Contact(s)
COVID-19 Alert
The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in Ontario. The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the community remain our highest priority. Please visit our COVID-19 Update page where you will find the most up-to-date information on impacts to GRCA programs and services.
Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is located in the heart of Mennonite Country. It offers visitors the chance to camp, boat, sail, waterski, canoe and fish on a y-shaped reservoir that stretches six kilometres up each arm. The reservoir is created by Conestogo Dam, which has a viewing area providing a unique vista of the river and surrounding forests and farms.
Park information
- Season: Open daily from May 1 to October 15 for camping and day use.
- Hours: Open for day use from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The gatehouse may not be open during all park operating hours. When the gatehouse is closed, please register and pay for your day use visit using the self-registration station.
- If you are visiting the lower park area, please register and pay for your day use visit using our online ePass system, upon arrival. The ePass is valid for lower park area only and will not allow admittance to the upper park area.
- Not all facilities are available during all park operating hours.
- Location: 6580 Wellington County Road. 11, Wallenstein - Google Map of park location
- Book a campsite on our camping reservation system
- Park fees
- Photo gallery on Flickr
- Events calendar
- A total alcohol and cannabis ban is in effect on the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends (Thursday at noon to Tuesday at noon). Read more about alcohol and cannabis use in the park under "Camping" below.
- Download a park map (600 KB PDF). (Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.)
Activities
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Camping |
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Campsites: Conestogo Lake Park offers 96 serviced and 72 unserviced campsites 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 checkout is before noon. Group camping: Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, group camping will not be available this season. Seasonal camping: Please see our seasonal camping page for information on seasonal sites. Alcohol and Cannabis: Alcohol is permitted only on registered seasonal campsites. Smoking of cannabis is not permitted near playgrounds or in the beach area. A total alcohol and cannabis ban is in effect on the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends (Thursday at noon to Tuesday at noon). Book a site on our camping reservation system. Please read our Camping Reservation Policy. |
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Canoeing |
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The reservoir is suitable for canoeing and kayaking, with easy access to the water. Please note we are not offering canoe or kayak rentals at this time. |
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Boating |
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Conestogo Lake is ideal for sailing, power boating and water skiing. The water level in the reservoir can vary, so please check at the gatehouse for hazard areas. Please note we are not offering boat rentals at this time. |
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Sailing |
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Conestogo Lake is a great place for sailing. It is home to the Conestogo Sailing Club. |
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Fishing |
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Fishing is excellent from shore or from a boat. You can try your luck at pike, perch, walleye, crappie and smallmouth bass in the reservoir. The Conestogo River below the dam has brown trout, smallmouth bass, pike, catfish and the occasional walleye. If you are fortunate enough to catch a walleye, please release it and inform park staff. Worms are available at the gatehouse and concession stand. |
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Hiking |
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The Picnic Shelter Trail passes through the park's wooded areas and takes about 20 minutes to walk. Avid hikers might want to visit some of the regional trails outside of the park. |
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Cycling |
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Cyclists can enjoy themselves on park roads. Please obey the rules of the road and, for your safety, wear a helmet. |
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Swimming |
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There is a large, sandy beach on Conestogo Lake. The beach is not patrolled, so parents or guardians must keep a close watch on their children at all times. Please note we are currently not offering the life jacket loaner program. Learn more about beach conditions. |
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Picnicking |
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Picnic tables are located throughout the park. Day-use visitors may use barbecues for cooking purposes in designated picnic areas. Never leave barbecues unattended, and please use extreme caution. |
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Events and activities |
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There are no events scheduled at this time. |
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Hunting |
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There is a controlled hunting program during the open season on 930 hectares of conservation land. Please see our Hunting pages for information. |
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Snowmobiling |
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Snowmobiling is not permitted on GRCA lands at this time. |
Facilities
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Gatehouse |
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This is the location of the community bulletin board, pay telephone, firewood sales, and lost and found. It is the place to go to get further information about the park and report any problems or concerns. |
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Group facilities |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all picnic shelters and pavilions and group facilities will remain closed this season. |
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Washrooms |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are only limited washroom facilities available in day-use areas. Shower facilities are currently open. |
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Concession stand |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the food concession stand will remain closed this season. |
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Playgrounds and sports fields |
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There is a play area for children, a sand volleyball court, sports fields and horseshoe pits. |
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Boat launch |
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A concrete boat launch provides access to Conestogo Lake. Visit the fees page for launch fees. |
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Waste and recycling |
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Garbage containers are located throughout the park and will be emptied as frequently as possible, however people are reminded to visit responsibly and if garbage bins are full, to take their waste with them and dispose of it at home. |
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Dog policy |
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Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash no longer than two metres and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the swimming area. Please clean up after your dog. Dog owners can be fined if these regulations are not followed. |
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Nearby services |
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