The town of Bancroft, Ontario is nestled in the York River Valley on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. The area offers numerous year round activities such as live theatre at the Village Playhouse, art exhibits at the Art Gallery, the Annual Rock Hound Gemboree and local rock hounding, cottaging, camping and fishing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, Trail, hiking and nature walk trails. Don't miss the spectacular changing of the leaves every Autumn.
Things to do in Bancroft
Algonquin Arts Council
The Council is a "not for profit" organization formed in 1978 by a group of Bancroft and area residents to facilitate and encourage the development of cultural activities in the twelve northern townships of Hastings County and surrounding areas. The Algonquin Arts Council (A.A.C.) is made up of interested volunteers who promote and encourage artistic endeavors by its four programming committees (see below). The A.A.C. encourages membership in the organization, organizes fundraising projects and manages all moneys received, including those from government grants. A quarterly newsletter is circulated to all its members and to other interested organizations. Best Western Bancroft lodging is nearby.
Algonquin Park Logging Museum
The self guided tour of the Algonquin Park Logging Museum starts with a slide presentation at the reception centre. Our scenic walking trail features 18 exhibits that explain logging history in an entertaining and informative way. Among the exhibits is a full size replica of a camp where the lumberman of long ago ate, slept and socialized. You will also find a sluice way, where logs were floated over the rough terrain to the rivers and waterways that took them on their long journey down to the front country. An actual alligator steamboat, once used to transport rafts of logs across open water, has been restored. The Museum is open daily from mid-May - mid-October. Best Western Bancroft lodging is nearby.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Park is the oldest and the most famous provincial park in Ontario and one of the largest in Canada. Stretching across 7,725 square kilometers of wild and beautiful lakes and forests, bogs and rivers, cliffs and beaches, you will find this canoeist and camper's paradise. The ideal way to explore the rugged beauty of the vast interior of the park with its maple hills rocky ridges, spruce bogs and streams is by canoe or on foot. Over 1,500 kilometres of canoe routes tempt canoeists, from beginners to old hands. The eastern gate to Algonquin Park is 75 kilometers north of Bancroft via Highway 62 N to 127 to 60 West. Best Western Bancroft lodging is nearby. Call 888-668-7275 for more information.
Algonquin Visitor Centre
You will find the Centre sitting high on a rocky ridge offering a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. Plenty of opportunity for hands-on interaction with the world class exhibits and displays can be found. Take a stroll through the Natural History gallery with its realistic three-dimensional scenes of area plants and animals. Do not be alarmed should you spot a moose browsing through the wetlands while sipping on coffee or having an ice cream cone in the Sunday Creek Cafe. A theatre featuring educational and entertaining films throughout the day is also housed in the Visitor Centre. Open daily late April - late October; weekends only from early November - late April. Best Western Bancroft lodging is nearby.
Art Gallery Of Bancroft
The Art Gallery of Bancroft is located in the beautifully restored "Old Station" in the Town of Bancroft. The gallery has retained much of its original features such as the wainscoting and stamped tin ceiling. The gallery mounts twelve shows/exhibits per year. Open Wednesday – Saturday October – April; May & June Wednesday – Sunday; July & August Tuesday – Sunday; hours are noon – 5pm. Call 613-332-1542 for more information.
Bancroft Golf Club
A public 9-hole golf course located in Bancroft Call 613-332-2426 for more information.
32 Station Street, Bancroft, ON
Bancroft Mineral Museum
Located in the old station in Bancroft, the museum was built to resemble the inside of a mine. This area is famous for its great variety of minerals and the quality of mineral specimens that can be found. Bancroft specimens can be found in displays all over the world, including the Smithsonian Institution. Call 613-332-1513 for more information.
Eagle's Nest Lookout
A visit to the top of Eagle’s nest for a panoramic view of the York River Valley below is a do not miss! You will find parking at the top of the steep road that winds its way up to the lookout. This view is even more spectacular during the fall colours. Call 613-332-1513 for more information.
Egan Chute
Recently designated as a Provincial Park although it remains undeveloped in a completely natural state. The York River passes through its steep rock sides with a thundering roar spraying water. Corundum can also be found in occurrences along both sides of the trail leading down (north) to the chute.
High Falls Dam
The Dam at High Falls regulates the water level of beautiful Baptiste Lake. A great place for picnicking, fishing for pickerel and hiking along riverside trails.
Kamaniskeg Lake Lookout
Do not miss the fabulous view from the Kamaniskeg Lake Lookout and Schweig Hill
Lake St Peter
Trout and bass inhabit Lake St Peter where it is possible to catch fish from the park shoreline and docks, but better results are likely from a boat. Open Nay – October. Call 888-668-7275 for more information.
Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
Lake St. Peter Park is designated a recreation park. This park is 431 hectares with comfortable campsites, excellent fishing, swimming, boating and hiking trails. The Park's large sandy beach and warm clear water make swimming and sunbathing favorite activities. There are no lifeguards on duty so parents are responsible for the safety of their children. The Park is open May 10 - October 13
Mineral Capital Mineral Museum
The Mineral Museum in "The Old Station" houses a large mineral display of 300 different local minerals which reflects the unique geology of the region. You will also see a replica mining scene displayed in the museum. Collections belonging to individuals, universities and museums the world over contain Bancroft area minerals, and this museum highlights the reasons why. Also featured are a wide variety of minerals from the region, which illustrate the complex geological history of the area. The museum is open seven days a week during summer months July & August open 7 days a week 9am - 6pm; Monday - Saturday fall, winter and spring. Admission is by donation.
Mineral Collecting
The Bancroft area is famous for its great variety of minerals and the quality of mineral specimens that can be found. Bancroft specimens can be found in displays all over the world, including the Smithsonian Institution. The geology of the region is a complex mixture of different rock types which give rise to many different minerals that bring rock hounds from all over the world. Bancroft is regarded as the "Mineral Capital of Canada" because of the well known variety and quality of mineral species which occur here. Commodities that have been mined in the Bancroft area include: corundum, feldspar, uranium, graphite, iron, nepheline syenite, mica, marble, granite, lead, gold, molybdenite, apatite, beryl, fluorite, talc and sodalite. Mining in most cases was carried out on a limited scale, between 1880 and 1935, and was largely confined to open cuts and quarries. Tours are offered year round; contact us for times. Call 613-332-1513 for more information.
North Hastings Heritage Museum
Step back in time with a visit to the North Hastings Heritage Museum, housed in a beautiful park by the York River. Most articles in the Heritage Museum collection have been donated by people in the North Hastings area and reflect the historic character of its residents. The museum is constructed of hand hewn dovetail timbers, over 100 years old and has 10 galleries of area history as well as displays of Victoria style costumes, an extensive mineral collection, early doctor's, dentist's and hospital equipment. Open July & August 7 days a week 9am – 6pm; last week of June - Labour Day Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm; Saturday 10am - 4pm. Call 613-332-1884 for more information.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
This Park has a special place in Ontario's provincial parks system as it is the site of one of the most intriguing and evocative archeological treasures in Canada. This Historical Park is the home of a distinctive cultural treasure. On a flat expanse of rock, typical of the southernmost extremity of the Canadian Shield, you will find hundreds of carvings of symbolic shapes and figures. According to archeologists and anthropologists, these petroglyphs were likely carved by Algonkian -speaking Aboriginal people between 500 and 1,000 years ago. The shapes and figures had deep spiritual meaning to the carvers. The Petroglyphs Provincial Park is 60 kilometres south of Bancroft on Highway 28 and about 11 kilometres off Highway 28 Call 705-722-.8061 for more information.
Princess Sodalite Mine Rock Shop
A highly regarded shop by mineral collectors as an important stop on their mineral expedition to the Bancroft area. In addition to sodalite, the Rock Shop has an extensive selection of local and world wide mineral specimens, fossils, carvings, rock crafts and jewellery. Also on the mine property is the ever popular Rock Farm, always a must visit for the young rockhound.
Silent Lake Provincial Parks
American sportsmen fished and hunted on this private lake for 40 years before it became a Provincial Park. Landlocked and undeveloped, Silent Lake has a rocky shoreline, a mixed forest and marshes full of birds and wildlife best seen by canoe. A rugged trail circles the lake, and sections of groomed ski trails have been graded for mountain biking. Silent Lake abounds with lake trout and small and large mouth bass; during the summer months lake trout inhabit the deep, cold waters and bass enjoy the warm, shallow waters. Canoeing, wildlife viewing, boating and swimming can all be enjoyed at the Silent Lake Provincial Park. Located in Bancroft. Call 613-339-2807 for more information.
Snowmobiling
The TOP Trail E to Bancroft is a great ride and a gem for snowmobilers. Offering 2,000 km of trails, this area hosts a number of winter festivals that include the Bancroft Frosty Frolics and the Bancroft Sled Dog Races. Call 613-332-3331 for more information.
24 Flint Avenue, Bancroft, ON
The Gut
The site is a great place for a family outing as it forms part of the Crowe river conservation area. Located on the Crowe River where it takes a sharp bend and the waters tumble into a steep, narrow canyon.
Theatric Summer Playhouse at the Village Playhouse
Theatre goers will look forward to The Village Playhouse. You will be impressed with the beautiful décor, air conditioned comfort, cappuccino and beverage bar and seemingly unlimited local talent. Seating is limited so advance tickets are recommended. Open July & August featuring new productions each season. Please contact us directly or visit our website for current shows, times and ticket prices. Call 613-332-5918 for more information.
West Wind Gallery & Gifts
West Wind is one of Bancroft's favorite places to shop offering a large selection of items at exceptional prices. Offering unique gifts and art for all occasions and we carry the most recent Beanie Babies. Call 613-332-1196 for more information.
7 Bridge Street West, Bancroft, ON
York River Millennium Bandshell
Live concerts are held at the bandshell during the summer months.