After a snowy winter, spring is here in Kawarthas Northumberland. It’s not just the warmer weather that makes springtime magical—step outside and you’ll hear the sounds of birds in the trees and spot wildflowers in bloom. Many seasonal businesses open their doors again in May, so there’s a little something for everyone this season. Below are a few of our top recommendations.
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny
This just might be the most unusual entry on the list: on April 11, 2026, canoes, kayaks, and homemade “Crazy Craft” of all shapes and size will come floating down the Ganaraska River towards Port Hope. The event is as much fun to spectate as it is to participate in, thanks to the variety of events taking place in Fannyville Race Village (aka Cavan St., Port Hope), offering a range of celebratory food, drink, and activities.
Float Your Fanny is an annual tradition that commemorates a major flood in 1980—read more about the history here.
Birding at Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Presqu’ile is a birder’s paradise virtually year-round, but springtime is peak season for shorebird sightings. Mid-May is an ideal time to visit, when it’s not unusual to see dozens of different species. Migratory birds returning from their wintering grounds flock to the park, drawn to the unique Lake Ontario geography.
Bring your binoculars and expect to see shorebirds, warblers, tanagers and flycatchers. A spring visit also gives the advantage of limited foliage to block the view through the trees, improving your odds of spotting something new. Bring the camera, too, since Presqu’ile’s lighthouse area is particularly photogenic. For picnic supplies or to stop for a meal afterwards, the nearby town of Brighton has a number of excellent options.
Free Fishing Day
What better way to re-engage with the outdoors after a season indoors than going fishing? Four weekends a year, Ontario is free to fish without a license. Those dates are May 9 and 10 in 2026, coinciding with Mother’s Day Weekend if you know an outdoors-loving mom. If you’re just getting started or don’t have equipment, no problem—sign out what you need from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters’ free TackleShare program.
Bear in mind that all fishing regulations, such as catch and size limits, remain in effect even during free dates.
Take a Trillium Walk
From late April through May, the iconic Ontario trillium blooms across Kawarthas Northumberland. Peter’s Wood Provincial Nature Reserve is a reliable hotspot, where you’ll also be treated to the rare and gorgeous old growth forest of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Ken Reid Conservation Area outside Lindsay is also known for plentiful trilliums, and birders will be drawn to McLaren’s Creek Wetland. The Millbrook Valley Trails are yet another great place to look, with the advantage of easy access to the postcard-pretty Millbrook downtown.
Visiting early in the season means you’ll probably be blissfully untroubled by bugs, but do bring appropriate footwear in case of wet patches.
The Pearly Acre Pig Sanctuary
The Pearly Acre is a must-visit for any animal lover. Founder Sarah Heydon has made it her mission to provide a compassionate home for unwanted pigs, and to provide education on these remarkable animals. Twenty pigs, one llama, and three alpacas are now leading their best lives here, and you can meet them on an immersive tour.
Closed during the winter, the sanctuary reopens its doors to the public in May. Contact The Pearly Acre to arrange a visit or book a scheduled tour date. You can also read more about The Pearly Acre story here on the Kawarthas Northumberland blog.
Opening of the Trent-Severn Waterway
The Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site is a treasure of the region, connecting numerous communities along its length and attracting boaters from around the world. On May 15, 2026 it will open for another season. It’s a unique boating experience, whether you enjoy it with a multi-day houseboat itinerary or on a simple canoe day paddle. See here for some recommended paddling routes, such as the Big Island paddle near Bobcaygeon or the Burnt River route outside Rosedale.
Even without a boat, there are many ways to enjoy the Waterway. The Trent-Severn Trail Towns are perfect places to enjoy the warmer weather. See why Fenelon Falls is earned the nickname “the Jewel of the Kawarthas,” for example, or stay awhile in Bobcaygeon, a town immortalized in the classic Tragically Hip song.
Warkworth Lilac Festival
Each spring, the Warkworth Millenium Trail blossoms into one of the most spectacular spots in Kawarthas Northumberland. An astounding display of lilacs—over three hundred bushes and more than eighty species—can be found along this 2.6km wheelchair accessible trail, which begins right in the heart of town.
The trail makes for lovely walking throughout the season, but time your visit to May 30 and 31 in 2026 to take advantage of special festival events, including artisan booths, food vendors, and live music.
