From camping, hunting, and golfing to visiting museums, farms and sanctuaries, or recreation facilities, the KDCDC region in Northern Ontario boasts a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.
Outdoors
Hiking trails:
With its 1.2km paved track trail and many benches along the way, Kinross Pond is the perfect location for an easy walk where you will be accompanied by chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. It also offers 12 outdoor exercise equipment stations around the trail for those looking for an extra little bit of exercise. This trail is dog-friendly!
Not only are Clancy’s Trails enjoyed by many in the winter months for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, they make the perfect hiking trails in the summer and fall. Clancy’s trails are made up of six different loops, for a total of 11.7 kilometers of trail to enjoy. These trails are easily accessible, making them the perfect location for an easy family-friendly hike! Dogs are also welcome to join you on your hike outside of the hours of 11 am to 3 pm.
Esker Lakes Provincial Park offers four hikes of various difficulty throughout the park. The well-known Lonesome Bog Trail (1.5km, easy) encircles Sausage Lake and includes a great boardwalk to cross the east end’s wetland. The Prospector’s Trail (1.4km, easy) and the Recreation Trail (1.5km, easy) are trails within the park that allow for an easy walk to many of the park’s facilities. The Trapper’s Trail is a moderate hike, taking you along a 9 km loop by Panagapka Lake, Gourley Lake, and Seahorse Lake.
Three moderate hiking trails highlight the vast forest and waterfalls along the Englehart River, throughout Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park.The Hell’s Gate Trails is 2.3km in length, and follows the Englehart River displaying waterfalls, rapids, and deep ravines. If forest walks and bird watching are of interest, the 4km Upland Circle Trail is the one to take! Last but not least, the High Falls trail is only a brief hike to the best lookout in the park, overlooking High Falls.
Click here to download the trail map.
The Matheson Rotary Club Interpretive Trail is a 1.75km trail that is suitable for a leisurely walk, with information boards and benches for rests along the way. The trailhead is located on the west end of MacDougall Street. The trail extends from MacDougall Street to Second Street, down Monahan Road and along the railroad tracks back to MacDougall Street.
Although there are no dedicated four wheeling trails, our district is surrounded by crown land, allowing for plenty of opportunity to explore the northern forests by ATV or Side-by-Side. Please do not trespass on private land! Our municipalities are ATV friendly, allowing motorists to access trail heads by driving on town streets, when required.
Important info:
- Wear an approved helmet and appropriate gear
- Drive responsibly and at safe speeds
- Drive sober
- Cross roads safely
- Communicate your trip plans by letting someone know where you plan to ride and when you plan to return
Camping locations:
Esker Lakes Provincial Park is a peaceful, lakeside, family-oriented park offering canoeing and fishing on surrounding small lakes, hiking trails, sandy beaches, and a full range of campground facilities. Surrounded by the boreal forest, you are sure to see some wildlife in the park!
Esker Lakes Provincial Park also hosts an Annual Blueberry Festival on the August long weekend. This three-day event is filled with activities that encourage the exploration of the outdoors!
Click here to reserve your camping getaway at Esker Lakes!
Kap Kig Iwan is located only a couple kilometers outside of Englehart. This campground sits high above the Englehart River, providing spectacular views of the surrounding white-water rapids, cascades, and waterfalls. The park boasts many family friendly activities, such as hiking and bird-watching. Book your campsite here & enjoy the beautiful views of Kap-Kig-Iwan.
Raven Beach Park in Larder Lake is the perfect location for a relaxing camping getaway. With their dock and boat launch, sandy beach, playground, and more, there is no doubt that your family will have loads of fun! Daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal camping is available. Fill out the contact form of their website or call 705-643-2158 to book your next vacation!
Amenities available:
- Public washrooms & showers
- Hydro & non-serviced lots (over 70 sites)
- Dump station
- Dock and boat launch
- Sandy beach
- Playground
- Picnic tables
https://larderlake.ca/our-community/culture-recreation/raven-park/
The varied elevations, clear cut areas, open water and swamps in our district make it the perfect habitat for animals, and in turn, a great location for hunting!
Don’t forget your hunting license! Outdoors cards, as well as hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online here.
Plan your own hunt or book a unique hunting experience with one of the outfitters in our area:
Important info:
- Tell someone where you will be hunting and when you plan to return
- Wear hunter orange so that you are clearly visible
- Handle firearms with care
- Don’t shoot unless you are sure of your target and what lies beyond
- Carry a survival kit and a first aid kit
Outfitters:
Located in Wildlife Management Unit #29, Argyle Lake Lodge offers great moose, bear, and small game hunting experiences, for both bow and rifle hunters. For more information on their hunting packages and rates, check out their website.
Burt Lake Lodge is located at the intersection of Wildlife Management Unit #28 and #29. They offer moose hunting, and spring and fall bear hunts. For more information and their rates, see their website.
Experience professional government trapping of marten, beaver, wolf, lynx, fox, and more at Saul Outfitters. As a daily helper, you will learn how to prepare bait, identify tracks, set various traps, and skinning, boarding, drying and preparing fur. Saul Outfitters also provides hunting opportunities for spring & fall bear, grouse, and hare, as well as moose guiding services. For the experienced hunters, three types of predator hunting are available: push & ambush, solo sit & wait, and call & stalk.
494 Calbeck Ave Matachewan
Phone: 705-565-2454
Website: www.sauloutfitters.com
Email: trappersaul@gmail.com
In the fall, Horseshoe Island Camp offers their expertise to both bow and rifle hunters for black bear hunts, as well as to bow hunters who are looking to hunt moose. There are also grouse hunting opportunities during this time.
PO Box 189, Matachewan, Ontario P0K 1M0
Phone: 705-565-2222
Website: https://www.horseshoeislandcamp.com/
Located in Wildlife Management Unit #40, just on the border on Wildlife Management Units #28 & #29, the wilderness surrounding Golden Eagle Camp is a hot spot for moose, bear, and small game animals, such as ruffed & spruce grouse, duck, rabbit, and wolf. This camp offers fall bear hunts for bow and rifle hunters, fall moose hunts, and small game hunting in September and October.
Website: www.goldeneaglecamp.com
Email: goldeneaglecamp@gmail.com
Kirkland Lake Golf Club
Located just outside of Kirkland Lake, the Kirkland Lake Golf Club offers a challenging 9-hole course. With its very friendly atmosphere, the Clubhouse is the best place to fill your bellies or to enjoy a cold beverage following your round! Just want to practice? The Kirkland Lake Golf Club also has a driving range and a putting green!
Find more information here.
Practice your skills:
Get your twoonies out! The Kenogami driving range is open for individuals learning to golf and experienced golfers who are looking to perfect their swing. Purchase a half bucket of balls for $2 and get out swinging!
Plants & Animals
Locations:
The Hilliardton Marsh Research & Education Centre is a facility that conducts research and education projects on migration, wetlands, and the birds and wildlife who inhabit the marsh. When visiting the HMREC, you can expect to see and learn of the 600 species of waterfowl, songbirds, mammals, fish, and plant life that call it home. Their hiking trails around the marsh are perfect for both young and old explorers, making this a fun family-friendly activity.
For additional information, check out their website.
The Hilliardton Marsh Research & Education Center also holds many learning activities throughout the year, like owl banding, spring and fall bird banding, and more. For more information on their events, check out their Facebook page!
Dream Acres Alpacas is a small alpaca farm located 15 minutes West of Matheson. Take a short drive, enjoy a tour of the farm, and learn all there is to know about alpacas. Individuals are welcome to take a walk immersed in the surrounding forest with an adorable alpaca companion (for children aged 10+ who must be accompanied by an adult). Also, their on-farm boutique boasts a large assortment of warm and comfortable locally handmade alpaca products, for the perfect souvenir or gift!
Staying in the area? Dream Acres Alpacas also operates an Airbnb from the spring to fall, offering a unique experience to wake up and have coffee with the alpacas, while enjoying the serenity and beauty of the farm.
Stop by the Rosborough’s Funny Farm where you can interact with a wide variety of animals such as alpacas, mini horses, mini donkeys, goats, pigs, emus, geese, ducks, rabbits,and more. Rosborough’s Funny Farm also hosts seasonal events, where they decorate the farm and organize various activities for children of all ages to enjoy. For more information on their events or to book a visit, visit their Facebook page.
Hill’s Lake Fish Culture Station, located west of Englehart, is one of nine fish culture stations operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This hatchery produces eggs, fingerlings, and fish for stocking of the following types of fish: brook trout, lake trout, splake, rainbow trout, and aurora trout. Hill’s Lake Fish Culture Station plays a vital role in ensuring the future of various fish species in Ontario, including the endangered aurora trout, native to Northern Ontario waters. To learn about the Fish Culture Station operations, call 705-544-8006 and book your free tour.
Locations:
Strawberry picking at Aidie Creek Gardens is a staple summertime activity. Head over to Aidie Creek Gardens to pick your own berries and enjoy them fresh or in jams, pies, and more! Check their website and facebook pages for updates on crop conditions & available picking times.
487413 Aidie Creek Garden Road, Englehart, ON P0J 1H0
Phone: 705-544-2474
Email: aidie@ntl.sympatico.ca
Facebook : Aidie Creek Gardens | Facebook
Lowbush wild blueberries grow in abundance in Northeastern Ontario.You can be sure to find patches of blueberry bushes along highways, side roads, and backcountry regions in the months of July and August. Pull over and fill as many baskets as your knees and back will allow, and enjoy them fresh, over ice cream, or in jams, pies, and other baked goods.
Indoors
Locations:
The Joe Mavrinac Community Complex is Kirkland Lake’s recreation facility, featuring a spectacular aquatic facility that boasts a six lane 25-meter lap pool, warm leisure pool, a lazy river, and water slide. The Joe Mavrinac Community Complex also has an ice surface for ice skating and hockey, an extensive fitness center, and a squash court. For more information on hours of operation, user fees, and available programming, check out their website and Facebook page.
The Kirkland Lake Splash Park offers a safe outdoor water play area for children of all ages. Stop by to cool off and have fun during the warm summer months!
Address: 2 Dunfield Road. Kirkland Lake, ON
The Isabella Kasner Memorial Splash Pad is an outdoor recreation facility with interactive fountains and spray pads used for safe and fun water play for children of all ages.
Address: 69 Fourth Ave. Larder Lake, ON
Civic Park is your one stop for all outdoor sports activities, offering 2 tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, a beach volleyball court, and a covered pavilion with an ice rink during the winter. Operated by the Town of Kirkland Lake’s Parks & Recreation Department, there is regular programming held at Civic Park, including a variety of sports activities and events throughout the year.
The Extreme Park is a concrete skate park that welcomes all skateboarders, bike, and scooter enthusiasts. Don’t forget to wear your helmet!
The Vern Miller Memorial Community Center is Black River-Matheson’s recreation and sporting facility that contains an indoor ice rink for ice skating and hockey, as well as a fitness center.
For more information on recreation programs in Black River-Matheson, click here.
The Englehart and Area Community Arena Complex is Englehart’s recreation and sporting facility that contains an indoor ice rink for ice skating and hockey, as well as the Marty Callaghan Fitness Room. Click here for more information on user fees and hours of operation.
Located at 273 Rye Street in Matachewan, The Young Davidson Multifunctional Complex houses al recreational skating rink that can be converted into three sheets of curling rink ice, a community hall and a multipurpose facility, perfect for a variety of recreational programming suited for children, adults, and seniors.
Uptown Bowl is an 8-lane bowling center located in Kirkland Lake. For public bowling times and to book your next bowling game, call 705-567-7384.
66 Government Road West, Kirkland Lake, ON P2N 2E4
705-567-7384
Englehart
- Centennial Park
- King Street Park
- Wooling’s Park
- Lions Park
- Englehart Baseball Fields
Charlton
- Janet Saunders Park
- Kevin Park
- Blackbridge Pioneer Park
- Charlton Beach Park
Larder Lake
- Fifth Avenue Park
- Ninth Avenue Park
- Public Beach Park
- Kinross Pond – 19 Oakes Ave.
- Tot Lot – 59 5th Street
- Queen Elizabeth – 45 Poplar Ave.
- O’Meara – 6 O’Meara Blvd.
- Swastika – 30 Grenfell Ave Swastika
Lebel Township
- 2 Jordan Street
Matachewan
- Young Davidson Multifunctional Complex
Black-River Matheson
- Ramore Playground – 271 Timmins Ave
- Holtyre Playground – 690 Gleason Ave
- Clearview Park – Carr Ave
- 420 Park Ave
Markets:
The Kirkland Lake Food & Artisan Market offers a variety of fresh, locally-grown foods, as well as many handmade artisan products. Check out this family-friendly market at Civic Park on Tuesdays from 3 pm to 6 pm during the months of June to October. For more information, check out their facebook page!
The Harvest to Home Market provides a venue for the sale of fresh, local produce, food items, and locally-made goods. For more information on this market, visit their website.