Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Nestled in the heart of the Grand River Valley, just outside the town of Elora lies the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. This spectacular natural area features 22-metre-high limestone cliffs that flank the roaring Grand River.
Beyond incredible views, this area offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking riverside trails to scenic lookouts, camping, fishing and picnicking. Another major draw is the chance to go tubing or kayaking through the rapids or calm waters of the river.
Elora Gorge | Destination Ontario
How to get to Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Location: 7400 Wellington County Road 21, Elora
By car: The easiest way to access the park is by car and parking is included with the entrance fee.
By transit: The closest train station to Elora is the Guelph Central Station which is accessible by GO Transit and VIA Rail. The Guelph Owen Sound Transportation (GOST) provides public transportation between Owen Sound and Guelph with stops in Fergus and Elora. The Park Bus is a private bus service from Toronto that offers day trip transportation and park admission for Elora Gorge Conservation Area on select dates between May to October.
Know before you go
The Elora Gorge Conservation Area opens from May 1 to October 15. The number of visitors permitted to enter the park is limited. Check to see in real time when the park has reached it daily operating capacity.
The area has 450 serviced and un-serviced campsites available and camping facilities include washrooms and showers. Make campsite reservations well in advance.
During the summer, a food concession stand sells cold drinks, french fries and snacks.
Things to do at Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Discover more activities and experiences.
Go hiking
Follow the three kilometre looped trail along rugged clifftops in the park. For your safety, stay on the trails and within the safety barriers.
Experience river tubing
Ride an inner tube along the river for an exciting way to experience the gorge. Daily tubing is available weather-permitting from mid-June to early September. Purchase tickets online in advance.
Try your luck at fishing
Go fishing in the conservation area, which is within a world-renowned brown trout fishery. Other species to cast for include smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and carp.
Paddle the river
Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle the Grand River with multiple access points throughout the Elora Gorge. Conditions can change quickly, so ask your outfitter about the best times to go.
Cycle the trails
In addition to trails within the conservation area, the nearby Elora Cataract Trailway offers almost 50 kilometres of mixed-use trails for cyclists.
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Interesting facts about the Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Elora Gorge Conservation Area is operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. The Grand River is a designated Canadian Heritage River that flows almost 300 kilometres from Dundalk to Lake Erie. It runs through the bottom of the gorge, approximately a-two kilometre stretch.
The gorge and imposing limestone cliffs were formed from erosive ice age glacial meltwaters, with exposed bedrock estimate to be about 450 million years old.
Elora and the Elora Gorge were named after a ship called Ellora, which belonged to the brother of one of the earliest settlers of the town in the 1830s.
Last updated: September 12, 2024