Campbellford, Ontario, is one of those small towns that packs in way more than you’d expect. While this town was always known to me when I was growing up in Belleville, I didn’t have a more compelling reason to explore Campbellford until my family moved to Frankford, Ontario. And then we kept finding more reasons to head back to Campbellford. So, let’s discover the best things to do in Campbellford, Ontario, from the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge to Dooher’s Bakery and riverside trails.
Campbellford might only have around 3,500 people, but it feels bigger thanks to the community and all the things to see and do. Surrounded by Ferris Provincial Park, farmland, and river views, it’s the kind of place where you can spend a morning on the trails and an afternoon exploring downtown. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or a weekend trip, there are more than enough things to do in Campbellford to make you want to come back.
Officially incorporated in 1906, but with roots stretching back to the 1830s, Campbellford grew up on the Trent-Severn Waterway at Locks 11 and 12. We used to come up this waterway on my dad’s boat when we were kids – from the Bay of Quinte, up through the lock system. What started as a mill and industrial town has become a riverside destination with trails, quirky landmarks, and plenty of local flavour.
Where Is Campbellford, Ontario?
Campbellford sits in Northumberland County, Ontario, right along the Trent-Severn Waterway between Peterborough and Belleville. It’s part of the municipality of Trent Hills, which also includes Hastings and Warkworth. Hastings and Warkworth are two other great little communities worth exploring while you’re in the area.
Campbellford is located about two hours north-east of Toronto; it’s the perfect small-town getaway when you need a break from traffic and screens. This is the perfect day trip from Toronto or it’s also an excellent day trip from the Kingston area, just a little over an hour’s drive. Whether you’re coming from the east or west, the route takes you through classic Ontario countryside. Campbellford is surrounded by farmland, rolling hills, and riverside trails, giving it that mix of country calm and outdoor adventure that makes rural Ontario so appealing.
The town’s location on the Trent-Severn Waterway is what really put it on the map. It’s home to Locks 11 and 12, where you can watch boats move through the historic canal system during the summer, or just enjoy a picnic by the water.
What Makes Campbellford special?
What makes Campbellford special? The New York Times put the Trent-Severn Waterway on its list of places to go in 2025, and Campbellford sits right along it. The 240-mile system of rivers, lakes, and canals winds through some of Ontario’s most scenic countryside, connecting Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. The Times called it a “renaissance,” with new attractions like the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, home to the world’s largest collection of canoes and kayaks (yes, I’ve been there!) and revitalization projects that celebrate the waterway’s history and Indigenous roots.
From Campbellford, you can experience this national treasure firsthand: walk along the locks, cross the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, and soak up the same rustic beauty that captured the world’s attention. Campbellford gives you a front-row seat to one of Ontario’s most celebrated waterways.
10+ Things To Do in Campbellford for a Perfect Day Trip
If you’re planning a day trip or weekend getaway, there’s no shortage of things to do in Campbellford, Ontario. This town has a great balance of outdoor adventure, good food, and charm. Campbellford is the kind of place where you can spend the morning hiking, the afternoon exploring the riverfront, and the evening relaxing over a great meal. Whether you’re into scenic views, craft beer, live music, or just slowing down somewhere beautiful, Campbellford delivers plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.
From suspension bridges to butter tarts, Campbellford is full of reasons to spend a day or two exploring. Whether you’re here for the views, the food, or the fresh air, here are some of the best things to do in Campbellford, Ontario and why you should take a day trip from Toronto or make it a weekend escape.
1. Walk the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge
This is Campbellford’s biggest tourist attraction! It’s a 300-foot-long bridge that stretches high above the Trent River inside Ferris Provincial Park. The view of Ranney Falls below is incredible in every season (I’ve been there in winter, summer, fall and spring) and it’s part of the Trans-Canada Trail. The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of recreational trails, connecting Canada’s Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic coasts. A stretch of it runs right through Hastings and Campbellford in Northumberland County, leading adventurers across the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, one of the most scenic spots along the route.
Hot tip from me to you: visit early in the morning or close to sunset for the best light (and fewer people).
Love Trails With Big Views?
Discover how the Northumberland Rail Trail connects to the breathtaking Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and beyond on the Trans Canada Trail.
2. Explore Ferris Provincial Park
Ferris Provincial Park is all about scenic trails, river views, and that iconic Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. This Ontario Provincial Park has over 10 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, riverside picnic spots, and some of the best leaf-peeping in Ontario come fall. It’s a great family-friendly park with plenty of room to roam. If you’re coming to Campbellford for hiking, photography, fall colours, or a peaceful wander along the Trent River, this is where you go. The Drumlin Trail and River Gorge Trail offer great lookouts, spring wildflowers, and soft adventure for families.
Camping is one of the highlights of Ferris Provincial Park. There are about 150 sites, including electrical and non-electrical options, and it’s a fantastic base for exploring Campbellford. It’s family-friendly, close to town, and quiet at night. The park also sits right beside the Trans Canada Trail, so it’s a dream spot for hikers and cyclists looking for a weekend away.
3. Stop by the Giant Toonie Monument
The Giant Toonie Monument is one of those wonderfully quirky landmarks that makes Campbellford instantly memorable. Standing 27 feet tall in Old Mill Park along the Trent River, it’s a massive tribute to the real $2 coin. It’s complete with the famous polar bear designed by local wildlife artist Brent Townsend. Built by metalsmith Steve Redden with input from the Royal Canadian Mint, the monument proudly celebrates Campbellford as the Home of the Toonie.
It’s the kind of place you can’t help but stop for a photo. The scale is impressive, the river backdrop is gorgeous, and there’s something deeply charming about a small town honouring its local talent in such a big, shiny way. If you’re exploring Campbellford, you absolutely have to see this giant toonie in person. It’s a classic Ontario road-trip moment. Right up there with the Nickel in Sudbury or the Goose in Wawa.
Quick note about walking along the waterfront here in Campbellford, there is a bike tune up station along the water behind the giant toonie.
4. Treat Yourself at Dooher’s Bakery
Locals will tell you this is non-negotiable as something to do in Campbellford. You have to do this in Campbellford. A stop at Dooher’s Bakery is practically a rite of passage when you visit Campbellford. Dooher’s Bakery has been named the sweetest bakery in Canada, famous for its donuts, cream-filled pastries, and classic butter tarts. I’m not a donut connesseur or eater, but I can confirm, this donut was good.
This family-run bakery has been part of the community for more than 70 years. Everything is baked from scratch. Just generations of perfected recipes and a whole lot of love. It’s the kind of small-town spot where the line often snakes out the door, and no one minds because they know what’s waiting at the end.
What makes Dooher’s truly special, though, is its personality. Their famous cream-filled donuts are the stuff of local legend. The bakery sells out before lunch, so don’t sleep in on this. Or you can order online on their website here.
If you’re looking for a real taste of Campbellford, this is where you find it. And note – they are moving in 2026 to a new location in Campbellford, will update when they do!
5. Catch a Show at Westben
Just outside Campbellford, you’ll find Westben, one of the most unique performance spaces in Ontario. Picture this: a beautiful, timber-frame barn tucked into the countryside, where the big barn doors slide open during concerts so music can spill right out into the fields. The acoustics are incredible, the setting is peaceful, and the whole experience feels more like a summer evening with friends than a formal night at the theatre.
What really makes Westben special is the atmosphere. You’re not just attending a show, you’re connecting with nature, community, and creativity all at once. You can book a seat inside The Barn, or stretch out on the grass, or even catch a fireside performance at their cozy Campfire venue. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and genuinely memorable. If you’re looking for something a little different during your Campbellford visit, Westben is the kind of place that stays with you long after the music fades.
6. Visit the Mary West Nature Reserve
Another outdoor surprise in Campbellford is the Mary West Nature Reserve, located just north of town at 1186 County Road 35. Managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, this 38-hectare property features about 2.8 km of walking trails through forest, wetland, and creekside habitat — with boardwalks and signage that make it accessible for all ages. It’s pet-friendly too (leashed dogs welcome), which makes it a fantastic stop if you’re exploring Campbellford with furry friends.
Here’s a hot tip from me to you: pair this stroll with a show at Westben, since they’re practically neighbours. Nature, music, then dinner downtown is the perfect Campbellford combo.
7. Visit Church-Key Brewing Company
Just outside Campbellford sits Church-Key Brewing, one of the most charming and genuinely unpretentious craft breweries you’ll ever stumble across. Housed in a beautifully restored 1878 Methodist church, it has that perfect mix of history and a little eccentricity. It’s the kind of place where mismatched chairs, tables built from skids and beer kegs, and a come-as-you-are atmosphere just work. I like it and have spent sunny afternoons here. It’s cozy, a bit quirky, and absolutely down-to-earth. It’s clear this is a favourite hangout for locals who know good beer and good company.
Church-Key also happens to be Northumberland County’s first microbrewery, and their small-batch ales stay true to classic, flavour-forward brewing. Everything feels handcrafted with care and a whole lot of character. Whether you’re grabbing a flight, lingering with friends, or just stopping to soak up the scenery on the old church grounds, Church-Key is one of those must-visit spots where the beer is great, the vibe is even better, and you feel like you’ve been part of the community for years.
8. Dine on the Patio at Nicki’s Resto Patio
When it’s time to eat, grab a seat at Nicki’s Resto Patio, a local favourite with a relaxed vibe and great food. Here you will find the most beautiful Italian cuisine on the Trent-Severn Waterway in Campbellford, Ontario. The back patio overlooks the water, the drinks are cold, and best of all, it’s dog-friendly, so your furry travel buddy can join you. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and eat with friendly service after a day exploring Campbellford.
9. Watch Boats at the Trent-Severn Locks
Campbellford has been tied to the Trent–Severn Waterway since the early days, when the canal was being pieced together lock by lock across the province. The Campbellford flight locks—11, 12, and 13—were completed in the early 1900s as part of the final push to finish the system. When the waterway officially opened in 1920, Campbellford became a natural stopping point for boaters and a front-row seat to one of Ontario’s most iconic engineering feats. Today, watching boats rise and sink through those century-old chambers still feels like stepping into living history.
So, watching boats move slowly through those locks is not just a nice view. It’s a living piece of Ontario’s heritage.
Quick note about walking along the waterfront here in Campbellford, there is a bike tune up station along the water behind the giant toonie.
10. Taste the Flavours at Empire Cheese Co-op
For me, and definitely for my kids, no trip to Campbellford is complete without a stop for cheese at Empire Cheese. The Empire Cheese original factory dates back to the late 1870s, which makes it one of the longest-running cheesemakers in the region and the last remaining cheese plant in Northumberland County. What I love is that it’s still a farmer-owned co-op, and they’re making cheddar the old-school way in open vats, no artificial preservatives, just pure, squeaky, glorious goodness. If you’re anywhere near Campbellford, you stop here. That’s not a suggestion — that’s a life rule.
Thinking about basing yourself in the area while you explore? Check out accommodations in and around Campbellford in Northumberland County here:
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