The wider township · Scugog, Ontario
Updated On: October 2026
Scugog: farms, hamlets and a lake that ties it together
Scugog is the township that surrounds Port Perry, and this page is about how the wider community works. Beyond the heritage main street, the township fans out into farming hamlets and lakefront communities, from Greenbank and Blackstock to Scugog Island, all of it arranged around Lake Scugog. However far out you drive, a network of farms, trails and water shapes everyday life here.
21,581
Residents of Scugog Township (2021 census)
66 km²
Lake Scugog, with about 172 km of shoreline
9
Rural hamlets beyond Port Perry
84 km
Northeast of central Toronto, about an hour by car
Figures from Statistics Canada census and township sources; distances approximate. Verify before relying on them for a commute decision.
No. 01 · The township beyond town
The hamlets
Nine hamlets, one township
Scugog Township was formed in 1974 by joining Port Perry with parts of the former Reach and Cartwright townships and Scugog Island. The result is a string of small rural communities, each with its own character: farm crossroads, lakefront cottages and quiet country roads between them.
A few landmarks anchor the hamlets: Beacon Marina at Caesarea, the Blackstock Recreation Complex and its seasonal arena on Church Street, the long-running Chicken Coop bakery at the Greenbank crossroads, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, whose reserve occupies the north end of Scugog Island with its band office on Island Road.
Lake life and recreation
A working lake with room to play
Lake Scugog is an artificial lake, dammed in 1829 at Lindsay, covering about 66 square kilometres with a long, irregular shoreline. Fishing, boating and cottage life define the township’s summer rhythm, while the green spaces hold their own through every season. In winter the same lake becomes the township’s ice-fishing ground and the setting for the lakefront skating rink, a full picture in our guide to winter in Port Perry. For buyers weighing the shoreline, our new guide to buying a lakefront home on Lake Scugog walks through the waterfront communities, the costs and the permits.
Beacon Marina
Boat launch, fuel and lake access at 3 Marina Dr. in Caesarea, 905-985-3908.
Nonquon Wildlife Area
About 11 km² of trails and boardwalks where the Nonquon River meets Lake Scugog.
Two arenas
The Scugog Community Recreation Centre in Port Perry and the Blackstock arena cover winter hockey and skating.
Canterbury Golf Club
A par-31 executive course on the Lake Scugog shoreline for a quick round.
Getting to the city is straightforward: central Toronto is about 84 km away, roughly an hour by car, with the 401 about 20 to 25 minutes south via Highway 7/12. There is no train station in the township; the usual transit route runs to Whitby GO and then into Toronto by train, which we also cover in our walkability guide to the area.
Living in Scugog
Common questions, answered
What is the difference between Port Perry and Scugog?
Scugog is the township; Port Perry is its largest community and the municipal centre, where the shops, services and most of the housing sit. The rest of the township is made up of rural hamlets (Blackstock, Caesarea, Epsom, Greenbank, Manchester, Nestleton, Prince Albert, Seagrave and Utica) plus Scugog Island, all connected by country roads arranged around Lake Scugog.
Which schools serve families in the township?
Students across the wider township attend Durham District School Board schools, with Port Perry High School (160 Rosa St.) serving grades 9 to 12 for the whole Scugog area. Elementary catchments vary from hamlet to hamlet, so confirm the designated home school for your address with the DDSB Find My School tool.
Is Scugog close to Toronto?
Central Toronto is about 84 km away, roughly an hour by car, with the 401 about 20 to 25 minutes south via Highway 7/12. There is no train station in the township; the usual transit route runs to Whitby GO and then into Toronto by train, covered in our walkability guide to the area.
What is there to do beyond Port Perry?
Fishing, boating and cottage life define summer on Lake Scugog, with public marinas at Caesarea and launches around the shore. The Nonquon Wildlife Area has trails and boardwalks, the Scugog Shores Museum Village tells the town's history on the Port Perry lakefront, and farm markets such as Willowtree Farm, The Chicken Coop and the Sideroads of Scugog route connect the countryside.
What's changing in the township?
The township is planning for growth and renewal. The future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds moved forward in 2026: after a public survey and a final consultant report to council in July, council deferred a decision on the site's future to 2027. Restoration of the 1873 Port Perry grain elevator moved ahead with a $500,000 federal Canadian Heritage Legacy Fund grant in January 2026. A proposed mixed-use subdivision on Port Perry's west side (the Reach Street area, at 1520, 1540 and 1580 Reach St.) would bring roughly 900 to 1,375 new homes and residents plus commercial space, parks and trails; a statutory public meeting was held in June 2026, and a candidate for mayor in the 2026 municipal election has called for the proposal to be deferred or denied. The Blackstock arena also has a planning committee exploring its future. Follow the projects on the Township of Scugog website.
Community Spotlight · This week in Scugog
Trading Post Quality Foods
Country Store · Butcher Shop · Gourmet Grocery
Just north of downtown Port Perry at 1920 Whitfield Road, this family-owned country store has been run by James and Lori Cannon since 2002. It pairs an award-winning butcher shop with a full gourmet grocery: local Ontario meats, farm-fresh produce, artisan cheeses, a deli, baking and ready-to-eat meals. Rated 4.7 stars on Google.
Own a business in Scugog?
New spotlights are published weekly. Nominate your shop, farm or café on the contact page, and past features live on in Other local businesses below.
Curated by Keith Williams & Lisa C. Follows of Willows Realty Group.
Other local businesses
More favourites around the township
Real local businesses with their own sites, from farm markets to country kitchens. A good starting point for a day of exploring the Scugog countryside.
Past Scugog spotlights are kept here too: read our features on Willowtree Farm, the family-run farm market and cafe at 975 Regional Road 21, and Marcelle’s Kitchen, the fully dedicated gluten-free bakery at Redman’s Crossroads on Scugog Island.
Marcelle's Kitchen
The fully dedicated gluten-free bakery at Redman’s Crossroads on Scugog Island.
The Chicken Coop
A long-running bakery eatery at the Highway 12 crossroads in Greenbank.
Amazing Wings Guys
A wing and burger spot serving the Blackstock area on Old Scugog Road.
Burketon Pub & Grill
A country pub kitchen on Old Scugog Road in the Blackstock area.
Willowtree Farm
A third-generation family farm market with produce, cider and a café in Scugog.
Silvio’s Aronia Farm
A family farm on Scugog Line 8 growing aronia berries and farm products.
McQueen Family Farm
A working farm on Reach Street with seasonal produce and farm-store goods.
Sideroads of Scugog
The township’s farm-to-table route connecting local growers and makers.
Township of Scugog marinas
Public marinas and boat launches around Lake Scugog, including Beacon Marina in Caesarea.
Scugog Shores Museum Village & Archives
The township’s living-history village on the Port Perry lakefront.