Located just south of Kars on the shores of the Rideau River, this popular park offers 5 kilometres of scenic trails, a beautiful public beach, picnic areas, an education pond and the unique Filmore Park Nut Grove. Many of Baxter’s amenities are accessible for all mobility levels, including the boardwalk, bridge and beach.
Parking 
Location 
Location code 5200
Cash
Credit
7498 Carter Rd
Kars, ON
613-489-3592
Open dawn to dusk year-round, subject to winter conditions.
Beach
This picturesque sandy beach includes accessible change rooms and outhouses as well as a mobility mat down to the water. Picnic facilities are also available. The beach is not supervised by lifeguards. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but there is a dog swimming area just a few metres downstream. Don’t forget to stash some cash for the Ice Cream Float, a private ice cream boat that parks at the beach most days around 1 p.m. in the summer months!
Boardwalks and Trails
Baxter’s 5 kilometres of trails meander through a mix of hardwood forest, wetland and meadows. Follow our Story Trail or cross our fully-accessible marshland bridge to the Filmore Park Nut Grove, or use our education platforms to get up close to the wetland. While the main Fiddlehead Trail is generally accessible for most mobility levels, trails vary in difficulty and are not accessible year-round, particularly in winter and early spring.
Picnic Shelter
Baxter maintains a generous number of picnic tables near the beach, including a covered picnic shelter that can be reserved or used on a first-come first-served basis. There are also several charcoal barbeques near the beach available on a first-come first-served basis (charcoal not included). Throughout the property, rest spots such as benches, picnic tables and rustic logs are available.
Rent a Facility
Baxter offers facility rentals for its interpretive centre, river cabin, group campsite and picnic shelter.
Outdoor Education Programs
Baxter offers outdoor education programming year round to groups of all ages.
