When it comes to kids, I’ve learned a few things over the years. They love getting dirty, they love food, and they love to explore! So, getting out there this summer and exploring Hastings County would be a great way to spend some quality family time together.

If you’re not sure where to start, I get it. Hastings County is packed full of amazing places and experiences so it can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve explored all kinds of places in the area and below are a few great ideas to start exploring. Go ahead, use this as a family summer bucket list!

https://www.oharamill.ca/

Conservation Areas

Hastings County is full of beautiful conservation areas to explore. McGeachie Conservation Area in Gilmour has 18 kilometres of walking trails to explore and is on our list to check out! We also love the HR Frink Conservation Area in the neighboring Bay of Quinte, and Vanderwater Conservation Area. We actually saw a group riding the trails on horses at Vanderwater, and we also read the map wrong and took the really long way around one visit. The boys still remember it as the “time we walked for waaaaay too long”. But hey, memories, right?

Camping

If you’re a family that loves camping, you’ve got lots of options in Hastings County. We’re surrounded by lakes, rivers, and all kinds of provincial parks and campgrounds just waiting to be explored. We have friends who love to camp, and they raved about Lake St. Peter Provincial Park. Other favourites in the area include, Bancroft Campground, Bear Ridge Family Campgrounds, and Stoco Lake Lodge – who are well known for their ‘glamping tents’ right on the lake.

Lake St. Peter Provincial Park: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/lakestpeter

Bancroft Campground: http://www.bancroftcampground.ca/

Bear Ridge Campgrounds & Cottages: https://www.bearridgecamp.ca/

Stoco Lake Lodge: https://stocolakelodge.com/

Stirling Theatre

For those who are into the arts, check out the Stirling Festival Theatre. They have Godspell running throughout August, and they also have Theatre Camps for the kids this summer. Check out all the details on their website.

https://www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com/

Tyendinaga Caverns & Caves

If you haven’t experienced the Tyendinaga Caverns & Caves with the kids yet, I highly suggest it. It’s Ontario’s largest known natural cavern and it was a pretty cool experience. We showed up just after opening and were part of the first tour and we all had a great time. Plus, it’s super chilly down there so it’s a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day.

https://www.tyendinagacaves.ca/

In addition to all these awesome experiences, there are also fairs, festivals, and more to check out in communities all over Hastings County this summer. If your family is the adventurous type, try horseback riding at Highlands Wilderness Tours near Algonquin Park, or even go white water rafting as a family at Madawaska Kanu Centre. We went a couple summers ago and it was an amazing experience! 

For more great places to explore this summer with the family, stay tuned to the Hastings County blog or the Hastings County social media pages. 

By: Little Miss Creative