for sanitation. While the park does not offer traditional group camping areas, larger parties can reserve multiple adjacent campsites when available. Hunting is permitted in designated areas during specific seasons in accordance with Ontario hunting regulations.

The park is open year-round and supports winter backcountry activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Trails are not maintained in winter, and visitors should be prepared for unmarked routes, deep snow, and remote conditions. This combination of structured backcountry routes and undeveloped wilderness makes Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park a cornerstone destination for Ontario backcountry recreation.

Nearby Attractions

Chandos Lake: A popular destination near Apsley, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming amidst picturesque surroundings.

Burleigh Falls: A scenic spot where the Canadian Shield begins, featuring rapids and waterfalls that delineate the transition between geological regions.

Eagles Nest Lookout: Located in Bancroft, this vantage point provides breathtaking panoramic views of the York River Valley, especially stunning during the fall season.

The Eyrie Birds of Prey Centre: Situated near Apsley, this center aims to educate visitors about raptors through interactive demonstrations and up-close experiences with various bird species.

Paddle to the Sea Park: Inspired by the classic children’s book, this park in Nipigon features interactive exhibits and sculptures that celebrate the story’s journey through the Great Lakes.

Nearby Parks

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