Ottawa 
With communities perched on the shores of the Mississippi River, the Tay River and the Rideau Canal, you can get to the water and enjoy the endless nature areas of this community perched right outside of Ottawa. Each town is rich in its own history and charms, so be sure to book a few days to see the full scope of Lanark County.
Here are 25 of the best things to do this summer in Smiths Falls, Municipality of Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place, Perth, Beckwith, Drummond-North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, Montague and Tay Valley.
(Admission is free unless otherwise noted.)
Learn the Tale of two boyhood friends at the Mill of Kintail
The Mill of Kintail Conservation Area is the former home of legendary sculptor and rehabilitation pioneer R. Tait McKenzie. Beside the stone museum in his honour, you will fine 154 acres with a playground, trails and a lovely stream. Test out your strength and balance along its fitness trail, a tribute to McKenzie’s work as a pioneering physiotherapist and the childhood games he played as a child with future basketball inventor James Naismith, whose museum is also housed on the property. Parking costs $6 per visit. Details
Address: 2854 Concession Road 8, Almonte
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Explore the Seven Wonders
Stay in your car and see the Seven Wonders of Lanark County by following the guide provided. Feel free to check out sites nearby while you are in each town or village. There are six heritage driving tours as well if you need another outing.
Explore Murphy’s Point Park
Head to this expansive waterfront provincial park and immerse yourself in the history of the Silver Queen Mica Mine, which operated between 1903 and 1920, pumping out mica, feldspar, and apatite. The 60-foot-deep tunnel was dug by farmers looking for mineral treasures. The park also has 22 kilometres of ski trails of six different loops, plus additional children’s programming. Day passes range from $10 to $18.60. Details
Address: 2243 Elm Grove Road, Perth
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Pick Your Own Berries
Round up the kids and head to berry farms for a fun summer activity. Pick strawberries at Mississippi Berries and blueberries at Balderson Berries.
Address:
- Mississippi Berries, 2430 Ferguson Falls Road, Lanark; Phone: (613) 259-9911
- Balderson Berries, 211 Keays Road, Balderson; Phone: 613-812-1084
Enjoy the view from Blueberry Mountain
You can see as far as Calabogie Peaks from the top of this peak, across hundreds of acres of lush forest. Follow this private trail through a wetland and forest before reaching the rock face. In all, it covers 4.5 kilometres within the Lanark Highlands. Admission is by donation. Details
Address: 502 Hills of Peace Road, Lanark
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Splash around at Conlon Farm
Cool off at the Conlon Farm Recreation Area under the spray of its kid-friendly splash pad. The park has 54 acres with trails, a great playground, tennis courts, and enough activities to fill a day. You can even play pickleball on the eight new courts. Details
Address: 127 Smith Drive, Perth
Swim or splash in Carleton Place
If you and your family love the water, you can jump right into it at Carleton Place’s two beaches or two splash pads. The beaches are at Riverside Park (near the Canoe Club and the splash-pad, playground and picnic area at the end of Lake Avenue West) and across the river at Centennial Beach (169 Joseph Street). Both beaches are open from mid June to the end of August with lifeguards on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details
Watery wonders in Smiths Falls
You have several waterfront options in this town. Smiths Falls Beach is adjacent to Centennial Park, on Confederation Drive, right next to the “home of 100,000 blooms” walking park with water fountains along the Rideau Canal. You can also enjoy the splash pad at Lower Reach Park on Old Slys Rd. And finally, enjoy the view of the boats going by on the Rideau Canal at the locks just a short walk from downtown. Details
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Watch a movie under the stars
Visit Port Elmsley Drive-in and enjoy classic movies and concerts. Details
Address: 333 Port Elmsley Rd, Perth
Go beachside in Almonte
The Almonte beach sits in the shadow of the North Lanark Agricultural Hall and offers a gradual entry into the Mississippi River. Lifeguards are on duty daily from July 5 to August 25 from noon to 5 p.m. For another view of the river, stroll downtown and check out the boardwalk just a few steps from Mill Street. Details
Address: 195 Water Street, Almonte
Blakeney Park’s rapids
This municipal park foams and roars with the power of the Mississippi River along a rugged natural area with 1.5-kilometres of trails. It’s a great place to tube or wade as long as you are wary of the fast current since there are no lifeguards. The park is maintained by the Almonte Fish and Game Club. Details
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Say ‘I Swam’ in Pakenham
For an intimate beach surrounded by nature, visit the swimming area in this village. It is tucked in behind Fred Millar Park, near the arena. Lifeguards are on duty daily from July 5 to August 25 from noon to 5 p.m. You can also visit the waterside park next to the majestic five-span stone bridge but the undercurrent is dangerous. Stay close to shore but enjoy a picnic under the trees. Details
Address: 106 Margaret Street, Pakenham
Sink your line in a lake
More than 80 lakes and several rivers offer public access for fishing, so get out there and catch your lunch. There is a wide range of species to hook, including bass, pike, trout and perch. With this many options, you could go out every day this summer! Details
Free fishing during National Fishing Week in July.
See the Ladyslippers
When the orchids bloom at Purdon’s Bog Conservation Area in late June, they are a beauty to behold. You can easily see the flowers and other fauna from the boardwalk along the ridge near McDonalds Corners. The park also has other trails and a lookout over the beaver dam. It’s a cool, shady spot on a hot summer day. Details
Address: Concession Rd 8, Lanark Highlands
Purdon Conservation Area
Almonte Lagoon lookout
Watch for a wide range of gulls, ducks, falcons, jays and even bald eagles at the Almonte Lagoons Birding Complex. You can observe these creatures from the Al Potvin observation tower or the Mike McPhail Bird Viewing Shelter. To stretch your legs, take a 150-metre trail through the woods to the north end of the wastewater lagoon then back via the east side.
Address: 3131 Old Perth Road, Almonte
Fatal history lesson
Last Duel Park marks the site of Canada’s final gun battle in the name of personal honour in 1833 as law students Robert Lyon and John Wilson faced off. (Lyon died while Wilson was acquitted and married the woman whose reputation began the dispute.) The site also offers camping and geocaches.
Address: 22 Craig Street
Get away to Silver Lake
Located right off a main highway, Silver Lake Provincial Park has a great beach, boat launch and a laugh-inspiring playground. You can also hike its half-kilometre trail via a boardwalk to visit the marsh at the east end of the lake.
Address: 22726 Hwy 7, Maberly
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Stunning Stewart Park
This green oasis in the middle of Perth is a wonderful summer escape, with creekside trails crossed by wooden bridges. Stop by the admire the statue in memory of equestrian Olympians Big Ben and Ian Millar then shop at the chocolatier, bookstore, and other shops inside adjacent Code’s Mill.
Address: 41 Mill Street, Perth
Paddle amongst the ducks
The Mississippi Lake Bird Sanctuary gives you a chance to get your canoe in the water as you watch for various species of ducks playing in the water. You’ll likely see reptiles, amphibians and mammals that also love the water. Bring a lunch to enjoy at the picnic grounds.
Address: 1027 Concession 10B, Balderson
Go boating
Rent a boat and see the shores of the Rideau Canal or Tay River from a new perspective. With endless places to dock in each town, you can drop in for lunch or to see the attractions, including Murphy’s Point Park. Bring your sunscreen!
Get lost amidst sunflowers
Get fabulous pictures of the whole family in the sunflower fields. Return during the fall season for pumpkins and all the wonderful things that a fall harvest brings to this family-owned and operated farm located in the heart of Lanark County.
Address: Scotch Line Farm, 2579 Scotch Line Perth
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ATV on the K&P Trail
Get your motor running on this route that runs from Kingston to Pembroke (which the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists call the Kick and Push) along former railroad bed. Within Lanark County, this gravel path takes you from Lavant Station to Calabogie. It is level and straight so you can easily see other riders coming.
Commune with nature
The Perth Wildlife Reserve gives you a chance to slow down and watch for deer, ducks, Canada geese, rabbits, bluebirds and wild turkeys as you listen to birdsong. Based on the Tay Marsh, this 257-acre getaway also has lush plant life for you to enjoy.
Address: 100 Wild Life Road, Perth
Get out on your bike
The Ottawa Valley Rail Trail offers a long, level, welcoming cycling route along 296 kilometres from Smiths Falls almost to Mattawa. You can choose to start or stop in charming Carleton Place, alluring Almonte or pretty Pakenham along the way. You can travel on foot, or via your ATV.
Two trails in Perth
Retrace history by following in the footsteps of Indigenous communities and generations of settlers along the Rideau Trail — from Ottawa to Kingston along the route of the historic Rideau Canal – and the Tay River Trail. The second path was used by soldiers as early as 1816 and for people for many generations since. A trail membership for the Rideau costs $26 per year.
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Do the Dalhousie Lake tour
The Centennial Park Boat Launch and beach offers a great view of the expansive lake and is close to the amenities of McDonalds Corners. It has a small park and boat launch by the bridge. Dogs are not allowed on this beach but there is a smaller beach on the other side of the bridge where they can cool off.
Address: Lavant Mill Road, Lanark Highlands
Stay calm and maple on
You get a sticker with this saying when you dine at Wheeler’s Maple Sugar Camp. The family-owned restaurant not only serves legendary pancakes with their own syrup, but it also delivers a fun destination with a playground, six trails, a chance to meet the barnyard animals, and a tool and chainsaw museum.
Address: 1001 Highland Line, McDonalds Corners
Get Farm Fresh Food
Get farm-fresh produce, fruits, tasty treats and local art from the local farmers’ markets.
- Almonte Farmers Market
- Carleton Place Farmers Market
- McDonald’s Corners Farmers Market
- Perth Farmers Market
- Sharbot Lake Farmers Market
