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Conservation Area Activity status

Check below for the current status of conservation areas and activities

Interested in viewing the status by activity? Jump to the Status By Activity section.

Conservation area capacity: The GRCA manages capacity at its Grand River Conservation Areas to enhance the experience of our guests. The number of daily visitors in Grand River Conservation Areas based on a variety of factors, including the number of parking spaces, beach sizes, pool sizes, environmental impacts on day use areas, as well considerations for emergency services access. Conservation areas are most busy on weekends and holidays and often reach capacity at those times. To help plan your visit, please check the chart below. Once a conservation area reaches full capacity, it will be closed until at least 4:30 p.m. and no additional visitors will be permitted. If attendance has decreased by 4:30 p.m. on a day that a conservation area has been closed due to capacity, it will reopen at that time for additional day-use visitors who may wish to take advantage of an evening visit.


Status of Conservation Areas and Activities

Click to refresh status information

Conservation area information is current as of Friday, April 14, 2023 8:04 AM

At any time you may refresh this page by clicking the "Refresh Status" button.

Note: You can also visit our Conservation Area Status page, which highlights which conservation areas are open and closed at any given time, at a glance. The following information is subject to change and may be based on weather conditions. Also, conservation areas and/or trails may close from time to time, sometimes without notice, for safety reasons following a storm or due to a special event. View our Service Disruptions page.

Conservation Area Status

Belwood Lake

  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Brant
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Byng Island
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Conestogo Lake
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Elora Gorge
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Elora Quarry
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Guelph Lake
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Laurel Creek
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Pinehurst Lake
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Rockwood
  • Conservation area information is unavailable
Shade's Mills
  • Conservation area information is unavailable


Status by Activity

Click to refresh status information

Conservation area information is current as of Friday, April 14, 2023 9:20 AM

At any time you may refresh this page by clicking the "Refresh Status" button 

More information on boating in Grand River Conservation Areas can be found on the Boating page. 

Definitions of these conditions and more information on cross-country skiing in Grand River Conservation Areas can be found on the Skiing and Snowshoeing page.

More information on ice fishing in Grand River Conservation Areas can be found on the Ice Fishing page. 

  • Guelph Lake - Unavailable
    • Snowshoe rentals are not available
  • Laurel Creek - Unavailable
    • Snowshoe rentals are not available
  • Pinehurst Lake - Unavailable
    • Snowshoe rentals are not available
  • Shade's Mills - Unavailable
    • Snowshoe rentals are not available

More information on snowshoeing in Grand River Conservation Areas can be found on the Skiing and Snowshoeing page.

More information on swimming in Grand River Conservation Areas can be found on the Swimming and Beach Conditions pages.

More information on winter hiking in Grand River Conservation Areas can be found on the Winter Programs page.

Legal notice

Activities are available by permit only (day use permit, camping permit or GRCA membership). Activities take place in a natural area. Trails and other features may be uneven and slippery. Please stay on marked trails.

You are responsible for your own safety. 

Before you engage in any activity on GRCA properties, ensure that you and all members of your group are aware of the GRCA's terms of use. The conditions will affect your legal rights, including the right to sue or claim for compensation following an accident. 

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, JURISDICTION AND CHOICE OF LAW

As a condition of your use of the facilities, properties or bodies of water, you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever, including, but not limited to hiking, cycling, swimming, boating, all other permitted activities, travel within or beyond the conservation area boundaries, or negligence, breach of contract or breach of statutory duty of care or breach of the Occupiers' Liability Act on the part of the Grand River Conservation Authority, its employees, agents, volunteers, independent contractors, sub-contractors, representatives, sponsors, officers, board of directors, successors and assigns (collectively referred to as the Grand River Conservation Authority). You agree that the Grand River Conservation Authority shall not be liable for any such personal injury, or death or property loss and you release the Grand River Conservation Authority and waive all claims with respect thereto. You agree that any litigation involving the Grand River Conservation Authority shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario. You further agree that these conditions and any rights, duties and obligations or litigation as between the Grand River Conservation Authority and you shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction.

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