Travel Like an Otter: Summer in The Kawarthas
There’s something about The Kawarthas that tends to draw in a few distinct types of travellers. Not by design, but by the experiences this place naturally offers – each one shaping how it’s explored.
The Fox is drawn to the thrill of discovering what’s around the next corner.
The Bear prefers a slower pace and the comfort of returning to familiar places.
The Bee follows culture, connection, and conversation.
And then there’s the Otter.
As summer approaches and families begin planning where to go, The Kawarthas feels made for the Otter traveller. Curious and thoughtful, the Otter looks for experiences that do more than fill a day. They want travel to spark questions, create memories, be a learning experience, make a positive impact, and understand a place more deeply.
At Lang Pioneer Village Museum, history comes to life through costumed interpreters who reside within more than thirty historic homes and businesses. Otter travellers can learn about local First Nations history and culture at Aabnaabin Camp and through the Aabnaabin: Looking Back to Where We Come From exhibit, a partnership with local First Nations communities that shares the impacts of settlement on those who were here first. With the working 1846 Grist Mill, Blacksmith Shop, Keene Hotel, special summer events, and more, Lang gives families a hands-on way to explore how the past continues to shape the region today.
From there, the Otter’s curiosity can move outdoors. At Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground, spelunking through a series of seven caves, formed thousands of years ago at the end of the last ice age. Enjoy hiking trails, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and paddling, tucked into acres of hardwood forest. Visit for an afternoon or stay a few nights under the trees at their campground; either way, it’s a place where summer feels hands-on, a little adventurous, and deeply connected to the landscape.
At the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, the Otter’s curiosity and sense of responsibility comes alive. The Centre’s mission is to protect and conserve Ontario’s native turtles and their habitat, including through treating and rehabilitating injured turtles in its turtle hospital – one of the few wildlife hospitals accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario. During the summer season, visit the Education Centre and Gift Shop or book a tour to turn a simple vacation day into a conversation about the small actions we can take that help protect the places we love.
Summer also brings opportunities to experience community through creativity. The annual Buckhorn Festival of the Arts offers a weekend of art, music, food, and good company at the Buckhorn Community Centre. For any group with Otters among it, it offers that perfect mix of culture and accessibility: something beautiful, local, and engaging, without needing to plan an entire day around formality.
All year round, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience invites visitors into a private, guided trail walk over rolling hills and shaded forest, with an alpaca as their companion. Kids and those young at heart alike will experience the joy of meeting an animal with a personality all its own. It’s not just a photo opportunity – it’s a shared experience, one that asks everyone to be present, and open to connection.
As summer begins to wind down, Otter travellers can close the season with one of the region’s most meaningful gatherings. Each September, the Curve Lake Traditional Pow Wow brings people together for a vibrant celebration of culture, community, music, dance, food, and connection, offering families an opportunity to attend with respect, openness, and curiosity. For those willing to listen and learn, it can deepen their understanding of the lands, stories, and communities that continue to shape The Kawarthas.
And because every great family vacation deserves at least one stop for ice cream, Central Smith Ice Cream is a sweet summer essential. Its bright red roof has become a familiar sign for the kind of simple, happy ritual that becomes part of the trip itself. After a paddle, a cave adventure, or a full day of exploring, Central Smith offers a little sweetness, a little nostalgia, and a memory everyone can share.
The best family trips also need a place to land. Lake Edge Cottages, on Katchewanooka Lake, offers a lakeside cottage experience surrounded by islands, forests, and wildlife. What makes it an especially natural fit for Otter families is its commitment to three core initiatives: humanity, sustainability, and pet-friendliness. That means thoughtful service, an award-winning sustainable resort experience, and a setting where four-legged family are welcomed too. Lake Edge gives families a comfortable basecamp close to nature, rooted in the simple joy of being together by the water.
For those who travel like the Otter, summer is not just about getting away. It is about finding places where family time feels richer, where kids can ask questions, where adults can reconnect with curiosity, and where every stop adds something to the story. Because the best family vacations do more than keep everyone busy. They bring everyone closer.
How do YOU travel in The Kawarthas?
Take the quiz now at www.thekawarthas.ca/quiz
Ryley Gutoskie,
The Kawarthas Tourism
