What To Do
At the Cottage
Enjoy the Lake
Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, relaxing on the dock or decks.
Hiking & Biking
The cottages back onto hundreds of acres of Crown land which accommodates many hiking trails through the woods and around several small uninhabited lakes. Walk with the kids to two small beaches to play in the sand. In addition, many acres of Crown land touch the Lake so there are opportunities to explore by small water craft.
If you like biking or running, and are working on your next Ironman, we have many, many miles of hills and valleys that are off the beaten track.
Boating
If you want to bring a tin boat or your own paddle craft, Bark Lake (one of many Bark Lakes) is about 1 km from our driveway. This is a man-made lake created almost entirely in timber lands and crown lands with very few cottages. It stretches about 14 km all the way up to Whitney and really is a boater’s paradise and a perfect picnic destination.
In the Area
Local Towns
Our cottage is about equidistant from Bancroft and Barry’s Bay (35 minutes). Both towns offer decent local hospitals, should the need arise. St Francis in the Bay and North Hastings Hospital in Bancroft.
If you come through Bancroft, be sure to stop at the Kawartha Dairy outlet at the south end of town. And order a small cone-we kid you not.
Bancroft has boat rentals, Canadian Tire, good grocery stores and some very nice little clothing and craft shops, restaurants and summer theatre. It is home to the Gemboree and 2 Golf Courses.
Barry’s Bay has some of the nicest shops in the area as well as grocery stores, LCBO, Bank of Montreal and restaurants.
Maple Leaf and Combermere are the closest small stores for most last minute things including fishing licenses, movie rentals and Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream.
Maynooth has a great butter tart shop, LCBO, the Madawaska Art Shop as well as the newly “renovated” Darlington Hotel for country weekend entertainment. It’s purple-you can’t miss it. It is also home to the Loggers’ Games over Labour Day weekend.
Wilno is past Barry’s Bay on the way to Wolf Ridge Golf Course, which is home to the Wilno Tavern where you can get polish poutine and excellent perogies, as well as local craft beer. There is entertainment and dancing several evenings a week in the summer. Actually, the Wilno Tavern is worth a trip whether you golf or not.
Nearby Activities
Groceries
If you need to top up your food and snacks, the Foodland in Bancroft at the top end of town is the best place. Lots of selection and no parking issue.
Foodland is also adjacent to Canadian Tire and to the LCBO with the largest selection in the neighbourhood.
Golfing
If you are a golfer, the Homestead at Wolf Ridge near Wilno is a very good 18-hole course and the one favoured by most of the cottagers. Well worth the 45-minute drive and you can stop at the Wilno Tavern on your way back.
There is also an 18 hole course in Bancroft and a truly excellent 9 hole cottage course north of Apsley. There is one golf course in Barry’s Bay (9).
Paddling
If paddling is your thing, you can take the family for a float or take white water lessons at the Madawaska Kanu Centre. It is on the way to Barry’s Bay.
Algonquin Park
We are about 40 minutes from Whitney, the Eastern Gate to Algonquin Park. Ontario’s first (and best) provincial park is less than an hour away. Lots of programming, hikes, canoeing and other activities. Lots of day trip possibilities.
Farmer's Market
Each weekend in Maynooth, Combermere and Barry’s Bay.
