Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Fall Colours
Kelso, Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation Areas will be offering fun fall activities on weekends during Fall Into Nature starting September 28 to October 27.
Witness nature’s spectacular display of vibrant red, orange, and gold leaves at Kelso as you soar above the treetops on a chairlift ride to breathtaking fall trails and lookout points. Visit Mountsberg to meet extraordinary raptors, farm animals, and reptiles — or take a tour of the Indigenous Longhouse Village at Crawford Lake and learn the ancient art of fire starting.
Make a park reservation and add on Fall Into Nature autumn adventures while fall colours are at their finest.
Events Happening at the Parks
Little Anglers’ Fishing Derby
Area 8 is hosting its first kids’ fishing derby on September 28 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm! Kids 8 years old and under can join the derby and fish off the docks, rocks, or rent a canoe or kayak to catch the biggest fish, win a trophy, and release it back into the lake.
Click here for more details about the Little Anglers’ Fishing Derby and how to register.
Please Note: Anyone over 8 years old can still join the fishing fun without being part of the derby and will have to make a park reservation to attend.
Chairlift Rides
Ready to experience the colourful fall leaves at the height of their beauty? Starting September 28, fall chairlift rides at Kelso are back Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday until October 27 (weather permitting)! Take a ride to the top of the hills on the Updraft Chairlift and down on the Limestone Chairlift to view the escarpment and enjoy spectacular views of the fall colours along the way.
Tickets are valid for two trips, in any combination of up or down running from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Fall chairlift rides can be added to your reservation at Kelso during park hours on chairlift operating days.
Chairlift Ride Fees: $8.00 in advance and $10.00 on site fee +HST
Chairlift Ride tickets can be purchased on-site at the base of the bridge and online.
Schedule: 11:00 am to 4:30 pm
Food and Beverage
Food and beverages will be served at the West Lodge near the base of the Updraft Chairlift (Ride Up) starting on Saturday, September 28.
BEAVERTAILS® will be serving their world-famous pastries and snacks at the base of the Limestone Chairlift (Ride Down) during chairlift operating hours starting on Saturday, October 5th.
During your visit you can follow our curated trail map to access the best fall photo opportunities in the GTA.
Please Note:
- No pets or bikes are allowed on the chair lifts
- Riders must be at least 42″ or 107 cm in height to ride the chair
- Children 5 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Pick up chairlift tickets at the West Ticket Booth (located at the bottom of the
bridge) - The last ride up is loaded at 4:30 pm
Fun Zone
New to the chairlift ride experience this year, be sure to check out the Fall Into Nature Fun Zone located outside the Trailhead Retail Shop every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday, October 5 until Sunday, October 27.
Purchase tokens to participate in Fun Zone activities that require an additional charge at the Trailhead Retail Shop.
Fun Zone Activities and Show Schedule
*Free with park admission
| Saturday, October 5 | Sunday, October 6 |
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| Saturday, October 12 | Sunday, October 13 |
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| Saturday, October 19 | Sunday, October 20 |
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| Saturday, October 26 | Sunday, October 27 |
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Challenge Course
Experience the change in season from the Kelso Conservation Area *Challenge Course including the Vulture’s View Climbing Tower, Escarpment Walk Aerial Course, and Eagle Eye Archery Range. Challenge Course activities can be added to your reservation at Kelso during park hours on operating days.
Schedule: 11:00 am to 4:30 pm
*The Challenge Course is an additional fee and not included with gate admission.
Spooktacular
Spooktacular’s family-friendly Halloween experience is back at Mountsberg Conservation Area this October. Running Friday to Sunday evenings from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, the event features a NEW interactive ‘Case of the Missing Pumpkins’ scavenger hunt, an illuminated trail, haunted barn, wagon rides, bird and snake presentations, s’mores, and more!
Click here to learn more about Spooktacular and purchase tickets. Don’t forget to wear your costumes!
Bird & Animal Programs
Visit Mountsberg Conservation Area from Saturday, September 28 to Sunday, October 27 and get up-close with our birds of prey at one of our 45 minute raptor experiences:
*Hawk Walks: Join Mountsberg Raptor Centre staff and one of our Harris’ Hawks for a walk through a picturesque field. The hawk will land near you and on a perch held in your hand!
*Raptor Encounters: Enjoy a private look at the inner workings of the Raptor Centre. Your visit may include witnessing feeding, training, or enrichment. Participants will be given the opportunity to hold a raptor on glove.
Park visitors are also welcome to join the Wonders of Raptors Behind the Scenes Tour* from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm!
*These bird programs are an additional fee and not included with gate admission.
Free Programming with Admission to Mountsberg Conservation Area
There are many free programs to join when visiting Mountsberg this fall during the weekend.
These 15 minute experiences include:
Wonders of Raptors Show:
The show runs at 2:00 pm and again at 3:30 pm, where a few of our birds fly free in an open area, showing off their natural abilities.
Please Note: This show does not take place at the Raptor Centre. Follow the signs from the Raptor Centre to the new show location. Please allow yourself 5 to 10 minutes to walk from the Raptor Centre to the show. Click here to view a map for directions to the show.
Seating is limited and it is first come first served. The pathway is dirt, grass, and gravel, but can be navigated by a sturdy stroller or all-terrain wheelchair. Dogs are not allowed at this event.
Meet a Chicken:
Our chickens have quite the personalities – head to the barn between 11:00 am and 11:30am for a chance learn all about our feathered friends!
Meet a Bunny:
Join education staff 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm to meet one of Mountsberg’s cuddliest barn inhabitants, one of our fluffy bunnies!
Lake to Longhouse Tours
Join a 1 hour guided tour* of replica 15th century Longhouse Village at Crawford Lake Conservation Area and learn about Indigenous history and fall harvests.
Then take a walk through the Species at Risk trail filled with larger-than-life wood carvings of species at risk in the region.
The tour ends at Crawford’s rare meromictic lake where you can continue a self-guided walk along the boardwalk and exploration of the park.
Schedule: 11:00 am,1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
Meeting Location: Across the road from the village entrance by the Visitor Centre
*Tours are an additional fee and not included with gate admission.
Free Programming with Admission to Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Fire Starting Demonstrations:
Inside the reconstructed Turtle Clan longhouse you can learn traditional ways to start a fire. Demonstrations are 15 minutes long and held at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm.