Your Pocket Guide to Hamilton Conservation Areas
HCA has something for everyone As the largest landowner within the City of Hamilton, HCA holds in public trust more than 4,400 hectares of land. Aside from our seven major recreational conservation areas, we have many other unique and diverse properties where you can enjoy a day of hiking, birding, or the great outdoors. Included in these areas are 25 waterfalls, 14 Niagara Escarpment properties, 12 significant wetlands, two rail trails and 140 km of trails, an 18,000-year-old-muskeg bog, and one ecological preserve. How is HCA funded? Many people believe our conservation areas are paid for by their tax dollars, but that is not the case. User and membership fees pay for trail maintenance, emergency services, property taxes, insurance and all those little things we need to keep our conservation areas open. Just as important, user fees directly contribute to important conservation work throughout our watershed and preserve heritage sites on HCA lands.
HCA Membersip Pass Become a member and enjoy year-round access to HCA conservation areas for 12 months from date of purchase at a great price! Your pass is valid for one vehicle and up to 6 people. Members also receive a voucher booklet containing one 2-for-1 entry to Wild Waterworks, one admission ticket to the Christie Antique & Vintage Show, and three one-day complimentary conservation area passes to share with friends and family. Plus, members receive 10% off nightly camping and 15% off boat and pavilion rentals! Purchase your pass at a Hamilton Conservation Area gatehouse or online, by visiting: www.conservationhamilton.ca
Activity Legend DISK GOLF Boat Ramp Boating Cross Country Skiing Cycling Disk Golf Dog Walking Fishing Geocaching Interpretive/Education Mini Golf Pet Beach Picnic Pavilion Picnicking Restaurant/Food Concession Rollerblading Snowshoeing G Go Karts Group Picnic Areas Hiking Horse Riding (No Rentals) Ice Skating Sports Field Swimming Tent and/or Trailer Camping Waterfall
Christie Lake Looking for a place to do it all? Then Christie Lake is the place to be! While you re here, you can swim, fish, hike, bike, paddle, picnic, and even play a round of disc golf! Don t miss the popular Christie Antique & Vintage Show! Amenities: Washrooms Beach Store Boat Rentals Picnic Pavilions Group Picnic Areas Boat Launch Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise to sunset. Christie Lake 1000 Highway 5 West, Dundas, ON L9H 5E2 905-628-3060 christie@conservationhamilton.ca DISK GOLF G
Confederation Beach Park Do it all or just a little at Confederation Beach Park! The area stretches 93 hectares along Lake Ontario and offers swimming, biking, birding, picnicking and more! Paved Breezeway Trail is great for strolling the beach area. Amenities: Washrooms Pavilions Group Picnic Areas Splash Pad Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset. Confederation Beach Park 680 Van Wagner s Beach Road, Hamilton, ON, L8E 3L8 905-547-6141 or 1-800-555-8775 confed@conservationhamilton.ca G
Dundas Valley The Valley s 1,200 hectares of Carolinian forests, fields, cold water streams and stunning geological formations are home to an array of rare plants, birds and wildlife. Visit the restored Hermitage Ruins for a little piece of history. Amenities: Picnic Pavilion Food Concession Washrooms Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset. Dundas Valley 650 Governors Road Dundas, ON, L9H 5E3 905-627-1233 dvalley@conservationhamilton.ca
Eramosa Karst Filled with underground caves and streams, meadows and forests, the Eramosa Karst is one of the watershed s unique natural gems. The perfect location for a hike! Amenities: Public Washrooms Picnic Area Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset. Upper Mount Albion Road between Highland Road West and Rymal Road East
Fifty Point Located on Lake Ontario, the 80-hectare park offers superb marina facilities and is the place to be for a swim, family camping or a picnic for groups of any size. Amenities: Boat Ramp The Landing Restaurant Fuel Laundry Picnic Pavilions RV Campground Showers Washrooms Lighthouse Lookout Point Hours of Operation From 7 a.m. to sunset Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to sunset Saturday-Sunday and holidays, mid-april through August. From sunrise to sunset for the remainder of the year. Fifty Point 1479 Baseline Road, Winona, ON, L8E 5G4 905-525-2187 fiftypt@conservationhamilton.ca Channel 68 VHF for Marina. G
Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Located on the escarpment brow, the area is noted for its panoramas and views to the forested depths of the gorge below. The area features the Dundas Peak and two stunning waterfalls; Webster and Tew Falls. Amenities: Washrooms Lookout Wheelchair Accessible Lookout Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset. Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Harvest Road, Greensville, ON 905-628-3060 christie@conservationhamilton.ca Please visit our website for parking and shuttle bus information. www.conservationhamilton.ca
Valens Lake This 300-hectare area offers the feel of the north, right in your backyard and is a mecca for campers, anglers and outdoor lovers alike! Amenities: Group Picnic Areas Group Camping Areas Picnic Pavilion Non-Electrical Campsites Electrical & Water Campsites Radio-free Zone Water Tap Campground Store Beach Store Boat Rental Boat Launch Trailer Dump Station Washrooms Showers Lookout Tower Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset. Valens Lake 1691 Regional Road 97, R.R. 6 Cambridge, ON, N1R 5S7 905-525-2183 valens@conservationhamilton.ca G
HCA Watershed Map
HCA is responsible for planning and protecting the water within our watershed. HCA s watershed ultimately drains into Lake Ontario and major creek systems including Red Hill, Spencer and Stoney Creek. In total, the HCA jurisdiction encompasses 568km 2.
Westfield Heritage Village Enjoy a leisurely day in the country as you stroll through over 35 historical buildings, including log buildings, one-room school house, a railway station and more! Westfield offers many events from March to December, with highlights including; Maple Syrup Festival, Ice Cream Carnival, Haunted Halloween and Twas the Night Before Christmas. Westfield also features a trail system for a realxing walk. Amenities: Gift Shop Washrooms Public Telephone Hours of Operation: Sundays, March-December Westfield Heritage Village 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, ON, L0R 1X0 519-621-8851 westfield@conservationhamilton.ca westfieldheritage.ca G
Wild Waterworks Take summer poolside fun to the next level! Wild Waterworks offers one of Canada s largest outdoor wave pools, 4 tube slides, 2 body slides, an Eazy River & Little Squirt Works! Amenities: Washrooms Change Rooms Rentals Pavilions Guest Services Food Concessions Wild Waterworks, 680 Van Wagners Beach Road, Hamilton, ON, L8E 3L8 905-547-6141 or 1-800-555-8775 wildww@conservationhamilton.ca wild-waterworks.com G
Natural Areas In addition to our larger conservation areas, HCA also offers over 3,000 hectares of natural conservation areas. Each area is unique, and is an excellent opportunity for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. Beverly Swamp Borer s Falls Crooks Hollow Iroquoia Heights Meadowlands Mount Albion Saltfleet Vinemount Wetland
Additional Natural Areas Devil s Punchbowl One of the most amazing sites along the Niagara Escarpment, the Devil s Punchbowl is a 33.8-metre high waterfall, offering views of the many different rock layers through the escarpment. Ridge Road, Stoney Creek, ON Felkers Falls This escarpment area is forested and features the 20-metre ribbon waterfall, scenic vantage points and trails. Ackland Street, Stoney Creek, ON
Additional Natural Areas Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve This unique area, was originally an abandoned quarry. The site was rehabilitated, resulting in the creation of a rare type of wetland called a fen, and is the perfect spot for a hike! Concession Road 7, Flamborough, ON Tiffany Falls A significant natural area, its bedrock exposures are considered an Earth Science Area of Regional Significance. Wilson Street East, Ancaster, ON
Additional Trails Dofasco 2000 Trail This 11.5 km trail links the 1812 Battlefield House Museum, Devil s Punchbowl Conservation Area, Vinemount South Swamp and the Bruce Trail. The trail was developed in partnership with Dofasco Inc., the former city of Stoney Creek, the HCA and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program. Chippawa Trail Hamilton to Caledonia When completed, this 15-km abandoned rail corridor linking Hamilton with Caledonia will become part of the Niagara Branch of the Trans Canada Trail. It will also be connected to the Caledonia-to-Dunnville Rail Trail. Presently, 12-km of the trail has been completed.
Additional Trails Lafarge 2000 Trail This 22-km trail in Flamborough links the Dundas Valley, Christie Lake and the provincially significant Beverly Swamp and Valens Lake. It will ultimately link to Cootes Paradise, Hamilton Harbour and the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trails via the Hamilton to Brantford Rail-Trail. The trail was developed in partnership with the City of Hamilton, the HCA and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program. Hamilton to Brantford Rail-Trail The HCA and Grand River Conservation Authority jointly own and operate this 32-km multi-use trail, which runs from Ewen Road in west Hamilton through the Dundas Valley Conservation Area to Brantford. It is Canada s first fully developed, multi-use interurban trail system. It s also a part of the Trans Canada Trail network. Links to Paris and Cambridge extend the trail to 80 km.
Rules & Regulations at Conservation Areas Conservation Areas are open sunrise to sunset. 1. Stay on marked trails at all times. Do not climb or bypass fencing. 2. Please do not deface, remove or damage any property, plants or animals in our conservation areas. 3. Please place your garbage in containers provided. Recyclable materials should be placed in recycling containers. 4. Adults are responsible for watching their children. Please abide by beach regulations. No lifeguards on duty. 5. Public telephones are available at all major conservation areas and campground washroom buildings. For all emergencies dial 911. 6. Electric motor and non-power boating is allowed on our reservoirs. Rowboats, canoes & kayaks are available for rental at the beachhouse. 7. Please keep your pets on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on beaches, unless designated as pet beach areas. 8. Snowmobiles & off-road vehicles are not allowed in conservation areas. 9. Motorcycles are allowed on roadways only. 10. Vending, soliciting and advertising are not allowed, except by written permission of the Hamilton Conservation Authority. 11. Fishing is allowed as prescribed seasons dictate. Check individual conservation areas for specific information. 13. Alcohol use and possession is prohibited in our areas at all times. 14. Drone use is not permitted in any area for the safety of our visitors.
Special Events HCA offers many annual events within our conservation areas, whether you are an outdoor adventurer or just looking for some family fun! Here are some of our most popular events: Maple Syrup Festival Ice Fishing Derby Christie Antique & Vintage Show John Burns Memorial Fishing Derby Ice Cream Carnival Equestrian Campout Haunted Halloween Twas the Night Before Christmas Check our website for full event listings. www.conservationhamilton.ca
Hamilton Conservation Foundation The Hamilton Conservation Foundation (HCF) raises awareness, funds and resources for the important work of the Hamilton Conservation Authority. Protecting the natural environment is our collective responsibility. Contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations and volunteers help us to conserve and manage more than 11,000 acres of our watershed, protecting source water, wetlands, forests and trails. Your gifts also help us to provide environmental education programs for 12,000 Hamilton area children and youth each year. HCF is a registered charity and donations are gratefully accepted. To learn more about the Hamilton Conservation Foundation or to donate, please call 905-525-2181 or visit: www.hamiltonconservationfoundation.ca.
#ExploreHCA Get social with us! www.conservationhamilton.ca P.O. Box 81067, 838 Mineral Springs Rd, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4X1 Phone: 905-525-2181 Email: nature@conservationhamilton.ca