Saugeen Bluffs

Saugeen River Photo by Saugeen Bluffs

Saugeen Bluffs

Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area features 181 sites for regular and horse campers. This is a regular stop-over and camping area for canoeists along the Saugeen River.

The park is nestled within a 100 ha sugar maple forest. All are welcome to indulge in the peaceful surrounding of "The Bluffs." The developed recreational trail system features a lookout over the scenic Saugeen River. Check out the tree colours in the fall. They are spectacular!

There are seasonal and transient sites available at Saugeen Bluffs. The park also has an expanded trail system and day-use access.

2024 Camping Information

Get ready to plan your outdoor adventures! Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area can be booked online from February 1st through Thanksgiving. Saugeen Conservation is thrilled to announce that we have a new booking website and we can't wait to welcome both new and familiar faces.

Book your site today:

Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area Camping Reservation
For any and all seasonal inquiries, please email us.

As we eagerly anticipate your return to Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area, we want to inform all our guests about some notable changes to the campground’s landscape this year.

In our commitment to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all, we've undertaken the necessary removal of ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer. This action, essential for the health of our ecosystem and the safety of our visitors, has led to alterations in the appearance of several camping and recreational areas. You may notice that areas that once had grass and forest are now transitioning, displaying bare ground or new gravel sections.

We understand that these changes may come as a surprise, but rest assured, this is a step forward in our ongoing efforts to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of Saugeen Bluffs. The open spaces left by the removed trees provide us with a unique opportunity for new growth and regeneration. Over time, these areas will evolve, welcoming new vegetation and life, contributing to the diversity and resilience of our landscape.

We thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these changes together. Your patience allows us to ensure that Saugeen Bluffs continues to be a safe, beautiful, and welcoming place for all who seek to explore and appreciate nature.

Camping

Reserve your campsite online from February 1 until Thanksgiving weekend.
Campground is open from the last full weekend in April until Thanksgiving weekend.
181 spacious sites within a mature hardwood setting.
102 serviced sites (30 amp) and 79 non-serviced sites.
Seasonal and transient sites available.
ATVs and dirt bikes are NOT allowed at Saugeen Bluffs.
Campsites are spacious, well-treed and private. You can choose from sites tucked into mature sugar maples or sites beside the Saugeen River.
You can contact the park at 519-353-7206 during camping season. During the off season, contact the Campground Coordinator at 226-230-2234. We would be happy to help!
Saugeen Bluffs Campground Map

Horse camping

Reserve your campsite online from February 1 until Thanksgiving weekend.
There are 39 campsites to choose from with those arriving with their own trailer/tent.
In addition, there are 3 bunkies that can be rented.
There is a large pavilion and event ring available to horse campers.
There are scheduled workshops and clinics throughout the season.
Please note - all horse camping sites have water services only (no electrical).
Each site has a picnic table, water and a fire-pit.
Campsites are large and surrounded by mature trees.
All horseback riders and guests will be required to complete and sign a waiver form upon arrival. For children under 18, waivers will need to be completed by a parent or guardian. They will also be required to wear a helmet. Feel free to download the Horse Camping Liability Form to fill out and present when you arrive. This will save time.
ATVs and dirt bikes are NOT allowed at Saugeen Bluffs.
You can contact the park at 519-353-7206 during camping season. During the off season, contact the Campground Coordinator at 226-230-2234. We would be happy to help!
Saugeen Bluffs Recreational Trail Map

Location

GPS 44.3468,-81.3101
Located 4 km north of Paisley, off Bruce County Road 3.
Follow the "C" sign west on Saugeen Bluff's Road.

Recreational trails

There are over 12 km of both recreational hiking and equine trails through the upland forest.
Our trails are being redeveloped and may change, so check our website before you arrive.
Recreational trails are under a "use at your own risk" policy.
For a great view of the Saugeen River, start at the north end of Main Street and follow the trail past a small pond. Climb the set of wooden stairs to the Bluffs Lookout.
Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Bluffs and its scenic trails. The choice of where to begin and where to explore first is yours for the making.
Recreational Trail Map

Fishing

Fishing is permitted at Saugeen Bluffs.
Fishing is permitted within season only (follow Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) guidelines).
See our Fishing page for more information.

Hunting

Hunting is NOT permitted at Saugeen Bluffs.
Please see our Hunting page for more information.

Amenities

Activity centre
Basketball
Boat ramp
Boating/canoeing
Canoe and kayak rentals
Dump station
Firewood available for purchase at the gatehouse
Fishing
Hiking
Horse camping
Horseshoes
Mobile pump out
Modern shower and washroom facilities
Movies and games (peak season)
Parking
Pavilions (2)
Pets allowed (on leash)
Playgrounds (2)
Scenic look-out
Scheduled events
Splash pad
Store
Swimming in Saugeen River
Trails
Volleyball
Wading pool
Washrooms open only during camping season
WiFi in a central location

History

There are 181 campsites within 121 ha (300 acres) of land at Saugeen Bluffs.
We bought another 64ha (160 acres) of land in 1975. This brings the total to its present size covering over 200 ha (500 acres).
The Saugeen River, was known as the "Sahging" to the earlier Ojibway people. The river flows through towering bluffs as it winds through the countryside.
The bluffs expose layers of sand, clay and boulder till in a 30 metre (98 feet) high moraine. The bluffs reflect the glacial history of the area.
Many have traveled down this waterway. This includes early settlers who used cedar-log shafts. French fur traders also used this route on their way to a trading post.

The campsites here (established in the 1970s) have maintained their old style charm. They are large and spacious, offering plenty of privacy between campers.
Saugeen Bluffs got its name from the steep clay banks (bluffs) carved from the river.

In the early 1990s, the Robert Sutherland Activity Centre was built as a tribute. His legacy continues today. Thousands of people visit the park and enjoy the natural surroundings. Please check our Facility Rental page for information on booking this centre.
The Bluffs is a major canoe/kayak stop-over along the Saugeen River route. It is Saugeen River Access Point #11.
This property is a Conservation Area and Managed Forest.