Get Active! Explore the Trails of Niagara Parks!
Ontario’s Niagara Parks encourages all of our visitors to get active and embrace Niagara’s winter wonderland this season. There are many ways to get active outdoors in the wintertime all on Niagara Parks’ property. So put on your boots, dress warm, and come to Niagara Parks, home of the Falls this winter!
Bundle up and set out on one of Niagara Parks several trails by foot or snowshoe. Snow coated grounds and trees create the ideal scenery for an outdoor journey. Choose from a variety of hiking trails including over 56 kms of mixed use trail along the Niagara River Recreation Trail. Seize the moment by stopping along the way. Some nature lovers choose to take photos; others bring along binoculars to watch the birds and other wildlife, while still others choose to simply walk, listening to the sounds of snow falling peacefully and tree branches whistling in the wind. We dare you to bring out your inner child and make a snow angel along the way!
For all you bird lovers, beginning in early December the Niagara River becomes a critical winter feeding area for gulls and many other bird species. The river's swift current keeps it free of ice, assuring the bird’s access to water when many other waterways along their migratory path freeze over. The fast-moving waters also carry downstream a steady supply of alewives, shiners and other small fish that make up an important part of the birds' diet. Get out and observe nature at its finest this winter.
Why not take your family on a mysterious treasure hunt while walking through the snow? Geocaching is a great activity the whole family can enjoy or one you can do on your own. For those who are not familiar with geocaching, the goal of the activity is to find hidden containers known as caches or geocaches using a portable satellite navigation device called a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Individuals who practice this activity place a cache in an outdoor location and post the cache’s latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates on the Internet. Other Geocachers then use their GPS devices to download the coordinates and cache descriptions from one of several geocaching websites in order to find the caches. The sparkling snow covered grounds will add a special challenge to this adventure.
Let us not forget about how beautiful the winter makes Niagara Falls. The snow only enhances this natural wonder and the falling mist creates icicles unlike anywhere else in the world. Be sure to bring your camera and your skates when you visit the Falls. From December to the end of January you can skate at the Rink at the Brink, an open air skating rink overlooking the Falls. (Skates and ice sharpening are available on-site if you forget!)
Take your time and walk along the parkway while enjoying the perfect view and the unforgettable sounds the rushing Falls create. To warm up, enjoy a hot beverage and some tapas from Elements on the Falls Restaurant, the closest dining experience to the Falls or pick up Canada’s favourite cup of coffee at Tim Hortons; both located at Table Rock Welcome Centre.
While NPC welcomes all to enjoy the outdoor adventures that await you, we caution that many of the natural areas of the Park are home to the rarest plants and animals in the country. As members of Leave No Trace Canada, The Niagara Parks Commission has adopted the outdoor skills and ethics of the organization, and encourages visitors to “leave only footprints”.