Conservation Areas

Location: 1561 Lakeshore Road 209

Hours of Operation: Daily from dawn to dusk

Facilities: Parking and washrooms

Inquiry: (519) 776-5209

Activities:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Bird Watching
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Cross-country skiing

Managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), this site is perfect for an afternoon trip to the country with family and friends. This area has a 1.5 km trail through an oak-hickory woodland. While walking on this trail through this Carolinian Forest, attempt to spot the Signal Tree, and pass along the upper meandering reaches of the Puce River. Maidstone Conservation Area is accessible and makes a pleasant excursion.

Location: 10998 St. Clair Rd.

Facilities: Parking, washrooms, viewing tower, and picnic tables. 

Inquiry: (519)-776-5209 

Email: admin@erca.org

Activities:

• Bird watching
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Quietwalk by the river

Tremblay Beach Conservation Area is situated on the shore of beautiful Lake St. Clair and is bordered on the east side by Little Creek. Trails can be enjoyed along the shoreline as well as alongside the Creek. The lake here is shallow and the bottom is sandy but not suitable for swimming due to aquatic vegetation. Tremblay Beach Conservation Area is one of only two marshes remaining on Essex County's Lake St. Clair Shoreline, along with Ruscom Shores Conservation Area.

Location: 145 County Road 2.

Hours of Operation: Daily 8:00am to 8:00pm. 

Facilities: Parking, viewing tower, picnic pavilion, and portable washroom facilities.

Inquiry: (519) 776-5209

Activities:

• Cycling
• Bird watching
• Hiking
• Picnicking
• Cross country
• Photography
• Skiing

Situated alongside Lake St. Clair, Ruscom Shores Conservation Area is an attractive natural marshland area with a well-managed trail, ideal for outdoor enjoyment and tranquility. Ruscom Shores is perfect for spotting shorebirds, waterfowl and other spring migrants, as well as many prairie plants. This quaint 120 acre Conservation Area, designated an Environmentally Significant Area, is great for peaceful walks and nature viewing. Ruscom Shores is a perfect for spotting shorebirds, waterfowl, and other spring migrants, as well as many prairie plants.

Location: Highway 7034

Hours of Operation: Open year round 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Free of charge) 

Inquiry: info@ltvca.ca

Activities:

• In early May, many species of migratory birds arrive at this conservation area after crossing Lake Erie.
• Birdwatchers can check which birds have arrived and add species to a log book.

The Big O Drain Tile Company donated this 4.5 hectare (11 acre) property to the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority in 1992.The Big “O” Conservation Area is also one of southwestern Ontario's birding ‘hot spots'.

Location: 19028 Harbour Drive in Lighthouse Cove

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. year-round. (Free of charge) 

Inquiry: (519) 354-7310 

Email: info@ltvca.ca

Activities:

• Historic lighthouse
• Picnics
• Fishing.

Lighthouse Conservation Area is a 1 hectare park located at the mouth of the Thames River at Lake St. Clair. The lighthouse is 200 years old and is one of the three oldest on the Great Lakes. A pioneer family named Cartier settled at the mouth of the Thames River in the early 1800's and built the first lighthouse. The original frame structure was destroyed by fire during the War of 1812. In 1818, the present structure was built. After Confederation, the lighthouse was extended in height to its present level.

The original Cartier family looked after the lighthouse for about 130 years until William “Dick” Cartier died in 1950.The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority obtained the lighthouse in 1973 and has since moved the structure and rebuilt it stone by stone.

Location: 151725 South Middle Road

Hours of Operation: 8:00a.m to 10:30 p.m. year-round. (Free of charge). 

Inquiry: info@ltvca.ca

Activities:

• Picnic shelter
• Fishing
• Hiking

Rowsom's Tilbury West Conservation Area is a 25 hectare park acquired by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority in 1976.This area is designated as one of the Memorial Forest sites.