The conservation area has a one-acre spring-fed quarry with a sandy beach. A shallow area is marked for small children. A change house and picnic tables and playground are nearby.
Visit the Belwood Lake page for more information.
Swimming
There are many places to get wet on a hot summer day:
- Eight of our conservation areas have sandy beaches on reservoirs and quarries (more infomration is found in the sections below). There are no lifeguards at these locations, so parents or guardians must keep a close watch on children at all times. Buoy lines mark shallower areas.
- Two conservation areas - Byng Island and Brant - have swimming pools that are among the largest in Ontario. The pools are staffed with lifeguards.
- Elora Gorge has a splash pad sure to keep the kids happy. There are no lifeguards at the splash pad, so parents or guardians must keep a close watch on children at all times.
Water quality
Rivers and reservoirs in the Grand River watershed are natural water bodies that are exposed to contamination from various sources.
- Swimming in natural water bodies is not risk-free. There is always a level of risk when swimming in natural water bodies, whether it's on the shores of Lake Erie, jumping off a dock at a cottage or going to a GRCA beach.
- In natural bodies of water, the conditions and quality of the water can change quickly due to a number of environmental factors. Learn more about water quality at GRCA beaches on our beach conditions page.
GRCA beaches and pools
Brant Conservation Area is home to one of the province's largest swimming pools. The supervised and treated 1.25-acre pool is ideal for children, with a splash pad area and a large deck perfect for lounging. There are picnic tables and a change house nearby.
Everyone aged 4 and older must purchase a wristband for $2.75 to enter the pool area.
The pool is open from June 15 to Labour Day. The hours are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 7 days a week. The pool will close during inclement weather.
The total number of daily visitors to the pool is limited and access is not guaranteed if capacity is reached. Get real-time pool capacity information.
All pool visitors must follow our Pool Rules and Regulations (180 KB PDF).
Visit the Brant page for more information.
The large (0.8 hectare, 2 acres) pool has a large wading area and spray pad, as well as a deep area with a diving board. There are picnic tables and a change house nearby.
Everyone aged 4 and older must purchase a wristband for $2.75 to enter the pool area.
The pool will tentatively be open June 15, 2024 until Labour Day. The hours are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The pool is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and during inclement weather.
The total number of daily visitors to the pool is limited access is not guaranteed if capacity is reached. Get real-time pool capacity information.
All pool visitors must follow our Pool Rules and Regulations (180 KB PDF).
Visit the Byng Island page for more information, including to access the pool schedule.
A large beach on Conestogo Lake with a volleyball court and picnic tables nearby.
Visit the Conestogo Lake page for more information.
A 200 square metre (2,100 square foot) splash pad with 18 spray and splash features.
Visit the Elora Gorge page for more information.
The 0.8 hectare (two acre) former limestone quarry has a sandy beach. The conservation areas has washrooms and a small change room. Sheer cliffs up to 12 metres (40 feet) high surround the quarry.
No jumping or diving is permitted from the cliffs. Visitors must stay behind the barriers. Violators will be evicted from the conservation area. Dogs are not allowed in the conservation area.
Tickets must be purchased online, in advance of your visit. Grand River Conservation Area membership passes are not valid at Elora Quarry.
Visit the Elora Quarry page for more information.
The reservoir has two large, sandy beaches great for all ages. Picnic tables and washrooms are nearby.
Visit the Guelph Lake page for more information.
A sandy beach on the reservoir. A change house and picnic tables are nearby.
Visit the Laurel Creek page for more information.
Swim in the nine hectare (23 acre) spring-fed kettle lake with a sandy beach. Change house and are picnic tables nearby.
Visit the Pinehurst Lake page for more information.
A large sandy beach on the reservoir. A change house and picnic tables are nearby. The reservoir is surrounded by large cliffs. For your safety, jumping from the cliffs is forbidden and will result in eviction from the conservation area.
Visit the Rockwood page for more information.
A long sandy beach on the reservoir. Washrooms and picnic tables nearby.
Visit the Shade's Mills page for more information.
Stay safe!
Make safety a priority. Read swimming safety information on our Water safety and Safety around dams webpages.