Which hiking trails in Ontario are open and closed during the pandemic? Wondering which trails require reservations in advance? Here’s our master list of Ontario hiking trails, national parks, provincial parks, and conservation areas that are closed (or require reservations) during lockdown.
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What’s Open in Ontario During Phase 1
For the most part, most national parks, provincial parks, and conservation areas are open.
- National Parks of Ontario are open. More information from Parks Canada.
- All provincial parks in Ontario are open. More information from Ontario Parks.
- Most conservation areas and hiking trails remain open. Please see below for a list of closures and ones that require reservations. If you don’t see a trail on this list, it means that it is open.
Closed Hiking Trails and Parks in Ontario
Here are all of the closed parks and trails, the date this was last updated, and the source of information if you’d like to look into it more. This information is subject to change.
National Park Closures
There are not currently any national park closures.
Ontario Parks Closures
All Ontario Parks (provincial parks) remain open. Ontario Parks are free on weekdays (Monday to Thursday).
Bruce Trail Closures
Most of the Bruce Trail remains open. In the Iroquoia section, all Hamilton escarpment staircases are closed. Stay up to date with what’s open and closed on the Bruce Trail official website.
Credit Valley Conservation
Here’s where you can find updates on all Credit Valley Conservation properties.
- Belfountain Conservation Area is closed for 2021
Crowe Valley Conservation Authority
Crowe Bridge Conservation Area is closed for 2021.
Hamilton Conservation Authority
All Hamilton Conservation Authority properties remain open; however, the parks may close if they reach capacity. All closures will be posted to their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Otonabee Conservation
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area is open, but the cave trail and the caves are closed.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Most properties open for the season on April 24th, 2021. Reservations are required for Kortright Conservation Area (currently open). Please check the TRCA website for more details.
Parks That Require Reservations in Advance
You are required to make reservations in advance for the following parks and conservation areas. If you don’t reserve a timed space ahead of time, you won’t be able to visit the park.
Bruce Peninsula National Park
From May 1st, reservations are required to visit the Grotto shoreline (the parking lot that’s accessible from Cyprus Lake Road). You will receive a four hour time slot. Confirmed reservations are required between May 1st and October 31st, 2021.
From June 18th, reservations are required to visit the Halfway Log Dump shoreline (parking lot is accessible from Emmett Lake Road). Confirmed reservations are required between June 18th and September 7th, 2021.
Access into the Grotto cave is closed, but you can view it from above. The reservation system launches on April 29th, 2021. You can learn more information here.
Ontario Parks and Provincial Parks
Day passes to Ontario Parks are free from Monday to Thursday. If the parks reach capacity, no one else can visit for the day. For this reason, the most popular parks will have a reservation system.
Starting June 7, 2021, get your daily vehicle permit in advance to guarantee your day use spot at these parks.
- Algonquin
- Arrowhead
- Batchawana Bay
- Craigleith
- Darlington
- Forks of the Credit
- Kakabeka Falls
- Kettle Lakes
- Lake Superior
- Long Point
- Mono Cliffs
- North Beach
- Presqu’ile
- Pinery
- Sandbanks
- Sibbald Point
- Turkey Point
You can book day passes online up to five days in advance.
Conservation Halton Parks
The following Conservation Halton Parks require reservations in advance. There is a two hour time limit for each reservation. You can book them here. This includes:
- Crawford Lake
- Hilton Falls
- Kelso Main Entrance / Kelso Summit
- Mount Nemo
- Mountsberg
- Rattlesnake Point
Please note that the Nassagaweya Trail between Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Point is closed at the park boundary. Robert Edmonson does not require any advance reservations.
Credit Valley Conservation
- Cheltenham Badlands requires reservations in advance. It opens for the season on May 20th. The booking system opens on April 17th.
Hamilton Conservation Authority
Reservations are required to visit Dundas Peak/Tews Falls and Websters Falls starting May 1st, 2021. The reservation system opens on April 24th.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Reservations are required for Kortright Conservation Area.
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Currently the trails at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington are open, although busy. The main building and the Rock Garden are closed.
Thanks for the update!
This seems to be very Toronto-centric. No mention of parks in London, Middlesex County, and adjacent counties. We have lots of good hiking in this area!
I reviewed all conservation areas and hiking trails in your region, and they are all currently open. That is why they are not on the list. If it isn’t on the list, please assume that it is open. Thank you!
Great job organizing this report – thanks for all that you do for us so that we can enjoy the great outdoors.