Cameron Ranch Trails
As of spring of 2014, Cameron Ranch became part of the Carden Alvar Provincial Park.
Cameron Ranch was purchased by a coalition of conservation organizations working in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The ownership of this 1,214 hectare site, characterized as “Ontario’s Serengeti” because of its extensive grasslands, was transferred to Ontario Parks in April 2003. The Couchiching Conservancy contributed $204,000 raised from local sources to assist this exceptional purchase and is now assisting with its management.
Unique features of this property:
- One of the largest intact natural properties on the Carden limestone plain;
- Supports at least five types of globally-rare alvar communities;
- Abundance of alvar dependent plants including northern dropseed, tufted hairgrass, early buttercup, alse pennyroyal and prairie smoke;
- Located within an Important Bird Area, because of its significance for grassland and shrub land birds
Trail Location:
From Orillia, follow Hwy 12 east through Atherly and continue to the intersection of Simcoe County Road 46. Follow #46 eastwards and it will become City of Kawartha Lakes Road #6; follow #6 through Lake Dalrymple area. About 5 km past village of Lake Dalrymple you will see a parking lot and sign for Cameron Ranch Alvar on your left. A walking trail starts from this parking lot.
2oldguyswalking website has a great review of this site, with map and images. Go here to read this review.
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): Kawartha LakesNearby towns and cities: Orillia
Trail feature tags: alvar | Boardwalk | Interpretive signage
Cameron Ranch Trails characteristics
Length: 2.5 km linear trailDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Boardwalks and Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Not wheelchair accessible
Fees: None
Flora & Fauna:
Abundance of alvar dependent plants including northern dropseed, tufted hairgrass, early buttercup, alse pennyroyal and prairie smoke;
Located within an Important Bird Area, because of its significance for grassland and shrub land birds;
Nesting population of the endangered loggerhead shrike.
Amenities: None reported
Attractions: Alvar, boardwalks, interpretive signage
Contact:
The Couchiching Conservancy 1485 Division Road West, Orillia, ON General inquiries Tel: 705-326-1620
Find it: See text above
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 44.6052330
Longitude: -79.0666470