About Bancroft and Area

Welcome to Bancroft, the "Mineral Capital of Canada". Situated on the Canadian shield, Bancroft is about 3 hours west of Ottawa, 1 hour north of Belleville, and 1 hour northeast of Peterborough.

Bancroft is a picturesque community with the York River flowing through the center of town. The North Hastings area offers lots of activities year round. We have everything from live theatre at the Village Playhouse, rock hounding at the annual Rock Hound Gemboree, cottaging and fishing at numerous area lakes, or snowmobiling in the winter on the well maintained trail system. Snowmobilers and ATVers alike have easy access to the local trail system. As part of Bancroft's Millennium project, a bridge was placed across the river to access the Hastings Heritage Trail. For hunters, the Bancroft area offers game from partridge to deer and moose, and recently, elk were reintroduced into the region. For those who like to fish, the area lakes offer an abundance of great fishing. The newly completed North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery is rearing a unique species of lake trout for stocking in area lakes. Visit one of the local "sugar bush" camps in the spring to see maple syrup being made. For outdoor enthusiasts, the area offers great hiking and nature walk trails.

Autumn in the Bancroft area is a spectacular sight. The foliage turns to golds and reds around the area. A day trip north to Algonquin Provincial Park is well worth it to experience the fall colours. The local artisans hold their annual "Fall Studio Tour" for all to enjoy. The wealth of artistic talent in this area has been recognized for years. In 2004, Bancroft was awarded the title by TVO, "Ontario's Most Talented Town".

The Rally of the Tall Pines in November is a world class event for car racing enthusiasts. "Think Snow" winter carnival in February is a fun weekend for all. Events include sled dog races running through town, outdoor skating, and sleigh rides. A well utilized asset to the area is the York River Millennium Bandshell. It is not only a venue for theatre and outdoor summer concerts, the Mineral Capital Concert series, but it is used year round for dozens of events held in Millennium Park. One of the newest additions along the riverfront is the Freedom Skatepark, a skateboarding park for youth of all ages to enjoy.

A redevelopment of our downtown is being proposed by consultants. The Town of Bancroft has taken a contentious step forward by contracting with expert consultants. OEB Enterprise are being paid $25,000 per month to do a feasibility for a redevelopment of Bancroft's downtown. The project will include a new Mineral and Heritage Museum, boardwalks along the river, a new hotel, a Town Hall, community centre, parking areas, shops, housing, trails, and greenspace.

Evanco Development Corporation and Forrec Limited have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Bancroft as the exclusive developers and designers. Bancroft is a hub for this part of Ontario and a cottage area. This project is being promoted as the centrepiece in developing the Greater Bancroft area as a tourism community where people will want to live and visit. This may enable a broader community effort to attract visitors and new residents.

For current information on what is happening in our downtown, visit Bancroft BIA or read what a local Citizens Advocay Group is doing to promote transparency and accountability surrounding this project and other happenings by the Town of Bancroft at Concerned Citizens of Bancroft.

Discover Bancroft, "The Mineral Capital of Canada".