Perfect for plant and bird enthusiasts, Beaver Meadow Conservation Area at 158 County Road 11, Picton ON has two short hiking trails, each ending at a wetland viewing platform. This area is home to a variety of wildlife and approximately 330 plant species.

Status: Open for the season*

Beaver Meadow Conservation Area trail winter 2020

Exploring Beaver Meadow

The area was a farm during the early 1900s that grew celery, mushrooms, and sugar turnips. The farm also produced maple syrup, raised chickens, condensed milk, and sold wood.

Things to look out for:

  • Wildflowers like Wild Ginger, Baneberry, and Jack-in-the-pulpit
  • Deciduous trees like White Birch, American Beech, Black Walnut, Butternut, Shagbark Hickory, and Maple
  • Songbirds
  • Wetland residents like Beavers, Blue Herons, and Osprey
  • Two wetland viewing platforms

Trail Guide

Beginner Trails - 1.7 km

  • Relatively even terrain
  • Wide trail
Activities
  • Hiking
  • Cross country skiing and snowshoeing
  • Birding
  • Wildlife photography
  • Dog walking (dogs must be leashed at all times)
  • Passive Biking
    • Passive Biking is recognized by Quinte Conservation as the activity in which individuals on bicycles traverse designated trails outlined by the Authority at a leisurely pace that would not pose a danger to trail users or wildlife, and would have minimal environmental impact.

Amenities
  • Lookout
  • Parking
  • Picnic Table

Things to keep in mind during your visit

When visiting Quinte Conservation's areas, please make sure to:

  • Keep your pets leashed and clean up after them at all times
  • Stay on marked trails
  • Take everything with you, including your pet's waste – there are no garbage bins
  • Never remove natural items

Please note:

  • Overnight camping is not allowed
  • Alcohol is not allowed
  • Campfires are not allowed
 Cross-country trails and motorized vehicles
The cross-country skiing trails are not groomed and motorized vehicles are not permitted outside of designated parking areas. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • All-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes
  • Motorized or electric bikes
  • Snowmobiles
  • Cars and SUVs
  • Motorized aerial devices such as drones

Trail map

View the trail map for Beaver Meadow Conservation Area.

A smartphone enabled trail map is also available via the free app Avenza Maps.

How to use Avenza Maps

Once the map is downloaded, you can track your location on the trails without the use of mobile data. Instructions for use are as follows:

  • Install Avenza Maps onto your smartphone (available on iOS and Android).
  • Tap the + button on the bottom right of the "My Maps" page, then select "download or import a map".
  • Tap the QR icon on the top right and scan QR code provided below.
  • Alternatively, you can search for the Conservation Area in the keyword bar of the app's "Store" page.
  • Tap the "Free" button on the map's page, then confirm the download.
  • Use the map offline at the area, ensuring that location services are turned on.
Download Avenza Maps
  
Map QR Code

Parking

You must pay to park at this conservation area. There is a daily parking pass that you can use between areas. A daily pass is valid on the day of purchase between 6 am to 8 pm. Annual parking passes are also available. Visit our parking page to learn more. 

*Seasonal Closure

Beaver Meadow is closed for parking from December (date varies with first large snow fall) to March/April (date varies with frost/spring conditions). Winter conditions present safety concerns, and road repairs during this period are beyond Quinte Conservation's capacity. Spring conditions cannot support vehicle traffic. Visitors can still access this area by walking in.

See an issue?

Help us keep our outdoor spaces clean and our wildlife safe! Please report a non-emergency issue or a concern.