Cheltenham Badlands
The Southwest - Ontario
info box
Cheltenham Badlands
Description: The Cheltenham Badlands are considered part of the Niagara Escarpment, which was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1990. They consist mainly of red shale that has eroded into gullies and hills. The gullies and ravines were formed by temporary streams created by snowmelt and rainwater.
To visit the Badlands, you must park in the designated parking lot. There are no other parking options. It is not possible to park on the side of the road. Stopping is also not permitted or possible. Depending on how far you want to hike, you can book two time slots (1.5 hours and 3 hours) for the parking lot. If you don't feel like taking the short hike through the forest, you can also reach the Badlands via the sidewalk along the road. You are not allowed to enter the Badlands. You can enjoy the view from a short boardwalk. Everything you need to know about the Badlands can be found on the website.
Admission fees: 10CAD-35CAD depending on parking duration and day of the week
Opening hours: Parking lot open from May 9 to November 17, from sunrise to sunset
For the GPS: 1739 Olde Base Line Road, Caledon
Our rating: The Badlands caught our attention because they are rather unusual for the area. They are very easy to reach from Toronto, and we really enjoyed the detour. With the colorful trees in the background, they provided a great photo stop on our way to Tobermory. We visited the Badlands in the afternoon at the end of September and were alone in the parking lot. However, it can get really crowded, so we would definitely recommend booking a parking space online in advance.
