Conservation Area Memberships

• The Grand River Conservation Areas Membership card allows entry to 11 conservation areas and the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area during their operating seasons, for up to 6 people in one vehicle (or walking in).
• The cost of a membership is $160.
• The membership card is valid for a minimum of one full year from date of activation. Your card will expire on the first day of the month that follows one full year of activation. Example: If your card was activated on January 5, 2023, it will expire on February 1, 2024, at the end of the day. 
• Note that conservation areas or trails may close from time to time during the operating season for safety reasons following a storm, for capacity limits or due to a special event.
• For more information, see the "Membership policies and terms of use" section on this page.

Conservation areas close when capacity is reached

The number of daily visitors in Grand River Conservation Areas is limited. Once a conservation area reaches full capacity, it is closed until at least 4:30 p.m. and no additional visitors are permitted. If attendance has decreased by 4:30 p.m. on the same day, it will reopen for additional day-use visitors who may wish to take advantage of an evening visit.

Purchasing a Grand River Conservation Areas Membership does not guarantee entrance to the conservation area if capacity has been reached. 

Please check our Conservation Areas Status page prior to your visit to learn what conservation areas are open for visitors.

Purchase a membership for your own use

• Memberships can be purchased:
  • In our online store. Online orders will be fulfilled within three business days. Please note shipping times may vary depending on your location.
  • At the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, Cambridge), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • If you would like to use your membership immediately, purchase it in person at any conservation area gatehouse (except Luther Marsh or Elora Quarry) during their operating season, provided that a gate attendant is on duty. From October 15 to April 30, memberships can be purchased on weekends at Shade's Mills, Belwood Lake, Pinehurst Lake, Rockwood, Laurel Creek and Guelph Lake.
• Discounted memberships for seniors (65+) and persons with disabilities can be purchased:
  • In our online store. To purchase a discounted membership online, please first email a copy of age verification (e.g. driver's license, health card, etc.) or applicable documentation (Ministry of Transportation accessible parking pass, CNIB card, etc.). The discount will be refunded back onto the credit card once the online order has been fulfilled.
  • At the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, Cambridge), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • At a conservation area during its operating season provided that a gate attendant is on duty.
  • The cost of a discounted membership is $130.

Purchase a membership to give as a gift

• Membership GIFT CARDS can be purchased:
  • In our online store. Online orders will be fulfilled within three business days. Please note shipping times may vary depending on your location. When buying the membership online as a gift for someone else, please be sure to purchase the "Gift a Grand River Conservation Areas Membership" gift card option. Please don't purchase the regular membership card, else the membership will be put in your name and not in the name of your gift recipient.
  • At the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, Cambridge), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Read more about gifting memberships in the section below "Give the gift of the great outdoors!".

You can feel good about gifting experiences, not things. Grand River Conservation Areas offer beathtaking beauty and ample opportunity to connect outdoors. The recipient of your gift can join family on a forest hike, meet friends for a paddle, swim at a sandy beach and so much more.

• How to purchase a card for gift-giving:
  • Purchase a Grand River Conservation Areas Membership GIFT CARD in our online store. Your order will be fulfilled within three business days. Please note shipping times may vary depending on your location. When buying the membership online to give as a gift, please be sure you're purchasing the "Gift a Grand River Conservation Areas Membership" gift card option. Please don't purchase the regular membership card, else the membership will be put in your name and not in the name of your gift recipient.
  • Gift cards can also be purchased at the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, Cambridge), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The recipient of your gift will redeem the gift card for an activated membership card (see below).

Your Grand River Conservation Areas membership gift card can be redeemed at the following locations, where it will be exchanged for an activated Grand River Conservation Areas Membership card:

• At the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, Cambridge), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• From November 1 to March 31, redeem at the following conservation areas. Gatehouses are staffed on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Pinehurst Lake
• Shade's Mills 
• Rockwood 
• Laurel Creek
• Guelph Lake
• Belwood Lake
• From May 1 to October 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. redeem at:
• Any Grand River Conservation Area gatehouse (excluding Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area and Elora Quarry).

Lost or stolen membership cards can be replaced. There is a $35 replacement fee. Please call 519-621-2763 x2220 to make a credit card payment over the phone. A new membership card may be mailed to your preferred address. Replacement fees are non-refundable. Once the transaction is complete, the original card will be cancelled.

The Grand River Conservation Areas membership card allows entry to 11 Grand River Conservation Areas and the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area for up to 6 people arriving together. 

• Membership card covers day-use admission fees for up to six people arriving together in one personal vehicle (or walking in).
• The membership card is valid for entry during the conservation areas' regular operating seasons and regular business hours only. 
• Membership card can be used during all four seasons in participating areas only. Operating seasons vary by conservation area. 
• Some activities require additional fees.
• Membership card does not guarantee admittance to special events.
• Membership card does not cover overnight additional vehicle fees.
• Conservation areas or trails may close without prior notice during the operating season when capacity is reached, for safety reasons, or due to a special event. Check our Conservation Area Status page prior to arriving.
• Membership card holders must enter the conservation areas only through designated entry points.
• Lost or stolen membership cards may be replaced for a non-refundable fee. See "Replacing lost membership cards" section on this page for more information.
• Membership card holders agree to comply with all rules and regulations governed by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
• Note that failure to comply with all rules and regulations may result in revoking of the membership card or denied entry.

Through a generous donation from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (Get Outdoors!) to our Grand River Conservation Foundation, several Grand River Conservation Area memberships have been donated to local libraries throughout the Grand River watershed. These memberships can be checked out by local residents and families to allow them to enter select Grand River Conservation Areas, free of charge. 

Please note that a membership from the library must be checked out and brought to the conservation area to be used; a library card will not allow free entry to conservation areas. 

The Grand River Conservation Areas Membership card allows day use entry to 10 conservation areas and the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, during their operating seasons, for up to six people in one vehicle (or walking/biking in as a group). Read more in the sections above.

Please contact your local library for information on the process for borrowing a membership card.

Participating branches: 

• Grand Valley Public Library
• Southgate Public Library
• Wellington County Library (Marden, Puslinch, Fergus, Elora, Arthur, Rockwood, Aboyne and Drayton branches)
• Region of Waterloo Library
• City of Guelph Public Library
• City of Waterloo Public Library
• City of Cambridge Idea Exchange
• Perth East Public Library
• Oxford County Library (Princeton and Plattsville branches)
• City of Hamilton Public Library (Lynden branch)
• County of Brant Public Library
• City of Brantford Public Library
• Haldimand County Public Library (Caledonia, Dunnville and Cayuga branches)