3 Best Hiking Trails in Kawartha Lakes, ON

"Emily Provincial Park offers many large, private, grassy sites that accommodate various equipment types ranging from tents to large trailers. Enjoy their sandy beaches, launch a boat, and travel the Trent-Severn Waterway. Users can fish off the docks or explore their interpretive trails. Emily Provincial Park offers car camping in four campgrounds. They provide many educational activities, including campfire programs, children’s programs, and information displays. The park operates two group camping areas, with all group campsites accommodating a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 50 people per site. Enjoy their Learn to Fish program, a free, hands-on program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario. Emily Provincial Park is dog-friendly.

"Balsam Lake Provincial Park has 506 campsites, including 206 with electrical hookups and group sites. This is a recreational park about two hours from Toronto. Balsam Lake is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, which extends 389 kilometres across Ontario. Balsam Lake Provincial Park offers canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals. Visitors can enjoy educational programs throughout July and August, including children’s activities focusing on the natural environment and local history. Balsam Lake Provincial Park is located near the village of Balsam Lake. The park is situated along the Trent-Severn Waterway, a few kilometres southwest of Coboconk.

"Ken Reid Conservation Area features well-maintained trails and child-friendly facilities, offering various ways to experience the natural setting. The area features a variety of mature rhododendrons, walking paths, and benches for enjoying the surroundings. The conservation area also has a playground for kids and excellent walkways for relaxation. Visitors can explore several loop trails that pass through forests, meadows, and wetlands. There are two picnic shelters with parking lots and washroom facilities. Whether you enjoy hiking, cycling, or cross-country skiing, Ken Reid Conservation Area is an excellent spot to spend the day. Additionally, the park provides several scenic spots overlooking Sturgeon Lake. Ken Reid Conservation Area spans 110 hectares (272 acres) of diverse landscapes and features a well-designed network of 12 trails, covering nearly 12 kilometres.