Know Before You Go: Resources for planning to Visit Grey

Aug 12, 2021

Now more than ever, it’s important to book ahead and plan ahead before visiting Grey County. From endless hiking trails to scenic waterfalls, landmark attractions like Blue Mountain and Scenic Caves and an impressive array of breweries, wineries and cideries, a visit to Grey County can offer some amazing entertainment, especially when you plan ahead.

Rediscover Responsibly

With more and more visitors exploring our quaint downtowns, storied backroads and well-worn hiking trails, Grey County Tourism has offered some guidance on how to Rediscover Responsibly. Their Rediscover Responsibly blog offers tips on everything from how to protect the environment during your visit to how to respect the nature, agriculture and wildlife you'll encounter here. Mountain Life also shared the Rediscover Respsonbily message right here.

Trail Etiquette

On top of planning your visit, Grey County Tourism also has some tips for trail etiquette on your hikes and excursions in the region. Read the full blog here for information on parking, designated trail uses and more.

Grey County Activity Map

Grey County also keeps an updated Activity Map that will help you find the perfect area for your favourite activity.

Grey Sauble Conservation also manages many popular outdoor areas across Grey County. For more information on their properties and which activities are permitted on them, visit their website here. Paid parking is in effect at most properties. You can pay onsite using the App or you can purchase a season's pass for their GSCA properties right here.

Resources from The Bruce Trail Conservancy

During your visit to Grey County, you will probably be logging some kilometres on The Bruce Trail. The Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest and longest marked footpath running 900 kilometres from Niagara to Tobermory. The folks at the Bruce Trail Conservancy have compiled some amazing resources for those planning to hike this legendary footpath. Their Know Before You Go blog is worth a read as you prepare for your outing as is their overview of sites requiring reservations page. Another great blog on parking and transportation options can be found right here.

While The Bruce Trail is well travelled, hikers still need to be prepared to hike safely with proper equipment, water, snacks, a proper plan and a map of your route. Check out this great blog on packing for a day hike. Cell service can be spotty so don't plan to map your route that way only. Download the What3Words app to help wth emergency location if you do run into trouble as many of our first responders use this technology. The Bruce Trail offers some great suggestions on hiking responsibly, trail safety considerations and how to follow The Bruce Trail's blaze system.

Booking ahead at Blue Mountain Resort

With reduced capacity in place at many local attractions, booking in advance is the only way to ensure you can have the adventure you've imagined. Blue Mountain Resort offers online reservations that let's you see ticket availability during the days of your visit. Priority is given to those staying at the resort, so turning your visit into an overnighter is a great way to guarantee access to the most popular attractions. Read through Blue Mountain's First Timer's Guide for some great resources to plan your visit.

Parking in the Town of the Blue Mountains and Meaford

If you're planning to visit the Town of the Blue Mountains or Meaford, some areas now have paid parking in effect for non-residents. In Meaford, this includes Memorial Park only while in the Blue Mountains several beaches require payment and you can find a full list of paid parking properties right here.

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