Ardoch Spring, Ardoch, Ontario, Canada

## Overview Ardoch Spring is a small, community-known public drinking spring located along Ardoch Road in the rural township of North Frontenac, Ontario. Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Shield landscape of eastern Ontario, this unassuming roadside spring has been used by locals and passersby as a freshwater source. The spring features a simple stone structure with a hose that channels the water for easy collection. It is accessible year-round, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The area around Ardoch sits within the Frontenac Arch — a geological bridge of Precambrian rock connecting the Canadian Shield to the Adirondack Mountains. This ancient bedrock, among the oldest on Earth, naturally filters groundwater through layers of granite and gneiss, and springs in this region have historically been valued by both Indigenous peoples and early settlers as reliable sources of clean water. While visitors have reported the water from Ardoch Spring to taste fresh and clean, water quality can vary with seasonal conditions, and no official testing data is currently available. ## Directions 1. Travel along **Ardoch Road** (County Road 506) toward the small community of Ardoch in North Frontenac, Ontario. 2. Watch for the intersection where **River Road** meets Ardoch Road — the spring is located just after this turn, near the address **5520 Ardoch Road**. 3. The stone spring structure is visible from the roadside. Look for the small stone enclosure with a hose directing the water flow. **GPS Coordinates:** 44.929016, -76.900803 ## What to Expect Ardoch Spring is a modest, roadside spring — don't expect a grand natural feature. What you'll find is a small stone-built structure with a hose that channels the spring water, making it easy to fill bottles or jugs. The surrounding area is typical of rural eastern Ontario: forested Shield country with mixed hardwoods and conifers, quiet gravel roads, and very little traffic. The spring flows year-round and is accessible at any time. There are no gates, fees, or posted hours. Parking is informal — simply pull off to the side of the road near the spring structure. The area around Ardoch is remote and peaceful, with nearby lakes and Crown land offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, and paddling if you're looking to extend your visit. Because this is an unmonitored natural spring, visitors should be aware that water quality has not been officially tested or certified. The water has historically been used as a drinking water source by locals, but conditions can change seasonally, particularly during spring thaw or heavy rains.