WESTPORT, May 1, 2026 – Foley Mountain’s famous Spy Rock lookout is ready for an accessible makeover, and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority wants to know what you think.
RVCA will host a drop-in public consultation at Foley Mountain’s Interpretive Centre on Wednesday, May 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. to showcase the preliminary plans and gather input.
The revitalization project aims to improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience for everyone, supporting the approximately 100,000 people who visit the site each year, including 4,700 students.
A new trail design would improve the existing pathway down to the granite lookout – including reducing slope and removing the stairs at the bottom – while adding a new 150-metre accessible stone dust path through the woods that connects to the lookout from the south.
The new path would include seating areas, interpretive signs and educational discovery areas.
All of these improvements would support a more accessible and interactive visitor experience, while protecting Spy Rock and its natural beauty.
“Spy Rock is not just a lookout; it’s a beloved community landmark, gathering place and natural space that residents feel deeply about,” said Rebecca Whitman, Site Supervisor at Foley Mountain. “We want to ensure it truly meets the needs of everyone who visits Foley Mountain, improving accessibility while protecting the natural character of the site.”
Foley Mountain is one of 11 developed conservation areas operated by the RVCA across the Rideau River watershed. Sitting high atop a granite ridge overlooking Upper Rideau Lake and the Village of Westport, Foley Mountain offers 10 km of trails ranging from an accessible Mobility Trail to the famous Spy Rock lookout to more rugged loops through the property’s granite-studded forests. Trails are particularly busy during the fall, when visitors flock to the mountain to enjoy the fall colours and view from Spy Rock.
RVCA, in collaboration with the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation and the Nature for All Committee, has been committed to improving accessibility at its flagship attractions since 2018. Baxter Conservation Area in Manotick has recently undergone transformative accessibility improvements throughout its trail network, with support from all levels of government as well as private donors. The RVCA hopes Spy Rock’s revitalization process will be similar.
To learn more or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Dan Cooper at
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