Here are the more popular Oakville-Burlington-Halton Regional and Provincial Parks
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
1219 Burloak Drive
Oakville, Ontario, L6M 4J7
905-827-6911
The day use and campground areas in this park are separate; each has its own entrance.
This peaceful all-season park between Burlington and Oakville has living history demonstrations in an 1890s farmhouse, a playbarn where kids can pet the animals, an outdoor playground, day-use picnic areas and 11 shelters with BBQ pits, overnight camping with over 144 camp sites, an extensive network of nature trails, and one of the largest man-made swimming pools in North America, with has a surface area of 1.8 acres and the pool is 6 feet deep (extra fee for pool). In winter, the park has outdoor skating, tobogganing and cross-country skiing.
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Enjoy five breathtaking lookouts along the towering cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, at this 264 hectare park established in 1961. The park is popular for walking, hiking, skiing, and rock climbing. Rattlesnake Point has three designated sites where experienced rock climbers can scale challenging cliffs under a canopy of rich woods. Hiking enthusiasts have 10 km of trails and can trek the Bruce Trail through the Nassagaweya Canyon through to Crawford Lake. Picnic areas available. Organized camping by permit only available to groups and families. Campsite fees include access to Kelso’s beach and swimming area Open year round daily from 8:30 am, with closing time varying seasonally. Rates: $$, Child 4 & under free. Self service box fees (per vehicle or party) when no attendant on duty – $.
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Guelph Line (Hwy 1) at Steeles Ave
The pristine waters of Crawford Lake, a rare meromictic lake*, nestled in lush forests atop the Niagara Escarpment, has a surrounding boardwalk (NO swimming, drinking or fishing in the lake.). This 468 hectare park has great views of Nassagaweya Canyon, which has resident turkey vultures soaring overhead). You can even d explore the 15th century Iroquoian Village, reconstructed on its original site, complete with rustic longhouses where tools, animals hides and the smell of smoke to let you experience the life and times of Ontario’s First Peoples. There are 19 km of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the Niagara Escarpment. The Visitors Centre, a Gathering Place, Gift Shop, exhibits, displays, lunchrooms and theatres enhance your experience. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash (max 2 metres long). Open on weekends and holidays year-round (closed Christmas Day), and daily May to October. Rates $$ are seasonal and subject to change). Group (20 or more) save 15% discount on lump sum payment. When visiting several Conservation Halton Parks on one day, an Adjustment Fee may apply to the original fee paid at other less expensive areas.
* another such lake is Pinks Lake in Gatineau Park near Ottawa.
Hilton Falls Conservation Area
4985 Campbellville Rd, Burlington, ON L7P 0G3
The forests (with stunning fall colours) at Hilton Falls create great trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing 3 km in length, connecting to the Bruce Trail. This 45 hectare park established in 1971 and is part of the Niagara Escarpment’s World Biosphere Reserve. There is an interpretive viewing station at the falls to observe this 10 metre waterfall cascading over the Niagara Escarpment, with the nearby mill ruins. See a geological pot hole and beaver meadow, and you can fish in the reservoir for large-mouth bass or brook trout in 16 Mile Creek. Visitor Centre with concession, and there is a picnic area and fire ring at falls Open daily at 8:30 am year round. Closing time varies seasonally, please call ahead.
Rates $$, Child 4 & under free (unless in a group), Mountain Bike (includes admission & trail tag) – $. Self Service Fees Box (per vehicle/party) when no attendant on duty – $. Groups (20 or more) save 15% for lump sum payment.
Kelso & Glen Eden
5234 Kelso Road
This 980-acre park has a lifeguard supervised sandy beach on the 50 acre lake with fishing, and there are canoe, kayak or paddleboat rentals. Mountain bike on 22 km. of marked trails along the Niagara Escarpment or hike along 16 km of the rugged Bruce Trail. Hundreds of picnic tables and pristine campsites are available. Visit the Halton Region Museum located in a former pioneer homestead. During the winter, Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre caters to skiers and snowboarders with snowmaking, night skiing and 5 lifts servicing 12 slopes and a quarter pipe
Main gatehouse is open daily at 8:30 a.m. starting in April through to the beginning of October. Summit gatehouse located at 5301 Steeles Avenue is open weekends only at 8:30 a.m. starting in May through October, weather permitting and weekdays at 3:30 p.m. Motorized boats are prohibited. Valid Ontario Fishing License is required. Ontario fishing regulations apply. The park is alcohol-free. There is a ban on wood from other sources being brought in. Trail tag and helmet are mandatory for persons cycling the trail system.
Mount Nemo Conservation Area
Guelph Line (Regional Rd #1) at Colling Rd
Mount Nemo has 169 hectare park established in 1959, and has hiking along 5 km of cliff edge and thousand year old cedar forest with connections to the Bruce Trail. See rich green ferns and old growth forests, crevice caves, cliffs and talus slopes. Open daily at 8:30 A.M. year round, with closing time varies seasonally.Rates: $5.00 per vehicle/self serve fee box. Mount Nemo is a popular area for rock climbing. Because of the ancient cedar forest found along the escarpment brow in this area, a TOP ROPE BAN is in effect. Top roping and abseiling are not permitted. Only trad and sport climbing are allowed. Beginner rock climbers can take lessons from a certified professional at the nearby Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Top roping and abseiling is also available at Rattlesnake Point. Conservation Halton requires all climbing groups (including instructional and recreational ones) to obtain a permit prior to an outing, including providing signed Waiver forms.
Mountsberg Wildlife Centre
This 472 hectare park was established in 1964 in Flamborough, Milton and Puslinch, and includes a dam and reservoir to regulate Bronte Creek. The extensive wetlands create a birdwatcher’s paradise with boardwalks, birdfeeders and interpretive lookouts, to enable you to observe waterfowl and shorebirds around the lake, as well as many forest and meadow species. This conservation area has great hiking and cross-country ski trails, and there is winter skating on the pond. In spring, take a horse drawn wagon ride through the Mountsberg Sugar Bush to watch maple syrup being made. Open Weekends and Holidays, 10 am – 4 pm. Rates $$, Group rates and Special Events, Fall Season and Maple Syrup Season.
Burns
NW of Campbellville at Twiss Road and No.10 Sideroad.
From Campbellville follow Guelph Line north of Highway 401 to No.10 Sideroad, west on No.10 to Twiss Road also called Nassegaweya 1st Line, go north to park entrance.
This park has a seven acre fishing pond on a 77 acre property, and has a nature trail with boardwalk with many wood duck boxes along the route. There is a b oat ramp for non-motorized boats, and you can go trout fishing (provincial permits required)from shore or platform. No daily fee applies at this location
Carlisle
East of Breezy’s Corners. Follow Carlisle Road east from Highway 6 to the park entrance.
This 33 acre tract alongside Bronte Creek is popular for family picnics. No daily fee applies at this location
Campbellville
SW corner of Guelph Line and Campbellville Road, Campbellville
This small three acre parkette in the historic village of Campbellville, with a stocked trout pond, uses native vegetation to filter runoff through a small wetland before the improved water flows downstream. Parking Campbellville streets. No daily fee applies at this location
Mountsberg Dam
From Campbellville, follow Campbellville Road west to Centre Road, then head north on Centre Road.
At the original site of the Thompson, McCrae and Co. mill, as part of the Mountsberg property, visitors have the best access to the reservoir for fishing, and launching of non-motorized boats. A nature trail takes you to the original mill site, where the McCrae chimney still stands. Admission fee is self-serve at the daily rate of $10 per vehicle
Sixteen Valley
Between Trafalgar Road & Bronte Road, and between Burnamthorpe Road & Britannia Road.
From Bronte Road (Highway 25) follow Lower Base Line east to 4th Line, and then north for a short distance.
70 acres of scenic natural beauty along the north edge of the Sixteen Mile Creek ravine, with hiking trails alongside the creek, scenic views, and stream fishing. No daily fee applies at this location
Esquesing
This mixed forest ecosystem on 37 acres has nature trails and hiking. Parking is limited. No daily fee applies at this location