Buckhorn, Lakefield and Stoney Lake is the primarily rural cottage country situated north of Peterborough in the Kawarthas region of Ontario. For the purposes of this guide, it includes the communities of Buckhorn, Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Burleigh Falls and surrounding areas.

Understand

Visitor Information

• Buckhorn District Tourist Association
• 1 Buckhorn Welcome Centre, 1980 Lakehurst Rd, ☏ +1 705-657-3288, toll-free: +1-800-853-1615, info@buckhorn.ca. F-Su 11AM-4PM. (updated Feb 2023)

Get in

By car

Highway 28 is the main provincial highway through the area, connecting it with Peterborough to the south, and Bancroft and the Ottawa Valley to the northeast. It is about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Toronto.

By bus

The Link bus service from Peterborough runs on weekdays (except holidays). Route #31 serves Lakefield and Curve Lake. Route #32 serves Bridgenorth and Ennismore.

By boat

Many lakes in the area form part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, which connects Lake Ontario (Trenton) to Georgian Bay (in Simcoe), via Peterborough and Bobcaygeon.

1 Lakefield Marina provides services to boaters north of Lock 26, in Lakefield, north of Peterborough.

2 Lock 27 (Young's Point) at the south end of Clear Lake, providing overnight mooring.

3 Lock 30 (Lovesick) is located on an island on Lower Buckhorn Lake, providing secluded overnight mooring and camping.

4 Lock 31 (Buckhorn) provides overnight mooring and access to village amenities in Buckhorn, east of Bobcaygeon.

See

• 1 Burleigh Falls / Lock 28, Hwy 28, Burleigh Falls (the parking lot for the lock is on the west side of the road near the market and Burleigh Falls Inn). One of the locks on the Trent-Severn Waterway. The park on both sides of the lock is a nice spot to picnic with views of Lovesick Lake. The Burleigh Falls, a series of rapids that the lock by-passes, are another pretty spot and are located 5-10 min walk south of the lock just off of Hwy 28 on Old Burleigh Rd. (updated Aug 2017)

Cast of some of the petroglyphs

• 2 Petroglyphs Provincial Park, 2249 Northeys Bay Rd (County Road 56), Woodview (50 min by car NE from Peterborough via #4, 28, and 6), ☏ +1 705-877-2552. Daily 10AM-5PM - no vehicle access after 4:30PM (in spring and fall, Tu-Su only). See pre-Columbian Indigenous rock carvings. The whole park is quite low key and is run in conjunction with a local First Nation (Indigenous people). No photos are allowed, however the experience is breathtaking. The art work of the original inhabitants of the landscape is recorded in stone. Hiking trails and some lakes are also in the park as is plentiful wildlife. Easy-to-moderate hiking trails 1-5½ km. Paths from the parking lots to the Learning Place and petroglyph site are barrier-free. A parking lot closer to the petroglyph site and Learning Place is available for senior citizens and others who cannot walk long distances. (updated Jul 2017)

Do

The caves

• 1 Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, ☏ +1 613-332-3940 x261. Ontario's largest park south of Algonquin, the park provides a wilderness experience with canoe and portage routes, fishing spots, and backcountry camping. Several access points around the park perimeter provide access to six canoe loops; some loops are considered easy, with minimal portaging en route. Park staff provide trip planning assistance by phone. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, 289 Caves Rd (Warsaw), ☏ +1 705 652-3161. Conservation area with seven caves to explore, 15 km of trails, a beach, campground and canoe rentals. The caves vary in length from 40-90 m and are fairly easy to explore. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and make sure you have a flashlight or headlamp, or purchase a headlamp on-site. The nearby Indian River has flat water that is good for a leisurely paddle. The fifty campsites are unserviced. Day use: $19 (car) or $10/$6 (walk-in adult/child); Camping $49/night; Headlamps $15-25; Canoe rental $12.50/hr (2 hr min) or $50/day. (updated Dec 2023)

Buy

• 1 Kawartha Country Wines, 2452 County Road 36, Buckhorn, ☏ +1 705 657-9916, donna@kawarthacountrywines.ca. 10AM-5PM daily. Wine sampling bar with a large selection of fruit wines vinted in different styles such as dry, off dry, social, and dessert wines. Traditional red and white wines, fruit wines, craft cider and homemade gourmet preserves made with Ontario fruit. (updated Dec 2023)

Eat

McGinnis Lake, Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Canada

• 1 Chemong Lodge, 764 Hunter St, Bridgenorth, ☏ +1 705 292-8435. W-F 11:30AM-10PM Sa 11AM-10PM Su 11AM-2PM. Long operating restaurant known for its prime rib and steaks. The menu also includes pasta, seafood and chicken dishes. The building itself is a restored cottage from the late 1800s and window seats overlook Chemong Lake. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Cody Inn, 1953 Lakehurst Rd, Buckhorn, ☏ +1 705-657-8812. Open early Mar to end of Nov, noon-8PM (closed Tu). Chinese restaurant in a 19th century building that used to be an inn and fishing lodge. (updated Dec 2023)
• 3 Mainstreet Landing Restaurant, 1939 Lakehurst Rd, Buckhorn, ☏ +1 705-657-9094. Su-W 8AM-9PM, Th-Sa 8AM-1AM. Pub-style menu with burgers, sandwiches, mussels, fish and chips, and such. Its location next to the waterway makes it a popular spot for boaters and provides some great views. There's a patio and often live entertainment on weekends. (updated Dec 2023)
• 4 Pizza Alloro, 5 Main St, Buckhorn, ☏ +1 705-657-7575. Su-W 11AM-9PM, Th-Sa 11AM-10PM. Fairly large selection of pizzas to choose from or make your own. There are also a couple of pasta dishes and sandwiches. Limited seating. Appetizers and sandwiches $4-13, pizza (medium) $14-24. (updated Dec 2023)

Drink

• 1 Canoe & Paddle, 18 Bridge St (Lakefield), ☏ +1 705 651-1111. 11AM-10PM daily. Wings and pub classics, with a range of Ontario craft beer on tap. (updated Dec 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Lakefield Campground, 65 Hague Blvd, ☏ +1 705-652-3004. A small campground on the Otonabee River, with tent and trailer sites. The park features trails, canoe and kayak rentals, and a small sandy beach for swimming. Open May to October. From $49/night. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Viamede Resort, 595 Mt Julian Viamede Rd, Woodview, ☏ +1 705 654-3344, toll-free: +1-800-461-1946. Lodge rooms, suites, and cottages. Fine dining and casual restaurants on-site for breakfast, lunch and dinner. BBQ kits and grilling areas. Guided fishing, indoor and outdoor swimming, disc golf, tennis, and various equipment rentals available. Open year-round. Guest room from $370; cottage from $480 (summer rates). (updated Dec 2023)
• 3 Village Inn, 39 Queen St, Lakefield, ☏ +1 705 652-1910, toll-free: +1-800-827-5678. 26 room hotel. Studio rooms (Classic or Balcony) have one or two queen-size beds, bar fridge and coffee maker, one bedroom suites also include a microwave, dishware and whirlpool bath. All rooms include Wifi and continental breakfast. The decor has a bit of flair with colourful rooms and country-style furniture, some of it locally sourced. $149-159 (Classic/Balcony), $189-199 (Suite). (updated Dec 2023)
• 4 Westwind Inn, 37 Gallery on the Lake Road, Buckhorn, ☏ +1 705 657-8095, toll-free: +1-800-387-8100. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 35 room lodge on the shore of Buckhorn Lake. Rooms in the original lodge feature cedar-panelled walls, a fireplace, balcony and either one queen or two single beds. There are also four suites in the newer Chalet building that are more spacious and include a jet tub, views of the lake, mini-fridge, fireplace and balcony. The lodge includes 60 acres of property and many activities, including a beach, outdoor pool and trails for hiking, biking or cross-country skiing. A number of canoes, kayaks and pedalboats are available for guest use. The lodge does consider itself primarily an adult couples vacation spot, although singles are welcome. About $400 per night (for two people, including lunch & dinner at the on-site restaurant) in summer for Lodge room, $500 per night in Chalet room. Rates 10-20% cheaper at other times of the year. (updated Sep 2017)

Go next

• Bancroft — a rural area in the heart of cottage country, nearly 100 km (62 mi) to the northeast.
• Bobcaygeon — a sport-fishing and shoe-shopping hotspot, 25 km (16 mi) west of Buckhorn, or 44 km (27 mi) from Lakefield.
• Fenelon Falls — about 18 km (11 mi) west of Bobcaygeon, another small community on the Trent-Severn Waterway.
• Haliburton Highlands — a lake- and river-filled highland on the Canadian Shield, popular amongst cottagers looking for an quieter wilderness than they find on the other major routes toward Algonquin Provincial Park.
• Lindsay — a commercial hub for many towns around the Kawarthas, about 50 km (31 mi) west of Lakefield.

Routes through Buckhorn, Lakefield and Stoney Lake

Denbigh ← Bancroft ←

N  S

→ Peterborough → END