Nature Trails: Outdoor Recreation & Wilderness
There's more to Niagara than just the Falls! Explore the Niagara region: conservation areas and reserves, recreational trails, Niagara River rapids and more...
Playgrounds & Recreation Areas
Your family will enjoy a visit to any of Niagara Parks playgrounds and recreational areas. Along the entire length of the Niagara River you will find several parkettes that are busy with picnickers on any fine summer afternoon.
Niagara River Recreation Trail
The Niagara River Recreation Trail meanders through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. Constructed in 1986, the Niagara River Recreation Trail is a paved path for non-motorized traffic stretching some 53 kilometers (35 miles) along the Canadian side of the Niagara River. From Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake in the north it extends the full length of the peninsula.
Paradise Grove: Oak Savannah
The Paradise Grove Oak Savannah Restoration area is at the north end of the Niagara Parkway near Niagara-on-the-Lake. This naturalized area on Niagara Parks’ lands just south of John Street is showing signs of previous native plant material recovering.
Niagara Glen & Whirlpool
The Niagara Glen is a unique spot of beauty deep in the Great Gorge that has been a designated Nature Reserve since 1992. The Niagara Glen overlooks the Niagara River Whirlpool, a unique natural phenomenon that you must see to believe!
White Water Walk
Stroll along a boardwalk at the very edge of one of the world's wildest stretches of whitewater! Marvel at the relentless power and beauty of nature and see how the deep and narrow Great Gorge was created. Trillions of gallons of water are forced into this accelerating trough - the sight will take your breath away!
Dufferin Islands
This popular area is 10 acres of paradise - a quiet, secluded park containing several small islands connected by small bridges and footpaths. This area is home to the "Winter Festival of Lights" from November to January each year, when several animated lighting displays are placed around the perimeter of the islands.
Miller's Creek Marina
This is the only public Marina on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. Located on the beautiful Niagara Parkway between Fort Erie and Niagara Falls, the Marina is on the Niagara River Recreation Trail close to Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex and a short drive to the Falls.
Birding (Bird Watching)
Starting mid-November, the river comes alive with the aerobatics of more than 100,000 gulls on migratory flights from as far north as Greenland and the Canadian Arctic to as far south as Florida.
