Kelso Conservation Area

Kelso Conservation Area is 3 square km outdoor recreation park set along the rocky Niagara Escarpment that packs in a lot of outdoor fun. With the hilly escarpment terrain surrounding Kelso Lake, visitors are spoiled for choice with the selection of activities like paddle-boarding, swimming, camping, mountain biking and picnicking. Plus, there’s great skiing and snowboarding in the winter. 

Kelso Conservation Area is located just outside of the town of Milton, approximately 60 km west of Toronto.

Get up-to-date information about Kelso Conservation Area on the Conservation Halton official website. To learn about more things to do and places to explore in the immediate area, read on to see what Destination Ontario recommends. 

A rocky shoreline of a lake with a small tree with its roots exposed along a rock in the lake

More about Kelso Conservation Area

Kelso Conservation Area is home to Kelso Lake, a human-made reservoir built to mitigate the flooding of nearby Sixteen Mile Creek. It has since transformed into a multi-purpose lake for both function and fun, with locals and visitors frequenting its sandy beach and swimming or kayaking in its calm waters.  The lakeside boardwalk is great for leisurely stroll or learn how to paddleboard from the Kelso Boat Rentals shop. 

Kelso Conservation Area hosts Family Outdoor Movie Nights, when families gather with their favourite snacks and cuddle up for a kid-friendly movie cast out onto a giant outdoor screen. Spend the rest of the night under the stars in any of Kelso Conservation Area’s 22 tent-only campsites, each fully equipped with clean washroom facilities and outhouses.  

The 6.4 km Kelso Conservation Trail is a great hike, and even dogs are welcome, provided they are properly leashed.

If you’re looking for a challenge, try the Kelso Conservation Area’s Challenge Course. Test out your balancing skills on the Escarpment Walk, an aerial rope course that challenges the coordination, balance and bravery of anyone who chooses to participate. Clamber up the Vultures View, a three-walled climbing tower complete with different elements and features that takes its challengers 14 metres into the air. Safety equipment is provided at the site, along with guidance and support from the park’s friendly climbing trainers. Visitors can also try their hand at archery on the park’s very own archery course. 

For those interested in mountain biking, join the Kelso Mountain Bike School. Trained instructors will be happy to introduce beginners to park trails to develop their skills and boost their confidence to take on epic rides out in the wild. The Mountain Bike School also offers training programs to more seasoned bikers to improve their skills for more established races. 

Last updated: August 18, 2023

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