How to Visit Rockwood Conservation Area

Last Updated on February 8, 2025

Visiting Rockwood Conservation area is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, day, or entire weekend!

Rockwood Conservation Area is a Grand River Park in Rockwood, Ontario. It’s one of my favorite spots to escape to during the summer for an easy hike followed by swimming and kayaking. Plus, you can explore caves and the ruins of an old mill while you’re there!

Because this park is just a 1 hour drive (you can also get there by public transport!), you can visit it as a short trip from Toronto. But making a whole weekend out of it is fun, too! Read on to learn everything you need to know to visit Rockwood.

Before diving into this guide, I want to acknowledge that Rockwood Park is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation of the Anishinaabek Peoples.

How to Get to Rockwood Conservation Area

Rockwood is an easy 1 hour to 1.5 hour drive from Toronto. You simply take Highway 401 headed west, and at Campbellville exit onto Guelph Line 1 headed north. When you intersect with highway 7, turn right headed toward the small town of Rockwood. You’ll then turn right onto Fall Street – this turnoff brings you to the entrance of the park. 

No car? No problem! 

Hw to get to Rockwood without a car:

If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can book to take the bus to Rockwood for a day trip or for the weekend using the service Parkbus.

You can also take public transport from Toronto to Rockwood. To plan your trip, use the Go Transit Trip Planner. Input your destination as Alma St. @ Fall St. The trip costs approximately $15 each direction. It does take longer to travel to Rockwood by GO Bus – about 2 hours. But it’s a great option if you don’t have a car!

Entry Into Rockwood Conservation Area

Rockwood Conservation Area does charge an entry fee. As of 2023, the day use admission fees for Rockwood are:

• $7.08 per adult
• $3.10 per child
• $5.75 per senior

You can see the always up to date summary of fees, here. If you choose to camp overnight at Rockwood, this fee is included in your campsite costs. I’ll share more details about camping at Rockwood later in this guide!

Hiking Trails in Rockwood Conservation Area

My favorite thing to do at Rockwood Conservation Area is the trails. There are two hiking trails: the Pothole Trail and the Cedar Ridge Trail. The Pothole Trail is an offshoot of the Cedar Ridge trail. It connects both ends of Cedar Ridge, making a loop that goes around the Eramosa river.

The trails run alongside the Eramosa River, and although they aren’t too long or challenging, both trails provide stunning views overlooking the river below. There are two designated lookout spots that you can stop at to take in these views. Doing the full Cedar Ridge Trail loop takes an hour, and the total length of the trail is 2.9 kilometers. 

See Rockwood Park’s Potholes and Caves

On the Cedar Ridge Trail you’ll find one of Rockwood’s interesting attractions, a collection of natural caves! Some of them are quite deep, so much so that you’ll need a headlamp or the flashlight on your phone to be able to explore them. 

• Note that the caves are closed from October 16 to March 31 to protect bats that are hibernating.

Along the Cedar Ridge Trail you’ll come to the turn-off for the Pothole Trail. This trail brings you by a couple of Rockwoods famous glacial potholes. The conservation area has over 200 of these potholes that vary in size. They were created by hard debris like pebbles and boulders that were left by the Wisconsin glacier. 

Harris & Co. Rockwood Woolen Mill

At the north-east end of Rockwood’s loop hiking trail there’s a bridge that crosses over a dam. Just on the other side you’ll see the Rockwood Woolen Mill ruins. The original woolen mill was built in 1867 and burned down in 1880 because it was built entirely out of wood. In 1884 it was rebuilt, but this time using stone. During WWI this mill was known for manufacturing Canadian army blankets. But unfortunately, it’s doors closed in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression.

Rockwood Conservation Area Beach

Aside from the trails, you can spend an afternoon relaxing on Rockwood’s public beach. There’s a sandy area and a grassy area, and the swimming is perfect – plenty of shallow water that eventually becomes deeper. I do find that the beach becomes very busy in the summer, so I actually prefer to find a spot off of the Cedar Ridge Trail to swim. 

If you’d like to launch a kayak, canoe, or paddle board, you can do so at Rockwood’s beach. If you don’t have your own, you can rent them hourly from Inside Out Nature Centre. Paddling the Eramosa River is a great way to spend an afternoon at Rockwood. The water is calm, and paddling gives you fantastic views of the park’s limestone cliffs. 

Rockwood Conservation Area Camping

Rockwood Conservation Area has lots of camping sites available to book through their online booking system. Their campgrounds have all the basic amenities, including bathrooms and showers. From the campsites, it’s a short walk to Rockwood’s beach as well as to the start of the Cedar Ridge and Pothole Trail. 

Hotels Near Rockwood Conservation Area

Camping not your thing? You can also opt to book a hotel, bed and breakfast, or Airbnb in Guelph – it’s just a 13 minute drive away from Rockwood Conservation Area.

If you’re willing to drive a bit further, consider staying in Elora, Ontario. This little Ontario town is known for its 19th-century limestone architecture, and its proximity to the beautiful Elora Gorge. 

Responsible Tourism in Rockwood Conservation Area 

Rockwood Conservation Area is known for getting quite busy in the summers. And as a result, I’ve heard that some locals in the region are troubled by how much litter is left behind in the park. So, this is your quick reminder to treat Rockwood, and all nature, with respect. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your footprint is minimal: 

Leave the park exactly how you found it.

Do not remove artifacts, rocks, plants, and other natural objects from their location. It’s important to pack in and pack out, too. This means leaving nothing behind. Any trash, including organic waste, should be disposed of in the park’s designated trash bins. 

Don’t feed wildlife in the conservation area.

It’s always tempting to feed wildlife, especially if they approach you, but it’s best not to. Learn 10 helpful tips for responsible wildlife tourism.

Follow the Rockwood Park rules.

Park rules exist for a reason. This means it’s important to follow and respect all of the rules. Keep an eye out for signage that might inform you of local rules. 

Stay on the trails in Rockwood Conservation Area .

Going off of established trails can disturb the ecology of the nature you’re exploring, so stick to the marked, designated trails.

Rockwood Park FAQ

Looking for more Ontario travel inspiration? 

• 14 of the Best Ontario Parks to Explore
• Why You Need to Visit an Alpaca Farm in Ontario
• Your Essential Guide to Visiting Point Pelee National Park
• First-Timer’s Guide to Hardy Lake Provincial Park