Crawford Lake Conservation Area

What a beautiful experience! Came here with friends to do a 1.5km trek but ended up doing a 13.4km loop! Started at Rattlesnake Point along 2-3 other trails until we came upon Crawford Lake. Such a beautiful site! We started in the early morning when it was relatively quiet, by the time we got back to the original starting point, there was a growing crowd of larger groups on the trail. Would recommend buying your passes in advance for smoother entry and exit as that is what we had done. Perfect outing for families, dog friendly and hike lovers alike. Most direction points has a small washroom hut for convenience, Crawford Lake has a visitor's centre where many can rest, access bathroom and change tables for families, snacks, beverages and a quaint little gift shop for memorabilia. Can't wait to return again :)

I visited Crawford Lake Conservation Area with friends during the fall, and I was captivated by the stunning views and the fantastic loop trails. These trails were particularly enjoyable for us because we had children with us, and a portion of the trail consisted of a wooden path, which added a unique touch to our experience.

Towards the end of our visit, the kids were amazed by the reconstructed indigenous village. It not only provided entertainment but also offered valuable educational insights for everyone.

A very good nature hike for the entire family. Children can seethe reconstructed iroquoien village . Beautiful wood carving and hike around the lake which is on a board walk is an easy one
Crawford lake one of a kind you can see the layers when the sun shines
Get the reservations online

It was a gorgeous day for hiking at Crawford Lake Conservation. The trails are well maintained, and the views of the lake are stunning.

Walking the trails at Crawford Lake on September 30th will become a yearly tradition for myself and my family as we continue to educate ourselves about Indigenous history.

I loved the hiking trails and the Iroquois reserve!! The view of the canyon is breathtaking, can’t imagine it during fall… For people who loves hiking, there’s a lot of options. Wonderful place!
I personally recommend to make a reservation on their website prior to the visit.

Great for short hikes/treks. Lots of benches to sit down and enjoy a picnic
NOTE: restrooms close around 4 pm and it's hard to find restrooms inside. Best bet is the restroom opposite the main entrance gate.

It is a beautiful mesmerizing trail with wooden bridge and a small lake.. perfect for family outing there is a car entry charge if 11$ per car which you need to purchase in advance as there is no customer service at the counter.. and no internet when you reach the trail so would need to buy before hand.. during fall this place is breathtaking..

Just serene, come to nature and immerse yourself in the lap of nature. Ensure to reserve your spot by buying the ticket from online portal, getting inside the gate will be smooth. Full day ticket cost $11 per adult. Ample parking, washrooms, and picnic tables available.
Crawford lake is small and the trail road is well maintained, enjoy the beauty of the lake and take a walk around the lake using the wooden bridges.

If you are looking for a weekend walk that is not only a walk, but also a learning adventure, then Crawford Lake trails is the place for you. You will enjoy the stunning views of the lake and the forest, and challenge yourself with some steep and rocky sections. You will also discover the rich culture and history of the First Nations people who lived in harmony with this land. There exhibits that tell you their stories and traditions, and you will feel like you are traveling back in time. The only thing you need to bring is your own food and drinks, because the restaurant is not open. But that's a small price to pay for such a rewarding experience. I loved it and I'm sure you will too. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An amazing place that has a very mystic, peaceful energy. I thoroughly enjoyed the hike from Rattlesnake point to Crawford lake and back.

Love this park. Register before going! Family friendly, boardwalk around a really special lake, lots of picnic spots, wooden figures around the trails, and lots of beautiful wildlife and trees to look at. There are various trail to choose from, the look out is pretty! Be careful around the trail edges, there is poison ivy in some spots. Long pants tucked into sucks is recommended for poison ivy and tick prevention too. The educational staff are excellent here. There are thousands of kids that come through here with school program. Conveniently located on Guelph Line and close to the 401. Must try!

Visited here for a nice hike after we saw the story on CHCH news.

Beautiful trails and paths. And the lake is the highlight of the visit.

The staff was friendly that we encountered. We got there around 11 and it wasn’t busy. We spent about an hour and a half walking around and it was getting busy around 1230-1pm

Perfect place to go for a walk and hike. Beautiful place with some unique sculptures and a boardwalk you can walk to.

I've been going here since the early 2000s and I have enjoyed every single time I've went. This place is part of my childhood and it's nice to see how carefully the staff preserve both the interesting longhouses, but also keeping the path safe and walkable around the lake itself. The water is very cool to look at, it's clear and sometimes has interesting animals you can see if you look long enough. In the warmer seasons the forest is teeming with life and green foliage, and in the winter it's layered with beautiful slopes of snow while the path itself is maintained and clear. What's also nice is that the hiking trails here have a lot of difficulty variation! You have short trails to very long ones.

Definitely come here if you like nature, hiking, and more!

Very calm and peaceful trails. Very well maintained trails and at every point there are arrows to guide us. Apart from the trails there is a village that talks about the history and people who belonged to Crawford. The structure maintained well but unfortunately when we visited the place the entry to those houses were closed. You can purchase the ticket at the entrance of park.

Beautiful, sunny day. Breathtaking trails at every turn. Enjoyed seeing the village, as there was lots to learn, and walking around the elevated boardwalk! We went to the loop trail (boardwalk) and did half of the Escarpment trail to see the lookout. As it was winter, there wasn't much to see, but still a beautiful walk there nonetheless. A must see if you're in the area. 🎠😊

Beautiful lake and trail which is only 50 mins away from Toronto. I reccommend coming here in the spring/summer time to see more flowers/plants/birds!

It was an absolute delight. We saw long houses and took the Crawford Lake trail around the lake. We saw so many colorful dragonflies, butterflies, several fishes, turtles, snake, frogs.and more in just one visit. The breathtaking view of the lake from every angle is to die for and cleanliness is so much appreciated.

This was a wonderful experience, though I felt that the boardwalk along the lake could have been better if it was a little closer to the water. Couldn't get to really enjoy the lakeside due to this. In parts the trail was a bit on the difficult side but posed a good challenge to the group. Highly enjoyable experience and the fall colors on view was worth the effort.

Crawford Lake was a nice surprise! The view of the lake is amazing and it was great to spend some time admiring the view and getting in touch with nature. The trails are fairly easy and there is an interesting historical site as well. Also lots of kids. If you are planning to go on the Bruce Trail hiking shoes are a must, otherwise if you are just around the parking it's a nice to have. Also tried their Elk Hotdog, was very rich. The trails are well maintained and well marked.