The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority maintains eleven conservation areas. The Baxter Conservation Area is on the shore of the Rideau River, down Carter Road off of Regional Road 13 (Dilworth Road) south of Kars.
Many visitors come for the beach and the riverside picnic areas. There are change huts and washrooms. The interpretive centre on site offers many outdoor education programs.
According to the published brochure, explore the many trails through mixed forest, wetlands, conifer plantations, alder thickets, nut groves, meadows and an alternative energy display. In the summer, take a refreshing dip in the Rideau at the Baxter beach.