About Falls Reserve Conservation Area

Ontario has announced that Stage Two of the COVID-19 Roadmap to Reopen will begin in our area on June 30, 2021.  Please review the COVID-19 Operations page for updates before visiting Falls Reserve.

Quick Tips for Visiting and Camping at Falls Reserve 

1. Please reserve a campsite before arriving at the park.
2. A maximum of six (6) people are permitted to occupy a campsite including children and babies. Please note that this requirement is not related to the COVID-19 situation. This is a long standing Conservation Area regulation.
3. Our goal is for all visitors to enjoy their stay at the park. If a campsite gathering is disturbing others, it will be shut down by staff.
4. No early campsite arrivals. The campsite arrival time is between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm daily. If you have to arrive late, please notify the park before 8:00 pm.
5. All campsites are based on single household family occupancy (2 adults and their children under 18-years of age). Each additional adult over 2 adults will be charged a $5.00 nightly rate.
6. A limit of 2 dogs allowed per campsite. All dogs must be leashed at all times. Barking dogs disturb other visitors.  If your dog is barking excessively and disturbing others it will be evicted from the park.
7. Washrooms are open to campers and day-use visitors with safety protocols in place.
8. Do NOT flush sanitary disinfectant wipes or feminine products down the park toilets. These products clog drains and cause septic systems backups. This results in costly repairs and prolonged washroom closures. Please use waste receptacles provided.
9. Cedar Campground has been designated as a Radio and Audio Equipment Prohibited Camp Area to promote a family friendly camping environment.
10. Alcohol may only be consumed on your campsite in a responsible manner. Drinking games are prohibited.
11. Rowdy or noisy behaviour is prohibited in the Conservation Area. Please be considerate and respectful of others.
12. Six new day-use picnic sites are now available. Reserve your own space for the day near the falls. The day-use picnic sites include electricity, a picnic table, charcoal BBQ for grilling (charcoal not included) and a fire pit for daytime campfire (firewood is available at the park office). Sites are $30 for the day + park admission. Day Use Picnic Sites can be reserved on-line at the FRCA booking site: Reservations
13. The group campsite has reopened. The group site must be reserved in advance by emailing falls@frca.on.ca. The site is limited to 6 families with a 25 person maximum.
14. Day use hours are from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm daily. Vehicles will be admitted from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm daily.
15. At Falls Reserve, gatherings are restricted to 50 people in the day-use area. No gathering may exceed this number unless it is a registered group that has been approved by the Park Superintendent.
16. Extended Dawn to Dusk hours for FRCA Membership holders. Memberships are available on-line at: FRCA Bookings

Falls Reserve Conservation Area (FRCA) is owned and managed by Maitland Conservation. The Conservation Area is not provincially operated or funded by the province. In addition, the park does not receive direct funding from Maitland Conservation. Falls Reserve operates on a cost recovery basis. What does this mean? This means that every dollar received thought campsite and day-use fees goes directly back into operations, infrastructure and improvements at the park.

Set along the scenic Maitland River, just minutes from Goderich, Falls Reserve is a 230 acre natural outdoor playground. The Conservation Area offers terrific camping experiences: a perfect combination of great family camping in a beautiful natural setting.

Falls Reserve is nearly enclosed by the winding Maitland River. Over thousands of years the river has carved its way through rock, leaving behind a rugged river valley. Wide and shallow, the river cascades over a series of low waterfalls as it flows around the park creating a unique and exciting swimming area for visitors.

The steep slopes of the river valley, particularly from Auburn to Goderich, are well vegetated and provide important wildlife habitat. Some of the Eastern White Cedar trees that cling to the exposed limestone cliffs are over 300 years old. This is likely the only old growth forest remaining in the Maitland watershed.

The lower Maitland River valley is also home to various plant species typically found in the more southern Carolinian zone. Some of these species include Butternut Hickory, Sycamore and Summer Grape. The area is also an important migratory bird route and a terrific spot for bird watching in spring and fall. Watch for Bald Eagles soaring over the Maitland River.

We’re Celebrating Our 50 + 1 Anniversary! 

This year marks 50+1 years of operations at Falls Reserve Conservation Area. It’s a chance to celebrate the many accomplishments at FRCA from the development of hiking trails and campsites on the property to the construction and development of service infrastructure and buildings to enhance camping experiences for visitors. The beauty and natural features of FRCA have been maintained as a place for outdoor experiences that relieve stress, calm the soul and build family memories.

Many FRCA services have changed over the years including recent upgrades of 30 amp electrical services to all campsites in Sycamore Campground and a complete electrical and water connection upgrade to 70 campsites in Maple Campground. Staff members are currently working with an engineering firm and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on the development of an effluent waste water treatment facility to meet current and future sewage treatment needs at the park.

FRCA staff have worked very hard over the years to keep the park’s existing infrastructure in ideal working condition and aesthetically pleasing with limited financial resources. Due to our many dedicated and supportive park users, FRCA has been able to move forward with these major infrastructure upgrades to sustain current and future operations.

Jason Moir (FRCA Park Superintendent), Barry Skinn (Assistant Superintendent) and park staff look forward to welcoming you to Falls Reserve Conservation Area and providing excellent service in an amazing natural environment.

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