Conservation Areas (81)
7498 Carter Rd,
Kars, Ontario
Phone: 613-489-3592
Open year round
dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
FAQ:
Are dogs allowed on the beach? No, dogs are not allowed on the beach; even when no one is there we want to keep our beach clean and healthy. Thank you.
Is there a place dogs can swim? Yes. If you are standing in front of the beach, facing the water, there is a small area to the left of beach that is open to the water’s edge where dogs can swim downstream from the beach (there's a clearing in the brush).
Can dogs be off leash at Baxter? No. Dogs must be on leash at all times on Baxter property.
Is there a lifeguard? There are no lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.
Is the water safe for swimming? Our beaches are tested weekly for E.Coli in the summer to ensure they're safe for visitors to swim. At Baxter Conservation Area, RVCA staff test the waters each week and will post notices online and on site if a closure is necessary. NOTE: Swimming is never recommended after a heavy rainfall event, in areas with heavy bird activity or if Blue Green Algae is suspected.
Trails: 5 km
Download the PDF 
Open Avenza map
Special Features
- Patrick J. McManus Conservation Centre
- Fillmore R. Park Nut Grove
- energy displays
- education programs
- day camps
- family programs
- sandy beach
- hiking and snowshoeing trails
- facility rentals
- group camping
- river cabin
- volunteer opportunities
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
Watch the Videos
At Baxter, we strive to provide students with a strong understanding of our natural world, how it functions and how we, as humans, fit into it. All our programs are interactive and experiential to provide students with a “hands-on” approach to learning about natural science in our “Ecology Lab.” If you don’t see a program that meets your group’s objectives, please give us a call — and our Interpreters will create one for you!
Kindergarten Nature Program
Your Kindergarten class will be led through a series of age-appropriate, interactive activities suited to the season. Investigate what animals need to survive in different habitats through an outdoor scavenger hunt, get hands-on with animal pelts and skulls, and explore nature through fun play-based activities. Can be offered as a half-day or full-day program.
Additional Info
- Grade K
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Snowshoeing
Come and experience one of the oldest forms of transportation in Canada! Students will learn how to safely travel with snowshoes and, once comfortable, follow the snowshoe trail through the forest and maybe even try snowshoe games.
Additional Info
- Grade 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Winter
Snowshoeing
Come and experience one of the oldest forms of transportation in Canada! Students will learn how to safely travel with snowshoes and, once comfortable, follow the snowshoe trail through the forest and maybe even try snowshoe games.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Winter
Winter Wonderland Foley
Bundle up and prepare for a wild winter adventure! Explore the winter forest at Baxter and learn about how plants and animals have adapted to survive these cold Canadian months.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Winter
133 Yacht Club Rd
Rideau Ferry, Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Dawn to dusk
Activities and Amenities
Bask on the beach and listen as the water laps onto the shore at the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Conservation Area. The former Rideau Ferry Yacht Club donated this 10 acre shoreline property located at Rideau Ferry to RVCA in 1976 for the purpose of providing a public day use recreation area with access to Lower Rideau lake. Rideau Valley Conservation Authority maintains a public beach, boat launch, and picnic area at this popular summer park.
Download the PDF
Open Avenza map
Trails: 0.3km
Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Trail Map
Special Features
- sandy beach
- boat launch
- picnic shelter, picnic tables and barbeques
Beach Advisories and Boat Safety
For listings of current advisories, please visit the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit.
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
Winter Wonderland
Bundle up and prepare for a wild winter adventure! Explore the winter forest at Baxter and learn about how plants and animals have adapted to survive these cold Canadian months.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Winter
Spring Water Awareness Program (S.W.A.P.) Resources
Free online resources available for all teachers and group leaders at https://www.rvca.ca/outdoor-education/spring-water-awareness-program.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Spring
More...
Pond Ecology
Investigate the diversity of living things found in a pond ecosystem and how they all have a role to play. Students use dip nets, basins, magnifiers, and identification keys to tally species and learn how these observations can be related to water quality and ecosystem health.
Additional Info
- Grade 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
3240 River Road
Ottawa,Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Dawn to dusk
Activities and Amenities
W. A. Taylor is set along the beautiful Rideau River and is one of the best spots to launch your boat or enjoy a quiet picnic with the family. Picnic tables and privies are on site.
Trails: 1.0km
Special Features
- short nature trail
- boat launch
- picnic area
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
Pond Ecology
By exploring Baxter’s pond, students will learn about the diversity of life in a freshwater pond habitat and how these animals have adapted to life under water. Using nets, basins and fact sheets, students will get up close and personal with the animals that call the pond home.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Tree Tales
Why are trees such an amazing and important part of our landscape? Discover all about these green giants using GPS units to navigate through the forests of Foley Mountain.
Additional Info
- Grade 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
