COVID-19 Notice: Conservation Areas

During the first stage of reopening, Emergency Provincial Orders remain in place prohibiting gatherings of more than five people outside of your current household. This applies to all public use of our conservation areas.  In all cases, physical distancing of at least two metres – six feet –  is required.

We are opening our amenities as staff and time permit. Please note the below:

General: 

• Trails are open at all RVCA Conservation Areas.
• Fees are no longer being waived. Day Passes and Annual Passes are avilable at https://www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/purchase-a-pass
• Foley Mountain Conservation Area is open from dawn to dusk. 
• Baxter Conservation Area is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. 
• Interpretive centres and changerooms remain closed
• Outhouses are open but bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing facilities available.
• Picnic tables and railings are not cleaned on a regular basis. Bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing facilities available.
• Sites are not being maintained. Visitors are asked to carry any garbage or pet waste out with them. Please do not leave pet waste.
• We are sure many people will be keen to get out and enjoy conservation area trails and boat launches. Please be prepared to make the necessary decision to turn around if the parking lots look busy or full and come another time!

 Please follow Conservation Area rules:

• STAY HOME if you are self-isolating, under quarantine, have recently returned from any travel outside of the area or are showing any signs of illness.
• If you are going to a Conservation Area, you should be going alone or with your household unit.
• Follow physical distancing guidelines and remain more than six feet from others.
• Follow directional signs on posted on trails at specific Conservation Areas.
• Yield to oncoming trail users when necessary (crossing bridges, climbing viewing platforms)
• Keep dogs on leash.
• Trash-in, trash-out! Please take your trash with you.
• Do not congregate in a Conservation Area.

Boat Launches:

• RVCA boat launches are open.

 Beaches

• Beaches are open at Baxter, Foley Mountain and Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Conservation Areas. Please note that interpretive centres, washrooms and changerooms remain closed. Please plan your visit accordingly.

Interpretive Centres, Changerooms and Outhouses

• Interpretive centres and changerooms remain closed. Bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing facilities available.
• Outhouses are open but bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing facilities available.

Benches, picnic tables, shelters, lookouts

• Amenities, including benches, picnic tables, shelters and lookouts, are open. These amenities are not cleaned regularly. Bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing facilities available. Please plan your trip accordingly. 

Play Fields

• Play fields are available for casual use only, respecting physical distancing measures and groups of no more than five people.

Summer Day Camps, Conservation Education Programs and Interpretive Centres

• Summer day camp programs (Baxter and Foley Mountain) are cancelled. We made this difficult decision out of an abundance of caution and to protect the healthy and safety of our campers and staff.  
• Interpretive centres and at RVCA Conservation Areas are closed to the general public.
• Education programming and rentals at Baxter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas are cancelled.

For more details on how the RVCA is responding to COVID-19 at https://www.rvca.ca/covid-19