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Canoeing, hiking and caving at Rockwood Conservation Area

With towering limestone cliffs, caves and glacial potholes, it’s no wonder that Rockwood Conservation Area is a popular destination for an outdoor adventure! From camping and picnicking to canoeing and swimming, this park is filled with tons of activities to enjoy. 

Within the Conservation Area, there are two trails: Pothole Trail and Cedar Ridge Trail. Offering impressive views of the park, they take you around the reservoir, along the tops of cliffs, across boardwalks through wetlands and beside big glacial potholes, glacial bluffs and caves. The trails are of moderate difficulty can be accessed from the beach or the Harris Woolen Mills ruins. 

If you’re looking to try something different, you can rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboat and explore the Eramosa River. You can find the rental kiosk on the beach. We rented a canoe for one hour and managed to see everything. Once you hit the water, there's a few neat views to check out. We found a cave, a dam with a waterfall and beautiful views of the natural geological features. 

When you're feeling ready to wind down, you can always hit the beach on a hot summer day to swim or relax in the sun or grab a bite to munch on from the concession stand. Get out and enjoy the outdoors! 

NOTES:

  • The park offers camping, hiking, canoe/kayaking, fishing, cycling, swimming, mini-golfing and picnicking. 
  • It's opened all-year round from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. 
  • Entrance fees: $6 for adults, $5.25 for seniors and $3 for children (6-14).
  • Dogs are allowed and must be leashed. They're not allowed in the beach area. 
  • Boating rental fees (canoe/kayak/paddle boat): $15/hour for weekdays and $20/hour on weekends. They also require a $50 deposit fee. In the fall, the kiosk is only opened on weekends. 

Happy Adventuring! 

Canoeing on the French River

As a relatively untouched place by modern society, the French River is a great tourist destination for fishermen, paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. The 110 kilometer river has many established canoeing routes along the historic French River and beautiful Georgian bay.

Let's get started!

We went to Hartey Bay Marina, which is about a 3.5 hour drive north of Toronto. Once you get there, you will need to register at the front office and then they'll redirect you to the dock to get set up. 

From here, it's pretty much a "choose your own adventure." Whether you're here for a one day or a few days, make sure to map out a route to take. You can ask the people working there what route would best suit your needs. Invest in a map if you're heading out for a few days! 

Notes:

  • Canoe rental is $35/day. There's a $10 launch fee and a $10 parking fee. All their canoes are 16 ft Nova Crafts and seat two people (but we seated three). They come with paddles, life jackets and safety equipment. You can visit the site here for other rental options. Try to reserve ahead of time to ensure availability! 
  • Check here for a map of the river and popular routes you can take. 
  • Experience the French River by renting a cottage, go backcountry camping, canoeing, kayaking or fishing! 
  • The current can get pretty strong once the river opens up, so be ready to paddle! 
  • Remember to pack bug spray, sunscreen and tons of water! 

Let's be real here

Canoeing gets pretty tiring after the first few hours. We spent 6 hours out on the water with a lunch break on an island. We also didn't have a map, so we didn't go out too far. But we did end up in a swampy area with tons of wildlife. We ended up seeing a baby bear, which Chechi scared off because she got too excited. Typical. 

Happy Adventuring!