A lift lock raises one basin on a bright day
Home » A Daytrip to Buckhorn

A Daytrip to Buckhorn

Explore Buckhorn’s striking geography while taking in its unique attractions on this fun-filled daytrip

There’s a surprising amount to see in Buckhorn—this small town is home to Lock 31, which brings a steady stream of visitors from around the world. That means there’s great food and shopping just steps from the Trent-Severn Waterway, but venture outside the town limits and you’ll discover a wealth of natural attractions, from the beautiful Mississauga River Loop to the unique Adam and Eve Rocks.

This itinerary offers a little bit of everything, from Indigenous art to local wine to stunning Canadian Shield landscapes. Ready to make a day of it? You’ll find some of our top suggestions below. To see these locations on a map, jump to the Trip Planner below.

Two people stand admiring a large selection of Indigenous crafts and artworks
Whetung Ojibwa Centre
Exterior of Buckhorn Visitor Centre, a one-story stone building, in summer
Buckhorn Welcome Centre
A smiling woman sitting on a spacious porch holds a cold drink
Boathouse Boutique

Whetung Ojibwa Centre

Stop into Whetung Ojibwa Centre to learn about the local First Nations community. Browse their spectacular collection of crafts as well as fine art, jewelry, moccasins, leather work, sculptures, and more.

Buckhorn Welcome Centre

The Buckhorn Welcome Centre can give you information about the local area, and they also have great Buckhorn merch for sale. We highly recommend a visit.

Boathouse Boutique & Bikini Beans Cafe

The Boathouse Boutique has a curated selection of lake-inspired home decor and giftware. At the back of the store, you’ll find Bikini Beans Cafe, where you can grab an ice cafe and a snack or sandwich to enjoy in their back garden.

Style Your Nest

Another great lake-inspired home decor and accessory store is Style Your Nest. They sell a variety of locally made items as well.

Adam and Eve Rocks

Just past Style Your Nest, turn onto Adam and Eve Road, where a short walk will take you to the Adam and Eve Rocks. These two glacial rocks (also known as erratics) are remnants of the last Ice Age. Legend has it that if lovers stand holding hands, with their free hands placed on the rocks, they will be eternally blessed with love. There’s another similar formation just outside Buckhorn Home Hardware known as the Balancing Rock.

Mariloo’s Ice Cream

Mariloo’s Ice Cream and Milk Shakes serves locally made Central Smith ice cream. Enjoy a nice treat by the lakeside.

A selection of cottage decor items, including a sign that reads LAKE RULES
Style Your Nest
A pair of large boulders with an interpretive sign nearby
Adam & Eve Rocks
Exterior of Mariloo's Ice Cream, with red umbrella and flower baskets
Mariloo's Ice Cream
People in a houseboat wait at the top of a lock for the large blue doors to open
Lock 31
View from the tree-lined shore of a placid river
Mississauga River Loop
A bottle of red currant wine from Kawartha Country Wines, with a glass beside it and flowers beside it
Kawartha Country Wines

Lock 31

Visit the lock to watch the boats go through. There are benches and picnic tables on the grounds. It’s a great place to sit back and watch the activity on the water.

Hike the Mississauga River Loop

This is a great little hiking trail to explore year-round. It follows the Mississauga River ,with rapids halfway through. There is a beaver dam to spot and great examples of Canadian Shield geography. The bridge at the trailhead is a nice spot for a photo opportunity.
 

Wine Tasting at Kawartha Country Wines

Kawartha Country Wines is a destination in itself, offering a large selection of fruit wines, ciders, and coolers to sample before you buy. On summer weekends, they feature live music and serve delicious wood-fired pizza. The retail shop is filled with locally made gourmet goods. It’s also a pet-friendly spot.

Lunch at Belly’s Lakeside Bar and Restaurant

Next door to Kawartha Country Wines and located within Catalina Bay Resort is Belly’s Lakeside Bar and Restaurant. This place has a great atmosphere, food and cold beverages. It is on a quiet bay on Big Bald Lake, giving you stunning views. They serve pub-style food, sometimes with Mexican street food flair and vacation vibe drinks.

Sandy Beach

Now that you’ve shopped, strolled, and filled your bellies at Belly’s, an afternoon of relaxing by the lake is in store. Sandy Beach is just a short six-minute drive from Lock 31.

This lake is not part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, so it isn’t accessible by boat. It’s a spring-fed marl lake rich in natural minerals, giving the water its striking aqua colour. In the right sunlight, it can resemble the blue waters of the Caribbean.

Sandy Beach is a small, popular swimming spot. The water remains shallow for quite a distance, with a nice sandy bottom, although the beach itself has limited sand. There is ample parking and portable washrooms, but no additional facilities.

Exterior of wooden building with takeout window and sign reading "Belly's"
Belly's Lakeside Bar & Restaurant

TRIP PLANNER

Open the trip planner in its own window

KEEP EXPLORING

There’s always more to see and do—browse the itineraries below for more daytrip and overnight suggestions around Kawarthas Northumberland.