Washago: Paddling, Park and Art

Water, activity and creative discoveries shape what Washago has to offer. At Washago Centennial Park, you can choose from a beach, walking trail, picnic area and disc golf zone. There are also paddling routes on local rivers, crafts in a log cabin and a farmers market held on a regular weekday during its season. Families can plan a stay that combines active time outdoors with quieter moments and small discoveries.

Things to do at Washago Centennial Park

The five-hole Disc Golf Discovery Zone at Washago Centennial Park is designed for learning, practicing and playing. It suits beginners and families, as well as players of all ages and experience levels. If you’re new to disc golf, you can try your first throws there; experienced players can also enjoy a game. This makes the zone a good option when different generations or experience levels want to be active together.

For a different kind of park visit, there’s a beach where visitors can relax and swim. The park also includes 21 acres of publicly accessible space for picnicking and a walking trail. This means there are different activities to choose from in the same park: a round of disc golf, time at the beach or a picnic break. You can decide which one shapes your day based on your preferences, without limiting the park to just one kind of recreation.

Out on the water

A paddling route from the Township dock in Washago follows the Green River and Severn River to Wasdell Falls. The route offers a specific reason to experience Washago from the water. If you want paddling to be a central part of your stay, this route can be a defining factor in choosing where to visit. If you’re planning a trip with a range of activities, the park’s offerings and cultural discoveries complement the area’s connection to the water.

The Township dock also provides access, after a short carry, to the waterway beside Alexander Hope-Smith Nature Reserve. Quetton Street Dock, meanwhile, provides access to Lake Couchiching. In cold weather, visitors can watch trumpeter swans pass by there. Think of these as different starting points: the paddling route to Wasdell Falls begins at the Township dock, while Quetton Street Dock provides access to Lake Couchiching and an opportunity to watch swans in cold weather.

Art and local discoveries

The Washago Art Gallery features fused glass, as well as turned and carved woodwork. The gallery is housed in a log cabin. Alongside outdoor activities, Washago offers a place where you can discover different materials and handcrafted works. If you like to include art in your vacation explorations, the gallery adds a distinct point of interest.

Downtown also features creative public art displays by the Washago Art Club. Together with the gallery, they add public art and crafts to the range of interests a visit can appeal to. The Washago Farmers Market runs on Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m. from June through Thanksgiving weekend. If you’d like to plan your stay around a market visit, you can set aside a Friday during this period. This schedule applies to the market; it isn’t a general events calendar for Washago.

What kind of stay suits your interests?

For families who want to combine activity with relaxing time outdoors, the park offers different ways to enjoy yourself, including its disc golf zone and beach. Paddling on the rivers, access to Lake Couchiching, art and the seasonal market appeal to different vacation preferences. When choosing a vacation rental in Washago, it may help to first consider which of these experiences matter most to your trip. This way, you can base your choice of location on your travel group’s actual interests, rather than assuming a rental has unverified amenities.

More places to consider for your trip: Penetanguishene, Collingwood, Borden, Waubaushene, Oro, Midland, Port Severn and Victoria Harbour.

See the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.