Looking for something to do while you’re in the area? There’s plenty to do, and even more places to visit! The Bancroft BIA has complied full lists that won’t fit comfortably on this web page. Download the PDFs, and start planning your destination!

Looking for something to do while you’re in the area? There’s plenty to do, and even more places to visit!  The Bancroft BIA has complied full lists that won’t fit comfortably on this web page.  Download the PDFs, and start planning your destination!

Download Daytrips (PDF):  A – C | D – G | H – K | L – N | O – Q | R -S | T – Z

Below are some of the highlights – click the links above for even more destinations & information!

Apsley

A very small settlement area, Apsley is the northeastern gateway to the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park – the largest park in Ontario south of Algonquin and a very popular family cottage location. Chandos Beach to the north and Quarry Bay Beach to the south offer swim rafts, change rooms and swimming lessons.

website: Apsley.ca

Petroglyphs Park

This is the largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings (petroglyphs) in Canada, depicting turtles, snakes, birds, humans and more; this sacred site is known as “The Teaching Rocks”. There are 600 to 1100 year old rock carvings that are the feature attraction in this park, which is about 21 km southeast of Apsley, at the end of Northey’s Bay Road.

website: Petroglyphs Park

Bancroft

The Town of Bancroft is known as the “Mineral Capital of Canada”. Over 1600 different mineral species have been identified in this part of the province. The annual “Rockhound Gemboree” in August attracts thousands of people from around the world Autumn is spectacular – the foliage turns to golds and red. Enjoy a hike a Egan Chutes Provincial Park or take a day trip to Algonquin Provincial Park to experience the array of fall colour.

The Bancroft Gemboree

Canada’s largest gem & mineral show.  Since 1963. Held the Civic Weekend in August.  A four day event held at the North Hastings Community Centre & Bancroft Curling Club.

website: rockhoundgemboree.ca

Bonnechere Caves

The Bonnechere Caves are today one of the must-see stops on any tour of the Ottawa Valley. Electric lights and dry, elevated boardwalks make access to the caves really easy and clean for the casual spelunker. The passages do not feel confining or spooky in any way but there is definitely an “other-worldliness” about the place. Dripping stalactites and moist walls set the imagination reeling in a fantasy, Harry Potter sort of way. The caves were formed five hundred million years ago on the when the area was actually a tropical sea and the passages are full of prehistoric fossils.

website: Bonnecherecaves.com

The Marlbank Phoenix Tavern

In 1904, a fire erupted at the site which currently contains the tavern, but the building was rebuilt in 1905, and was known as The Stinson House. The owners opened their doors and served beverages to patrons. In 1907 the building and ownership changed hands to Mr. William O’Keefe, who renamed the pub after himself, calling it the O’Keefe House, shortened and regularly referred to as the “O.K. House”. The business held fast to this name through several years and owners until 1938 when Sam Schell dubbed the building “The Marlbank House”. After a fire destroyed most of the building again in 1994, the tavern’s name changed once more, quite fittingly, to “the Marlbank Phoenix Tavern”. From early 2009 the Tavern was closed for almost two years and left to fall into disrepair. Two local residents, Ray and Ivy Hutchinson, and their son David took it upon themselves to rescue this historical landmark and after major renovations, the Marlbank Phoenix Tavern was reopened for business in January 2011.

website: Hauntings at the tavern
website: Marlbank Phoenix Tavern

Maynooth

A charming town, with galleries, antiques, upcycle, cafes, art and artisans.  The local Arlington hostel is an international hostel and host of music and events.  Each year, on the Labour Day weekend, Maynooth hosts its “Maynooth Madness” Festival.

website: Maynooth

Quadeville

Looking for Al Capone’s cabin?  Ask the friendly folks at the Quadeville general store, they’ll show you the way.  Capone’s old hideout is a log cabin about 2.5 km from the store, on Letterkenny Road.  Folks claim there are escape tunnels throughout the property.

website: Yoair Blog

Warsaw

The Indian River, a popular canoe route, runs through this small rural community that is surrounded by farmland. It is only minutes from the award-winning Warsaw Caves Conservation Area & Campground that welcomes thousands of visitors each year for spelunking. Being a stone’s throw from Stoney and Clear Lakes; many popular cottage resorts and restaurants are nearby. Close by, the 151 acre Douro Park offers sports fields, playgrounds, picnic tables and two beaches. Warsaw is located in the Township of Douro-Dummer.

website: Warsaw Caves Conservation