Longwoods Road Conservation Area will be offering Sunday afternoon snowshoe rental, weather permitting, during January and February! The smell of a wood fire attracts you to the heritage log cabin where inside around the woodstove, hang dozens of wood and rawhide traditional style snowshoes. Friends and family are invited to try out snowshoeing, one of the oldest forms of winter travel!
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority staff will be on hand to teach you all you will need to know to enjoy an afternoon of fun at Longwoods. Learn about the history of snowshoeing, the different styles, and most of all, enjoy a quick outdoor lesson. Wear low or no healed winter boots and dress for an hour or two of outdoor fun! We have lots of woodland trails, or explore the Ska-Nah-Doht Village!
Snowshoe rentals will be available when conditions are suitable – a base of at least 10 cm (4 inches) of snow and no ice is ideal. Check our Facebook page for updates or call us Sunday mornings 519-264-2420 to check our answering message for conditions.
The cabin will be open for rentals at noon and the last rentals will go out no later than 3:30 p.m. All snowshoes must be returned to the cabin by 4:15 p.m. and cannot leave the park. We have many different sizes of snowshoes from which to choose – little ones for youngsters around 4 years old, through to big ones for adults over 175 lbs. There is a limited number available so come early to avoid disappointment. The rental fee per pair is $6 including hst (cash, debit or credit). Staff will request to hold your driver’s license as a deposit on the snowshoes until they are returned. Visitors are welcome to bring their own snowshoes as well. There is no cross-country ski rental on site.
Longwoods Road Conservation Area will be open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. until sunset daily (roads and weather permitting). Admission to the park is at the Pay and Display machine at the entrance – coin or credit card only. There is a charge of $4 per vehicle over the winter months. Alternatively, purchase a Season’s Day Use Pass for $60. It is good for day use at Longwoods Road, Big Bend and C.M. Wilson Conservation Areas through 2016. Longwoods is located at 8348 Longwoods Road (Middlesex County Rd. 2) southwest of Mount Brydges (6.5 km west of Delaware or 10 km east of Melbourne).