Our Favorite Things to Do in Spring 2024 in South Frontenac, Ontario

Looking to escape the city this spring and immerse yourself in nature?

Maybe you want to relax by the lake, but your friends or family want a little more action and adventure. Well, even when you’re staying in the wilderness, there’s plenty to do! 

Here are our favorite things to do in the Ontario wilderness in Spring 2024. And if you’re staying with us at Bobs Lake Cottages & Escapes, you’ll have easy access to it all.

After a winter of frigid temperatures and snow, spring brings milder temperatures and sunny blue skies to Southern Ontario. Though still cool at night, the days become warmer and longer, so it’s a great time to explore the region. With the snow melting and the abundant spring rain, it can be quite muddy, so pack your umbrellas and boots to stay dry.  

With everything in bloom and wildlife returning, it’s such a wonderful time to visit. 

Here are just some of the things happening in the area around Bobs Lake this spring. Plan your trip around one of these fun events!

A favorite in the area, Frontenac Provincial Park is open year-round for back-country recreation. Whenever you’re visiting Bobs Lake and the surrounding area, you can hike through 100 km of trails, canoe through 22 lakes, and enjoy excellent fishing and wildlife viewing. In the summer, swimming is a must, while the winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures. 

But in the spring, you’ll enjoy the beauty of the park as you hike its trails, or visit for a scheduled program, like wilderness navigation and survival, guided nature walks, kayaking courses, and more. Here are a few of the events planned for Spring 2024 in Frontenac Provincial Park.

April 20, 2024: Survival Techniques

Attend a workshop on planning for survival, including what should be in a survival kit, types of shelter, fire-starting techniques, and more.

April 27, 2024: Spring Nature Walk

Head out on a leisurely guided walk along the 3 km Doe Lake trail to enjoy the plant and animal life along the way.

May 11, 2024: “Early Spring” Bird Walk

Along with Dan Derbyshire of Frontenac Bird Studies, set out to explore the park in search of spring migratory birds returning to the area. You may see Warblers, Vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, and more. 

Photo by Tina Witherspoon on Unsplash

Looking to enjoy a lovely event for a good cause while you’re visiting Bobs Lake? Set for May 11, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, the Storrington Lions Club’s 4th Annual Community High Tea is in support of Child Life Services at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The cost of the event is $25 per person and includes delicious homemade food, hot coffee and tea, live music, and a photo area. 

Opening May 10, 2024, in Centennial Park in Harrowsmith, the Frontenac Farmer’s Market is a wonderful place to meet local vendors and purchase fresh produce to enjoy during your stay. You can visit the market on Fridays from 3 pm – 7 pm. They often have live music, a beer garden, and a variety of events. Some of this spring’s events include a Charity Pickleball Tournament, a seedlings sale, and beer and wine tastings. 

If you’re staying with us at Bobs Lake Cottages & Escapes, grab some veggies from the farmer’s market, enjoy a day of fishing on the lake, and combine your fresh catch with your fresh produce for a wonderful meal prepared in your fully equipped kitchen or on the BBQ grill. 

Photo Credit: southfrontenac.net

While it means the official kickoff of summer, this event actually happens in the spring! The Summer Kickoff Music Festival is a celebration of local talent, full of live local music, food, and drink. You can expect food trucks, craft beer, a kids’ zone, and, of course, lots of live music. 

Running from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm on May 25, 2024, admission to this event is totally free! You’ll find the party happening in Centennial Park in Harrowsmith.

If you’re a serious rowing enthusiast, head to Bobs Lake on May 26, 2024 to join OAR in their exploration of the lovely granite outcroppings, marshlands, and more than 129 islands dotting Bobs Lake. 

Join the crew as they row a total of 25-30 km over the course of the day, or watch from the shoreline as they launch from Bobs Lake Cottages & Escapes. The event costs $85 per person, including boats, rowing equipment, a picnic lunch, and a full day of adventure. For more information, contact Shelagh at bakertorrance@rogers.com. 

Bonus: Stay in one of our modern lakeside cottages at Bobs Lake Cottages & Escapes that weekend and walk just steps to the boat launch when you’re ready for the event. Contact Marla for more information.

Photo credit: Wintergreen Studios

Located right in South Frontenac, Ontario, Wintergreen Studios is an environmental retreat centre dedicated to inspiring balance with the natural world. They regularly host fun events, like an opportunity to come together to view the solar eclipse and the 10th annual Land Art BioBlitz 2024, a free family event focused on the beauty and diversity of the natural world. 

This year’s BioBlitz is on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. It includes a series of workshops, like a guided birdwatching hike, a stroll through the property where you’ll forage for fungi, and a walking meditation through a labyrinth.  

If you’re not in town during one of the event weekends mentioned above, there is still plenty to discover near Bobs Lake. Visit one of these nearby places while you’re at the cottages.

Originating in Kingston, the popular K&P trail enters South Frontenac at Orser Road. It merges with the Cataraqui Trail (discussed below) for two kilometers, then goes to Sharbot Lake and points north. 

The K&P trail is not far from Bobs Lake (about 40 minutes), and is a great spot for hiking, biking, and ATVs. It’s quite scenic, with natural open landscapes, rock cuts, wetlands, and historic Kingston.

Photo credit: cataraquitrail.ca

The year-round Cataraqui Trail is a multi-use recreational trail whose surface is mostly stone dust and loose gravel. In the spring, the 39 km trail is suitable for walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders. 

As you explore the trail, you may encounter wildlife, from herons, ospreys, and turkeys to turtles, snakes, and numerous mammals such as mice, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, otters, foxes, coyotes, and deer.

Photo credit: Westport Brewing Company

With warmer temperatures in spring, it’s a great time to enjoy the area’s breweries and wineries. For beer, try Kick and Push Brewing Company, a microbrewery located in the heart of Frontenac’s Sharbot Lake, or Weather Head Brew Co. in Perth, Ontario. For something unique, Auralis Botanical Brewing Company in Tichborne produces zero-alcohol drinks that are 100 percent plant-based. 

If you’re looking to relax with your drink for a while and maybe enjoy a stroll through town, a wood-fired pizza, or a beautiful view, try Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery or Westport Brewing Company, both located in Westport, close to Bobs Lake. 

At Scheuermann Winery, enjoy elegant handcrafted wines while you enjoy the views. Westport Brewing Company’s front door is right on Westport’s historic Main Street, while the back porch overlooks the scenic harbor on Upper Rideau Lake.

Just be sure to check spring hours before visiting.

There is something to discover every season at Bobs Lake in South Frontenac, Ontario. Whether you’re looking for events to keep you busy or just want to relax by the lake and breathe in the fresh spring air surrounded by nature, we hope you’ll visit us in the spring and see why we love Bobs Lake so much any time of year.