Elora Gorge Conservation Area

While it's nice to take extended trips to Northern Ontario, there is much to be enjoyed within a three quarter hour drive from home.  An example of this is the Elora Gorge Park, managed by the Grand River Conservation Area.

Aside from the camping facilities in the Park, the main attraction is "tubing" on the Grand River which runs through the Park.  From the tubing launch area to the low level bridge approximately 2 km down river, the "tubers" have an opportunity to shoot rapids as well as drift through calmer sections of the river, all the while surrounded by the limestone walls of the gorge and never ending cedar trees.

Some people use the big yellow "shuttle bus" to get to the launch area, some walk the distance carrying their tubes, while others get someone from their group to chauffeur them, carrying the tubes on the car roof or trunk, or just hanging onto them through an open car window.  Although tubing is more popular with the younger crowd, some participants had some grey hair.  However, we were content to just be bystanders.

By the way, if you are camping on the opposite (from the main entrance) side of the river and driving / pulling a good sized RV, you'll have to ask the park staff to open the gate for you on Middlebrook Road (at fire address 7295).  Otherwise you are likely to "bottom out" at the approach to the low level bridge.




Our campsite # 422



View from the edge of the gorge



"Tubers" under way

Returning to the tube launch site



Tube launching  area



Shooting the rapids

 


End of the ride



Big yellow shuttle bus