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.
New name, same great membership
March 2022: To better align with our strategic priorities, the name of our network of 12 pay-for-use conservation areas is transitioning from Grand River Parks to Grand River Conservation Areas. To help communicate our new identity, a new logo has been created. Over the coming months, you may notice the transition to the new name and new logo on our website, in social media and at the conservation areas. In order to be green and not wasteful, you may receive membership materials, like the card show in the banner on this page, that display the former name. The function of the card is not affected in any way, however, and printed materials will be updated with the new branding as needed.
About the Grand River Conservation Areas Membership program |
- The Grand River Conservation Areas Membership card allows entry to 10 conservation areas and the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, during their operating seasons, for up to 6 people in one vehicle (or walking in).
- Please note the membership card is not valid at Elora Quarry Conservation Area.
- The cost of a membership is $145.
- The membership card is valid for a minimum of one full year from date of activation. Your card will expire on the first day of the month that follows one full year of activation. Example: If your card was activated on January 5, 2022, it will expire on February 1, 2023, at the end of the day.
- Note that conservation areas or trails may close from time to time during the operating season for safety reasons following a storm, for capacity limits or due to a special event.
- For more information, see the "Membership policies and terms of use" section on this page.
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Conservation areas close when capacity is reached |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Grand River Conservation Areas are operating at a reduced capacity and may close without notice once capacity has been reached. Purchasing a Grand River Conservation Areas Membership does not guarantee entrance to the conservation area if capacity has been reached for that day. Capacity is re-assessed daily at 4:30 p.m.
Up-to-the-minute capacity information
Please check our Conservation Areas Status page prior to your visit to learn what conservation areas are accepting visitors.
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Where to buy a Membership |
Purchase a membership for your own use
- Memberships can be purchased in our online store. Online orders will be fulfilled within three business days. Please note shipping times may vary depending on your location.
- If you would like to use your Membership immediately, you can purchase it in person at any conservation area gatehouse (except Luther Marsh or Elora Quarry) during their operating season, provided that a gate attendant is on duty. From October 15 to April 30, memberships can be purchased on weekends at Shade's Mills, Belwood Lake, Pinehurst Lake, Rockwood, Laurel Creek and Guelph Lake.
- Discounted memberships for seniors (65+) and persons with disabilities can be purchased in our online store or at a conservation area during its operating season. The cost of a discounted membership is $124. To purchase a discounted membership online, please first email a copy of age verfication (e.g. driver's license, healthcard, etc.) or applicable documentation (Ministry of Transportation accessible parking pass, CNIB card, etc.). The discount will be refunded back onto the credit card once the online order has been fulfilled.
Purchase a membership to give as a gift
- Membership gift cards can be purchased in our online store. Online orders will be fulfilled within three business days. Please note shipping times may vary depending on your location.
- When buying the membership online as a gift for someone else, please be sure to purchase the "Gift a Grand River Conservation Areas membership" card option, which is the card with the yellow ribbon. Don't purchase the regular membership card because the membership will be put in your name and not in the name of your gift recipient.
- Read more about gifting memberships in the section below "Give the gift of the great outdoors!".
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Give the gift of the great outdoors! |
You can feel good about gifting experiences, not things. Grand River Conservation Areas offer beathtaking beauty and ample opportunity to connect outdoors. With their card, the recipient of your gift can join family on a forest hike, meet friends for a paddle, swim at a sandy beach and so much more.
- Purchase a Grand River Conservation Areas membership GIFT CARD in our online store. Your order will be fulfilled within three business days. Please note shipping times may vary depending on your location.
- When buying the membership online to give as a gift, please be sure you're purchasing the "Gift a Grand River Conservation Areas membership" card option, which is the card with the yellow ribbon. Be sure not to purchase the regular membership card or else the membership will be put in your name and not in the name of your gift recipient.
- The recipient of your gift will redeem the gift card for an activated membership card (see below).
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Where to redeem membership gift cards (gifted memberships) |
Your Grand River Conservation Areas membership gift card can be redeemed at the following locations, where it will be exchanged for an activated Grand River Conservation Areas Membership card:
- From November 1 to March 31, redeem at the following conservation areas. Gatehouses are staffed on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- From May 1 to October 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. redeem at:
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How to replace lost membership cards |
Lost or stolen membership cards can be replaced. There is a $35 replacement fee. Please call 519-621-2763 x2220 to make a credit card payment over the phone. A new membership card may be mailed to your preferred address. Replacement fees are non-refundable. Once the transaction is complete, the original card will be cancelled.
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Membership policies and terms of use |
The Grand River Conservation Areas membership card allows entry to 10 Grand River Conservation Areas and the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area for up to 6 people arriving together.
- Membership card covers day-use admission fees for up to six people arriving together in one personal vehicle (or walking in).
- Membership card is NOT valid at Elora Quarry Conservation Area.
- The membership card is valid for entry during the conservation areas' regular operating seasons and regular business hours only.
- Membership card can be used during all four seasons in participating areas only. Operating seasons vary by conservation area.
- Some activities require additional fees.
- Membership card does not guarantee admittance to special events.
- Membership card does not cover overnight additional vehicle fees.
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Conservation areas or trails may close without prior notice during the operating season when capacity is reached, for safety reasons, or due to a special event. Check our Conservation Area Status page prior to arriving.
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Membership card holders must enter the conservation areas only through designated entry points.
- Lost or stolen membership cards may be replaced for a non-refundable fee. See "Replacing lost membership cards" section on this page for more information.
- Membership card holders agree to comply with all rules and regulations governed by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
- Note that failure to comply with all rules and regulations may result in revoking of the membership card or denied entry.
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Free library lending program |
Through a generous donation from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (Get Outdoors!) to our Grand River Conservation Foundation, local residents and families can connect with the outdoors at select Grand River Conservation Areas, free of charge. Through this initiative, a Grand River Conservation Areas membership card is available to borrow at library branches in the Grand River watershed, through the library’s lending program.
The Grand River Conservation Areas membership card allows day use entry to 10 conservation areas and the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, during their operating seasons, for up to six people in one vehicle (or walking/biking in as a group). Read more in the sections above.
Please contact your local library for information on the process for borrowing a membership card.
Participating branches:
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