Spring Shoulder Season Returns to our Conservation Areas
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff are busy preparing for the spring shoulder season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs). This adds four weeks of day-use access from Wednesday, April 1st until Thursday, April 30th. It is the fourth year offering a shoulder season in response to the demand from visitors to the CAs.
"We're looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Fanshawe and Wildwood this spring. Visitors are eager to celebrate the return of warmer weather and want to get outside and explore. We've had guests reach out expressing their appreciation in having access to the CAs alongside the additional amenities for an extended season," shares Damian Schofield, UTRCA Conservation Areas Coordinator.
Amenities offered to visitors during the shoulder season include:
- Customer service staff on-site,
- Access to hiking and biking trails,
- Access to Fanshawe and Wildwood reservoirs for canoeing and kayaking (pending reservoir conditions, rentals not currently available),
- Access to day-use areas including a playground, BBQs, picnic areas, and green space,
- Access to Fanshawe and Wildwood reservoir boat launch (pending reservoir conditions), and
- Washroom facilities.
A reduced vehicle day pass fee of $11 (up to four people), or a reduced pedestrian/cyclist day pass fee of $8 for those walking or biking will be charged during this extended season.
Hours of Operation will be as follows:
- Fanshawe CA
- Monday to Friday: 10 am to 6 pm; gate across dam closes at 5:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to 4 pm; gate across dam closes at 4 pm
- Wildwood CA
- Daily: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Gate to day-use closes at 4:30 pm daily
Visitors can also purchase a 2026 Membership which includes day-use access 12 months of the year to Fanshawe and Wildwood CAs. Memberships can be purchased at the Conservation Area Gatehouse or at our online store. The 2026 camping season begins on May 1.
