PERMITTED ACTIVITIES

PLEASE NOTE:   Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park is NOT yet fully operational.  This means that there are presently no maintained public facilities or services within the park.  

Currently, the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park has very limited public facilities - primarily access points with boat launch facilities and backcountry campsites. There are no campgrounds, washrooms, or designated walking trails at this site, and parking is quite limited. Visitors can presently use the site for low-intensity recreational activities such as canoeing, back-country camping, hiking and fishing.

All visitors are encouraged to show a strong stewardship ethic, in order to protect the natural and cultural values of the area. Visitors must recognize that there are numerous parcels of private property and recreation camps within the park, and must not trespass on these properties.

While the Management Plan is being developed, policies for permitted activities in this Signature Site will follow direction received in the Charter and KHSSP Act (2003), Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999) and Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies (1992) for natural environment class parks.  These policies have been compiled and are available for viewing on the “Crown Land Use Policy Atlas” link provided on this page.  These policies will be revised when further direction is defined in the approved Management Plan.

SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• There are many private cottages and land parcels surrounded by the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park. In addition, there are many tenured lands within the park (recreation camps, trapper's cabins, etc.).  Please respect private property and tenured lands.  Do not trespass on these lands.
• Signs mark all interim campsites within the park.  Camping is permitted only on these designated sites.
• It is very important that cottage roads remain passable for emergency vehicles.  Because of this, there is no parking allowed on these roads.  Please use the designated parking lots located at access points (as shown on the map) in order to access the park. 
• You are responsible for your own safety and welfare, so plan and act accordingly.  Wind, wave and weather conditions can change suddenly, so ensure you are prepared for your trip.  Leave a trip plan with someone who will contact the authorities if you do not return on schedule.

Protection of ecological integrity is the overriding priority for this park.  Please help achieve this by respecting the environment– take only pictures, leave only footprints.