Local Guides World
Best Nature preserves in Canada
Top Rated Nature preserves
Top Reviewed Nature preserves
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Heart Lake Conservation Park
Heart Lake Conservation Park
Rockwood Conservation Area
Guelph Lake Conservation Area
Albion Hills Conservation Park
Tommy Thompson Park
Tynehead Regional Park
Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
Meadowvale Conservation Area
Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve
Englishman River Regional Park
Mill Stream Conservation Area
New Sudbury Conservation Area
Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve
Cedar Creek Conservation Area
Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area
Two Creeks Conservation Area
Silver Creek Conservation Area
Albion Hills Conservation Park
Cold Creek Conservation Area
Seymour Conservation Area
Reviews
Beautiful trails on a variety of terrain. Best in winter when it'd not muddy.
Silver Creek Conservation Area is a nature lover's paradise, offering an outstanding hiking experience. The trails wind through diverse landscapes, from lush forests to open meadows, providing a perfect blend of scenery for hikers of all levels.
The well-maintained trails are a testament to the conservation efforts, creating an environment that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty surrounding them. The varied terrain adds an element of excitement, making each hike a unique adventure.
One of the standout features is the pristine Silver Creek that meanders through the area. The soothing sound of flowing water adds to the tranquility of the surroundings, creating a serene atmosphere for hikers to enjoy.
The signage is clear, making it easy to navigate the trails and choose paths based on preferred difficulty levels. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, Silver Creek Conservation Area has something to offer.
The conservation area is well-equipped with amenities such as picnic areas and benches strategically placed along the trails, providing perfect spots to rest and appreciate the natural beauty. The overall cleanliness and maintenance contribute to a positive experience.
In conclusion, Silver Creek Conservation Area stands out as a great place to hike, offering a perfect blend of nature, well-maintained trails, and a serene environment. It's a must-visit for those seeking a peaceful escape into the beauty of the outdoors.
The well-maintained trails are a testament to the conservation efforts, creating an environment that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty surrounding them. The varied terrain adds an element of excitement, making each hike a unique adventure.
One of the standout features is the pristine Silver Creek that meanders through the area. The soothing sound of flowing water adds to the tranquility of the surroundings, creating a serene atmosphere for hikers to enjoy.
The signage is clear, making it easy to navigate the trails and choose paths based on preferred difficulty levels. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, Silver Creek Conservation Area has something to offer.
The conservation area is well-equipped with amenities such as picnic areas and benches strategically placed along the trails, providing perfect spots to rest and appreciate the natural beauty. The overall cleanliness and maintenance contribute to a positive experience.
In conclusion, Silver Creek Conservation Area stands out as a great place to hike, offering a perfect blend of nature, well-maintained trails, and a serene environment. It's a must-visit for those seeking a peaceful escape into the beauty of the outdoors.
No reservations needed for this area and lots of free parking. Two beautiful trails to hike here. One is under 5k and the other just under 10k. The trails have a few waterfalls scattered throughout. Can be muddy in spring. Silber creek conservation area is a great place to spend a day in any season.
Confusing at first but good walking paths
Bummed the bridge was closed but there was Chainsaw work being done nearby and it was for safety reasons.
Always a nice relaxing walk. And short enough you can decide to do 2 or 3 rounds.
A gorgeous new disc golf course awaits you! Get outside and give this beautiful terrain a try. The holes are expertly designed with a balance between risk and reward with many of the holes challenging your strategy with unique shot shapes and elevation changes. We will be back again soon!
Nice place, need to go on a dirt road to get here. The views are amazing, especially in the fall season.
It was beautiful trail , we went at the end of fall , it was so lovely very calm , there are many trails , we took the Tom east trail, which is nearest to the parking lot , it's a loop about 4.5 kms , really enjoyed it , many said the other trails are more nice but we had to get back early , next time will definitely try it , there is a free parking so don't have to worry about paying anything .
Amazing trail with lots of rocks, which is not boring and gives more fun for trail walk. It might not ideal for walking with little young kids. Area was very beautiful in fall, will re-visit in spring time! There’s no designated parking spots, street parking allowed and fresh entrance to the area.
Beautiful place, some parts are difficult in bruce trails but was very exciting and was a new experience for us, no picnic spots inside, however you will find some near parking, close to station 5, we enjoyed the fall colors, water in creek was bare minimum.
No entry fees.
No entry fees.
Wonderful trail system for walking , running or biking. A special place in the heart of this city.
Nice quiet little park. A great place to put in for a paddle or have a little picnic.
Unfortunately not that impressed with Albion Hills for camping. Seems you can park your trailer any way you want on your site. Guess this is because one hydro/water post serves 2 sites and i guess most folks don’t carry extension cords or extra water hoses.
Anyway here in early October and it was rather dumpy looking with cars and trailers parked any which way.
Bathrooms were not clean on any day (we were here 4 days).
I count my blessings that my dog rarely barks, but there were plenty of other folks that don’t seem to mind letting their dog bark all day while at their site (that isn’t the fault of Albion Hills though).
There is plenty of hiking and cycling trails that were great.
Anyway here in early October and it was rather dumpy looking with cars and trailers parked any which way.
Bathrooms were not clean on any day (we were here 4 days).
I count my blessings that my dog rarely barks, but there were plenty of other folks that don’t seem to mind letting their dog bark all day while at their site (that isn’t the fault of Albion Hills though).
There is plenty of hiking and cycling trails that were great.
Excellent trails. Lots of people using them.
A beauty fall hike here with the fam jam. The colours are about a week away from exploding into reds, yellows, and orange.
There are a lot of rocks and uneven trails/ground to walk over, so it's not for everyone.
We loved our day here and would love to return to take a different trail. Some geocaches here too if you're into that. 👍
There are a lot of rocks and uneven trails/ground to walk over, so it's not for everyone.
We loved our day here and would love to return to take a different trail. Some geocaches here too if you're into that. 👍
Easy access from city limits. Plenty of trails, campsites (serviced and non-serviced, pool/ splash pad and chalet to host events. Nice to go on one day too
Had a ton of fun on this trail! Many different paths to see and great coverage. Even saw a puffball a huge one at that. Love the rock formations here makes for a good challenge while hiking.
niceplace for kayaking but not great for walking .
Albion Hills Conservation Park is a haven for those seeking an escape from the chaos of the city. Nestled amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of rolling hills and vibrant forests, this park offers solace and tranquility to its visitors. Unfortunately, the once-pristine surroundings are marred by careless actions of some visitors who choose to litter. It is disheartening to see plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other debris scattered across the otherwise enchanting trails and picnic areas. Albion Hills Conservation Park deserves to be charished and preserved allowing future generations to revel in its splendor. Please show respect to this incredible sanctuary of nature. Visitors should refrain from shouting or creating excessive noise in the picnic areas. While it maybe tempting to let our voices carry in the open space, we must remember that others also come to Albion Hills seeking tranquility and relaxation.
Better for kayaking and canoing than hiking. There's a few trails that start as walking trails, but if you want to go more than a 30 second walk in, be prepared to follow game trails more than anything else.
Also, some strange individuals around...as always, keep your wits.
Also, some strange individuals around...as always, keep your wits.
Perfect little spot for a picnic. It has an old barn and a picnic table. There are no trails here, just nature.
Love the place for camping and mountain biking! As a mountain biker, great technical trails to learn from. Been here a lot of times and would still love to come back for more. Great place to exercise your lungs with a lot of uphill climbs before you enjoy the downhill.
Good place for hiking, clean bike trails. Lots of picnic spots. Charcoal and gas BBQ allowed, clean public swimming pool $3 but not heated 🥶, splash pad and a small area for the little kiddies to play. Park admission fee of $7, lots of parking, very little phone reception and washrooms available. Overall a good place to visit and explore!
Great spot to launch the Kayaks for an afternoon on the Creek. My wife and I spent 5 hours out there and came back burnt to a crisp from the sun but it was well worth it. We paddled all the way to the inlet from the lake and the views and water was amazing.
This conservation area has hiking trails and a picnic area but it is not really for these activities. Cedar Creek Conservation Area really shines as a water sports spot. The dock is a standard dock, just a flat platform out on the water, so make sure you stretch before getting onto your craft, but the current is calm and the wildlife along the shore is beautiful.
Generally the spot is not too busy and you can usually get your stuff loaded without much company, however on the really beautiful days you might run into a full parking lot.
This conservation area has hiking trails and a picnic area but it is not really for these activities. Cedar Creek Conservation Area really shines as a water sports spot. The dock is a standard dock, just a flat platform out on the water, so make sure you stretch before getting onto your craft, but the current is calm and the wildlife along the shore is beautiful.
Generally the spot is not too busy and you can usually get your stuff loaded without much company, however on the really beautiful days you might run into a full parking lot.
Short distance to swimming spots. Very nice scenery
What a fun place to see!! Short walk from where we had to park the bikes but was enjoyable to see!
A great hidden little gem north of Toronto. Almost no traffic when I went on a lovely late July afternoon. Lots of mosquitoes and theyre quite agressive here for some reason so bring some good DEET. Signs also indicate presence of ticks. Nice wide trails and the sceneries are very varied. Did the entirety of the loop 6.5km according to my strava recording. Sad their not so much free access geocaches in the area.
Great line up of music all summer long. Enjoyable venue. Outside amphitheater type lawn seats. Bring your lawn chairs, sit back, and enjoy. Hat is passed to recoup costs but is a free venue.
It's a good half a kilometre walk from the designated parking area so be prepared for a good walk through some dense marshlands under a broadwalk
cool looking
nice hike to get there , great beach
can't enter...its locked up
be careful, the horese/black Flys are awful
nice hike to get there , great beach
can't enter...its locked up
be careful, the horese/black Flys are awful
Easy to get to with tons of parking. Trails were flat with very little roots to trip over. Great for an easy afternoon walk with your dog and a swimming pond at the end when it gets hot out. There is a picnic area and port-a-potties available.
Place is nice for hiking. There is no network in that area so be prepared. There is 7 dollars something fees per person, place has pool too. Good area . 8/10.
Great place. Very calm and scenic greenery now. Its a free entrance and free car parking.
Beautiful trail for nature lovers. Nice mature tress , beautiful hill, nice stream in the middle and amazing landscpaes…. Enjoyed the afternoon with kids and parents. Bit difficult for seniors though. Not a lot of resting areas but still was manageable .
Nice little walk
I loved this trail very much. There is a nice, easy, tranquil walk either through a graded stone path or a trail through the woods. Both are very nice and easy. I take my kids and dog and they both love it. There is also a nice spot along the river bank that is both sandy and rocky and private. I would highly recommend.
Love walking here along the River with my dog, best part is all the trails are off leash for us dog lovers
Nice small hill but really busy on weekends
This is quite a large piece of wilderness with very beautiful landscapes, easy trails, and panoramic views. Even our little grandson walked several kilometers with great pleasure, without complaining of fatigue. There are several entrances to this area of the forest, but the trails are marked a lot, so it's hard to get lost.
Just 45 min from Brampton this Provincial Nature Reserve offers great trails rated moderate to extreme and good thing they also have free parking just 5 min from the start of the trail.
The Hockley trail is a decent 10 km loop that covers pretty much the whole reserve, there are 4 side trails that can add 5 more kms to your hike.
On an average the increase in altitude is around 350 meters, so it gets pretty challenging. Midst of the trails there is a small lake that has benches to relax.
The Hockley trail is a decent 10 km loop that covers pretty much the whole reserve, there are 4 side trails that can add 5 more kms to your hike.
On an average the increase in altitude is around 350 meters, so it gets pretty challenging. Midst of the trails there is a small lake that has benches to relax.
I visited Pelee Island after season and basically the entire beach was just for me. I was at the lighthouse more than an hour all by myself, which was great since I had the time to take pictures without rush.
If you are near Detroit area o Windsor, ON., this is a great plan for the weekend. The trip on the ferry was awesome and the views... just wow.
Visit the Lighthouse and parking is free, but getting to the island is around 40 usd with your car included.
If you are near Detroit area o Windsor, ON., this is a great plan for the weekend. The trip on the ferry was awesome and the views... just wow.
Visit the Lighthouse and parking is free, but getting to the island is around 40 usd with your car included.
A couple of picnic tables if your just stopping to eat. Very small likely no more than 1 acre. No trails.
I love hiking here because it's one of the few forests within an hours drive that feels like a real forest (e.g. not near suburbia). If you do the full 16km circuit, you get a lot of elevation for Ontario as it's quite hilly which is great if looking for a workout. Trails not technical like other sections of the Bruce Trail (e.g. not rocky).
Such a pretty area for fall colors , not very big , just a quick stop , but nice hidden little gem
The Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve offers well over 10 kilometers of trails with trees, streams and a rugged terrain at times. Covering all the trails will take you up and down a series of valleys where the streams are running. Trails are well marked, some sections like bridges are boarded; you probably will want to take a picture of the map at the trail head before hitting the ground, and it's easy to take a wrong turn (I did which made my hike significantly longer!!). You can park on a parking lot nearby and hit the trail head from the road just a 2 of minute walking distance on the road.
A very pleasant area to enjoy the fall colors too. Recommended!
A very pleasant area to enjoy the fall colors too. Recommended!
We went for quick walk
Wow! I’ve lived in Essex county my entire life and have never been here. What an incredible old growth forest with an amazing amount of very tall trees. Beautiful loop trail with many boardwalks. An opportunity to see what Essex County looked like before farming cleared the forests. A gem!
Two Creeks is a very nice conservation area with a variety of vegetation accessed by a good trail system with many bridges. The trails are well maintained and marked for easy navigation. The bike trails look like even more fun. The creeks had very little flow in September when I visited. Lots of birds and squirrels. Great facilities including restrooms and a huge picnic shelter.
Cold Creek Conservation Area
The trail is a mix of open field, forest and a Creek with a beautiful view.
There are a lot of mushrooms.
The trail is a mix of open field, forest and a Creek with a beautiful view.
There are a lot of mushrooms.
About a 10 minutes walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse. There is a nice beach to walk along before you get to the lighthouse. It's locked so you can't go inside.
Beautiful walk to the lighthouse !! A short board walk and path through the marsh… so much lush green and wildlife! And amazing view of the lighthouse once you reach the beach! Went twice… at sunset and again the next day!
grew up around here , the trails are easily navigated and the park is clean.
A quiet and less hiked trail, did not see any other hikers during the hiking. The grass were kind of tall on the trail. Took the Wetlands trail loop, but only completed the south portion. The total loop length is about 6km. Mosquitos were hungrily active, so bring you spray.
This place is amazing. Great place for walking and biking, lots of trails. Free concerts every Sunday at 6:30 pm starting June 5th, 2022. Nice musical groups. I highly recommend this place for families.
Great place to put the kayak or canoe in if you are comfortable with using a standard dock. Only 1 picnic table that is chained to a tree, but a beautiful place to picnic. Grass is over grown. Poison ivy growing on the stairs to the dock. Not much parking as it is a very busy place. But the experience on the water is amazing! Cant wait to go back!
Great trail length but not overly well maintained as you get deeper in. Quarry is really nice and a few cute spots for a picnic or small event!
June 2022
What a gorgeous if not a shorter one. As I said in my last post, this is the time to get out there - temps are moderate, enough breeze to keep the bugs down, and the forests are amazing.
We started off with 🥞 at the Hockley General Store (highly recommend, and just a short distance from the Shitz's Creek Motel) before hitting the Tom to Glen Side trail loop, part of the Bruce Trail system.
It was only 6k but what a hike. Lots of elevation changes as you go through a beautiful forest. So this is not an easy walk in the woods - except to climb and climb again.
A 4 star rating with many other trails nearby if you want a longer day. Parking lot is on side of highway just before the trailhead - about half click walk.
Hope you get to make it.
What a gorgeous if not a shorter one. As I said in my last post, this is the time to get out there - temps are moderate, enough breeze to keep the bugs down, and the forests are amazing.
We started off with 🥞 at the Hockley General Store (highly recommend, and just a short distance from the Shitz's Creek Motel) before hitting the Tom to Glen Side trail loop, part of the Bruce Trail system.
It was only 6k but what a hike. Lots of elevation changes as you go through a beautiful forest. So this is not an easy walk in the woods - except to climb and climb again.
A 4 star rating with many other trails nearby if you want a longer day. Parking lot is on side of highway just before the trailhead - about half click walk.
Hope you get to make it.
Very nice park. It is huge! It has several types of trails according to difficulty level. Good signalling. Plenty of parking which is included in the entrance fee. Washrooms are clean but in specific locations, so most likely you’ll need to drive or go in your bike to get to them.
While hiking, we saw several families camping in their designated campgrounds, which was really cool.
If visiting in summer, bring repellent, sunscreen, food , water and a hat! It is HUGE and you can spend here 3-4 hours at minimum.
While hiking, we saw several families camping in their designated campgrounds, which was really cool.
If visiting in summer, bring repellent, sunscreen, food , water and a hat! It is HUGE and you can spend here 3-4 hours at minimum.
Beautiful area. We went kayaking out to Lake Erie, just gorgeous. Walked the trails. Great little spot.
If you're afraid of snakes, walk along the beach to get to the lighthouse from the parking lot. The trail has many snakes and turtles to see, which is great if you like wildlife. Saw a few people scream and run back along the trail, which just disturbs the wildlife.
This is essentially just a small field with a half open barn in it. There used to be a trail it seems - the main entrance to the trail is over by the house at the right side of the field (if you have your back to the road) and leads down to a bridge over the stream. As at March 2022 that bridge is closed and even if you get across the stream the trail is unmaintained / barely visible after a few hundred yards. You can follow the stream for a bit but it’s walking in the ravine and there are spots where people have been dumping garbage so not very nice.
Extraordinarily rural, stunning & quaint with trails lined cedars, gentle slopes and in the middle of the forest, an incredibly well maintained outdoor rink! The pond area has become a forest ice rink adventure with picnics tables available & wood burning fire pits! The King staff mentioned, they were hoping more skaters would take advantage of this pond turned rink, as numbers have been very low (9 skaters the other day). Varied hikes throughout the conservation area with well marked trails & blazes. Ideal for trail running but scattered ice patches on the mix terrain. Gates are open 8:30-4:30 with ample free parking either at designated parking locations and/or along road side just outside the gates. No amenities open so bring your back pack, icers or skates! Had poles with me but not needed. The drive to the conservation is equally stunning & reminiscent of cottage country. Roads into park can be somewhat challenging with icy patches and narrow turns- drive with caution as cross country skiers share the roadways! Happy trails!
Beautiful light hiking trail in the pine woods. You can see the frozen lake and indulge in the silent forest. A loop about 6km, mostly flat, and you could shorten the hike with the trail connects. Takes around 1-2hours if you walk slow. Good for all ages.
Much trails. Very nature
beautiful spot. Great trails for the whole family and amazing visuals. I'll visit here at least once a month.
A nice leisurely walk on an autumn day. Seriously stay on the trails. Lots of ticks. Even on leash and under control our dog acquired almost 2 dozen. Note as well that a few people are pretty lazy about picking up after their dogs.
Small conservation area tucked away near a stream. There is a gravel parking lot across the road and the main sign is above the field that constitutes the entire usable area. The field is open, of a decent size (maybe a small soccer field) and next to private property. An old structure serves as a picnic shelter. Everything overlooks the stream though it is inaccessible. There are no hiking paths or other features; this area is simply for the field and picnic structure. Nice area, good to see conservation, but was expecting some hiking paths.
Cold Creek is a nice place to spend about half a day. There were people barbecuing as well so you can spend the entire day if you plan to as well. The walk on the trails are nice. Clear cut path and nice places to take pictures as well. The bog board walk is unfortunately closed due to trees falling on it and destroying parts of it. The whole conservation area constitutes about 6 km of marked scenic nature trails for any beginner or seasoned hiker. A nice place to spend with your loved ones. I would wear good shoes as part of the trail consists of mud as well.
As an experienced hiker I can say it was was rather interesting how little it was tamed in certain areas with trails being rather natural. If you like natural trails, this is one of the few places in the area you can do that. If you want to actually know where the trail is then this is not for you. I'm telling you, the trails are virtually non existent.
Perfectly fine trails but nothing particularly interesting. We did the upland loop so can’t say if the teal trail is better…. Oh, and I find it very annoying when a trail map is oriented with North pointing downwards.
Nice hiking area with lots of hills, bridges and nature's stairs of tree roots and supported dirt stairways. Lots of stone bedding, root pretruding on narrow trails. I wouldn't recommend it for children, some parts may be challenging.Beautiful forest trails,there were some trees down , and tight trails that need a trim as it was tight with brush in a few spots. We hiked the main trail and the off chute trails that come back around to the main entrance stairs in the end. Not many hikers in the morning with lots of parking available. Nice way to spend a few hours enjoying nature not far from home.
Beautiful, small park with a short boardwalk / trail to the beach through wetlands. The beach is a mix of pebble and sand, bordered by gorgeous mature deciduous trees and thick undergrowth to the west and lake Erie to the east. At the end of the beach (about 800 meters from the trailhead) is the lighthouse. We were delighted to see five (5!) large snakes in the bushes near the lighthouse, only one of which seemed at all disturbed by our presence. This would be a nice beach to linger on for a while (but note that there are no facilities nearby).
Both walk ways and bike paths available. Signs and arrows help with direction. Tidy port a pottys on site. Nice picnic area.
Gorgeous, quiet spot for a picnic lunch and some pictures. Trails are overgrown and not maintained.
Wonderful place to go for a hike. Nice variety of dense and open spaces, and plenty of different lengths of loops to get the most out of your visit.
Beautiful scenery from start to finish.
Beautiful scenery from start to finish.
Beautiful spot. Great trails. Would be better if some people picked up after their dogs
Beautiful trails and several bridges winding through mature trees. There's a memorial grove area that will look much better once the trees get a bit bigger. Some of the bridges don't look super safe, but it's easy enough to take another trail and go around them.
Trails are clearly maked with directions. There are a variety of different landscapes. Overall, a very nice and enjoyable hike. We did most of the outer loop in about 2 hours.
Honestly, it was our first time there and I don't know why, but I guess I expected it to be better. To be more going on. It was just a typical walk through woods. Nothing else really interesting. doubt we'll ever be back.
This place is so beautiful and has great hiking trails with a really cool brigade that is great to get a better overhead view of the river
Nice little trail to go walking around in. Not overly harsh on the joints although the terrain varies
Bike park needs some TLC but my little guy ripped it up anyway.
Beautiful place with nice walking paths and excellent mountain biking paths. There are also spots to barbeque with picnic pavilions.
A peaceful place to watch beavers at work. A crayfish investigating the photographer. A place for your dog to walk you. A river to swim in (briefly). Fish ponds for young fish to grow.
This was a beautiful, natural sight in Sudbury. There are many walking trails, a soccer field, and even a hill for skiing.
I had a wonderful time today walking the trails up to and around the lookout.
Beautiful park with waterfalls, hanging bridge, swimming holes and picnic area. Perfect for all ages!!! I love to access it through the industrial park in Parksville because I can let my dog run without leash almost till top bridge.
A great short or long hike. Summer low water to winter high rushing water. Lots to see. Great stairs and trails if you go to the right before the bridge and nice pools of water and Salmon in the late summer. Great well maintained trails.
This is a small open area of grass with a pavillion...NO TRAILS.
Also right next to someone's house.
Also right next to someone's house.