Vacation rentals in Bancroft

The small town of Bancroft is on the banks of the York River in Hastings County, Ontario. A popular destination for rock collectors, the town is known for its huge diversity of mineral and rock samples. Every year, the town hosts a Bancroft Gemboree, which attracts rock enthusiasts from around the world.

Bancroft is also an ideal place for exploring the great outdoors, and is home to some spectacular parks and reserves, with beautiful lakes, rivers and streams. Visit Eagle’s Nest Park and hike to the Hawkwatch lookout for spectacular views over Bancroft, or try your hand at fishing on Baptiste Lake. On the western side of the York River you’ll also find the Hastings Heritage Trail, which was once the Central Ontario Railway line. There’s also plenty of art and culture to explore in Bancroft, and this small town has several outdoor murals as well as galleries to choose from.

Bancroft has distinct seasons, but is a lovely place to visit year round. Over summer, many people look for cottages to rent in Bancroft so they can take advantage of the region’s outdoor parks, lakes, and picnic spaces. There are several lakes nearby which offer swimming, and plenty of forest trails to explore. Fall brings sunny skies and milder weather, as well as lower humidity. This is a great time to go hiking or cycling, and especially to visit Eagle’s Nest Park, when the changing colours of the leaves transform the valley. Rainfall is typically at its highest in spring, though this can be an ideal time for exploring town’s murals, galleries, and boutiques. Winter brings cold, snowy weather, and the nearby Provincial Park in the Kawartha Highlands offers cross-country skiing trails.

Baptiste Lake

This large, freshwater lake forms part of a chain of three lakes, including Benoir and Elephant Lakes. Surrounded by towering trees and rocky escarpments, it’s a great spot for boating, as well as fishing, especially for yellow perch, lake herring, pumpkin seed, northern pike and walleye. There is also a designated swimming area where you can cool off over summer.

Art Gallery of Bancroft

Bancroft offers a range of galleries to explore, the largest of which is the Art Gallery of Bancroft, which celebrates and showcases the work of artists and artisans from the town, as well as around rural Ontario. Run entirely by volunteers, this gallery also hosts an opening night for new exhibitions on the last Friday of every month, and a range of art-themed workshops. You can also explore A Place for the Arts, the West Wind Gallery, the Bancroft & Area Art & Craft Guild.

Eagle’s Nest Park

This large national park offers a selection of unique trails, including the Eagle’s Nest trail, which offers an insight into the early Indigenous presence of the area and the land’s unique geology, flora and fauna. The Hawkwatch, a popular destination in the park, offers an incredible view over the River Valley as well as the township of Bancroft. The views into the valley change during the seasons and are particularly impressive during fall.