Local Guides World
Best Wildlife refuges in Canada
Top Rated Wildlife refuges
Top Reviewed Wildlife refuges
Tommy Thompson Park
Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park
Little Ray's Nature Centre
Bloedel Conservatory
Fielding Bird Sanctuary
Wild Bird Trust of BC
Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University
Senneville Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Safari Zoo Camp
Fletcher Wildlife Garden
Reviews
Went for a hike for our friends birthday. Beautiful views. Would def do it again.
Garden and surrounding area are beautiful, but then there are these crazy volunteers that tell you your dogs are ugly LOL
Wonderful experience for children and adults.
Since when it became McGill’s private property? We drove all the way down just to realize that we had to buy tickets from website and it is all sold out! We have come here a couple of times before Covid and were never asked to buy tickets in advance. Quel dommage
Serene , amazing staff , if you are a nature lover , the trails are worth it.
BIRDS! This is a great place to look at all kinds of interesting wildlife, from frogs, to turtles, to birds of all kinds. We caught a glimpse of a rare kingfisher! The geese are friendly if you behave. It's great spot to picnic with your family, and will make for great learning and photo opportunities. I would recommend cycling in if you can as the bike trails are lovely.
Definitely worth a visit. Beautifully located on top of a hill in a city park, Queen Elizabeth Park. Free street parking was available along with paid parking spaces. Although, Birds wings were clipped, they were still fun to watch.
You can feel the fantastic beauty with the cheap admission fee. It's a small space. We visited on a sunny day and we had a beautiful family photo.👍 It's free for kids who are 4 years old or under. No $100 or $50 bills!!
We visited the conservatory during our stay in February and it was really good. I don’t think that many tourists know this place, but it’s a must visit for everyone. There are many animals and plants, and in cold days it’s the best ‘cause the temperature inside is tropical!
I have been to Bloedel Conservatory many times over the years, but I was blown away by our visit today! It was like an oasis seeing all the birds and the diversity of flowers they currently have blooming. We will definitely be visiting again in the spring. The orchids were absolutely stunning.
It was great relaxing walking the trails
enjoy many bird species, then oysters and clam chowder soup at the 🦀Crab Shack for lunch outside.
One of our favorite things to do for an afternoon it was lovely 👣👣👣👣🦆🦆🦆🦅🦆🦤🐦⬛🐦🐦🦀🦞🦐🦂⚘️⚘️🪻🌷🌿🌿🌿🌿
enjoy many bird species, then oysters and clam chowder soup at the 🦀Crab Shack for lunch outside.
One of our favorite things to do for an afternoon it was lovely 👣👣👣👣🦆🦆🦆🦅🦆🦤🐦⬛🐦🐦🦀🦞🦐🦂⚘️⚘️🪻🌷🌿🌿🌿🌿
Amazing family day trip on a cold winter day. It’s a short walk up a hill from the parking lot to the Conservatory. Unfortunately this visit may not be possible if accessibility is required. Nonetheless, there were a lot of tropical plants and birds and you can walk around as long as you want. We did it 3 times and played eye spy games! The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and personally introduced us to some of the birds! We are looking forward to visiting again.
Whilst I really enjoyed this indoor tropical garden, I was a little disappointed by the aviary aspect. It was not quite as per advertising - "free flying tropical birds". The tropical birds were in various locations on the one-way route through the lush gardens, and they did not fly - wings clipped? They were beautiful and colourful and lovely to admire, just not how I had imaged the scene. I only spotted a few other birds. I'm not sure where the "over 100 exotic birds" were hiding. The tropical plants in the garden were beautifully landscaped. It was still a worthwhile experience.
There were many beautiful plants, trees, and animals (especially birds) to look at. There are many species in the conservatory with a short explanation of the kind of species. People of all ages can come, and when we came, many children were fascinated by the nature surrounding them. For a small entry fee, this is a great place to visit, especially on a rainy day.
Worth the entry fee easily! A gorgeous, somewhat compact, greenhouse conservatory with a wide variety of tropical plants, several chatty birds, and a family of mice that’ve set up home inside. A beautiful little escape from a chilly winter morning, go check it out!
What an amazing day! We went on a drizzly December so were the only ones in the park. This got us so much time with each animal and a private guided feeding tour. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. Animals seem well looked after. The bunnies were my favourite, love how you can go right in and hang out with them ❤️🐰
A lovely place to walk during all seasons! It's nice and flat with easy trails, which is great for me because I'm rehabbing from a knee replacement. Most people you meet on the trails are very friendly and will smile and say hello, which is sometimes unusual for Vancouverites. I've deducted one star because they don't have any accessible parking spots and because the bathrooms aren't open when the wild bird store isn't open. A public place should have bathrooms available at all times.
mont saint Hilaire is amazing, especially at this time of the year. access fees are well used and the place is well maintained. having such a nice spot so close to Montreal is amazing. highly recommend going during the week as else it gets crowded. they rent crampons if you forget yours, as did my friend. you can even get a hot chocolate when the hike is over.
Had a wonderful time at Jungle Cat World with my family. Went on a Sunday and it wasn't so busy where you couldn't enjoy yourself or get a good view. Every animal was so close up which was delightful. Got to see the wolves and the lion/lioness get fed which was neat. Spent two hours just taking our time to see everything and we really loved seeing some animals roam freely amongst us. Mikey the Donkey was the star of the show. There's also a space where you can pet and feed the bunnies. Just a really happy experience. The cafe and gift shop seemed to be closed but washrooms were open. Will definitely come back in the summer time!
Omar and his presentation for my daughters birthday was phenomenal! Parents and kids loved it, very flexible as well with a last minute location change.
An absolutely electrifying experience! It was surreal! We've never see animals like these ever before, and in such a close proximity. The feeding tour at 1:30PM was thrilling while the sweet lady fed the animals she also gave us so much exciting information about the animals, they had such an amazing bond! I highly recommend visiting, especially with kids. They also give these small packets of pellets which you can feed the friendly donkey, bunnies and llamas. The kind old lady who owns the place was very welcoming and sweet.
What an amazing place to visit and experience. All of the animals are so happy and have bonded to their loving keepers. Completed the Behind the Scenes experience with the amazing Jesse, who you can tell is super passionate about her role. Fed a gorgeous striped hyena named Ed, howled with Loki the wolf, and fed Belak the stunning snow leopard. Jesse spent time explaining everything about the animals, and its safe to say this is not the last time I'll visit! You can also watch their daily feeding at 1:30pm and learn about the different animals, and pet bunnies, goat, a donkey and alpacas that roam throughout the sanctuary!! Thank you for being such an amazing sanctuary to these well-loved angels.
Open skies. Ponds. Lake. Canadian geese. Trees full of grandeur. Lush green carpet. Select your bench or sit on the greens. Peace is yours.
The Jungle Cat world wildlife park was a pleasant surprise. The alpacas, donkey and rabbits were gentle and friendly. My daughter loved petting them. The lions, Tigers, Puma, wolves, snow Leapord are majestic. All animals are well fed and looked after. We could watch them feeding and it was awesome to watch them up close. The washrooms were clean. There are lodges to stay for the night. I will love to try the lions den lodge next time.
Beautiful park to bike or walk. Saw some neat birds, and the birdwatchers were kind enough to tell me what they were. Many trees to sit under.
If you see a white and black fuzzy caterpillar, don't touch it!!
If you see a white and black fuzzy caterpillar, don't touch it!!
It was on my bucket list ✔️ & my 60th Birthday, to feed a few bigger kitties (not domestic). They are very well looked after, great staff, well knowledgeable and caring all around. Would definitely recommend at least a one night stay in one of the rooms, or even a day trip. We were in the Lions den a small apartment size and very cool....a must
Hands down best place in the city to enjoy a full summer sunset over the Toronto skyline! Many hidden gems off the beaten path to explore the waters edge… go find your spot!
During the pandemic, I almost went there every day to ride my bicycle, go fishing, take a walk, and enjoy the scenery. It’s like a treasure in downtown for me. It’s inconvenient to use the restroom when you go deep inside the park. Pets are not allowed, which was good for my daughter who is afraid of big dogs.
We celebrated my nephew's wedding there. It is a beautiful gorgeous place.
Cannot say enough good things. My husband took me for my birthday. We stayed in the lion den and did the behind the scenes experience. The zoo itself is small but the animals are well cared for, seem happy, healthy and content. The experience was unbelievable. Jessie was an absolute gem. Seeing the animals interact with her speaks volumes.
Beautiful! Lush trees, lots of benches with a view of the water, mostly shady walk with some areas of sun as well. Great for birding or a casual walk. Flat trail.
Jungle Cat World is a small zoo/sanctuary for big cats. It's an incredible experience to visit and listen to the roaring lions and howling wolves, which is quite unique. The staff is knowledgeable, caring, and the place is perfect for a family outing with kids in Bowmanville. Notably, they have a friendly donkey, alpacas, and rabbits for petting. It's a very kid-friendly place. The behind-the-scenes tour is highly recommended, especially for nature enthusiasts. Both local and exotic wildlife are showcased, making it a super fun and educational day for kids. The feeding time is a favorite among visitors, and the opportunity to see majestic animals up close, just a few feet away, is truly awe-inspiring. While the variety of animals might not be extensive, the proximity you get to them makes Jungle Cat the best zoo experience, even compared to larger ones.
A great place for a long(!) walk in Toronto. Such a nice escape from the city and filled with picturesque wildlife. Lots of bikers and runners there too.
If you’re a pet parent, be aware that there are no dogs allowed in the park.
If you’re a pet parent, be aware that there are no dogs allowed in the park.
Love visiting here at least once a week. Well maintained and always so.ething new to see
please respect this conversation area, pick up your trash, respect wildlife, and stay on the trail.
incredible park to get some of the best views of the city while surrounded by nature. extremely thankful the city is investing in preserving this area for Toronto’s wildlife. It’s a great spot to go for a walk, run or cycle. There are no toilets nor garbage bins to plan ahead. There are poisonous plants if you step outside the trail, so watch out for yourself and if you’re visiting with kids, keep an eye on them. And again, pick up after yourself and respect the signage this is a nature reserve as well.
I’d be careful at night as it’s a popular spot for people to come for a smoke or a drink.
incredible park to get some of the best views of the city while surrounded by nature. extremely thankful the city is investing in preserving this area for Toronto’s wildlife. It’s a great spot to go for a walk, run or cycle. There are no toilets nor garbage bins to plan ahead. There are poisonous plants if you step outside the trail, so watch out for yourself and if you’re visiting with kids, keep an eye on them. And again, pick up after yourself and respect the signage this is a nature reserve as well.
I’d be careful at night as it’s a popular spot for people to come for a smoke or a drink.
My daughter has been going to this sleep-away camp since she was 6 yrs old. The staff are great and the friendships she's made are even better!
Great place for a bit of nature in the middle of the city. Not usually very busy, and lots of birds and flowers to check out. Be sure to bring a camera!
Peaceful walk, easily accessible and not too busy. You can see a variety of birds, specially near the ponds. The views are good at the beach. I’d say this is a hidden gem if you like to walk and want to do some bird watching.
2023 June 4★
A nice long trail with views of the city.
Expect to spend at least 30 minutes here by bike and well over an hour by walking.
Bike parking and car parking for about 50 at the entrance.
Rental bikes also available.
Washrooms available at the entrance.
A nice long trail with views of the city.
Expect to spend at least 30 minutes here by bike and well over an hour by walking.
Bike parking and car parking for about 50 at the entrance.
Rental bikes also available.
Washrooms available at the entrance.
Mont Saint-Hilaire is a serene mountain with an easy route and well-maintained trails. It offers a refreshing and relaxing experience amidst beautiful natural surroundings. With its captivating vistas and tranquil ambiance, it’s an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking a rejuvenating escape.
A true treasure that so few people take the time to enjoy.
( which , selfishly , I don't mind as it's never to crowded!! Lol)
I go there to re-connect with spirit and the innocence of the natural world that , as a race , as the " Stewards" of this "tiny blue dot" , have NOT been doing our responsibility. This world is a precious gift. As each one of us are. Modern society has made us blind to this connection and responsibility AND honour.
You and your loved ones must go there once.
( which , selfishly , I don't mind as it's never to crowded!! Lol)
I go there to re-connect with spirit and the innocence of the natural world that , as a race , as the " Stewards" of this "tiny blue dot" , have NOT been doing our responsibility. This world is a precious gift. As each one of us are. Modern society has made us blind to this connection and responsibility AND honour.
You and your loved ones must go there once.
Biked here on a Tuesday evening (open to the public at 4pm I believe), and it wasn’t very busy — plenty of room to move. The bugs weren’t too bad for the end of May; it was a sunny day. Simple path in and out with lots of little foot trails here and there. You are only permitted to ride on the main paved sections, with a gravel path at the end near the lighthouse, so if you are cycling, this is a fairly easy route. The pavement is bumpy in places though, so do mind where you put your attention. It is quite serene here — a gem of ride or hike with views of the downtown skyline. Great jaunt away from the hustle and bustle. There is a parking lot at the beginning of the park, quite easy to get to; a water fountain to fill your bottle and all different types of birds for those who keep track of such things. 🙂 Will definitely be riding here again soon.
One of the best parks in the Toronto area, this park offers a fantastic biking and walking trail with a focus on wildlife conservation. You'll have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and fish. The park staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can provide valuable insights. It's worth noting that there are several poisonous plants in the park, so exercise caution and stick to the designated trail—avoid taking shortcuts.
Good place for walking, tracking or bicycling. You can choose a long or short route.
Very quiet place.
Very quiet place.
Went there in April. Maybe better during late Spring or early Summer. Took us an hour to walk from the entrance to the light house. I think it's great for bikers and bird watching. Bring water and be sun protected.
Easy and accessible paths to mudflats and the beach. This area is managed by the Wild Bird Trust and is a conservation space. Dogs are welcome on leash and on trails for the east side of the creek.
Parking is available at the Pacific Environmental Science Centre on weekends. For weekdays, there’s a small dirt lot off Dollarton to the west of the trails.
Small in area but a good spot for light walk and picnic.
Parking is available at the Pacific Environmental Science Centre on weekends. For weekdays, there’s a small dirt lot off Dollarton to the west of the trails.
Small in area but a good spot for light walk and picnic.
nice easy walk. saw some birds and squirrels. nothing too exciting.
some marshy areas. probably got a lot of mosquitoes in the summer. only saw portapotties and no real washrooms.
some marshy areas. probably got a lot of mosquitoes in the summer. only saw portapotties and no real washrooms.
This is a wonderful place to simply go for a casual stroll or nature walk, especially if you enjoy bird watching or bird photography. With the extensive network of trails that connect to the Wildlife Garden property, you can also find yourself walking around Dow's Lake and along the Rideau Canal!
Parking is somewhat limited on the property, but there is also ample parking along Prince of Wales Drive, just South of the entrance to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden property.
As always, please be respectful of the wonderful creatures that call this area their home.
Parking is somewhat limited on the property, but there is also ample parking along Prince of Wales Drive, just South of the entrance to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden property.
As always, please be respectful of the wonderful creatures that call this area their home.
What a wonderful walk! The trails are well maintained and easy for the likes of me, a senior with mobility issues. Didn't see many birds today but those I saw definitely impressed. And the birdsong whistling through the trees was enchanting. A quick trip to bug out of the heat definitely did not disappoint. So glad to have a conservation area in the heart of the big city.
Nice place to bring your grandchild to run and play but only draw back is lac of clean washrooms
From Andrew Hamilton Gault: the mountain of St. Hilaire is my most treasured possession, and in offering it to McGill it is with the hope that its beauties and amenities may be preserved for all time to come, not only in the immediate interests of the university itself, but, through its corridors of learning, as a great heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the youth of Canada. wow! who knew you could own a mountain!? 🤷🏽♂️😂 anywho, it’s a great collection of trails!
Quiet, green, serene. A great locale for wildlife, especially birds. Close to lots of other green space. Walk, bring a good camera and a plan to setup and photograph nature not more than a 15 minute drive from downtown.
9$ per person of age 18 and plus. Less than 18 years the entry is free.
You have good parking place.
A beautiful lake on top of the mountain.
Not many people and less crowded.
You have good parking place.
A beautiful lake on top of the mountain.
Not many people and less crowded.
What a great experience with my son! The staff are super amazing, and the animals are a treat to look at and watch. The souvenirs are so cute to!! Very happy they were able to open up a general admission day! It's been a long time, but worth the wait.
Wonderful private tour with the sloth encounter at Little Rays. Dress for a warm climate. The staff give fantastic information and kids love it. Great way to spend an afternoon.
亲近大自然的好地方
Very peaceful area for a walk. Although the parking lot fills up quickly, it never feels busy once past the entrance. The trails wind through a forest of deciduous trees which offer nice variety from all the usual evergreens on the North Shore. Birding is hit or miss throughout the year, but was great on an early morning in October this past weekend (red-tailed hawk, kingfisher, western grebe, sandpiper). Easy access to the beach when the tide is out, and amazing for blackberries in the summer!
Very beautiful view, long distance hiking, make sure to bring water with you, also some light snacks if you want to make a little stops for break. I really enjoyed the hiking. The view is amazing from the top of the mountain.
I recommend it so much for people who loves hiking and able to walk long distance.
I recommend it so much for people who loves hiking and able to walk long distance.
Jasmin was so knowledgeable and very clearly dedicated to the animals! You can really tell the staff there have such big hearts and want the best for each animal. Loved being there so much. Can't wait to go back! The private tour made a great date activity.
Wonderful area to connect with nature, with flat walking trails and benches to rest and bird watch. Also loved the blooming meadows for the bees and butterflies (in spring), information boards about the history of the area, and Burrard Inlet views with fast incoming tide.
Very accessible for parking and walking. The trails were great and the birds were singing. All they need is to provide some washroom facilities as, when you got to go ......
Wonderful place to visit and to learn from. Little Ray’s not only has many animals, but many from cruelty cases or some those who didn’t realize how much care went into the animal they had purchased. There is a wide range of animals to see, from turtles to iguanas, bats to macaws.
The private tour is right up my alley. One on one time with a staff member, learning about the care (and sometimes history) of the animals. My group had Alex as our guide, and he was wonderful. He took the time to talk about each animal, answered all questions we had, and entertained my kids info-dumping on him when he reached their favourite animals. He was very engaging and appeared to enjoy providing the tour. He started the tour by asking if anyone in my group has snake or spider phobias so that he could adapt the tour as needed.
The new facility is excellent. It is well laid out, large aisles (so to speak) so social distancing can be maintained. It is wheelchair accessible, but there are one or two areas that might be difficult to reach if the wheelchair is larger than average. I did not notice if there are wheelchair accessible washrooms, however.
I definitely recommend checking Little Ray’s out. It is a great way to spend an afternoon, and a great way to help this learning centre keep operating.
The private tour is right up my alley. One on one time with a staff member, learning about the care (and sometimes history) of the animals. My group had Alex as our guide, and he was wonderful. He took the time to talk about each animal, answered all questions we had, and entertained my kids info-dumping on him when he reached their favourite animals. He was very engaging and appeared to enjoy providing the tour. He started the tour by asking if anyone in my group has snake or spider phobias so that he could adapt the tour as needed.
The new facility is excellent. It is well laid out, large aisles (so to speak) so social distancing can be maintained. It is wheelchair accessible, but there are one or two areas that might be difficult to reach if the wheelchair is larger than average. I did not notice if there are wheelchair accessible washrooms, however.
I definitely recommend checking Little Ray’s out. It is a great way to spend an afternoon, and a great way to help this learning centre keep operating.
The new place is somewhat nicer but the area where it's located is better. My kids even took many pictures that you guys could see. During the covid19 time it's much slower but I'm sure they will pick up once we are back to normal. Cheers
Very beautiful this time of year.
Nice little place for a short easy walk. Looks like a favourite place for locals too. With a little playground for kids too. We saw beaver, mallards and geese.
We were passing by Sudbury and came here just to check it out. From the tourist standpoint, this place is nice but not interesting nor exciting, hence the 3 star.
We were passing by Sudbury and came here just to check it out. From the tourist standpoint, this place is nice but not interesting nor exciting, hence the 3 star.
Though we went for the birds, we stayed (and came back the next day of our vacation) for the chipmunks. Lol
A beautiful park. Nice walking trails. Park for the kids to burn some energy. And beautiful flowers.
We downloaded an app called (seek) and if you take pictures of various plants and critters it gives you information about them.
A beautiful park. Nice walking trails. Park for the kids to burn some energy. And beautiful flowers.
We downloaded an app called (seek) and if you take pictures of various plants and critters it gives you information about them.
Beautiful
What an amazing experience, my son came home with the biggest smile on his face. He tried new foods, new experiences, learnt new facts, got to create a teethertotter for the goats and so much more. This camp is worth every dollar spent. He can not wait to attend again next year.
Beautiful spot for a walk and great birding spot.
Perfect experience.
even though this place was small, you can tell that there was a lot of work that went into the care of these animals and that the people working here truly love what they are doing. the hands on shows are excellent while still giving the animal space and respect. i wish this place has the funding and attention it deserves. it’s a great place to bring children there too, as long as they can understand and follow the instructions given by the keeper!
The private tour was so great. So worth the money. You choose 3 animals out of like a dozen that you can touch feed cuddle and play with. I chose skunk lemurs and wolves. The lemurs were hilarious. The baby wolves were just like really cute rambunctious dogs. The skunk was adorable and huge and fat. Love love loved it.
Animals and tour were great. They lost a star on this rating due to being under staffed in the cafe, completely disorganized and only grilling my grilled cheese sandwich on one side.
My daughter has attended this camp each summer for the past 5 years and she loves it. It is a very unique camp experience due to the presence of the zoo animals and the interactions the kids have the opportunity to engage in. The cabins and other buildings are very rustic, moreso than other camps my kids have attended and for that reason I am deducting a star. If your kids can handle that aspect then I don't hesitate to recommend this camp.
Stayed overnight with a school group. The animal encounters were absorbing and the keepers very knowledgeable. The cabin was cramped, bathroom is clean. Typical amenities for a summer camp in my experience. Would recommend bringing activities for kids such as soccer balls or nature notebooks.
Don't be fooled by thinking that it's downtown because the address says it's on bank street. It's quite far, like over 10 minutes south of the airport. It's well worth the trip nonetheless.
The biggest surprise is that they're all rescue animals! Even that massive snake and huge crocodile... What were these owners thinking really?!
Kids loved every bit of it. Good for kids, young and big, my daughter, who is two, wasn't afraid to have the African emperor scorpion crawl on her hand a little bit 😁. Older kids have a lot more fun asking questions.
It's lovely to see all the junior volunteers as young as 12 carry snakes and take care of lizards.
The biggest surprise is that they're all rescue animals! Even that massive snake and huge crocodile... What were these owners thinking really?!
Kids loved every bit of it. Good for kids, young and big, my daughter, who is two, wasn't afraid to have the African emperor scorpion crawl on her hand a little bit 😁. Older kids have a lot more fun asking questions.
It's lovely to see all the junior volunteers as young as 12 carry snakes and take care of lizards.
Bird Sanctuary 🐦
Absolutely love it here. First came to camp 7 years ago and never left. Get to work hands on with so many amazing animals. All the staff handle the animals so professionally and know so much about all the species. I would recommend this camp to everyone!!!
A Canadian mixed forest on the island of Montreal.
We have had 3 kids do Safari Zoo Camp in two different years and they loved it. We stayed in the Safari Lodge B&B at the zoo both times and we loved it just as much I think. Both the camp and the lodge are unique experiences. The kids learn a lot and get to do a lot that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Caring for the animals, handling a variety of species including baby tigers or wolves, or presumably what is present at the time, etc. They also do some excellent off site activities like a caving outing, a waterpark, a zip-lining adventure day, etc depending on the year, the weather, age of kids, etc. It's a ton of fun. Walking through the zoo at night when things are active, waking to the lions roar, I could go on and on. We're hoping they decide to go back another summer or two because we enjoy staying there at the B&B so much as well and that gives us a good excuse.