Just 1 Kilometre north of the park is the village of Norland, "the land between".   It is the home of great casual dinning at the Riverside Inn.  Norland also has a great Bait and Tackle Shop, grocery store, marina, gas station and 2 churches.  Ward Park has a baseball diamond, children's playground, winter skating, and hosts the annual horse pull each July.

A short run further north and you will find Elliot Falls...a picturesque place to explore and picnic.  Just a half hour further and you can explore the boutiques of Minden, golf, go white water rafting ,drive up to the look out or just enjoy the best ice cream at Kawartha Dairy.

Heading south into Coboconk you will pass a go cart track. Once in Coboconk you will find a Foodland, 2 hardware and lumber stores, CIBC bank, pharmacy, Bakery full of treats, the legendary Pattie House and the Gulls Nest Restaurant. There is also Subway, and Ryan's. Coboconk is also home to the World's Smallest Jail. There is an LCBO and Beer Store right in town.

Further south you might like to explore the town of Fenelon Falls which boasts many fine restaurants, a beach, boutiques, a golf course and of course the falls and locks which are on the Trent Severn Waterway.

Head down Highway 48 and you can enjoy go carts and mini golf, paint ball and horseback riding.  Take a detour off 48 at Kirkfield and watch the amazing Kirkfield Lift Lock ( there are only 3 lift locks in the world).

Take a short trip to Kinmount to visit the famous Highland Cinema which boasts over 6 theaters and a intriguing museum of cinematic history.

Casino Rama is just under a hour away where you can enjoy fine restaurants and world famous entertainers as well as the casino itself.

There are many summer and fall fairs and festivals to be enjoyed at various towns in around the beautiful Kawartha Lakes area.

During the winter months you may also take advantage of the snowmobile and ski trails in the area.