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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Campers Can Book Sites At Beavermead And Warsaw Caves As Of March 1

Campers will be able to book sites online at Otonabee Conservation’s two campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (CA) and Beavermead Campground, on March 1.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The reservation system allows campers to view a map of the campground, select a site, and then book, pay for, and schedule their stay in an efficient, user-friendly, and convenient way. Campers are asked to utilize the online reservation system to book their sites ahead of their trip, which will ensure a campsite is available for them.

The online reservation system will go live on March 1, at 10 a.m. Campers are encouraged to reserve their campsite through the Let’s Camp online reservation platform. Those wishing to book a site at Warsaw Caves CA can visit letscamp.ca/camps/warsaw-caves and at Beavermead Campground can visit letscamp.ca/camps/beavermead-campground.

This year, Otonabee Conservation hopes to be able to open the Caves and The Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves CA, that have been closed since Spring 2020.

“The Caves and The Caves Trail have been closed during the pandemic,” said Jessie James, Manager of Conservation Lands at Otonabee Conservation. “With Provincial restrictions easing in the coming weeks, we hope to be able to open the Caves for spelunking this Spring. We are also working on a plan to open kayak and canoe rentals this season. Campers and day-use visitors should stay tuned for official announcements in the coming weeks.”

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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Otonabee Conservation’s Online Campsite Reservation System Launches On March 1st

Again this year, campers will be able to book their campsites online for Otonabee Conservation’s two campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Beavermead Campground.

The online reservation system will go live on Monday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. Campers are encouraged to reserve their campsite through the Let’s Camp online reservation platform. Those wishing to book a site at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area can click here and for Beavermead Campground click here.

The Lookout Trail at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area boasts a beautiful view of the Indian River, along with kettles, the disappearing river, and a waterfall. (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

The reservation system allows campers to view a map of the campground, select a site, book, pay and schedule their stay in an efficient, user-friendly and convenient way.

Campers are asked to utilize Otonabee Conservation’s online reservation system to book their sites ahead of their trip, to minimize face-to-face contact at the gatehouse upon arrival, and to ensure a campsite is available for them.

Beavermead Campground is located in the heart of the City of Peterborough (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

To keep campers and staff safe during the pandemic, Otonabee Conservation is working closely with Peterborough Public Health to take all necessary precautions including regular sanitizing, the use of face coverings, COVID-19 screening, and following all provincial restrictions. Some amenities will not be available during the pandemic including showers.

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 Opens The Gates To Conservation Areas

Otonabee Conservation fully opens the gates to their Conservation Areas starting Friday (June 26th), after a delay in the season that was caused by COVID-19.

While hiking, walking, and biking have been available at their Conservation Areas during the pandemic, the gates fully open on Friday allowing access to further amenities such as parking facilities, campsites, beaches, picnic shelters, boat launches, and more, with physical distancing measures in place.

New gatehouse at Warsaw Caves (photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

There is a newly built gatehouse at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and a brand new washroom facility at Beavermead Campground, which is owned by the City of Peterborough and operated by Otonabee Conservation.

Both new buildings are fully accessible, offering barrier-free access for visitors. Additionally, Beavermead Campground offers four fully accessible campsites with barrier-free picnic tables, a paved surface pad, and close proximity to the new accessible washroom.

Campers wishing to reserve a campsite at Beavermead Campground and Warsaw Caves can do so online at otonabeeconservation.com. Here, campers are offered the convenience of choosing their campsite, selecting their required check-in and check-out dates, and paying online. Campers are asked to utilize the online reservation system to book their sites ahead of time, in order to minimize face-to-face contact at the gatehouse upon arrival, and to ensure a campsite is available for them.

New washroom facilities at Beavermead Campground (photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

Campground washrooms are open and basic supplies such as firewood and ice are available for sale. Some amenities and services will not be available this year, such as showers, boat rentals, and laundry facilities. Some trails remain closed, such as the Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves, where physical distancing cannot be ensured. All closed amenities will be clearly marked.

“Camping will look a little different this year,” says Jessie James, Otonabee Conservation’s Manager of Conservation Lands. “But it is a safe summer staycation option that is close to home for those living in the Peterborough region. We hope that families will choose to camp with us and enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, and all the beauty that our watershed has to offer.”

Selwyn Beach will also open its gates for the season on Friday. Visitors must follow public health guidelines for physical distancing, not gather with more than ten people, and only with those who are from within their social bubble.

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Warsaw Caves Closed September 17th & 18th To Allow Canadian Armed Forces To Conduct Training

Otonabee Conservation says that Warsaw Caves Conservation Area will be closed on September 17th and 18th as members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be conducting routine training in there.

All training will be limited to the caves area and therefore public access to this area will be restricted during this time period.

Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation

People in the area of the park may see members of the military carrying weapons as they undergo training activities.

Live ammunition will not be present, but blank ammunition may be used during training, which will be done in accordance with Canadian Armed Forces safety measures.

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