In my last post, I shared how much I love swimming at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, and it’s true! But the Grand River Conservation Area that really owns my heart is Rockwood. Less than an hour from Toronto, it’s one of my favourite easy escapes and even though I visit at least once a year, it somehow always feels like magic.
For the past several years, I’ve reserved a vacation day for my out-of-town niece, who spends the week in Toronto. Usually, we spend the day exploring down-town or Toronto Island. But this year I gave her the option of doing something in the city or inviting Andy to join us to take a daytrip to Rockwood, with the promise of swimming and kayaking. She was very enthusiastic about kayaking, so we made this our plan. And her enthusiasm about getting out on the water was matched by my excitement around introducing her to this specific place with all the potholes and nooks that are best experienced when you can see them from both the land and the water.
In the past, I’ve always visited Rockwood on a weekend and I’ve learned from experience that arriving any later than 10 am can be risky – it’s a popular conservation area that reaches capacity quickly. On several occasions we’ve had to change our plans upon arrival. But on a Monday? We arrived just before 11 am to a completely empty beach and only a handful of other canoes and kayaks on the water.
Because we have an annual pass for the Grand River Conservation Authority, we didn’t have to pay anything to enter, but the cost to park your vehicle for the day is $19, including up to six occupants.
The first thing we did was secure our kayak rentals from the kiosk set up at the beach. It’s $26 and hour, plus a $50 deposit. Because Rosie is under eighteen, she and I had to rent a two-person kayak. She’s thirteen and a strong swimmer, and I know she was hoping for her own – and I am certain she would have been able to navigate one herself – but these are the rental regulations. At least the cost of the two-person kayak is the same as a single! Note that there is also a boat launch area, and many people brought their own kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. No motorized boats are allowed on the river.
One hour is the perfect length of time to spend paddling around the Eramosa River at Rockwood. It’s not a large area, but the multiple inlets, caves, and potholes allow for endless adventures. It almost feels like you’re in a maze, but never truly in danger of getting lost. We paddled around many of these, eventually ending up across from the ruins of an old mill at the dam that informs us we can go no further. On the way back to the beach we chose different paths to meander through before arriving back at our starting point.
The first thing we did after returning our kayaks? We jumped in the river, of course! There isn’t a dedicated changeroom, but the public washrooms are near the entrance to the beach area. The beach at Rockwood is fairly small, but there is more than enough room to accommodate all the swimmers who are there when the park is at capacity. On this Monday afternoon, it was a delight to have the beach almost completely to ourselves. The water is shallow with markers indicating where the water becomes deep. There are no lifeguards, so you need to be aware of your own abilities and keep an eye on children.
After a quick dip, we decided to walk the Pothole Trail, to gain a new perspective on the potholes and inlets we’d seen from the water. It’s a very short trail, just 1.3 kms, but it’s got to have the most payoff for any trail of that length that I know. It takes you to spots where you can look out at limestone ridges and the inlets you just paddled through, past a cave, over a bridge through marshy waters, and ends at the ruins of the old Harris & Co. Woolen Mill. Unfortunately, the mill has been inaccessible for the past few years, to preserve its condition, but you can easily view its exterior from the path.
This time, we chose to head back the way we came, but you can also extend your hike by continuing on to the Cedar Ridge Trail, which takes you past limestone caves and to a wonderful lookout point atop the ridge. Taking this trail makes your walk into a loop and will also bring you back to your starting point.
There are so many wonderful spots in southern Ontario in which to enjoy a serene and scenic hike, and certainly there are more impressive caves than what you’ll find at Rockwood. But Rockwood is the first place I’ll recommend to someone who doesn’t have a lot of hiking experience or is short on time. The payoff is spectacular. But between hiking, swimming, and boating, you can also spend hours here. I’ve been here in all seasons and one of these weekends I would love to book a campsite and enjoy the experience of seeing Rockwood at sunrise and sunset. And nothing beats sharing it with people I love. Rockwood was a hit with our niece!
Naiad Notes 
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