Made up of three interconnected lakes and more than 1,000 islands, Stoney Lake is often called the jewel of the Kawartha Lakes region. Two hours northeast of Toronto, the lake — comprising Upper Stoney Lake, Stoney Lake, and Clear Lake — is surrounded by prehistoric Aboriginal rock carvings and is a popular spot to go spelunking through caves formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. There are several trails that you can explore on foot, bike, or horseback. The lake is also popular with anglers who come for the abundance of walleye and smallmouth bass.

The area’s Indigenous history can be seen everywhere, from the nearby museums and events, to the names given to local landmarks. Perhaps the most well-known landmark is the Lovesick Lake in Burleigh Falls, which local legend claims is named after the tragic story of two lovers destined to be married — one an Algonquin chieftain — who ended up apart due to an influenza outbreak. At the Canadian Canoe Museum in nearby Peterborough, you’ll find artefacts and exhibitions on the Ojibwe tribe and learn more about these relatives of the Algonquin people who had made their mark in this area of Canada for centuries.

With warm temperatures and plenty of events to keep you busy, summer is the best time to rent a Stoney Lake cottage. The season brings fishing tournaments, fireworks, arts and craft shows, and camps for children. The area experiences some of the most vibrant fall foliage in Ontario, making autumn a lovely time to drive around the lake and admire the scenery. While navigating the icy roads can be difficult, winter at Stoney Lake welcomes hockey, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating. Between March and May, melting snow will mean mud, slush, and sometimes ice on the roads.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Petroglyphs Provincial Park contains more than 900 prehistoric rock carvings depicting humans and animals, making it the largest known collection of First Nation rock art in Canada. The visitor’s centre offers opportunities to learn about the history of the Ojibwe people, and the park also has guided hikes available and can provide information about the trails so that visitors can plan a self-guided hike.

Burleigh Falls

These cascades on the west side of Stoney Lake are soothing to hear, and the calmer nearby pools are the perfect place to cool off. In the village of Burleigh Falls, you’ll find the Canadian Canoe Museum as well as Camp Kawartha, which offers year-round outdoor and environmental programming.

Warsaw Caves

Just 12 minutes from Stoney Lake is the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, the perfect place for a day trip into the wilderness. A part of the Otonabee Conservation, this recreational park offers kayaking and canoeing, hiking, spelunking, swimming, and fishing.