Best times to visit

To have the best experience possible in Rouge National Urban Park, make sure to plan your trip before you head out. If you have visited us before, we are eager to welcome you back! As we continue to establish Canada’s first national urban park, please note there is limited parking and facilities. Kindly review the following information to ensure that your time with us is both safe and enjoyable. We look forward to seeing you!

When should I visit?

There is a lot to see and do throughout the day in Rouge National Urban Park. Here are some top tips for a great experience in the Rouge:

• The Rouge is open 365 days a year, and every season has something new to offer. Be sure to visit throughout the year for a different experience every time.

   

• On weekends, parking lots in the park are extremely busy and often full from 10 am until 4 pm. Check Live parking information for current parking availability.
• Visit outside of peak hours for a more immersive and peaceful experience in nature. We recommend early morning visits as the park is typically much quieter giving you more opportunities for wildlife viewing. Not to mention views of the gorgeous sunrise!
• If you’re looking for a quiet hike, the northern areas and trails of the Rouge offer entirely different landscapes and are often less busy any time of day.
• In the winter, trails are not maintained and may be quite snowy and icy. Check out our winter hiking tips to learn how to properly prepare for a winter hike.
• In the summer, midday hikes can be quite hot. The morning and evening typically offer cooler visits.
• Read up on seasonal hazards to ensure you are well prepared.
• Plan your route ahead of time, including the length and difficulty level of your hike. Trails are not lit at night and some parking lots close at 9 p.m., so plan to be back at least a half hour before sunset and well before the parking lot is locked.

Getting here & Parking

• Be sure to visit our Important Bulletins page to check for any area, trail or road closures and restrictions in the park before you decide to visit a location.
• Many parking lots are not yet signed. Please visit the How to get here section of our website for directions, addresses and parking instructions for all parking lots.
• There are a limited number of parking spaces. On weekends, parking lots are extremely busy and often full from mid-morning until late afternoon. Check Live parking information for current parking availability. When parking lots are full, please:
  
  • Visit a different part of the park or return on a different day;
  • Do not park illegally; vehicles parked illegally become a safety hazard and may be towed at the owner’s expense;
  • Do not park on sensitive park vegetation;
  • Follow all instructions from Parks Canada staff or traffic managers.
• Leave enough room for RVs and buses to maneuver within parking lots;
• Try alternative transportation options to get to the park: bike, carpool, transit or shuttles.
• Parking lots in the Rouge are maintenance free in winter. They are not salted or cleared of ice and snow, so be prepared!