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Thames Grove Conservation Area; Credit: Visit Chatham-Kent
Tucked between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, Chatham-Kent has trails that take you into the Carolinian forest or activities like disc golf, wineries or horse-backing riding to give you some variety in your winter days.
**Due to COVID-19 restrictions (including stay-at-home order and grey/red zone rules), not all activities listed below will be available during 2020-21 winter season. Please verify before travelling.**
Spice it up at Rondeau
Rondeau Provincial Park is well-known for its numerous trails. Spice Bush Trail at Rondeau Provincial Park meanders through hardwood forests as you trek on skis, snowshoes, or in your best boots. Watch for majestic maples, tulip trees, and old-growth American beech. The journey will take you an hour along a gentle route. Another trail to check out is the Marsh Trail. This trail can fill four hours or more in your day if you cover the full 7.2-kilometre route both ways. The level trail is great for skiers, snowshoers or hikers.
The Black Oak Trail at Rondeau Provincial Park will light up your day with bird sightings. The 1.4-kilometer loop is easy but plan to spend an hour so you can stop and enjoy all the sights within the pine-oak savanna.
Visitors of any mobility are welcome at the Tulip Tree Trail’s barrier-free boardwalk. Stroll, snowshoe or wheel along for 1.2 kilometres as you admire the rare trees of the Carolinian forest: sassafras, Shagbark Hickory and tulip trees.
To access the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, check out the Harrison Trail. This 16 km return trail travels the length of the park and passes through a variety of habitats including Oak Woodland, Oak Savanna, small prairie openings and Carolinian forest. The 8 km South Point loop Trail also passes through the oak savanna around the tip of the Rondeau peninsula into Lake Erie.
Where: 18050 Rondeau Park Road, Morpeth
You might like: 25 Ontario Provincial Parks to Visit During Winter in Ontario
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Golf in the snow
Thames Groves Conservation Area sports a nine-hole disc golf course that uses a flying disc and vertical ‘holes.’ Enter via the east parking lot and best of luck on challenging Hole #5!
Where: 30 Kingsway Drive, Chatham
Visit with farm animals
TJ Stables offers horse-backing riding and a barnyard tour as a family outing for up to five people in a family. Drop in for an hour for $65. Each additional horse rental costs $25.
Where: 837 Gregory Drive East, Chatham; 519-354-7517
Bridge over quiet waters
Two Creeks Conservation Area has a series of bridges and 10 kilometres of trails for any type of outing. You can take two 10-minute walks to the 1987 railway bridge or across the Harvest Bridge to the Pearce Bridge. For a longer trek of 20 to 50 minutes, follow the white arrows for the Wild Rose Trail and its various loops. The most demanding outing goes along the Red Circle Trail for about 45 minutes by following the red arrows to the creek and various bridges.
Where: 21638 1 Kent Rd, Wheatley; 519-567-8048
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Bike the Thames Groves trail
Thames Groves Conservation Area offers a full kilometre perimeter trail for fatbikers to get out and enjoy a ride. Start your adventure at the parking lot and loop back whenever you’re feeling tired.
Where: 30 Kingsway Drive, Chatham
Go Skating
Round up the family, lace-up and go skating at one of Chatham-Kent’s ten arenas.
Click glasses at Early Acres
Early Acres Estate Winery is a family-run facility that welcomes visitors for tastings. You can try one of their six white wines or any of the five reds they produce. (currently closed due to COVID-19.)
Where: 9494 Pioneer Line, Chatham; 519-354-9070
Toboggan at Two Creeks
Where: 21638 1 Kent Rd, Wheatley; 519-567-8048
Tap out at a microbrewery
Sons of Kent serves up unique craft beers in their taproom in Chatham. Try out the Flywheel Blonde, Juice Box Hazy Ale or Don’t Panic Oatmeal Stout. They have several other brands with music-themed names, such as 8 Track, Hi-Fi and Berry White.
Where: 27 Adelaide Street South, Chatham; 519-354-BEER
Ice Fish at Mitchell’s Bay
Beginner or the avid fisher will find many spots to hook in Chatham-Kent. Amoung the more popular places are Mitchell’s Bay, Rondeau Bay, and the Thames River.
Ski the CASO Trail
Located on the former Canadian Southern Rail Line corridor, the 5.5 km CASO trail extends from Erie St. North to Victoria Road in Ridgetown. Enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the length of the trail.
Where: 20773-20775 Kent Bridge Rd, Ridgetown
Get a peek at a creek
Wheatley Provincial Park offers a trail along its landlocked creeks where you can see the wonder of winter ice formations while hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The second trail goes through a mature forest of chestnuts, sassafras, oak, hickory and black gum trees.
Where: 2116 Klondyke Road, Wheatley; 519-825-4659
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Taste local flavour and history
Savour the fare at Chatham-Kent’s locally-owned restaurants, cafes, and bakeries with the Bakery Trail. You can also combine the tour with enjoying Barn Quilts painted throughout Chatham-Kent.
Down the hill at Ferguson Park
Go tobogganing on the giant hill at Ferguson Park. If the hill is too crowded hike the short Neighbourhood trail at the park.
Where: 30 Wallace Street, Thamesville
Explore Merlin Conservation Area
Merlin Conservation Area trail is a short trail that winds through the conservation area and is perfect for a short day trip. The park is open for day use year-round and is free of charge.
Where: 128 William Street (County Rd. 8 Middle Line) in the Community of Merlin
