There's no better way to get in touch with nature than to visit L&A’s parks and conservation areas.  Many offer camping facilities, hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing, and much more. It’s all here for you in L&A.

Bon Echo Provincial Park

10 km north of Cloyne along Highway 41. [Map]

Bon Echo Provincial Park is situated on one of the deepest lakes in Ontario (144 m or 475') and has long been a favourite destination for painters and photographers. One of the most beautiful of Ontario's Provincial Parks, the focal point of Bon Echo is Mazinaw Rock. At 1.5 km (1 mile) long and 100 m (330') high, the Rock is one of the main draws to this 6,644 hectare (16,500 acre) outdoor oasis.  Bon Echo's 530 campsites, amphitheatre, beaches, trails, and picnic areas are visited by more than 190,000 people per year. The Park is fully equipped for trailers and motor homes. In addition, boat launches and docks are available for public use. For more information, please visit www.ontarioparks.com/english/bone-multiple.html.

Puzzle Lake Provincial Park
15 km north of Tamworth along County Road 15 [Map]

Puzzle Lake Provincial Park supports a diversity of undisturbed upland and wetland habitats. It is situated between two other significant natural ecosystems in the area, the Kaladar Jack Pine Barrens and the Mellon Lake Conservation Reserve. The convoluted network of ridges, valleys and twisted shorelines include a tremendous variety of habitats and microclimates from extensive rock barrens, dry deciduous and mixed forests, cliffs of igneous rock supporting ancient cedars, to boggy wetlands and natural shorelines of lakes and rivers. This site is home to the provincially rare shining sumac and the nationally rare bear oak. The recently discovered bear oak and common juniper rock barren is the first found in Canada. The area supports the highest known number of provincially rare species found in any such area in eastern or southern Ontario: 16 plants, 1 bird, 2 mammals and 12 rare plant communities. For more information, please visit mapcarta.com.

Camden Lake Provincial Wildlife Area
1 km north of Moscow on County Road 6, turn left onto Carp Road and follow for 3 km. [Map]

The Wildlife Area, consisting of 688 ha (1,700 acres) of water, 621 ha (1,535 acres) of swamp and flooded timber, 26 ha (65 acres) of agricultural land and 1,091 ha (2,700 acres) of private land, is all designated goose sanctuary and managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. A resident flock of 300 Canada geese make Camden Lake their home. They can be seen either on the shore or in the lake at almost any time during their April to December stay in Canada.  The Wildlife Area has two short trails, The Blue Heron Trail, and Cedar Point Trail.

Menzel Centennial Nature Reserve
8 km west of Roblin just north of Roblin Road
[Map]

The Menzel Centennial Nature Reserve is found northwest of Napanee, located in the headwaters of Otter Creek of the Salmon River system.  The reserve protects one of the largest examples of open and treed fen in southeastern Ontario. In the middle of the reserve is Mud Lake, a shallow water body, surrounded by 19 different natural habitats. The nature reserve protects the nationally rare Prairie Fringed Orchid as well as significant wildlife species, including the Olive Hairstreak Butterfly and Cooperís Hawk. Recreational activities within the park include birdwatching, wildlife viewing, nature photography and hiking. For more information, please visit www.ontarioparks.com/english/menz.html.

Conservation Areas

Quinte Conservation offers eight conservation areas in Lennox & Addington County.  They are open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. These lands are located in Camden East, Colebrook, Deerock, Flinton, Forest Mills, Napanee, Newburgh and Sheffield. They offer a variety of hiking trails, picnic tables, washroom facilities and fishing opportunities. Please visit Quinte Conservation’s website for detailed information about each of these areas.

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority has also developed a conservation area in L&A.  Parrott’s Bay Conservation Area near Amherstview offers hiking, cross-country skiing, picnic areas and fishing, not to mention great nature and wildlife viewing opportunities.  For more information please visit the CRCA website.