There is a surprising amount of recreational activities to be done in the metropolitan area, which will help you feel that bit of nature to recharge your batteries and exhale from the stresses of everyday life.
Just a few miles east of Acton is the Limehouse Conservation Area, a truly unique, almost 200-acre forested landscape dotted with historic and restored lime kilns and fissures. There are interesting information boards located throughout the area, as well as serene and relaxing hiking and walking trails. There’s plenty of parking for your Acton rental RV, and restroom facilities too.
The Silver Creek Conservation Area boasts gorgeous scenery and a huge variation between all the different trails. The Walking Fern Trail gives you an almost western Canada feel and is a very special spot when the fall leaves change colors. This trail is great for beginners and seasoned hikers, with moderate challenges like rocks, small streams, and fallen trees. You won’t believe that you’re in the Greater Toronto Area (or GTA) as you explore wildlife and nature at its finest.
Another local treasure is the Cootes Paradise Sanctuary, in nearby Hamilton, a short drive in your Acton rental camper. This scenic green space is a perfect retreat from the noise and fast pace of the bustling city and an insight into what the land was like in simpler times. There are many trails and lots of opportunities to see a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Parking is available, though visitors with large rigs might need to “shuttle” in from the sanctuary area.
Long considered a crown jewel of Ontario, Canada, you really need to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. This is well worth a visit in your Acton RV rental. The sprawling grounds are absolutely stunning and beautifully manicured, and even though it is not “raw” nature as most of us think, you will find yourself in a peaceful, lovingly tended environment, that can really help you recharge your batteries.
A highly unique landscape in the area is the Cheltenham Badlands, off the popular local Bruce Trail. “Badlands” refers to the geologic phenomena of soft rock devoid of vegetation and soil cover that has been molded by natural forces into a breathtaking rolling landscape of hills and gullies. These areas are rare in Ontario, and this is one of the best examples, anywhere. Unfortunately, because of damage, you can’t explore the Badlands, but you can view them from the designated viewing area. The Bruce Trail is nearby, and a popular spot for hiking, birding, biking, and wildlife photography and viewing.
Finally, make sure to check out the Hamilton Waterfront Trail that follows Hamilton Harbour through Bayfront Park, Cootes Paradise, and beyond. This is part of a much larger Great Lakes trail system, that also includes the Hamilton Beach Trail, following the Lake Ontario shoreline. The entire Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connects almost 150 communities and First Nations and stretches over 1,800 miles.
