Areas (11)
63 Royal York Street
Richmond, Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Open year round
Dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
A wonderful waterfront picnic area with a dock to launch canoes and kayaks for a quiet trip on the Jock River.
Trails: 0.4km
Special Features
- Short nature trail
- Car top boat launch
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
500 County Rd 1
Lombardy, Ontario K7A 4S4
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Open year round
Dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
A simple, quiet spot to reconnect with nature. Enjoy a scenic view of the impressive Hutton Creek Marsh. Take a short stroll to a bench along the babbling Hutton Creek.
Trails: 0.5 km
Special Features
- Scenic view of the Hutton Creek Marsh
- Retired, historic Motts Mills Dam
- Newly constructed Motts Mills Berm
- Short trail
4774 Briton-Houghton Bay Road
Rideau Lakes, Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Open year round
Dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
Peaceful and serene, Mill Pond has six kilometres of wilderness trails. Take a hike through the park and stop for a quiet picnic in the sugar bush or at the covered picnic shelter. Mill Pond has a boat launch (car top only) for those who would like to enjoy a quiet canoe trip.
Trails: 6km
Download the PDF
Open Avenza map
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
1392 N Anderson Rd
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Open year round
Dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
The Meisel Woods Conservation Area is 130-acres of excellent Precambrian Shield land. It is a forested natural area with plants, animals and landscape typical of the headwaters of the Tay and Upper Rideau watershed. The property surrounds a 60-acre, headwaters lake known as Beaver or Bass Lake and includes additional waterfrontage on Crow Lake.
The property was generously donated to the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation by John Meisel in 2000. Mr. Meisel’s interest is that the property remain undeveloped. That wish will be respected. The goal of the new Meisel Woods Conservation Area is environmental protection. The only improvements foreseen are along the trail, with the creation of a small parking lot and a sign.
Trails: 5km
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Open Avenza map
Special Feature - In Loving Memory — The Sandi Slater Memorial Walk
Joe and Sandi Slater, neighbours of Mr. Meisel, regularly walked through the woods and around the lake for recreation and tranquility. On the sudden passing of Mrs. Slater in the spring of 2003, and with the collaboration of Mr. Meisel, memorial gifts were directed towards the establishment of the Sandi Slater Memorial Walk. The Walk is now a central feature of the new Meisel Woods Conservation Area and more safety and access improvements are planned in the future. Phase one is complete, and with your generous donations, we can complete phase two of the trail that will lead around Bass Lake — that same trail of peace, quiet and reflection that the Slaters had enjoyed for many years.
With Thanks
The opening of this new public property in Central Frontenac is the result of a whole community of effort and all involved are to be heartily congratulated on their thoughtful and generous gesture. In particular, Mr. John Meisel, Professor Emeritus of Queens University, Mr Joe Slater, dedicated and hardworking community gentleman, and the many donors and volunteers to the cause deserve our heartfelt gratitude. The property is a major investment in the quality of life in Central Frontenac and the upper Rideau watershed.
253 Winding Way
Ottawa, Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Open year round
Dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
This wonderful 23-acre parcel of conservation land is located on the west bank of the Rideau River on Prince of Wales Drive between Winding Way and Lodge Road. It consists mainly of natural river shoreline, wetlands and flood plain areas that are unique in the City of Ottawa. It forms a passive recreational area for the Chapman Mills community. Parking is located off Winding Way. Come enjoy the picnic shelter, scenic lookouts along the trail, walkways and boardwalks that lead pedestrians on a 1.5 km stroll through some sensitive and beautiful habitats, and read the interpretive signs telling the environmental story at points along the path.
The land for Chapman Mills Conservation Areas was a gift to the people of the Rideau Valley from the South Nepean Development Corporation, along with additional land ceded from Parks Canada. Minto Development Inc. provided the development funds necessary to carry out the improvements for public use of Chapman Mills Conservation Area.
Trails: 1.5km
Download the PDF
Open Avenza map
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel.It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide. Please note that swimming is prohibited at Chapman Mills Conservation Area.
Special Feature - Fish Habitat Creation Projects
Chapman Mills Conservation Area is the site of two “fish habitat compensation projects” to improve the quantity and quality of fish habitat along the Rideau River shoreline within the City of Ottawa.
Interpretive signs created for the projects
Fish Habitat Creation at Chapman Mills (click to enlarge)
Habitat Enhancement at Chapman Mills - click to enlarge
With support through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program/Avec l’appui du Programme d’infrastructure communautaire de Canada 150.
3240 River Road
Ottawa,Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Dawn to dusk
Activities and Amenities
W. A. Taylor is set along the beautiful Rideau River and is one of the best spots to launch your boat or enjoy a quiet picnic with the family. Picnic tables and privies are on site.
Trails: 1.0km
W. A. Taylor Conservation Area Trail Map
Special Features
- short nature trail
- boat launch
- picnic area
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
133 Yacht Club Rd
Rideau Ferry, Ontario
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Dawn to dusk
Activities and Amenities
Bask on the beach and listen as the water laps onto the shore at the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Conservation Area. The former Rideau Ferry Yacht Club donated this 10 acre shoreline property located at Rideau Ferry to RVCA in 1976 for the purpose of providing a public day use recreation area with access to Lower Rideau lake. Rideau Valley Conservation Authority maintains a public beach, boat launch, and picnic area at this popular summer park.
Download the PDF
Open Avenza map
Trails: 0.3km
Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Trail Map
Special Features
- sandy beach
- boat launch
- picnic shelter, picnic tables and barbeques
Beach Advisories and Boat Safety
For listings of current advisories, please visit the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit.
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
100 Wild Life Rd,
Perth, ON
Phone: 613-692-3571 ext. 1100
Activities and Amenities
Located on the Tay Marsh, this watery environment nurtures a variety of diverse plant and wildlife species. Deer, ducks, Canada geese, rabbits, bluebirds and wild turkeys are some of the wildlife that is found in this 257-hectare reserve. This conservation area is specifically geared to wildlife management. This is an area for quiet observations. Take your time and keep your eyes open.
Trails: 3.5km
Download the PDF
Open Avenza map
Special Features
- Tay Marsh lookout
- Wildlife
- Self-guided trail brochure available
- Interpretive signs
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
Foley Mountain Lane
Westport, ON K0G 1X0
Phone: 613-273-3255
Open year round
8:30 a.m. to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
High atop a granite ridge overlooking the historic Upper Rideau waterway and Village of Westport is Foley Mountain. Foley is famous for its dynamic, hands-on, education programs for school children and youth groups. Enjoy the scenic lookout, hiking trails and picnic areas.
Purchasing a Pass
- $8 day pass / $55 annual pass
- Pay machine on site that accepts COIN and CREDIT CARD. Credit card purchases are processed via cell networks. Due to our remote location, connections are sometimes slow. Please be patient!
- Go high tech with PayByPhone and purchase your pass online, using the app, or over the phone.
Trails: 10km
Download the PDF
Open Avenza map
Special Features
- Spy Rock scenic lookout
- Interpretive centre
- Discovery Centre
- Education programs and day camps
- Natural swimming area
- Hiking and snowshoeing trails
- Facility rental
- Group camping for organized groups such as Guiding, Scouting, and community organizations
Beach Advisories
For listings of current advisories, please visit the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit.
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7498 Carter Rd,
Kars, Ontario
Phone: 613-489-3592
Open year round
dawn to dusk
subject to winter conditions
Activities and Amenities
FAQ:
Are dogs allowed on the beach? No, dogs are not allowed on the beach; even when no one is there we want to keep our beach clean and healthy. Thank you.
Is there a place dogs can swim? Yes. If you are standing in front of the beach, facing the water, there is a small area to the left of beach that is open to the water’s edge where dogs can swim downstream from the beach (there's a clearing in the brush).
Can dogs be off leash at Baxter? No. Dogs must be on leash at all times on Baxter property.
Is there a lifeguard? There are no lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.
Is the water safe for swimming? Our beaches are tested weekly for E.Coli in the summer to ensure they're safe for visitors to swim. At Baxter Conservation Area, RVCA staff test the waters each week and will post notices online and on site if a closure is necessary. NOTE: Swimming is never recommended after a heavy rainfall event, in areas with heavy bird activity or if Blue Green Algae is suspected.
Trails: 5 km
Download the PDF 
Open Avenza map
Special Features
- Patrick J. McManus Conservation Centre
- Fillmore R. Park Nut Grove
- energy displays
- education programs
- day camps
- family programs
- sandy beach
- hiking and snowshoeing trails
- facility rentals
- group camping
- river cabin
- volunteer opportunities
Please use caution on the water! The Rideau River is part of a busy navigation channel. It is every boater's responsibility to know the hazards along their route and to ensure they have proper safety equipment on board. For a list of required equipment and complete rules and regulations, visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety and read the Safe Boating Guide.
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