Winter activities

Rouge National Urban Park

Discover activities to do this winter at Rouge National Urban Park: hiking, snowshoeing, birdwatching, cross-country skiing and more. Rouge National Urban Park is the perfect place to enjoy being out in nature all year round!

Ice skating and pond hockey are strongly discouraged as ice thickness is not monitored on frozen bodies of water. NEVER leave any possessions or litter on the ice, as it ends up in the water bodies when the ice melts.

Downhill skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing are also not recommended in order to protect wildlife under the snow and the safety of other visitors.

Discover activities to do this winter at Rouge National Urban Park: hiking, snowshoeing, birdwatching, cross-country skiing and more. Rouge National Urban Park is the perfect place to enjoy being out in nature all year round!

Winter hiking

 

Winter offers terrain and views that are unlike any other season. Experience the changes to the landscape with a winter hike in Rouge National Urban Park. You might even spot some animal tracks in the snow! Come prepared. Trails are not maintained in the winter.

For more information on hiking safety, please visit hiking safety page. 

Snowshoeing

 
Snowshoeing is a great winter activity and alternative to winter hiking. There are no rentals available in the park, so be sure to bring your own pair. The best snowshoeing conditions are after a recent snowfall. Be sure to check weather conditions and parking availability before you head out.

Cross-country skiing

 
Explore the trails in RNUP in true winter style, with cross-country skis! Bob Hunter Memorial Park offers some of the best trails for this activity with gentle sloping hills and scenic views. Try them out after a fresh snowfall. The trails are not groomed or maintained in winter. Please use caution, and plan ahead before you visit. Remember, safety is your responsibility.

Winter birdwatching

   

This winter in Rouge National Urban Park, you won’t need a smartphone to hear tweets! Keep a look out for how many birds you can spot during your visit. There may be fewer birds around in winter, but with no leaves on the trees, they’re easier to see!

In the winter, the best place to observe birds is from our trails. Species you may encounter include (but are not limited to):

  • American goldfinch
  • American tree sparrow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Cardinal
  • Crow
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Downy woodpecker
  • Horned lark
  • Hairy woodpecker
  • Raven
  • Snowy owl
  • Turkeys

Check out the list of bird species to see what you can spot in Rouge National Urban Park. 

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