It is often said that one can easily get lost in the sound and smell of nature when out on a hike and that is certainly true. However, it is also very easy to get lost in the true sense of the word, and that’s where many find themselves when hiking Rattlesnake Point….lost!
LOST AT RATTLESNAKE POINT CONSERVATION AREA
- Where is Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
- Hiking Trails At Rattlesnake Point
- Rabbits Run Trail and Rattlesnake Vista Adventure Trail
- Buffalo Crag Trail
- Nassagaweya Canyon Trail
- Crawford Lake
- Preparation For Hiking The Nassagaweye Canyon Trail
- Tips For Hiking The Nassagaweye Canyon Trail
- Things To Do At Rattlesnake Point
- Frequently Asked Questions About Rattlesnake Point
- Is It Worth Getting Lost Hiking At Rattlesnake Point
With the windy trails running through Rattlesnake Point that frequently intertwine with the world renowned Bruce Trail, it is imperative that you prepare and pay attention when you’re hiking this trail.
Before we get started on the actual hike itself, it’s always good to know a little history first which can help you to prepare accordingly.
I love creating valuable content for you my readers, however, there is a cost to maintaining a website and there may be affiliate links scattered throughout the website. By clicking on the links there is no extra cost to you, however, I may receive a small profit.
Where is Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
7200 Appleby Line, Milton, Ontario
Rattlesnake Point is located 65 kilometers from Toronto, just outside of the Town of Milton. The park is accessed through the main gates off Appleby Line.
Reservations are required to enter Rattlesnake Point and can be made here.
Hiking Trails at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Hiking is the main attraction at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area boasting four trails which are suitable for various fitness levels:
The Rabbits Run Trail and Rattlesnake Vista Adventure Trail
The Rabbit Run Trail is a short trail of 1.0 kilometer and the Rattlesnake Vista Adventure Trail is 1.5 kilometers. These trails are perfect for the casual hiker who wishes to take a leisurely stroll through the forest. These trails are easy loop trails which can be completed in less than one hour.
Buffalo Crag Trail
The Buffalo Crag Trail is perfect for the intermediate hiker and will take you through a forest of ancient cedar trees, some of which are as old as 800 years, to the Buffalo Crag Lookout. From the Buffalo Crag Lookout you will be rewarded with spectacular views over-looking the Niagara Escarpment, and the forests and farms spanning far below. The Buffalo Crag Trail spans a distance of 3 kilometers.
These three trails are perfect for the novice and intermediate hiker who wish to take in the beauty surrounding them, and not a lot of preparation is needed for any of these trails.
Read Next: 7 Best Hiking Trails in the Waterloo Region for Beginner Hikers
Nassagaweya Canyon Trail
The Nassagaweya Canyon Trail is a much more challenging trail and is recommended for experienced hikers only. If you plan on tackling the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail, much more preparation is needed in order to complete this trail successfully.
The map of the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail shown on AllTrails and the trail map by Rattlesnake Point, will only take you to the point that Rattlesnake Point and Crawford Lake meet. Continue following the orange markings until you hit the lake.
When returning back to Rattlesnake Point from Crawford Lake, follow the orange markings so you don’t get lost in Crawford Lake Conservation Area.
The Nassagaweya Canyon Trail is a 9.4 kilometer round trip hike which takes you to Crawford Lake (more on the lake later). The trek to Crawford Lake is a bit tricky as there are many hills to ascend and descend. Given the age of the trees in the forest, there are a multitude of roots that you will need to walk on and over, as well as an abundance of loose rocks which have broken away from the escarpment. It is all of these factors which make the hike from Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake more challenging.
Read Next: Benefits of Hiking Alone
It is important that you follow the orange markings when on the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail. The orange markings are prominent on the hike to Crawford Lake, but not on the way back out, and it is easy to get side-tracked and find yourself lost on the Bruce Trail or in Crawford Lake Conservation Area.
By the time we were heading back, we were exhausted and tired and we thought we would take a “shortcut”. Lesson learned….there are never shortcuts when hiking. We got lost for several hours trying to find our way out of Crawford Lake.
NOTE: Cell service was non-existent at Crawford Lake
When planning to hike the Nassagaweye Canyon Trail, they say to budget four hours for the hike. It took us 6.5 hours before we found our way out with the help of some younger hikers.
Crawford Lake
Once you’ve completed a grueling one way hike to Crawford Lake, you will be rewarded with beauty and a much needed rest.
Crawford Lake is one of only twelve meromictic lakes in Canada. Simply put, a meromictic lake is a lake that has many layers that don’t mix. In order to protect and preserve this lake, swimming is not permitted (that includes dogs).
Preparation For Hiking The Nassagaweye Canyon Trail
There are several things that you can do to prepare for a hike from Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake which will reduce your chances of getting lost:
- plan to start your hike earlier in the morning to give yourself time to get out before dark in the event that you do get lost
- download or print the trail guide before arriving at the park
- download the trail from google maps so that you have an off-line map. Cell service is not always available and Alltrails can’t always be relied upon
- download or print the trail guide for Crawford Lake before leaving on the hike
JUST ONE TIP: Alltrails will only show you the trail to Crawford Lake through Rattlesnake Point. It won’t show all the way to the Lake which makes the return hike confusing. Stay on the trail with the orange markers
Tips For Hiking The Nassagaweye Canyon Trail
In addition to preparing for your hike at Rattlesnake Point, there are some tips that I would have found beneficial had I known:
- even though the hike is only four hours, pack enough water and food for a full day of hiking. Be prepared and bring all hiking essentials needed as if hiking a full day!
- wear hiking boots. Hiking shoes would be sufficient as well, but the boots will give you the support needed to cross the uneven ground
- they tell you to plan for a four hour hike, I would allow five or six hours for rest stops
- bring a portable phone charger
- hiking poles would be beneficial on this trail to help equally distribute weight and assist with the climb on the way back out
- follow all safety hiking tips you normally would
- I would NOT hike the Nassagaweye Canyon Trail solo. Make sure you have a hiking buddy
Things To Do At Rattlesnake Point
While most people visit Rattlesnake Point for the views and the hiking, there are a few other things keep you busy as well:
Camping
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area offers 17 campsites which are available year round for tenting only. It is important to note that the showers and washrooms are closed during the Winter months.
Rock Climbing
Because Rattlesnake Point is located on the Niagara Escarpment, rock climbing is an extremely popular activity. There are three locations:
- Rattlesnake Point (Traditional, Instructional, Recreational)
- Nassagaweya Lookout (Sport, Traditional)
- Buffalo Crag (Traditional)
Picnic
If you plan on hiking in the morning, bring a picnic as there is plenty of space to relax and picnic when you’re done.
Read Next: Learn the benefits of forest bathing
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RATTLESNAKE POINT
Is It Free To Hike At Rattlesnake Point?
No. At the time of writing entrance to the park is as follows:
- Adults (15-64) $9.75 plus HST
- Seniors (65 and over) $7.75 plus HST
- Child (5-14) $6.75 plus HST
- Children (under 5) Free
*** Support persons for people with disabilities are free ***
Be sure to check the website to see if fees have changed.
Is There Parking At Rattlesnake Point?
Yes. There is an upper and lower parking lot at Rattlesnake Point, although the upper parking lot is close during the Winter. The lower parking is right beside the trail entrance.
Are There Rattlesnakes at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area?
The answer is emphatically no! The park got its name because of the winding, snake-like paths formed by glaciers along the Niagara Escarpment.
Are Dogs Allowed At Rattlesnake Point?
Yes. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Are There Washrooms At Rattlesnake Point?
Yes, there are washrooms near the parking area, but there are no washrooms along the trail. The washrooms are closed during the Winter months.
When Is The Best Time To Hike Rattlesnake Point?
Rattlesnake Point is open year round, but it is personal preference as to when the best time to hike is. Given that you have extensive views from on top of the Niagara Escarpment, I would recommend hiking in the Fall to take in the Fall foliage.
Does Rattlesnake Point Have A Beach?
No, there isn’t a beach at Rattlesnake Point, but there are coves for diving and swimming.
Is It Worth Getting Lost Hiking Rattlesnake Point: In Conclusion …
This is a subjective question and it all depends on how you look at things. As a person who loves adventure, for me it was worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I was terrified when we got lost hiking at Rattlesnake Point, but once we found our way out that feeling was gone and I was left with a huge sense of accomplishment.
What was to have been a 9.4 kilometer hike, turned out to be a 10.25 mile hike, but when all was said and done, both the challenge and the views along the way made getting lost on this hike worth it. If nothing else, we will have a great story to tell for years to come.
Safe Hiking 🙂
Travel Solo Like a Pro!
AIRFARE:
♥ CheapOair and WayAway offer flights at a resonable rate. Let CheapOair or WayAway find the cheapest and best flight for your destination
HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION:
♥ I use Booking.com to book all of my accommodations, both domestically and internationally. When booking in the United States, I use Trivago US
ACTIVITIES:
♥ Get Your Guide and Viator are the absolute best sites to plan and book any adventures, activities, and all things fun
BIKE AND MOTORCYCLE RENTALS:
♥ BikesBooking.com will find the best prices for bicycles, motocyles, and scooter rentals any place in the world.
CAR RENTAL:
♥ Economy Bookings will provide rental prices worldwide, which making it a one stop shop for the most reasonable car rentals
AIRPORT TRANSFER AND PRIVATE TOURS:
♥ Kiwitaxi is who you want to contact for transportation from the airport or train station. Why not arrange for a PRIVATE CITY TOUR with Kiwitaxi at the same time.
CRUISES:
♥ Cruise Critic not only provides reviews and answers questions, it also offers great cruise deals. If your a cruise lover (like me), I highly recommend that you check it out!
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
♥ Travel insurance these times of natural disasters, travel interruption and baggage loss is no longer a place where you can cut costs. essentials. It has become an essential part of travel. Visitors Coverage will take care of all of your insurance needs.
SAVE TO HIKE AT RATTLESNAKE POINT, AN ONTARIO HIKING TRAIL
I was unaware of the place. It looks like a great place to spend some time and go on an adventure. Thanks for sharing
It was an amazing place to hike, although it gets a bit dangerous in places
This sounds and looks like a cool adventurous day out. Can only echo what’s been said in the previous comments. Good to know there aren’t any actual rattlesnakes about.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Yup…no rattlesnakesnakes. Thankfully
This looks like a beautiful part of Ontario to hike in! I’ve done a few hikes around Niagara and Stratford but not here, so thanks for the pointers.
I’ve only been to Rattlesnake Point once, but I’d love to go back at this time of the year. The Fall colours would be breathtaking!
OK I’m definitely saving this for my next trip to Ontario. Always looking to hike in new places. I would absolutely go for the canyon trail, the longer the better. Getting lost sucks but we’ve all done it. I try to remind myself not to be tempted with off trail hiking now for that exact reason
Yes.l….I won’t be doing any off trail hiking again anytime soon. lol
Right in my backyard, as the saying goes, and I can’t recall if I’ve hiked here. Adding the Buffalo Crag Trail to my list of hikes. Who would have thought we have ancient cedar trees, some as old as 800 years, right here in Ontario! The Buffalo Crag Lookout would be perfect in the fall to see the foliage.
I agree! It would be spectacular right now! Just stay on the trail lol
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this trail. I hike a lot too and I know how fast you can get lost out there. Thankfully, it seems like if you have the offline map trail and have looked it over, plus always following the markers, it should minimize your chances of getting lost. And that meromictic lake is stunning!
I agree. This is the 1st time I’ve been completely lost while hiking. This particular trail was very poorly marked unfortunately.
Rattlesnake Park does not sound like a place I would like to get lost in 😟 haha (Good to know that there aren’t actually dangerous snakes there!)
That carving looks really cool, and I’d love to see a meromictic lake. I wonder where the other lakes are.
PS Glad you found your way out okay!
It was more than a little scary lol. But all ended well.
That’s a good question! I’ll have to research where other mormictic lakes are. To be honest, I’d never heard of them until this lake.
Before reading this post I had never heard of a meromictic lake, now I know what that is, and it sounds very interesting and unique.
Those carvings – love the one in the pick of the hand and bird, would be what I would be looking out for.
You answered my question! I immediately thought “Is it named Rattlesnake because there are snakes there?” as I have a snake phobia and was glad when you answered that it does not.
The hike sounds lovely, probably a little longer than I would like but I’m sure the views would counteract the time length,
I had never heard of a meromictic lake either. I had to research the meaning. The hike was a little longer than I like as well, but it was beautiful
Glad you found your way in the end! The hikes do look very beautiful, and the info is so helpful!
It was quite the adventure lol
It sounds a little scary but looks beautiful! thanks for sharing so many helpful tips.
It was beautiful, but very scary when we got lost
Amazing carvings! We used to have a campground near us that did something similar but not as detailed and gorgeous as the ones you came across. I think it’s awesome you are traveling solo!
The carvings were magnificent! Not something you would usually come across on a hiking trail.
Woow, what a cool adventure! I can only imagine how magical it must be to hike there during fall!
Yes, the Fall is the best time to hike this trail. It’s gorgeous!
Such helpful information, thanks for putting this together. I love hiking so will definitely save this for later
I hope you get the chance to hike at Rattlesnake. It’s beautiful (despite the fact that I got lost lol)
Hiking at Rattlesnake point looks incredible. I think it would be awesome in the autumn.
I agree. Fall would be so beautiful at this spot
Cool post. Hiking for 6.5 miles would definitely wear me out. Hiking in the Fall would be a lovely time with all of the changing leaves.
Yes…ill need to go back now that the leaves are changing
That’s funny it’s called rattlesnake point and no snakes. I didn’t know there was a name for lakes that don’t mix. That’s so cool – I just thought there wasn’t fish in it and that’s why they don’t mix haha.
Maybe that’s true lol. I had never heard of it before either
Thank goodness no rattlesnakes or you wouldn’t be seeing me there! Seems like a beautiful place to hike, even for us casuals!
Haha…I wouldn’t have been there either if there were rattlesnakes
I enjoy being in nature and that lakes looks like a great spot for glamping!
I agree! It was beautiful
Wow, that lake and the wood carvings! Nice. Hiking is not my thing, but it certainly would be a peaceful time for some mindfulness in nature.
It definitely was!
I love the view you included from the Buffalo Crag Lookout, wow! This looks like a really fun hike, I’d like to do a little hiking and camping in the area if given the chance. Thanks for sharing!
It was a great hike with fantastic views
Wow! What an experience! There’s also SO much great info here. Thank you!
It was definitely an experience that I won’t soon forget lol.
This looks like such an awesome adventure! How long did you spend while you were there?
More than we had planned. It was to be a four hour hike and it ended up being closer to 7 🙁 But it was well worth it in the end.
This is the first time I hear about the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. It’s a nice hiking spot with great views and scenery. I have to say, I like the name although I’m glad you won’t find any snakes while hiking there!
Rattlesnake Point is a gorgeous spot to hike and Crawford Lake is especially beautiful. …. and yes….no rattlesnakes lol.
I’d never heard of Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area before, but I can already tell I’d love to spend time here! It looks beautiful, and I just love being outside. And, I’m especially happy to hear there are no rattlesnakes here – phew :). Xx Sara
Yes …. no rattlesnakes lol. This trail was so beautiful!
Ontario has so many open spaces for hiking and exploring…I love recs like this! savuing for my next trip.
There are SO many trails! This one is extremely beautiful
Wow what a hike! The name is a bit frightening though lol
Haha. It is but not to worry…no rattlesnakes
Got lost on the Bruce Trail once…learned my lesson the hard way!
I did as well . It’s scary
This is such a comprehensive guide of some beautiful trails. The Buffalo Crag Trail in particular sounds amazing! And yes it’s no fun when you get lost on a hike and you’re too tired. Glad you managed to find help!
It was definitely an adventure
My first question was ….are there rattlesnakes at Rattlesnake point? Lol. Thanks for answering that. Crawford lake is beautiful thou 🙂 but I agree getting lost in this spot was worth it.
No rattlesnakes lol. And yes….its a beautiful spot!