Please Use trails at own risk during inclement weather or days of extreme winter conditions.

  • Riverside Trail ~ 1.1KM

    The Riverside Trail (1.1 km) begins and ends in the picturesque landscape, a feature of the history of the site. View the river from various lookouts and get a glimpse of the Greek Revival mansion, a focal point on the site. The trail meanders past the Thompson family cemetery but also leads to the Fox Den Trail.

  • Carolinian Woodland Trail ~ 0.85KM

    The Carolinian Woodland Trail (0.85 km) takes you through the forest and along a freshwater stream which flows to the Grand River. In season you will see a variety of native wildflowers in full bloom or the calls of songbirds as you stroll through the trail. On a year-round basis, discover the diversity of trees and woodland plants, and just relax and enjoy nature.

  • Butterfly Meadow Trail ~ 0.23KM

    The Butterfly Trail (0.23 km) takes you through the meadow filled with native plants which attract birds and butterflies.

  • Fox Den Trail ~ 0.5KM

    The Fox Den Trail (0.5 km) takes you closer to the river and at one point has a small beach area where you will have a good view of Slink Island (part of the Ruthven estate).

  • Indiana Trail ~ 0.45KM

    A flat trail called the Indiana Trail (0.45 km) is good for an easy walk. This trail walks through the historic ghost town of Indiana and passes next to the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery.

Free parking is available and accessible public washrooms. Bring a picnic to fuel up before or after your hike; we have several picnic tables and outdoor spots for lunch for you to choose from. 

Access to the trails and grounds is by pay-what-you-can donation. Donations help support the ongoing study, maintenance and preservation of the site. Donation boxes can be found at the entrance gate, by the public washroom building and in the Welcome Centre office. 

The trails are open during office hours. Visiting outside of these hours when the site is not staffed is considered to be trespassing as the property is under private ownership.

Logo of TD Bank next to text that reads 'TD Friends of the Environment Foundation' in green and black font.

The Explore Your Own Backyard interpretive and trailhead sign project was generously supported by TD Friends of the Environment. We are grateful for their support of the ongoing educational programming at Ruthven Park National Historic Site through this project.

Trail sign for Butterfly Meadow Trail at Ruthven Park, indicating it is an easy, flat trail leading to Thompson Family Cemetery, with information about local wildlife and views of birds and butterflies.
Information sign about Carolinian Canada and the Slough Forest, featuring a map of the region, images of a water slough and a white-tailed deer, and text describing sloughs and the area's flora and fauna.
Sign for Pollinator Meadow Trail with information about native meadow habitat and caution symbols, surrounded by grass, wildflowers, and trees.
Informational sign about the Canadian Heritage Grand River, featuring images of the river, a mansion, a duck, plants, and a bluebell. The sign includes text about the river's history, flooding, invasive species, and caution about hazardous plants, with a small camera image for context.
Signboard for Indiana Trail at Ruthven Park showing details of the trail, wildlife, and rules, surrounded by green foliage.
Informational sign about tributaries of the Grand River, featuring facts about a tributary, flooding, and local wildlife, with photos of a duck, a flooded area, and a map of the tributary.