Sheffield Conservation Area at 8032 County Road 41, Erinsville ON is nestled within the Canadian Shield. Part of the property is home to a dark sky viewing area that is maintained by the county of Lennox and Addington. 

Status: Gate closed for the Season. Access available through the Dark Sky Viewing Area.*

 

Explore Sheffield 

The area offers an advanced 4.5 km trail that loops through the property and provides hikers with a birds-eye view of Little Melon Lake. The area also contains a water access point for launching a canoe or kayak. Inexperienced hikers may find the trail challenging. Proper footwear should always been worn. Depending on skill level, it may take up to 6 hours to complete the loop. Make sure to always have plenty of drinking water available before starting the hike.

Things to look for:

  • Little Melon Lake lookout

Trail Guide

Beginner Trails - 500 m

  • Relatively even terrain
  • Wide trail

Advanced Trails - 4.5 km

  • Elevation gain
  • Several long, steep sections
  • Rough terrain with muddy sections
  • Seasonal wet/water crossings
  • Narrow trail
Activities
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Dog walking (dogs must be leashed at all times)
  • Fishing
  • Canoeing and kayaking
Amenities
  • Parking lot
  • Portable washroom
  • Picnic tables
  • Water access point
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
Sheffield CA Trail Map
Trail Map
Download
Sheffield CA Avenza Mobile Map QR Code
Avenza Mobile Map QR Code
Learn more

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 sunrise and sunset. Yearly parking passes are also available. Visit our parking page to learn more. 

*Seasonal Closure

Sheffield is closed for parking from December (date varies with first large snow fall) to March (date varies with frost conditions). Winter conditions present safety concerns, and road repairs during this period are beyond Quinte Conservation's capacity, and spring conditions can't support vehicle traffic. Visitors can still access this area by parking at the Dark Sky Viewing Area and 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.