Introducing the 5th Edition of the Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook!
Get ready for outdoor adventure – the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook is about to hit stores! Combining two great areas into one mapbook, the Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook now covers most of southern Ontario. From the famous Muskoka and Kawartha areas to the quieter Eastern Ontario cottage region and the ever popular Algonquin Park, this is your ultimate guide to some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in Ontario!
The Canadian Shield’s rugged hills and ancient rock layers give a sense of permanence to this landscape, where rivers carve their way through solid stone with the slow force of millennia, pouring into deep, rugged-edged lakes that spread out and multiply in an endless aquatic patchwork. Moose lumber through the thick forests and swim across these waterways, as determined as any venerable force of nature. Land and water coalesce to create a vibrant comingling of creatures, as songbirds call to each other through the trees and beavers busy themselves building their dams and lodges. The urban centres of this area are rich in culture and history – in the nation’s capital, majestic and storied government buildings look over vivid urban green spaces, connected by a popular network of urban trails. As you move into the country, historic homesteads dot the landscape, some carefully preserved for the enjoyment of visitors and others slowly succumbing to the encroaching wilderness. The settler spirit still shines brightly in Cottage Country and Easter Ontario. Paddle along the right lake and you might spy ancient Indigenous pictographs – a testament to a rich First Nations presence in the area, and to the intimate relationship between humans and nature.
In this newest edition of the Cottage Country Ontario Mapbook you will find several improvements and upgrades to better help you navigate this magical part of Canada. First and foremost is the combining of our Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario titles into one convenient publication. Secondly, we have added extensive updates to 67 of our maps and included 39 new maps covering the southern part of the province. Trails have been expanded with many new listings as well as trail charts for some of the main corridors. Additionally, we have included Stocked Lakes charts in our fishing section and divided our index into Adventure and Map Sections. And, as always, we have spent countless hours researching and expanding on all of the Adventure sections. This is by far the most comprehensive mapbook for this part of Ontario you will find anywhere.
For outdoor adventurers, Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario is a land of tremendous opportunity. Paddlers converge on the area from all over the world to canoe and kayak on the many lakes and rivers that make up one of the best paddling destinations in North America. Anglers flock to these lakes and rivers as well to drop a line for the many species of fish that swim their majestic waters. Hikers can penetrate deep into the wilderness along one of the countless trails in the area, or stick to more developed routes on equally rewarding urban and interurban treks. ATVers have no shortage of remote roads and trails to explore, either, which turn into prime snowmobile terrain once the snow falls. With some of the highest concentrations of moose in Canada, as well as several other species of big and small game, hunters can test their skills and their marksmanship throughout this large area. The plentiful lakes make for rich resident and migratory bird habitat, as well, and wildlife viewers should be sure to bring their binoculars when visiting Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario. No matter what your idea of the ultimate outdoor adventure is, the newest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook will point you in the right direction!
Backroad Adventures
Whether travelling along one of the main or secondary highways that run through Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario, or along one of the many bush and backroads, there are plenty of spots that warrant a stop in this part of Ontario. In the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook you can find close to 70 detailed listings for backroad attractions in the area. Here are a couple of our favourite places to stop:
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Home to the largest known concentration of petroglyphs in Canada, this is a sacred First Nations site that holds tremendous historical and spiritual significance. Getting to see the petroglyphs up close offers a glimpse into a different world, and a state-of-the-art interpretive centre will assist you with understanding and learning about these unique works of art.
Bonnechere Museum
Known as the Ordovician Fossil Capital of Canada, this museum also features exhibits on recent history of the area, but the most exciting thing to do here is to join in on a guided fossil finding expedition.
Fishing Adventures
From the nutrient rich lowlands east of the Frontenac Axis to the thousands of lakes of Algonquin Provincial Park and all of the waterbodies in between, Cottage Country offers unbeatable fishing for trout, splake, walleye, muskellunge, bass, pike and more. In the newest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook you will find 800 detailed listings for fishing in Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario. Here are a couple of our favourite places to drop a line:
Blackstone Harbour
This spot is known for its outstanding muskie fishing, and Ontario’s largest recorded muskellunge was even caught here, weighing a remarkable 30.5 kg (67 lb). Pike and bass are a couple of the other species that make this a Cottage Country fishing hotspot.
Bay of Quinte
This is one of the most famous walleye fisheries in North America and also holds bass, pike, trout and other species.
Hunting Adventures
The fertile habitats of Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario are home to many species of big and small game. Moose are a common sight in the bush, lumbering through the thickets or swimming across a lake, and this area also holds some of the highest concentrations of black bears anywhere. Waterfowl converge in large numbers and there is no shortage of deer, hare, turkey and other game. In the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Mapbook you will find detailed descriptions and tips for the area’s major species, as well as an expanded list of WMUs (Wildlife Management Units).
Paddling Adventures
From long distance circuits to casual lake paddles and thrilling whitewater, there is something for everyone in Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario. This is a world class canoeing destination, where you can escape into nature with nothing but the stroke of your paddle and the croak of a frog to break the silence. In the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Mapbook, you will find 130 detailed lake and river paddling routes, complete with put-ins, take-outs, difficulty and highlights. Here are a couple of our favourites:
Barron Canyon Route
This is one of the most spectacular routes in Algonquin Park, which is one of the most popular canoeing and kayaking destinations in North America. The river slowly moves through the canyon, with rock walls rising over 100 m (330 ft) in either direction.
Madawaska River
For some exhilarating whitewater, this is one of your best bets in Cottage Country. Challenging rapids, rock gardens, drops and more offer plenty of thrills for experienced paddlers.
Park Adventures
Protecting some of the most spectacular areas in the province, Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario’s extensive park system offers the best of Ontario camping, paddling, hiking, biking and more. With over 220 detailed park listings in the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook, including access, size, available activities and more, this is your ultimate guide to the area’s parks. Here are a couple of our personal favourites:
Algonquin Park
This is one of Canada’s great wilderness treasures and one of the most popular canoeing destinations anywhere in the world. With countless picturesque rivers and lakes and thousands of secluded rustic campsites, there is no limit to the amount of time you can spend exploring Algonquin Park.
Bon Echo Provincial Park
With magnificent scenery of cliff-lined lakes, hundreds of rustic campsites, First Nations pictographs and much more, this park is a must-visit for anyone passing through Eastern Ontario.
Trail Adventures
From well-marked and maintained trails to faint footpaths and bushwhacks, Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario enjoy a constantly growing network of trails that lead to some of the most spectacular scenery you will find anywhere in the country. The latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Mapbook contains 200 detailed trail listings for hiking, biking and winter use. Here are a couple of our favourite trails in the area:
Rideau Trail
This is one of the most travelled long distance hikes in Ontario, spanning the entire distance from Kingston to Ottawa and passing several provincial parks on the way. With plenty of rustic camping opportunities en route, this is a great trail for getting away from it all.
Hastings Heritage Trail
This is a great long distance trail no matter what your preferred method of travel is – hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATVing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. The terrain along the trail is as diverse as its users with wetland, forest, rolling hills and several communities passed by along the way.
ATV Adventures
Abandoned rail beds, hydro lines, snowmobile trails, pipelines and logging roads create a sprawling network of rideable corridors through the scenic wildlands of Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario. You can ride for thousands of kilometers on routes that lead past shimmering lakes, sparkling rivers, rolling hills and vibrant forest. In the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook you will find over 60 detailed listings for ATV riding areas. Here are a couple of our favourites:
Bancroft and Madawaska Valley Trails
This is a beautiful riding area with plenty of logging roads, old railways and smaller trails that travel through a sprawling forest and over some rugged and rocky terrain. You will find over 400 km (250 mi) of trails here.
Haliburton Area Trails
This is the largest mapped, signed and insured trail system in Ontario, extending to Muskoka, Kawartha, Peterborough and Madawaska and connecting to Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands. There are over 3,000 km (1,864 mi) of trails to explore in this network!
Snowmobile Adventures
There are 17 snowmobile districts within Ontario, making up the world’s largest inter-connected snowmobile trail system at roughly 35,000 km (21,500 mi) in length. Snowmobile culture is huge in Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario and it is not uncommon to see snowmobiles used as the main method of transportation in winter. Here are a couple of our favourite places to snowmobile in this part of Ontario:
Ride the 8
Part of the District 8 snowmobile trail network, this trail travels through pine forests, wide open fields, old rail beds and rolling hills. One highlight is a branch trail that leads to breathtaking views of the Niagara escarpment.
Ride Around Nipissing (RAN) Tour
This overnight route takes you around the scenic Lake Nipissing, offering fantastic views and plenty of great riding terrain. You even get to cross a snowmobile suspension bridge.
Wildlife Adventures
The vast wildlands of Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario provide excellent habitat for moose, deer, wolves, black bear, otter and beaver, among many others. The abundant wetlands are a haven for resident and migratory birds, as well. In the latest edition of our Cottage Country Ontario Backroad Mapbook you will find close to 80 detailed listings for the best places to view wildlife in the area. Here are a couple of our favourite spots to break out the binoculars:
DuPont Provincial Nature Reserve
Protecting one the last remaining natural creeks in the surrounding area, this reserve is home to one of the largest heronries in Ontario. Catch a glimpse of these majestic birds among a beautiful setting of mature deciduous forest and wetland.
Kaladar Jack Pine Barrens Conservation Reserve
This protected area is home to 60 species of bird, 20 species of mammal, 19 different reptiles and amphibians and 42 recorded butterflies, including the Henry’s elfin, Olympia marblewing and silver spotted skipper.
Winter Adventures
Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and fatbiking are just some of your options for winter recreation in Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario. This is truly a beautiful area in the wintertime and, once the landscape is draped in snow, even a simple walk through the forest can be magical. Here are a couple of our favourite places to get outside and enjoy the snow:
Algonquin Ecolodge Trails
These are some of the best wilderness cross-country ski trails in southern Ontario, with over 60 km (37 mi) of trails winding through the southern panhandle of Algonquin Park. You can expect a variety of terrain with great scenery and lots of wildlife.
Mount St. Louis Moonstone
This is one of the largest downhill ski hills in the area, with 36 runs, including two superpipes and one of the most advanced terrain parks you will find anywhere in Ontario.
The area covered in our Cottage Country Ontario Mapbook is conveniently situated around several major urban centres and with the newest edition in hand you will have no problem getting away from it all amid some of the most spectacular landscapes you will find anywhere in Ontario. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, camping, paddling, fishing or hunting, our state-of-the-art topographic maps and meticulously crafted adventure listings will ensure that your adventure of choice goes as smoothly as possible, and that you get the most out of this spectacular part of Canada. This is the most comprehensive guide to outdoor adventure in Cottage Country and Eastern Ontario that you will find anywhere. Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy – there are no limits to where it might lead you!