Cedardale Family Campground & Cottage Resort is located by the Brighton, Quinte West and Prince Edward County on beautiful Lake Ontario. Besides the breathtaking scenery, great shopping treasures, excellent wine and mouth-watering food, this region has many attractions to entice vacationers.
The history and heritage of these communities can be enjoyed in several different ways. You can have a look around some of the museums, stroll through few of the historical sites and areas or just take a drive. Enjoy the gorgeous view from the top of Mount Pelion. There’s much more to see!
There are lovely conservation areas, local escarpments and provincial parks with hiking/ biking trails and boardwalks through forests, marsh and waterfront properties. There are bird watcher havens and don’t miss the Monarchs and Migrants Bird Banding. The list goes on….
Quinte West is known as “The Gateway to the Trent Severn Waterways” with great areas to stop for a picnic or just to watch the boats go through one of the seven locks located here. Other sections are ideal for canoeing/ kayaking and some wind surfing along Lake Ontario and Bay of Quinte.
And then there’s fishing and boating. Lake Ontario, the Murray Canal, Bay of Quinte, Weller’s Bay or the Trent River, take your pick. The many annual fish tournaments will suit any variety of angler.
The adventure can be as close as a walk down the road to see the marsh area and the boats going down the Murray Canal or by taking a day trip into the wonders of our region.
Local
Local Attractions less 20 minutes from CedardaleEvents, Festivals & Shows
Looking for excitement? We have three Canada Day Celebrations between 15 to 30 minutes of Cedardale. And then there’s the Scottish Irish Festival, Fiddlers on the Trent Festival, Festival on the Bay, Frankford Island Blues Festival, Frankford Riverfest, Jazz Festival celebrations, Fattoria – Food & Drink Festival, Savour – Food & Drink Festival, and of course, every dog must have his day, join the fun at Kinsman Barks by the Bay Dog Festival & Trade Show.
Then there’s Applefest. It is one of the biggest events in the area. Brighton hosts this wonderful festival with a carnival, sidewalk sale, music, hay rides, a street dance, and lots and lots of food and fun. Visit the links for more information about this historic festival.
Brighton & Quinte West parks have music for all. Annually the Classic Country Music Reunion happens in Centennial Park , DBIA Trenton has regular Concerts in Frazer Park, Norampac presents The Home Pride Summer Concert Series & Brighton hosts weekly Concerts in Memorial Park.
The list isn’t done yet. Go to the Kinsmen Carnival, the Canadian Law Enforcement & Fire Games, Harvest at the Hill, the Town & County Show, or the Home & Leisure Show. There are many more events, shows & tours than this and you can look at the local Calendar of Events for times & dates. Also look at our additional local links at the bottom of this page for more interesting attractions or our Regional Attractions page for more leisure and excitement within 45 minutes of Cedardale.
Parks & Trails
There are a number local of parks of parks, conservation areas, wildlife preserves, & escarpments with trails of varying degrees of difficulty for the adventurer in you. Visit Presqu’ile Provincial Park and go for a stroll on the 1 km Boardwalk through the marshes, journey through the woods or take a walk down the beach. Enjoy the Lighthouse which is the only original one left on the Great Lakes. If bird 9+watching is your thing, don’t miss the exclusive whimbrel and the many-coloured warblers along with hundreds of other migrating species. Attend the Monarchs & Migrants Bird Banding weekend in September.
Brighton boasts a lovely Waterfront trail, the Hilda Montgomery Memorial Park and Proctor Park conservation area, which has scenic trails through a variety of settings. To see nature at its best, visit the Brighton Provincial Wildlife Preserve. It is 392 hectare of crown land with multi-use trails through forests, grasslands, streams and ponds.
The Lake Ontario Waterfront trail begins by the Murray Canal & follows an easy 740 km route through Quinte West to join the Centennial Park trail. 12 km away the trail can be rejoined in Belleville .
Hanna Park has a beautifully fenced area, the Kinsmen Off-Leash Dog Park , as well as a playground, tennis court, and wood trails for hiking/biking, which boarders the Trenton Escarpment with its interconnecting trails.
The Millennium Trail is a short jaunt from Cedardale, which runs for 50 km into Prince Edward County for excellent biking & hiking.
Venture to Mount Pelion to see the spectacular view of Eastern Hastings County from the lookout, first visited by Samuel de Champlain in 1615 and the cannon drawn to its top in the 1800s.
Go for an easy stroll, suitable for all physical activity levels, from Cedardale down to see the local marsh. Depending on the season, you may be lucky to see the swans and ducks with their young. Carry on to the Murray Canal , constructed in 1882 as an access way between Presqu’ile Harbour and the Bay of Quinte . Great fishing or just have a nice picnic while watching the boats go by. The canal is approximately 5 km in length and has a road running from the two swing bridges. The end in
Carrying Place is a short distance from the Waterfront and Millennium trails.
Water Recreation
Lake Ontario , the Murray Canal , Bay of Quinte, Weller’s Bay or the Trent-Severn Waterways are all local waters accessible for an amazing variety of recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing/kayaking, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, snorkelling, and more. Aside from the gradual depth that can be found at Cedardale’s very own sandy beach, Presqu’ile Provincial Park is also excellent for small children for this same attribute. There are several other beautiful beaches in the local and regional area.
Known for its world class fishing and boating. Fishing can be peaceful or exciting or a great mixture of both. Nothing is better than having “The Fish Story “ to top all others. Maybe this is your year and here at one of these spot. There are so many species of fish to choose from within our waters but the Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch & Northern Pike are common off our shores. What about entering Trenton’s Annual Walleye World Live Release Fishing Derby, Bay of Quinte Open Fishing Tournament, Annual Friends of Weller’s Bay Fishing Derby, or there’s the Weller’s Bay Bass & Pike Live Release Derby.
Whether you enjoy canoeing/kayaking or boating, the southern region of Hastings & Northumberland Counties & Prince Edward County offer scenic views, beautiful islands and lots of water. Travel from Lake Ontario to the Bay of Quinte down the Murray Canal and enter the “Gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway”.
There are a number of municipal boat launches close to Cedardale including one in Carrying Place. They give easy access, not 15 minutes away, to the Bay of Quinte , Presqu’ile Bay, Lake Ontario & the Trent River.
Historical Museums and other Heritage Sites
Brighton is home of the Proctor House Museum & Memory Junction Railway Museums. The Proctor House is a 19th century mansion restored to its original splendour. Take a guided tour for a look at some of the history behind the town. The property around the house is Conservation area and The Brighton Barn Theatre/museum performs in the spring and fall. Originally part of “The Grand Trunk Railway”, the Brighton station was built in 1857, & only nine remain of the 32 stations. Interested in more…the railway stretched from Toronto to Montreal …journey back into history through the memorabilia and antiques and the stories they tell.
The National Air Force Museum of Canada is at CFB Trenton. Look at the history of aviation and our proud Military. See a variety of old and newer planes and the legends that have been made by the pilots who flew them. Attend the Annual “Ad Astra” Dedication Ceremony or visit the 8-Wing/CFB Trenton when they host their Open House at the beginning of June.
Other historically interesting attractions are the Stockdale Mill which was erected in 1880 along Cold Creek, the Old Town Hall in Quinte west was built in 1861, the Carman Nelson Heritage Museum houses a wide variety of memorabilia and collectibles or book an appointment to view the film memorabilia, photos, furniture, journals and taxidermy with the Trent Port Historical Society.
Browse through the Hastings County Museum or the Ameliasburg Museum offers not only its history, but also some local heritage through shows and presentations for all ages. Take a look there may be some thing of interest for you.
Farmer’s Market
Back to the essentials, enjoy the taste of country, literally. We have two local Farmer’s Markets. Fresh organic produce, eggs and meats are available from a variety of farm vendors. Brighton is open every Saturday from May to September plus Wednesdays and Fridays in July & August. The Trenton Market runs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from April to September.
While you are site seeing, visit some of the roadside fruit and vegetable stands. There is one on virtually every main road from Brighton to Trenton and several on the more rural routes. Mmmm…mmm…nothing like fresh fruits & vegetables straight from the farm.
Theatre & the Arts
Brighton Barn Theatre has performances in June and September/October. The Barn is part of the Proctor House Museum and the antiques can be viewed while attending a show.
Centennial Park ’s amphitheatre host shows and music during July and August. Arts Quinte West presents the “Arts in the Park”, “Autumn Show & Sale” & also look into the Gallery & Studio Tour.
Regional
There are other trails located within 30…
Bleasdell Boulder trail is north of Trenton , in Glen Miller, and offers numerous gravel trails through the forest. Big Boulder trail is a 1.3 km round trip to see Big Boulder Creek & Bleasdell Boulder believed to be the largest glacial “erratic” in Ontario, possibly North America . It is …..
The Jack Lange Memorial trail takes you up to the Lock 1 of the Trent-Severn Waterway. This lock tells the fascinating story of the system in full. There are seven of the 44 locks located in Quinte West and is why it is known as the “Gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway”.
The Lower Trent Conservation Areas are multiple locations along the Trent River with great walking, hiking and biking. These trails have beautiful vantage points and natural setting for all nature lovers. There’s also the Quinte C.A., Sager C.A, Trenton Greenbelt, the Riverfront Trail, Weller’s Bay Wildlife Areas
…& 45 minutes of Cedardale
Take a journey around our region to other locations for an adventure into our wilderness. Enjoy the common wildlife and migrating bird population. Macaulay Mountain C.A., Vanderwater C.A., Massassauga Point C.A., Bayshore Trails, Hastings Heritage Trail, H.R. Frink Centre, Bayshore Trail, Trans Canada Trail. Other great natural areas are Harry Smith C.A., Beaver Meadow Wildlife Management Area, Demorestville C.A., Cedar Sands Trail, Woodland Campground Trail, the Railway Bed, Sidney C.A., Batawa Ski Hill, 8 Wing trail, Prince Edward Point & Goodrich-Loomis C.A.
Additionally, it is a beautiful drive to Sandbanks Provincial Park, or the astounding natural spring fed Lake on the Mountain located well above Lake Ontario . These are the many, not all, local and regional parks/trails to get lost in and enjoy for a day. The wonders are there to be found…. join the adventure into this wondrous region.
WESTBEN Concerts at the Barn www.westben.ca