Baxter Conservation Area image

Baxter Conservation Area

Nature preserve β€’ Association or organization

πŸ‘πŸ‘ We took our young kids and pup here to explore the trails. They loved the walk! Lots of nice trails, boardwalk and pond to check out. We started walking the trails first. We liked the variety of trails which kept it interesting for the kiddos. We then headed back to the pond which is near the parkin... People often mention beach, trails, kids, nice, Great, cream, boat, great, picnic, area,


Address

7498 Carter Rd, Kars - Osgoode, ON K0A 2E0, Canada

Contact

+1 613-489-3592

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (373 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beach (37) trails (23) kids (18) nice (18) Great (17) cream (16) boat (14) great (14) picnic (12) area (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jacquelynn A. 2 years ago on Google β€’ 73 reviews
    We took our young kids and pup here to explore the trails. They loved the walk! Lots of nice trails, boardwalk and pond to check out. We started walking the trails first. We liked the variety of trails which kept it interesting for the kiddos. We then headed back to the pond which is near the parking lot. There are picnic tables set up near the pond. Kids brought their nets to try catching tadpoles but there were none. Instead they caught water spiders πŸ˜‚. Turtles sunbathing at the pond were really neat to see. If you like to geocache, there are plenty of finds here too! We really enjoyed out family walk today and highly recommend checking out the Baxter Conservation!
    9 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 B M. 2 years ago on Google β€’ 225 reviews
    Very beautiful well kept park, you can use the paybyphone.com app/website with park location 5200(5222 for seasons pass) bathrooms on site, no lifeguard and group campsites available.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 nikita R. 8 months ago on Google β€’ 137 reviews
    Wow - what a nice little place,, tucked away, not for from Ottawa. Great little beach, clean and maintained. There are some good trails here- bring bug spray. We will go back ... Prkng is 8$ for the day.

  • 5/5 Jillian B. 3 years ago on Google β€’ 17 reviews
    We visited Baxter Conservation Area with our dog for a morning walk and coffee by the water. Is a beautiful park, but don't forget your bug repellent! By 09:30 (Sunday) there were another 12 cars at the beach.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Kat L. 4 years ago on Google
    Love the beach here. The ice cream boat is awesome too. If you prefer a cup instead of a cone for kiddos, bring some tupaware and they’ll be happy to oblige. They take cash only
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 J S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great spot for a hot day with the kiddos in and out of the water. We only used the beach but the trails etc have been great in the past. Mosquitoes have been bad in the past on the trails in the spring especially.. but lots of parking and only $7 for the day. And lots of room for picnics etc
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Amanda R. 3 years ago on Google β€’ 54 reviews
    Great spot. Nice trails for walks. Well maintained easily accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Beach is nice in the summer. Leary about the quality of the water sometimes but the kids love it
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jason S. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 43 reviews
    Great place to camp. Went with my Scout group and had a blast. Lots of mosquitoes but; duh. Fortunately I grew up with the Muskoka Air Force πŸ˜‰
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Bill A. 5 years ago on Google β€’ 59 reviews
    Great place for anyone to go for an easy nature walk. I offer come here with family between 2 and 82. Trails are clean, trimmed of long grass most of the year, and there is enough to see for a fun visit. Usually a bit of bugspray is all you need. I often go for walks with my pre-school son after dinner, it's usually quiet in the early evenings.

  • 5/5 Eric R. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a spacious park, with BBQ places for those with charcoal to cook, and a sandy beach with roped off swimming area. There are enclosed changing areas and outhouses as well. There are some picnic tables too. As for the beach, there is an ice cream boat that pulls up quite often. The parking costs $7 (credit card or app) and the ice cream costs $3 per cone (cash only). Overall this is a good place to go, particularly for kids.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Amanda H. 1 year ago on Google
    The beach is really quite nice. There are lots of change rooms. There are outhouse washrooms. Parking is paid via app on your phone. There is a boat that comes to the beach regularly during the day selling ice cream cones (cash only). There are lots of picnic tables and a large grassy area beside the beach with lots of shade. The swim area is marked out so boats are kept out. The beach is really well kept.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Ibrahim 1 year ago on Google
    Great small little beach located not far from the highway 416. Many picnic tables available. Changing rooms are a nice help. I'm not one for outdoor toilets but they got those too. Parks kept in great condition. Usually always clean. Well landscaped. The beach is nice. Small but never usually too crowded. The ice cream man on the pontoon is nice when he pulls up. It's a great way to keep the kids busy and give yourself an excuse to enjoy a giant ice cream cone.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 William S. 11 months ago on Google
    This is a great conservation area with excellent trails along the Rideau River. It gets most visitors in the summer because of its sandy beach, but is a great place to visit year round. There is a tree nut grove with all kinds of different nut producing trees in the area, and a section that was left untended after the devestating 1998 ice storm so that visitors could see how the forest recovers with and without the help of humans. Buy an annual pass for only $55 and it includes Foley Mountain, Perth Wildlife refuge too! This is a great place to take the kids and is dog friendly.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Douglas M. 4 years ago on Google
    Great little beach with parking right next to it. The beach is small, very small. Perfect for kids so expect lots of them. Everyone loves the ice cream boat that arrives to many screaming kids.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Anna I. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 17 reviews
    Lovely place for a swim. I hope to catch the ice cream float next time. I had a little bit of trouble with the parking app though because the reception isn't great. It might be a good idea to pay before you go. Your pass will work for 24 hours.

  • 4/5 Iryna K. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 11 reviews
    Beautiful beach, but the number of dogs is just huge, also the owners do not clean up after their dogs. Too bad they don't follow the rules.

  • 4/5 Chris W. 2 years ago on Google
    Great variety for a park. Swiming, walking trails, picnicing and dog friendly. Skating and sledding in the winter. Bathroom available. Popular though and can be quite busy.

  • 5/5 J H. 4 years ago on Google
    If you go off wooden path be ready for bugs!!

  • 5/5 J J. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful, clean beach that is perfect for little kids.

  • 4/5 Meet G. 4 years ago on Google
    Looks very interesting place but unfortunately it was closed with barricades when we visited.

  • 5/5 John M. 4 years ago on Google
    The kids loved the beach and float boat.

  • 3/5 Paul M. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit, especially with kids.

  • 5/5 Sarah M. 4 years ago on Google
    I love this beach because there is an ice cream boat and lots of space too

  • 3/5 Dave R. 4 years ago on Google
    Very small, crowded beach... not really worth going out of your way.

  • 5/5 Nicole O. 6 months ago on Google β€’ 6 reviews
    My extended family and I enjoyed a nice afternoon picnic at Baxter Beach. My great-nephews loved the chance to get an ice cream treat from the β€œIce Cream Boat”! What a great day at such a nice, clean beach! I recommend this beach and conservation area to anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxing time and see nature at its’ best! The trails in the woods are awesome as well. I’ve walked those trails in all four seasons and I wish I lived closer so I could enjoy the area more often!

  • 4/5 Brook F. 1 year ago on Google
    Really nice time. We loved the ice cream float and the weeds weren't bad until you got far out. Overall a great experience though.

  • 5/5 Magali B. 2 years ago on Google
    Clean place, cute small beach, tons of shade, great for a nice day with the kiddos.

  • 5/5 Alaaeddin A. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice and cozy beach and a great trail to hike.Need to pay 7 bucks for the day parking . Good beach with changing rooms and dry bathrooms. Also, BBQ stands and benches . Camping option also exists. Enjoy !

  • 5/5 Brenda B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great beach for families, lots of shade and sand. The hiking trails are also easy and well marked with lots of options

  • 4/5 Steve N. 2 years ago on Google
    Trails are well maintained and mostly flat. It's worth buying the annual pass for.

  • 4/5 Devra R. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice beach, and plenty of trails through the forest that are well maintained and easy walking.

  • 5/5 Jeremie M. 4 years ago on Google
    One of the cleaner beaches in the area, always busy on a nice day!

  • 4/5 AJ G. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful trails, and the person that guided us throughout activities, Beth, was amazing!! She was friendly, but firm. We had a school field trip here and ended up with lots of anecdotes and photos to show off by the end of our day there!

  • 4/5 Darlene Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Baxter Conservation is a great place to explore with kids. Lots of pathways, a pond, the river, picnic tables and some large fields to run around in. A family was doing geocaching as well. It might be good for observing the night sky but we haven't tested that out yet. I took my camera but it was not great for birding. We have been there a few times and it was super quiet with nothing much to see but squirrels. If you just want your kids to run off some steam or a nice walk for yourself, it's a pretty place. Not my favorite but nice for a change up.

  • 5/5 E S. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice little hidden park.

  • 5/5 Chandler B. 3 years ago on Google
    We barely got a chance to explore this area, maybe 30 minutes in to the trails. It was gorgeous and we are going back quite literally tomorrow. Check this place out, the grounds are gorgeous and calming.

  • 5/5 Madelaine C. 3 years ago on Google
    Small, but fun beach! Not too busy during the week. My kids loved the ice cream boat that comes to the beach also!

  • 5/5 Rob A. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice sandy beach. Lots of room to play. Great seating and eating area

  • 5/5 Tammy Waterman N. 4 years ago on Google
    Love walking down the boardwalk.

  • 5/5 Phil R. 3 years ago on Google
    Easy to follow, well marked trails!

  • 4/5 Amy M S. 3 years ago on Google
    We went for a winter's walk at Baxter for the third time this year. The trails are well maintained and very easy to follow with clear signage. There are paper maps provided as well. We love the variety of habitats at Baxter and appreciate the clean, well-kept rest areas. However, we were disappointed to find that the nut grove remains closed, and that both Hare and Maple trails are now one-way trails going in the same direction. If they ran opposite ways, hikers could cross back to the main loop and extend their walk. The little sledding hill was very crowded, so I don't recommend using it for sliding. Also, if you're travelling with kids, it's important to note that the outhouses are closed for winter as well.

  • 5/5 Jen R. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely walking trails.

  • 4/5 Phillip G. 3 years ago on Google
    Fabulous swim and picnic park

  • 5/5 Vicki B. 3 years ago on Google
    Great spot. Family friendly

  • 5/5 Kristy-Lin s. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful, still natural looking like it's untouched by ppl. Parking costs, trails to walk, little museum, the ice cream boat is a hit with the kids.

  • 5/5 Danny L. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place to chill.

  • 5/5 Janeen M. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful, clean beach!!!!!

  • 5/5 Iona G. 3 years ago on Google
    Clean water, bathroom and change stalls. Lovely beach

  • 4/5 Simon S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to bring the kids , usually pretty calm and relaxed. You have to pay for parking so make sure to do that.

  • 5/5 Lucifer 4 years ago on Google
    Nice

  • 5/5 Robert J. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome folks are amazing!!!!

  • 5/5 Eva B. 4 years ago on Google
    Clean, nice beach with an Ice Cream Boat! Lots of shaded areas along with good sun on the sandy areas. Lots of spots to sit down (picnic tables) and even little grills.

  • 4/5 Steven F. 4 years ago on Google
    Great Beach for kids

  • 5/5 Mattieu A. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to bring the family, tons of space, picnic tables and charcoal bbqs there's even an 🍦 boat!!

  • 5/5 Ebenezer C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to swim that's clean both in the water and on the beach. Parking is $7 so bring change. Have picnic tables, change rooms, bathroom, walking trails and even a Dickie Dee boat! That's right an ice cream boat!

  • 5/5 Roham R. 4 years ago on Google
    Great cozy place for a nice picnic or bbq. You can pull up with a jetski or boat. Go for a swim make sand castles or play some frisbee

  • 5/5 Fernando E. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice and quiet if you come mid to late afternoon. There's change rooms and washrooms. Beach is small but the scenery and area is beautiful!

  • 3/5 Danosaur 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place to use the beach or anchor your boat

  • 4/5 brandi l. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice spot

  • 5/5 Jillian C. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome place to take kids during the summer! Not overly crowded, and the daily ice cream boat is a highlight!!

  • 5/5 Olga P. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing beach, great picnic areas, parking super close. Great ice cream float that comes right up to the beach. Will be back again for a day trip.

  • 5/5 Ravi Inder S. 4 years ago on Google
    Love this place

  • 4/5 Holly E. 4 years ago on Google
    It was a little crowded but all in all a nice place to take the family for a nice day out


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