From bold-faced cliffs to beautiful views of the escarpment, Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area offers a fun adventure for any outdoor enthusiast. This is one of our top-rated spots in the Greater Toronto Area since it has so much to offer. Do you like camping under the stars? Do you enjoy hiking with your friends and family? Have you ever rock climbed on a cliff face? Well, Rattlesnake Point has it all! It’s located in Milton and opened all-year round.
Within the Conservation Area, there are four trails: Rabbit Run Trail (1 km), Vista Adventure Trail (1.5 km), Buffalo Craig Trail (3 km) and Nassagaweya Trail (7.2 km one-way to Crawford Lake). The trails range from easy to difficult, so you can pick and choose which trails you want to try based on your comfort level.
If you’re up for a Healthy Hike challenge, try our favourite hike: the Nassagaweya Trail that runs from Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake – a rare meromictic lake that is deeper than its surface area. It’s a 14.4 km long round-trip and takes around 4-5 hours to finish, but it’s well worth the effort. Along the way, you’ll see a few lookouts that showcase the stunning escarpment. We stepped into nature and had a great time exploring the area by hiking the side trails that took us to crevices by the cliff-face. Make sure to keep an eye out for orange markers and signs that will lead you to Crawford Lake. Once you reach Crawford Lake, you can relax at the picnic table and munch on some snacks. Don’t forget to hike along the boardwalk to see beautiful views of the lake. It’s an absolute must if you visit!
As you may already know, we both love hiking. If you’re a new hiker, we have you covered with these three tips on how to make hiking a fun activity!
How to make hiking fun?
- Have a positive attitude
Honestly, the best way to enjoy a hike is to bring a good attitude. Having a happy spirit on a trail makes all the difference. Hiking isn’t an easy task, especially if you go on a long hike through hills with many rocks and roots to avoid. Sometimes you might get too tired, your body will ache or you’ll get one too many insect bites. Remember to think about the beautiful views you’ll come across and the accomplishment you’ll feel when you finish the hike. Plus, when you finish, you can reward yourself with a treat! My favourite is ice cream. Yum! - Bring a canine companion
Whenever we visit a dog-friendly park, we love to bring Cee’s furry friend Caelum. He’s a 3-year-old Siberian husky who loves stepping into nature as much as we do. It’s nice to have a pooch to encourage you when things get tough. Remember to be realistic about your dog’s endurance since some trails are easier than others. Don’t forget to pack treats and water for them! - Hike with a buddy
If don’t have a dog to hike with, don’t worry about it. You just need to bring a friend along. Explore the area to make new memories together. We always hike with each other and help motivate one another when the trail gets rough. We’ve done hikes that lasted from 30 minutes up to nine hours. Having a companion is really helpful on the longer, more strenuous hikes.
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area Q&A:
- Where is it located?
It’s based in Milton at 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, ON, L9T 2Y1. - What are the hours of operation?
It opens at 8:30 a.m. daily. Closing times differ depending on the season. In the spring and summer, it closes at 9:00 p.m. In the winter and fall, it closes at 7:00 p.m. - Is there an admission fee?
Yes. An online reservation is needed to visit this Conservation Area. - What’s the difficulty of the trails?
The difficulty ranges depending on the trail you’re on. The Crawford Lake Trail and Woodland Trail are both easy. The Escarpment Trail and Pine Ridge Trail are moderate. The Nassagaweya Trail is moderate/difficult. - Can I bring my dog?
Of course! Just make sure they are leashed. - What are some of the attractions?
Check out the Buffalo Craig Lookout Point for a beautiful view of the escarpment, hike the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail that goes from Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake, see the Ancient Cedars along the escarpment that are over 800-years-old. - What can I do or see here?
You can go camping, cross-country skiing, try geocoaching, hike the trails, have a picnic and rock climb!