Owen Sound is a mecca for hikers, with a bounty of trails throughout the city linking to parkland, forest and scenic lookouts that change with every season.
Favourite hiking destinations include Harrison Park, Inglis Falls, the West Rocks, Stony Orchard Park, and Jones Falls, each with interconnected trails.
Hiking shoes or runners are recommended, along with water, sunscreen and bug repellant in the spring and summer. A walking stick can also come in handy as some of the trails pass across deep crevices in the Niagara Escarpment. Pets must be leashed.
Explore on your own or with a group such as the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club, which manages 170 kilometres of main Bruce Trail surrounding Owen Sound and offers organized hikes. The Bruce Trail is the longest and oldest footpath in Canada.
Many trails pass through Grey Sauble Conservation Authority lands that require a small fee for parking. The GSCA owns and manages more than 11,000 hectares of some of the most scenic and environmentally sensitive lands in Grey and Bruce counties, including waterfalls, gorges, caves, trails and lookouts.
Visitor Information Centre
FALL/WINTER HOURS & LOCATION:
From October (Thanksgiving weekend) to May (Victoria Day long weekend), Visitor Services is available at City Hall, 808 2nd Avenue East. City Hall is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
SPRING/SUMMER HOURS & LOCATION:
From May (Victoria Day weekend) to October (Thanksgiving weekend) Visitor Services are available at the Visitor Centre, 1155 1st Ave West. It is open 7 days a week: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Check online for changes to hours due to Covid-19.
Harrison Park Campground & Reservations call 519-371-9734