Nature Activities
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With 56 kilometres of preserved parkland found along the Niagara River, there’s an abundance of opportunities to reconnect with nature in Niagara Parks. Explore endless hiking trails, learn about the exciting sport of bouldering, discover hundreds of bird species along the Niagara Parkway, or take an unforgettable ride along the paved Niagara Recreational Trail.
Year Round
Approximate Duration (60 min.) (varies)
Partially Accessible
Self-guided Experience
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to Explore
Discover the story of Niagara Parks and all of the must-see Canadian experiences found along its 56-kilometre parkway with our digital visitor guide!
GO THERE NOWHiking
Niagara Parks offers 15 kilometres of hiking footpaths through six different nature areas to explore; many of which are home to some of the rarest plants and animals in the country. These trails include sections of the Bruce Trail, including its southern terminus, located at Queenston Heights Park. Visitors can explore the fascinating natural habitat and world-renowned geological history of the Niagara Glen on a self-guided hike or take part in guided tours during the summer season.
Cycling
Niagara Parks offers superior cycling for all ages along Niagara River Recreation Trail. This paved trail network stretches all the way from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake and features numerous cycling amenities along the way such as bike racks, repair stations and water filling stations. As part of larger trail systems that include the Trans Canada Trail, the Waterfront Trail, the Greater Niagara Circle Route and the Greenbelt Route, the Niagara River Recreational Trail borders the winding Niagara River and travels past wineries, heritage sites, attractions, restaurants and natural areas.
Bouldering
The carved rock formations of the Niagara Glen represent thousands of years of geological history and have become a popular destination for rock climbing enthusiasts from around the world. A Niagara Parks Bouldering Permit provides access to bouldering activities in this pristine pocket of Carolinian Forest. Bouldering permits are available for purchase online and in-person at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre. Permit holders receive complimentary parking at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre for up to two registered vehicles of their choosing for as long as the permit is valid.
Birding
The Niagara River Corridor, stretching 56 kilometres from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, was the first site in North America to receive international recognition as a “Globally Significant Important Bird Area” by major conservation groups in both Canada and the United States. Starting mid-November, the Niagara 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. See one of the world’s greatest gatherings of gulls and other migrating birds at Niagara Parks.
Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor activity that is similar to a treasure hunt. 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 (generally referred to as cachers or geocachers) 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 the Internet in order to find the caches. Niagara Parks has a number of geocaches to find.
Picnic
There are many locations along the 56-kilometre Niagara Parkway to stop and enjoy a picnic during your visit. To respect the natural areas in Niagara Parks, please consider choosing one of the designated areas illustrated below. Parking and picnic tables are available at most locations. For larger groups, covered pavilions are available to rent.
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