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The Elora Gorge Conservation Area is one of the few conservation areas in Ontario that offers quite a variety of activities. The large park surrounds the Elora Gorge and Grand River on the west side of the town of Elora. The rugged and unique landscape makes way for an array of activities, many of which aren’t as common within Ontario’s Parks.
© Destination Ontario
The Elora Gorge Conservation Area does offer those more common activities like hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, or paddling. Some of the more unique activities offered within the park are what help to set the Elora Gorge Conservation Area aside as a must-visit in southern Ontario.
Elora, the Gorge, and the Grand River
Long before the Elora Gorge Conservation Area existed to offer safe recreation along the steep rock riverbanks and raging Grand River rapids, the river was an essential part of Elora’s early development. Near the Elora Gorge and local lookout areas stands the Elora Mill. This large, five-story building sits set within the riverbanks with the rushing waters of the Grand River within a stone’s throw from the Mill. The old mill is also next to an iconic feature of the riverbanks, the Tooth of Time: this is a large rock formation which pops out of the riverbed with a dense covering of trees.
Today, The Mill is a luxury hotel and spa with upscale dining, and the Grand is considered a Canadian Heritage River. However, this was once an operational mill for grain products and more, with the east side of the Mill operating as a distillery. With the sawmill, flour mill, grist mill, and whiskey distillery, Elora became a hub of the farming industry which boomed in southern Ontario over the late 1800s. And so, Elora also boomed. Unfortunately, this meant an increase in pollution for the Grand River.
By the 1930s, the Conservation Authorities helped to create protections around the River, the Elora Gorge, and its watersheds. Today, this means the Grand River around the Elora Gorge is open to the public for enjoyment of the views 22m over the gorge, or on one of those unique adventures now offered from the park.
Thrilling & Relaxing Activities on the Grand River
© Destination Ontario
The turbulent waters on the Grand River and Elora Gorge are incredibly dangerous in some areas. In others, however, the waters are calmers and more inviting to a tube, canoe, kayak, or a fishing rod. Plus, one local company offers a more unique way to see the Gorge and River.
- First and foremost, river tubing is the ultimate way to experience the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. This safe and simple activity is made so by the local outfitters who mark clear drop-in and take-out points, provide helmets, and the river tubes. On a calmer summer day, the ride down the river will feel more like a lazy float than a thrilling adventure. Access the Tube Launch from Middlebrook Road (on the opposite side of the river from the day use area).
- River tubing must be booked online in advance, as no walk-ups are allowed.
- Get aerial views of all the Grand nature below with One Axe Pursuits who offer ziplining adventures over the Gorge/River. Along with ziplining, One Axe also offers rappelling, rock climbing, and mountaineering lessons.
- Whitewater canoeing or kayaking is permitted on the Grand River with the recommended starting point of the Low Level Bridge within the Conservation Area. From here, experienced paddlers are guided, thrashed, and swept along the Grand River to West Montrose, the recommended take-out point.
- Anglers from many different places come to the Grand River around the Elora Gorge as the area is one of the best places in all North America for brown trout fishing. There are places that are popular along the river for wading through the water to get to the best angling spots (cleats are recommended).
Trails around the Gorge & More
© Destination Ontario
Within the park there are 3km of hiking trails which follow the south banks of the Grand River. The Elora Gorge Trail will offer differing and varying views of the Gorge almost the entire way, with one end beginning at the pedestrian bridge over the Elora Gorge, and the other at the vehicle bridge on Wellington Road 7.
- The park trails are for hikers only, but there is a nearby trail system for cyclists to explore. And along with the deep gorge with the Grand River rushing through, this trail has another highlight: the hole in the wall. This distinct and hard-to-miss part of the Elora Gorge Trail enters the hole in the wall/rockface with a staircase and enables hikers to walk under the hole and the land bridge it creates.
- The 45km+ Elora Cataract Trailway, which connects the Grand and Credit River watershed areas also connects Elora to the nearby town of Fergus. The trail continues past Fergus while it winds around the south and east shores of Lake Belwood. Finally, the trail reaches its eastern terminus at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park.
- Either of these trails are lush with forest and greenery, and so in the fall season, the Elora Gorge Conservation Area is a beautiful place to enjoy the warm-hued foliage.
A Day Trip or Picnic at the Elora Gorge
These adventures and fun on the Grand River may take up most of the day. Luckily, the Elora Gorge Conservation Area day use section offers several amenities to make a day here more comfortable. The Conservation Area has picnic tables set up along the sides of the Gorge and under the shade of the tall trees, with same tables offering a direct riverside picnic experience. Each parking lot also has washrooms, while tubers and anyone here for the day can also take advantage of the on-site seasonal concession. Plus, the town of Elora is filled with numerous options for takeout picnic foods.
- Sheltered picnic pavilions are available for rent and make an ideal setting for larger group gatherings. The reservations also help ensure you and your group have a place to set up your picnic or celebration.
- Take time to cool off from the summer heat with the park’s Splash Pad and the shade of the Splash Pad Pavillion.
- The day use area surrounds the Elora Gorge Trail, giving picnickers several opportunities to hop on the trails and see the Grand River.
Camping at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area
The Elora Gorge campgrounds surround both sides of the Grand River. Among these campground loops are options for sites with services, or those without services (ideal for tents). Altogether, the campground boasts close to 500 sites! So, while it is a popular overnight destination in Ontario, the park has the facilities to accommodate many campers.
- Among those sites with services are those with sewer, water, and electrical, those with water and electrical, or those with electrical.
- Campers have close access to activities like hiking, river tubing, ziplining, fishing, or paddling. Plus, these campgrounds are equipped with washrooms, showers, playgrounds, and a baseballs diamond.
- The park store sells camping needs like firewood and ice.
The Elora Quarry Conservation Area
Swimming may not be permitted along the Grand River, and for good reasons. However, the Conservation Area on the opposite side of Elora from the Gorge provides a small beach and beautiful waters for a lazy float.
- The Elora Quarry Conservation Area is a unique setting for a summer afternoon, with the tall walls of the rock quarry sheltering the small lake within. On one end of the lake is a sandy beach area with a marked swimming area and room to launch inflatables.
- Only inflatables are permitted on the Lake, while larger craft like boat rafts, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs are not permitted.
- Take time on the 1km loop, which offers great views of the Quarry and the nearby Grand River.
Planning Your Trip – Elora Gorge Conservation Area
What: The Elora Gorge is a 22m high cliff area over the Grand River and on the east side of the town of Elora. Around this Gorge is the Elora Gorge Conservation Area, open each spring to fall. The Conservation Area operates a river tubing outfit on the north side of the river, a day use area on the south side of the river, and a large campground that encompasses both sides of the Grand River.
Location and how to get there: 7400 Wellington County Rd 21, Elora.
Elora Gorge Conservation Area is located 115 km (1 hr 30 min drive) from Toronto, 75 km (1 hour drive ) from Hamilton, 140 km (1 hr 45 min drive) from London and 130 km (1 hr 45 min drive) from Barrie.
Best time to go: camping May 1-October 15; river tubing June 15-September 30
Cost: day use $4-$9 per person; camping $51-68 per night; tubing $21-$54 per person
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