Free
Eagle's Nest lookout
A cliff-top view over Bancroft and the York River valley.
North Hastings, Ontario
Bancroft
A small highlands town on the York River, known as a mineral and rockhounding centre, with a lookout over the valley, waterfalls and lake parks nearby.
Photo: Egan Chutes, York River, P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bancroft sits on the York River at the edge of the Canadian Shield. The rocks around it hold unusual minerals, and the town proudly calls itself the Mineral Capital of Canada. Keep your eyes on the ground.
The Eagle's Nest lookout gives a view over the town and river valley, and Silent Lake and Egan Chutes are short drives away.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Egan Chutes Provincial Park
Waterfalls on the York River, reached by a forest trail. No facilities.
Free
Hastings Heritage Trail
A long rail trail through Bancroft for walking, cycling and ATVs.
Cheap
Silent Lake Provincial Park
A quiet lake for paddling and swimming, with hiking and ski trails.
Cheap
Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
A small lake park with a beach and lookout trail.
Cheap
Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park
Lakes and rocky backcountry for canoe trips. About 45 minutes south.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Cheap
Bancroft Mineral Museum
Minerals of the region, in the old railway station.
Paid
Rockhound Gemboree
A big gem and mineral festival in summer, with field trips.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Paid
Bancroft Village Playhouse
A small community theatre showing plays and films.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Geologist-led mineral collecting trip
Scheduled rockhounding field trips to collecting sites within about 45 minutes of the shop. Bring your own vehicle and tools.
Season Scheduled trips roughly June–early Oct (check before you go).
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Rockhound Gemboree Tickets
Part of our Ontario Highlands guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The Rockhound Gemboree fills the town in summer.
- Lake parks and waterfalls make an easy second day.
- Algonquin Park's south side is about an hour away.
Nearby and worth the drive
Algonquin Park (Whitney)about 60 min · Guide ↗
The park's east gate and Highway 60.
Haliburtonabout 60 min · Guide ↗Lakes and forest trails.
Ready-made trips with Bancroft
Good to know
- Tourism: bancroftdistrict.com.
- Rockhounding: Collect only where it is allowed. Many sites are on private land.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Egan Chutes, York River, P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Silent Lake Provincial Park, Whpq, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park in Bancroft, Kristopher Kinsinger kkinsinger, CC0
Photo: Millennium Park in Bancroft, Town of Bancroft, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bancroft, Ontario, Mhsheikholeslami, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bancroft, Ontario, Mhsheikholeslami, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bancroft, Ontario, Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0