Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is a large southern Ontario backcountry park focused on canoe camping, paddling, access points, portages, and low-impact recreation. Ontario Parks lists the park at 37,587 hectares, established in 1989, and classifies it as a natural environment park.
Ontario Parks describes Kawartha Highlands Signature Site as the largest park in southern Ontario after Algonquin Provincial Park. That makes it a major option for travellers looking for a backcountry feel closer to the Kawarthas, Peterborough, and cottage-country routes.
Kawartha Highlands is a strong choice for visitors who want backcountry canoe camping without driving as far north as many wilderness parks. It offers a range of outdoor experiences, from backcountry paddling and camping to shorter hikes.
The main planning detail is access. Ontario Parks notes that access points have limited facilities and parking capacity, so visitors need to know where they are entering, what parking is available, and whether their route and reservation match the access point.
Plan around backcountry canoe camping, paddling, portaging, fishing where permitted, short hikes, nature observation, swimming where appropriate, and quiet campsite-based trips.
This is not a full-service campground park. Visitors should prepare for limited facilities, designated trails and portages, leave-no-trace behaviour, reservation requirements, and route planning.
Ontario Parks lists Kawartha Highlands backcountry camping as available year-round in 2026 and day use from May 1 to October 31, 2026. Confirm backcountry reservations, access points, parking, maps, alerts, seasonal conditions, fire rules, and park rules through the official Ontario Parks source.
