Official Tourism Website of Walkerton & Area Ontario
The village of Cargill, about 20 minutes northeast of Walkerton, is fresh and unique, coming alive each summer with a pop-up artisan market, Visitor Centre, BBQ stand, and hand-painted historic figures gracing the streets and buildings. If you like heritage you’ll love Cargill!
Stop by the Visitor Centre first for a self-guided walking tour, directions to the nearby Greenock Swamp, and information about the town’s history.
You’ll learn about lumber baron Henry Cargill, who founded the town on the banks of the Teeswater River and built an empire from logging the Greenock Swamp, the largest forested wetland in Southern Ontario.
During the summer months, the swamp offers boardwalk systems and lookouts. Carnivorous pitcher plants live in the swamp and help to keep the bug population at bay. A short hike to a floating boardwalk will lead you to Schmidt Lake, where you can stop and enjoy the view.
Head back to Cargill before the BBQ stand closes; it offers fresh hamburgers and sausage on a bun, and you can enjoy them outdoors, at tables overlooking the river.
Kids are especially fond of the hand-painted wooden cut-outs by Walkerton artist Steve Mackie, depicting life in Cargill before the turn of the century, and you can treat them to ice cream.
Step inside Margaret’s Mercantile to discover the work of more than 40 local artisans and crafters, some members of the Saugeen Artist’s Guild. You’ll find hand-made greeting cards, paintings, unique bird houses, fabric art (including COVID-19 masks), boxes, preserves, and custom metalwork by Freiburger Welding, to name a few. Baked goods and ice cream cones are at the ready! Get a head start on your Christmas shopping or find a multitude of hostess gifts here.
Margaret’s Mercantile is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday until Labour Day.
Greenock Swamp tours were suspended this year due to the COVID pandemic, but there is still lots to enjoy in Cargill and area!
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