ACTIVITIES

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Camping

Camp sites: Conestogo Lake Conservation Area offers 95 serviced and 86 unserviced camp sites on the lake as well as on the Conestogo River. The lower park by the river is a radio-free area. Up to six people are permitted per campsite. Check in is after 2 p.m. and check out is before noon.

Reserve a site: Sites can be booked online or by calling toll-free 1-877-558-GRCA (4722).

Maps showing the campground area and location of the campsites can be found by clicking the 'online' link above. Please review our Camping Reservation Policy prior to making your reservation.

Group camping: Four group campsites can be booked directly through conservation area staff for organized groups. These are available by reservation only.

Monthly & seasonal campers: Please call the conservation area directly to reserve your monthly or seasonal site rather than book online or through our toll-free number.

Fees: Click here for fee information.

Firewood: Firewood can be purchased at the gatehouse.

Alcohol: Alcohol is permitted on registered campsites only, except for a total alcohol ban on the Victoria Day and Labour Day long weekends.

Waste: Blue box bins and garbage containers are placed throughout the park. Blue box items include boxboard, paper, plastics, foil, glass, cans, drinking boxes and milk cartons. A dumping station for RVs is located near the back of the main washroom.

Canoeing

Canoes can be rented at the gatehouse and they may be reserved in advance for an additional fee.

For more information on canoeing in the Grand River watershed, please click here.

Boating

Each arm of the y-shaped lake is six kms long, so the lake is ideal for sailing, power boating and water skiing. Fully equipped boats can be rented at the gatehouse for full day or half day. These require a deposit of a credit card number or cash is required. A valid driver's license is required, but not a boating license.

There is a "no wake" area, which means no vessel can be operated within 100 ft. of shore at over 10 km/hr or six mph.

The water level in the reservoir can vary, so please check at the gatehouse for hazard areas after Labour Day, when the level is normally lower.

Sailing

Conestogo Lake is a great place to sail and the Conestogo Sailing Club has been operating there for five decades.

Fishing

Fishing is excellent from shore or from a boat on Conestogo Lake. You can try your luck at pike, perch, and smallmouth bass in the lake. The Conestogo River below the dam has smallmouth bass, pike and catfish and the occasional walleye are also found. If you are fortunate enough to catch a walleye, please release it and inform staff. 

Since 2003, the river has been stocked with brown trout. Worms are available at the concession booth.

Click here for more information on fishing in the Grand River watershed.

Hiking

It takes about 20 minutes to do the walk the picnic shelter trail, a woodchip trail through the woods.

For more information on Grand River trails, please click here.

Cycling

Cyclists use the roads in the park.

Swimming

There is a large, sandy beach. The beach is not patrolled, so parents or guardians must keep a close watch on children at all times.

A life-jacket loaner program is available. Use of the life-jackets is free with a small, refundable deposit. Ask at the gatehouse for information.

Water quality is tested weekly during the summer. Check the newsroom for beach conditions or contact conservation area staff..

Picnicking

Picnic tables and some barbeques are located throughout the conservation area. 

Blue box bins and garbage containers are placed throughout the park. Blue box items include boxboard, paper, plastics, foil, glass, cans, drinking boxes and milk cartons.

Visitor Services

Throughout the summer months a Visitor Services program provides many activities for families and children. Our children's activities include colouring contests, nature hikes, scavenger hunts, crafts, games and sand sculptures. Family activities include film nights, an annual fishing derby and campfires. All events are posted at various locations in the park..

Hunting

A controlled hunting program is allowed during the open season for waterfowl and small game on 930 hectares of the conservation area. Please see the hunting section for fees and permit information, including application. Only a limited number of permits are available.

Winter activities

Conestoga Lake is a great place to snowmobile. Many kilometres of trails wind their way through the conservation lands. The trails are maintained during the winter by the Lake Conestogo Snowmobile Club (district 9), and are part of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Trails system.

For more information on winter sports at all GRCA conservation areas, visit our Winter Activities page.

Check current conditions in the Winter Activity Updates section of our Newsroom during winter months.

FACILITIES

Gatehouse

This is the location of the community bulletin board, pay telephone and lost and found. It is the place to go in case of illness or injury, to purchase firewood, to rent motor boats and canoes, or get further information about the park.

Group facilities

A small picnic shelter can be rented for family or corporate events. The shelter is covered and the washrooms are nearby. Group discounts are available for family gatherings and group picnics of 50 or more people.

Please click here to view pictures and read more about these and other group rental facilities in our conservation areas or call conservation area staff directly at (519) 638-2873.

Washrooms

There are two main washrooms with flush toilets and showers. Vault toilets are throughout the park at convenient locations.

Concession

A food concession provides fast food, snacks and drinks, as well as camping supplies, ice and bait. It is open six days a week and closed on Mondays.

Sports and fun

Conestogo Lake offers a play area for children, volleyball net, sports fields and horseshoe pits.

Boat Launch

A concrete boat launch is available.

OTHER

Events calendar

Many conservation areas and nature centres host special events and family fun. Click for our online events calendar.

Dog Policy

Pets are welcome in the park but they must be leashed and under control at all times. Pets are not allowed on the beach or in the swimming areas. Owners are asked to "stoop and scoop". There is a fine for not obeying these regulations. Pit Bulls owners must follow provincial guidelines.

Tourism/Services

Shopping for things such as groceries, beer, spirits, hardware and gas are available in Drayton, less than 10 minutes away.

The nearest hospital is Listowel Memorial Hospital at 225 Elizabeth Street East, Listowel, (519) 291-3120.

Links:
The Township of Mapleton
The Region of Waterloo
Drayton Summer Theatre
Grand River Country