Visiting the Purdon Conservation Area is a great way to improve your mental and physical health: take your kids on self-guided hikes through an uplands forest and see a real Canadian beaver pond. Enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk of a rare fen wetland and see endangered species regenerating such as the Showy Lady Slipper.
For three weeks beginning in mid-June, the Showy Lady Slipper orchids are in full blossom. The orchids are a shining example of stewardship, made possible by Joe Purdon. Mr. Purdon discovered a small cluster of native orchids in the 1930’s and grew the colony to over 16,000 blooms. The colony is under the care of the MVCA, who continues to preserve Joe Purdon’s legacy.
From Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving, Purdon Conservation Area is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Link to trail map:
https://mvc.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Purdon-Trail-Map.pdf
2oldguyswalking website has a great review of this site, with map and images. Go here to read this review.
Purdon Conservation Area has just one of the many nature trails and hiking trails you can find throughout Ontario by using the search features of OntarioNaturetrails.com
Region(s): Lanark CountyNearby towns and cities: Lanark
Trail feature tags: Boardwalk | Lookout
Purdon Conservation Area characteristics
Length: 1.5 km of trailsDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Boardwalks and Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Partially wheelchair accessible
Fees: no parking fee - entrance by donation
Flora & Fauna:
Not yet reported.
Amenities: washrooms & picnic tables
Attractions: scenic lookouts, boardwalk
Contact:
info@mvc.on.ca
Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority 613-253-0006
Find it: Concession Rd 8, Lanark Highlands, ON

GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 44.9935310
Longitude: -76.5450740
We were there July 3 and found the bloom was largely finished. We enjoyed the beauty of those we saw. The mosquitoes had diminished. The informative plaques along the trail were helpful.