Warsaw Caves And Beavermead Campground Will Be Open For Spelunking And Boat Rentals This Season

After being closed for two years due to pandemic restrictions, the Warsaw Caves will open for spelunking this season and boat rentals will be available at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (CA) and Beavermead Campground.

Meade Creek. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

“We are excited to invite visitors back to Warsaw Caves; it is a popular spot for visitors to the are who are looking for a unique outdoor experience in nature,” said Otonabee Conservation’s Manager of Conservation Lands, Jessie James, “Warsaw Caves offers an exciting opportunity to explore caves, kettles, limestone cliffs and ledges, underground channels, and other interesting natural features on the landscape.”

While Covid restrictions ease across the province, visitors to the caves this season will be encouraged to wear a mask in enclosed spaces and to act safely by distancing from others in close quarters and along the trail.

Canoe and kayak rentals will also once again be available to visitors at Warsaw Caves CA and Beavermead Campground.

At Warsaw Caves CA, paddlers can enjoy a trip along the Indian River with flat water and a gentle current. At Beavermead Campground, paddlers can access Meade Creek and paddle out into Little Lake and along the Otonabee River into downtown Peterborough.

Canoe and kayak rentals include the use of paddles, personal floatation devices, and the required safety gear. Sanitation stations will be set up to disinfect equipment before and after use.

Conservation Areas open for day-use and camping on Friday, May 13th, 2022. Campers are encouraged to visit otonabeeconservation.com to plan their outdoor adventure in the Kawartha’s and learn more about the Conservation Areas within the Otonabee Region Watershed that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages.

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Otonabee Conservation Campgrounds Open For Bookings

Two of the Otonabee Conservation’s campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Beavermead Campground have opened for their first bookings since Friday.

Seasonal camper Mike Fischer (left) is welcomed back to Beavermead Campground by Joyce Hyland (right) Gatehouse Attendant on the opening day of the camping season this past Friday. Photo Courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Both campgrounds were nearly at capacity; Warsaw Caves CA saw 92 per cent of sites booked while Beavermead Campground saw 87 per cent of campsites booked for the opening weekend.

Beavermead Campground site bookings are between 83-88 percent booked for weekends until the end of July while Warsaw Caves CA has more availability with 73-92 per cent booked. There is availability for mid-week bookings for campsites at both locations according to the press release.

While camping is now open, some of Otonabee Conservation’s amenities and services are still not available due to provincial guidelines.

Campground washrooms are open and basic supplies such as firewood and ice are available for sale. Showers and laundry facilities are not yet available but Otonabee Conservation is working to bring cleaning procedures in line with Provincial health regulations and hope to have them available soon. Boat rentals and picnic shelters are currently not available.

“We have been working closely with Peterborough Public Health to ensure that our visitors are able to safely enjoy the benefits that nature has to offer,” shares Jessie James, Otonabee Conservation Manager of Conservation Lands, “Our practices and operations are aligned with the latest provincial recommendations; that means some amenities must remain closed at this time but we are hopeful that we will be able to expand our services soon so that our visitors can enjoy all we have to offer this year.”

Meghan Rankin, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area Gatehouse Attendant, checks in a camper on Otonabee Conservation’s opening day of the camping season. Photo Courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Some trails remain closed, such as the Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves CA, where physical distancing and proper sanitizing cannot be ensured.

All closed amenities are clearly signed. Hiking, walking and biking have always been available at Otonabee Conservation’s properties during the pandemic.

The gates are now fully open at all properties, allowing access to seasonal amenities such as parking facilities, beaches, boat launches, and more, with physical distancing measures in place.

Campers wishing to reserve a campsite at Beavermead Campground and Warsaw Caves CA can do so online.

For more information about Conservation Areas, changes to services and amenities during the pandemic and FAQs, please visit otonabeeconservation.com.

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A Bunch Of VW Bus Campers Came To Peterborough From Around North America & It Was Awesome

The 7th Annual Bus Volk Festival took place at Beavermead Campground last weekend, as a fine group of VW Bus Campers came to Peterborough from as far away as the United States for a weekend of food, friendship, and the love of old Volkswagen Campers. With so much to to do and so many great restaurants near Beavermead, the park is the perfect venue for out of town guests. The event started with a pub crawl on Friday night, then a huge pot luck on Saturday evening followed by a campfire jam that can't be beat. It was an awesome time and a great way to keep the park being utilized as a much needed campground close to the city. Check out the pictures below...
—words & pictures by Phil Stephenson

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