Dog-friendly Mountsberg Conservation Area in Campbellville, Ontario is a fly to a flame destination for families during March break, which coincides with the park’s annual Maple Festival. Everyone and their dog are drawn there that week and weekend.
I forgot about that reality when I headed to Mountsberg Conservation Area on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. I assumed because it’s still technically off-season – despite the record warm temperatures – it’s not even officially spring yet. Who goes to conservation areas before spring?
A lot of people, apparently. A lot of families, and a lot of people and families with dogs.
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Family-friendly Mountsberg Conservation Area
I should have known this because I visited several years ago with my previous dog (see here). And the Maple Syrup Festival was particularly fun, and my aging dog at the time was particularly slower than the ball of energy I showed up with this year.
Bring on the puddles and mud (but no snow) this year. After all, this conservation area is part wetlands and thus home to at least 200 species of birds (imagine my spaniel’s enthusiasm) and many marshes. Measuring a respectable 1500 acres (about twice the area of Central Park in New York City), Mountsberg has an extensive network of winding groomed walking and hiking trails.
Part of one trail floats over a pond, others are carved through densely wood forest My favourite was a wide hardpack road used by the horse-drawn wagon that tours visitors through the sugar maple trees sporting blue buckets collecting maple sap.
Less Travelled Trails and Dodging Horses
We took the road less traveled – well, less traveled by people. To my surprise, we had the wide carriage path to ourselves despite the number of visitors filtering into the park that day. However, watching for the horses approaching (so we could move far off the path) was part of the journey. This fact, and a momentary break of the dog harness, is how my dog ended up in the woods leaping into deep puddles and living her best lift. Fortunately, she’s getting a little better about recall, and we were back on leash before the horse got too close.
Phew. Also fortunately, the large horse-drawn wagon does not move very quickly.
Yes, horses live on this conservation site that’s part ecological park, part farm – including being home to other farm animals such as goats, chickens, and sheep – and a bird of prey sanctuary and rescue a short walk from the parking lot. Here, you can get up close with raptors and even a bald eagle, whose claws will remind you why these creators in the wild are dangerous to cats and small dogs.
Note that the Raptor Sanctuary (birds are in enclosures) is not open to dogs, for obvious reasons. Also, signs asking that dogs are kept far from the farm animal enclosures, and they are not permitted inside the barn and horse stables. Understandably.
Dog-friendly Mountsberg Conservation Area Maple Syrup Festival
Otherwise, Mountsberg Conservation Area is very dog friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome on the miles of trails of varying hiking difficulties throughout the conservation area. And dogs can join their people at the annual Maple Syrup Festival when the sap is flowing, the pancakes are being flipped (meals start at $9), and educational facilitators explain how maple syrup is made both in the past and current day.
Of course, you can buy bottles of jugs of Mountsberg Conservation Area maple syrup. The gift store at the park entrance also sells various maple products including maple and cinnamon pancake/waffle mix.
Waffles for Dinner … both people and pets
Just to celebrate the season, I had maple and cinnamon waffles for dinner. And so my dog was not left out, she had dog waffles from a dog pancake/waffle mix I purchased during travels to Michigan. Yes, dog waffles are a thing, and so are many other crazy treat foods for dogs. Curious? Check out some novelty dog treats here).
Overall, yes, it is easier to take your pup to dog-friendly Mountsberg Conservation Area during quieter times too – especially if miles of quiet eco-diverse trails are what you and your dog fancies. And if you happen to be there when there are pancakes available, all the better.
If you go….
Mountsberg Conservation Area is located at 2259 Milburough Town Line, Campbellville, Ontario. Hours are 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Sunday all year. Maple Season at the conservation area is early March to the first week of April annually.
- Dogs are permitted on a two-meter leash along all trails. Please pick up after your dog and dispose of bags in garbage cans provided throughout the park.
- Dogs are not permitted in any buildings, the Raptors Centre, or the farm animal barn.
- Dogs can not swim in Crawford Lake, or Kelso beach, but can swim in the area west of the boat beach.
If you visit on busy days, like during Maple Festival Weekend, you’ll encounter a lot of other dogs, young children, and strollers. Be sure your dog is accustomed to crowds and kids, particularly those who’ll want to pet them. The stimulation factor was high for my spaniel.
Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!
