Beavermead Ecology Garden and Native Tree Nursery

The Ecology Garden is an educational and interesting display of many aspects of gardening, greenspace and composting.  The tree nursery features a variety of trees with information about each species on an adjoining sign.  Peterborough Green-up and the City of Peterborough both sponsored these projects.  Beavermead Park is located on the Otonabee River across Little Lake form Del Crary Park.

Emily Provincial Park

Emily is a popular park covering open meadows and woodlands.  The marsh boardwalk trail is a nice diversion from a day at one of Emily's two beaches.  The trail, which winds through cedar forest and over marsh ends at a lookout tower with a view of the pigeon river and an Osprey nesting site. 

Gamiing Centre for Sustainable Lakeshore Living

Gamiing is a non-profit eco-educational centre with about 10 km of trails through forests, meadowes and wetlands with 2000' of lakeshore on Pigeon Lake. Interpretive signs will help the visitor to understand more about the various eco systems and wildlife habitats.

Jackson Park Trail

This is one of the city's two rail trails.  This trail takes hikers, cyclists and Nordic skiers from the downtown core to 4 kms out of the city.  This fairly flat trail travels through forest, marsh, and farmland and cross Jackson's Creek four times.  Adventures folks and venture off the main trail to find numerous trails through the woods of the park.  These trails are popular with the

Lakefield Marsh

This area is a class 1 provincially significant wetland of 200 hectare.  It is home to numerous plants and animals; some rare and endangered species are also present.  This area has recently had extensive work to correspond with the recreational, educational and environmental aspects of the area.  Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while learning why ecosystems such as this are important.

The Lakefield marsh allows much opportunity, such as, bird watching from the viewing tower, hiking the trails, or closer observation of the marsh via canoe.

Mark S.  Burnham Provincial Park

This is a beautiful spot for a day hike.  The Burnham Family donated this 43-hectare forest to the province for people to enjoy.  This area is made up of some of the oldest stands of beech, maple, elm and hemlock in Ontario.  The area is also located on the Peterborough Drumlin Field.  Drumlins are teardrop shaped hills formed by retreating glaciers during the last ice age.  Ruffed Grouse, Flickers and Nut Hatches are just a few examples of the birds you might encounter.

Miller Creek Walking Trail

This trail winds through a small corner of the Miller Creek Conservation Area.  This 1 km loop trail winds through Class 1 Wetlands, which are an integral part of our environment.  The trail also travels through woodlands that are great for bird watching.  A viewing tower and observation points a placed on integral sections of the trail.  The proximity of this park to the Riverview Park and Zoo make it a great side excursion to a day at the zoo.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

More than 300 distinct Petroglyphs are carved into the limestone slabs of the area, which is the largest concentration of rock carvings in Canada.  The visitor's center was constructed over the main carving to protect the scared place from the elements.  The center also offers an excellent educational experience.  Three hiking trails make there way throughout the park.  The shortest being 5.5km and longest 16km.  The 16km trail is a great day hike that ends at a wonderful lunch spot at High Falls on Eels Creek.

Riverview Park and Zoo

The Riverview Park and Zoo consists of 60 Acres of fun operated by the Peterborough Utilities Commission.  Aside from the numerous animal exhibits the park has picnic areas, playgrounds, and a small train that runs through the park.  The park is a great place to spend the day.  There is tons to, do all in a beautiful setting. 

Rotary Park and Nicholls Oval

These two parks are very close together.  Nicholls Oval is the upper section and features playing fields for soccer and football.  A paved road circles the field and makes for a safe place for an early morning walk or jog.  Attached to Nicholls Oval is the newly developed Rotary Park.  This park was constructed on the site of a former railway yard along the banks of the Otonabee River, which connects the district known as East city, to the Rotary Greenway Trail.

Rotary Greenway Trail

The Rotary Greenway Trail is a rail trail developed with help from the Rotary Club, local bike shops, private donations and the city of Peterborough.  This is a paved multiuse trail that runs from the north side of Nicholl's Oval, along the Otonabee River to Trent University.  The route is 5.1 Kms passing through friendly neighborhoods, through woodland and field.  Recently an unpaved extension has been added from Trent University to the Village of Lakefield.  This entire trip makes an excellent day trip for the casual cyclist.

Selwyn Conservation Area

This area rests on the northeast shores of Chemong Lake.  This conservation area of 29 hectares was acquired for the purpose of combining conservation and recreation.  A pleasant 2 km trail winds through the northern portion of the area and for the most part is undeveloped.  Hikers can experience wetlands, woodlands, and open fields. 

Silent Lake Provincial Park

This popular, beautiful provincial Park has much to see and do.  Silent lake offers three distinct hiking trails that suit everyone form the leisurely walker to the experienced hiker.  The trails are 1- 16 km in length.  Most follow the shoreline of Silent Lake.  These trails are some of the best in the area offering hikers some depending walks surround by the rich natural environment.  Trail maps are available at the park

Sir Sandford Fleming College Forest Trails

The woods beside Sir Sandford Fleming College are a beautiful area in which to hike and have a first hand experience with Nature.  There are many trails winding through the dense forest.  These pass gently flowing streams with the sounds of nature can be heard throughout your entire hike. 

Trent University Bird/Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary on Trent University is a popular spot with skier's, hikers and Photographer's.  The area offers three different trails that wind through distinctive landforms, hydrological features.  On each trail various vegetation, animal species and some uncommon plants.  Sixteen different nature areas have been identified and each trail highlights the best of each.  Trails range from 2 - 3 kms in length

Warsaw Caves Conservation Area

This unique geological area of 225 hectares is most famous for is underground caves.  This conservation area also has a beautiful 13-kilometer trail system.  It takes hikers through woodlands; pass caves and kettles to a scenic post over looking the Indian River Valley.  Sturdy footwear, old clothes, rope and flashlights are required if hikers would like to explore the caves.

Beavermead Park

Beavermead Park and Family Campground is located on the east side of Little Lake in the heart of Peterborough.  It is surround by Mead creek and Little Lake to form a large island where campers can enjoy supervised swimming on the beach, a walk through the Ecology Park and Wednesday night fireworks. 

Emily Provincial Park

Emily Park is a recreational camper's dream.  It has 299 large sites with all the amenities.  Toilet, shower and laundry facilities are present and 50% of the sites have electricity.  If you have larger group, say 100 people or so, Emily's land will hold you with her 3 group sites.  Emily Park has a beautiful boardwalk to walk on, 2 sandy beaches for swimming and Pigeon Lake is great to go out in the canoe.  (Reword)

Kawartha Highlands

There are 17 marked campsites along Bottle Lake and Sucker Lake.  Unfortunately, they only receive minimal maintenance by a staff of volunteers.  This is an excellent starting point for accessing the Kawartha Highlands by canoe. 

Silent Lake has over 160 campsites that are suitable for small recreational vehicles to tents.  There are some tent sights that campers must walk in to therefore allowing a more secluded atmosphere.  Toilet, shower and laundry facilities are available and there are 10 sites with electricity.  Silent Lake has lots to offer its guests.  Since motorboats are not allowed on Silent Lake the canoeing, fishing and swimming are fantastic!  There are mountain biking trails also.