Think you have to head to cottage country for action and relaxation by the lake? Instead of driving north this summer, take a “staycation” and head to the large inland lake and beautiful natural surroundings at Binbrook Conservation Area, just outside of Hamilton. Summer here is triple the fun, with an inflatable water park, wakeboarding experience and adventure park, all on site.
Adventure seekers and active families can choose from this thrilling threesome:
FunSplash Sports Park: Visit one of the largest inflatable water parks in Canada and splash, climb, jump, swing, bounce, crawl, hang, slide and fall on the ultimate playground in the lake. The Happy Splash Kids Zone is a smaller obstacle course located in shallower water, ideal for children ages 4-6 years.
Boarder Pass Wakeboarding: If you’ve never tried wakeboarding, this is the perfect way to “get your feet wet”. A two-tower cable system provides the ultimate wakeboarding experience for all ages and levels, and lessons are available.
Treetop Trekking Adventure Park: Soar above the conservation area’s forest canopy and travel from tree to tree at this five-course, 80-element zip line and aerial game park. Ages 9 and up can climb on a series of suspended bridges, swinging logs and walkways, and ride the Tarzan swings and zip lines; while kids ages 5 and up can explore two discovery courses designed for younger explorers, with slides, tunnels, obstacle courses, wood bridges, balance logs, and lower zip lines.
If you prefer a less adventurous version of lake life, Binbrook boasts plenty of other activities with a large swimming beach, children’s splash pad, picnic facilities, observation platforms, and a play area. When it’s a cottage country experience you seek, take to the water by rowboat, paddleboat, stand up paddleboard or canoe (all available to rent), hit the nature trails for hiking, or drop a line at one of the area’s fishing hotspots.
Binbrook is a 75-minute drive from Toronto and Kitchener, and under an hour’s drive from St. Catharines and Oakville. An easy day trip from most of the Golden Horseshoe, Binbrook offers natural beauty, tranquility, and family fun without the traffic and the inevitable question “are we there yet?”
Hours:
- Conservation Area – Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 8 pm starting Victoria Day weekend.
- FunSplash – open daily until Labour Day, weather permitting, 10 am to 8 pm; Boarder Pass – open daily in peak season and weekends from Labour Day to October 15, 11 am to 7 pm.
- Treetop Trekking – open daily July and August, 8 am to 6 pm, and most weekdays and weekends in September and October, 9 am to 4 pm.
Location:
- 5050 Harrison Road, Binbrook, 20 minutes south of Hamilton.
