Gravel Point Preserve Hiking Trails

Check out the hiking trails at The Kensington Conservancy's Gravel Point Preserve!
The Gravel Point Preserve consists of four adjacent lots for a total of 278 acres. It features mixed forests and wetlands, which is great habitat for thousands of wildlife and plant species. 

LOCATION AND PARKING: The trailhead is located along Highway 548 in Hilton Township on St. Joseph Island, Ontario. It is approximately 3km south of Forbes Community Park in Hilton Beach. There is a parking lot that fits several vehicles.

LENGTH: There are about 4km worth of trails on the preserve. The Main Loop is 1.5km. The additional Hardwood and Homestead Loops add another 650m. The Hardwood Loop Extension trail is another 1.5km. Completing all the trails may take approximately two hours, depending on your pace. Click here to view the trail map.

TRAIL RATING: The trails are an easy-to-moderate hike. The trails are most flat with only a couple very small changes in elevation. There are some exposed roots and rocks along the trail, as well as some uneven ground. The trail is marked with blue flagging tape with the exception of the Homestead Loop, which is marked with orange flagging tape. 

TRAIL RULES:
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times and picked up after
  • Take only photos, leave only footprints
  • ​Stay on the marked trails
  • No bikes or motorized vehicles 

OTHER NOTES:
  • The trails are open for snowshoeing in the winter (please consider a donation to help offset the expense of keeping the parking lot plowed).

Thank you to Karhi Contracting for being a sponsor of the building of the trail's parking lot.

Directions

The trailhead is located along Highway 548 in Hilton Township on St. Joseph Island, Ontario. It is approximately 3km from Forbes Community Park in Hilton Beach. There is a parking lot that fits several vehicles. 
Click the link below or scan the QR code with another device to view the hiking trails in Google Maps.

Coastal Wetlands

The wetlands located on the Gravel Point Preserve are designated as coastal wetlands, which are among the region’s most ecologically valuable ecosystems.

Species at Risk

A number of species at risk have been recorded on the Gravel Point Preserve, including monarch, eastern wood-pewee, and black ash.

About the Property

The Gravel Point Preserve consists of four adjacent lots for a total of 278 acres. The creation of the Gravel Point Preserve was made possible by Betsy and Bill Kingery, who donated one of the lots that makes up the preserve and the funds to purchase the other three. It features mixed forests and wetlands, which is great habitat for thousands of wildlife and plant species. Naturalists will enjoy the potential of finding some unique species for the area. This is The Kensington Conservancy's largest nature preserve to date and our first one on St. Joseph Island. 

Volunteer 

We are always looking for volunteers to assist with trail maintenance. This includes clearing fallen trees, cutting back new growth, and making sure trail markers are visible. Thank you to our current volunteers for all of your hard work!

Support the Trails

The Kensington Conservancy is a non-profit, charitable organization that relies on the generosity of our community to conduct our conservation work and keep these trails open to the public. Consider making a financial contribution!

Submit Your Sightings

You can help us build our list of species found on the Gravel Point Preserve. Bring your camera, take photos of plants and wildlife, and upload your sightings to iNaturalist or report them directly to us. There is lots to see here!