Trip Rating: 5 / 5
Rockwood Lake has been my favourite trip of the year so far. The scenery is genuinely stunning. While the lake itself is relatively small, I was more than happy to paddle around it three or four times. There are countless details to explore, including small creeks, limestone and shale cliffs, a massive pothole, the ruins of an old mill, and several scenic caves accessible from the nature trail.
There are several places to launch around the lake, but the most convenient and straightforward option is at the Mill. To find it, enter 43.610430, -80.144481 into Google Maps.
Launch Site
There is no dock for launching. Parking is located immediately beside a small, flat landing at the water’s edge. Washroom facilities are available within the park, and there is an outhouse at the nearby parking lot. Canoes and kayaks can also be rented from the beach area of the lake.
Trip Length
To see the entire lake, the total distance is approximately 3 km. Allow 2 to 4 hours to explore most of the scenery at a relaxed pace. I recommend circling the lake a few times, as it reveals new perspectives with each pass.
Cost
$6–$15, depending on group size.
Difficulty
Class A1 (lake)
This is a calm-water paddle, but appropriate safety gear should always be used.
Historical and Geological Context
The Rockwood Woolen Mills were established in 1867 by brothers John Richard, Thomas, and Joseph Harris. The mill thrived for decades, producing artisan goods that were marketed to nearby cities such as Guelph, Milton, and Georgetown. Power was supplied by a combination of hydro, steam, and the flow of the Eramosa River.
In the 1880s, a fire severely damaged the mill, which was replaced by a stone structure in 1884. Following the death of John Richard Harris in 1899, his sons took over the business. During the First World War, the mill often operated 24 hours a day to meet demand for Canadian army blankets. Increasing competition from other Ontario mills eventually led to its closure in 1925.
After the mill closed, William Harris transformed the site into a private recreation area known as Hi-Po-Lo Park. In 1959, the Grand River Conservation Authority acquired the land, officially opening Rockwood Conservation Area in 1963. A major restoration of the mill ruins was completed in 2010, allowing public access beginning in 2011.
Rockwood Conservation Area is also geologically distinctive. The landscape features glacier-carved bluffs, massive potholes (sometimes called giant’s kettles), caves, and some of the oldest dated trees in Ontario.
The cave system includes a network of 12 interconnected caves, one of the largest cave systems in the province. A prominent feature within the caves is flowstone, formed over time as mineral-rich water deposits calcite.
More than 200 potholes are found throughout the conservation area. These cavities were drilled into the bedrock by swirling water carrying stones and gravel during glacial melt.
Source: Rockwood Conservation Area (Wikipedia)
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