Don’t tell the other Halton Conservation parks, but I think Rattlesnake Point might be my favourite. It has the perfect combination of breathtaking views, crumbling walls, and ancient cedars that line the different trails. Before we get to the trails, let’s talk about parking.
Parking at Rattlesnake Point
There is an upper parking level and a lower parking level. Both spots will get you to the trails just fine, just at a slightly different starting point. Parking in the upper area will land you in the middle of the Vista Adventure Trail Loop, and the lower area will start you at the beginning of the Buffalo Crag Trail.
Rattlesnake Point Trails
The Vista Adventure Trail (Green) is rated a 1 for difficulty and is about 1.5 kilometres long. You will see some fantastic views and great lookout points, and it is mostly kid-friendly, although not stroller-friendly.
It connects to the Buffalo Crag Trail (Yellow), which is rated a 2 and is 3 km long. The Buffalo Crag Trail follows along the escarpment and has some incredible views. An insider tip: there are two trails that run parallel to one another.
If you stick to the crumbling wall, you will find this trail more challenging than if you move away from the wall and follow the parallel one, which is easier for young children and old dogs. However, it is slightly less adventuresome and won’t have the same views.
Follow the Yellow Trail until you reach the lookout point and loop back to your parking spot. The last trail, Nassagaweya Canyon Trail (Orange), follows along with the Buffalo Crag Trail and is rated a 3. Once you reach the lookout, you can follow it along where it connects to the Crawford Lake Conservation Area.
Hiking through Crawford Lake takes about 4-5 hours and isn’t recommended for young children or older adults.
Camping at Rattlesnake Point
| Address | 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, ON L9E 0M9 |
| Type of Camping | Tent camping only |
| Sites Available | 17 |
| Seasons Open for Camping | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Rattlesnake Point offers conservation-area camping on mowed grass, perfect for pitching tents. Yet, you are still surrounded by lush forests. The sites are well-spaced, so if you want some privacy, you will have it here.
There is a main road that gives access to all the campsites. From the 17 sites, you will find that each site includes a picnic table and a fire pit. These sites are open year-round, but their washrooms and outhouses are closed from November to April.
Their sites are divided into small, medium, and large. The small can hold up to 10 people, the medium, up to 20, and the large, 30-75 people. The prices are clearly stated on their webpage and are as follows:
- Small – $119.00
- Medium – $145.00
- Large – $220
Their website has additional information on admission fees, cancellations, and rules and recommendations for using the site. It’s worth noting that none of the sites has electricity. Overall, it is a great place to visit if you want to add hiking and climbing to your camping adventure.
