The Crawford Lake Conservation Area is a natural environment park that is managed by Conservation Halton. The 212 hectare park includes unique geological features, extensive forests, a rare meromictic lake and a 15th century reconstructed Iroquoian village. The conservation area has significant natural habitat with a wide diversity of flora and fauna and approximately 16 km of nature trails.

Geology & the Niagara Escarpment

Crawford Lake is located on the Niagara Escarpment, Southern Ontario's Most significant landform which winds 725 km. from Queenston to the islands Off the Bruce Peninsula. In Ontario, the Niagara Escarpment has more than 100 sites of geological significance including some of the best exposures of rocks and fossils of the Paleozoic Era (235-570 million years ago), to be found anywhere in the world. Many interesting geological features occur at or near the Crawford Lake Conservation Area. A large island of bedrock (Milton Outlier) that was separated from the main escarpment includes well known landmarks such as Rattlesnake Point, Kelso heights and the Nassagaweya Canyon.

Crawford Lake, A Time Capsule of Natural and Cultural History

Crawford Lake is a rare meromictic lake that contains information about the natural and cultural history of the area. Located atop the Niagara Escarpment, this small deep body of water has limited circulation and little oxygen below 15 metres (total depth of 24 metres). This ensures the preservation of annual dep05it5 of sediment called varves. Similar to counting growth rings on a tree, these doubled layered bands can be accurately dated. Studies Of the sediment led to the discovery of the nearby Iroquoian village.

Life on the Limestone Landscape

The extensive forests and escarpment cliffs at Crawford Lake provide habitat for a wide diversity of flora and fauna. The shallow calcium rich soil and rocky outcrops sustain many unique plants (eg., maidenhair spleenwort and walking ferns, the carnivorous sundew and the exquisite yellow lady's slipper). Warblers and woodpeckers abound while Turkey Vultures can be seen soaring through the Nassagaweya Canyon. White tailed deer, raccoons, chipmunks and red squirrels are some of the common mammals found at Crawford Lake.

Crawford Lake Trail 1.4 km (30 minutes)

This elevated boardwalk around Crawford Lake surrounds the environmentally sensitive shoreline and forest. The boardwalk offers several interpretive stations explaining the formation of the lake and its colourful natural and human history.

Woodland Trail 1.5 km (45 minutes)

A hard-packed trail that easily accesses a crosssection of escarpment features including Crawford Lake's scenic woods and wetlands. Participate in a self-guided "Moccasin Walk" as you enjoy the inspirational signs posted along the way.

Pine Ridge Trail 3.6 km (1 hour 30 minutes)

This natural earthen trail takes you through rolling woodlands, pine plantations and open meadows. A wide panoramic view of surrounding escarpment lands Can be seen from atop a massive glacial ridge. This trail is a loop that begins and ends on the Woodland Trail.

Escarpment Trail 2. 4 km (1 hour)

This natural trail winds through rocky woodlands and along the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. A highlight is the lookout where interpretive calms and resting benches are located.

Nassagaweya Trail (NOT A LOOP) 7.2 km (2 to 3 hours one way)

This natural earthen trail crosses the Nassagaweya Canyon and follows the escarpment brow to the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area where several excellent lookouts are located. About 4-5 hours is required to complete a return trip on this trail.

Snowshoe Trail 2.2 km (30 to 40 minutes)

This new trail has been designed with snowshoers in mind. Enjoy the beauty of winter as you wind your way through field and forest.