You must pay to park at Quinte Conservation's areas. Parking fees support the maintenance and management of Quinte Conservation's areas by keeping trails open, safe, and accessible. Parking fees contribute to the repair and replacement of structures like boardwalks, bridges, and benches, and to upgrades like ease-of-access trails, new trails, educational signage and safety features.

Some repairs/projects can be very costly and it takes time to raise funds to support them. Collecting parking fees is only one of the many avenues we take to support these areas. Donations, fundraisers, and successful grant applications also support large-scale projects. 

Annual Pass

  • $60.00 (effective January 1, 2023)
  • Valid for one year from date of purchase
    • For example: If you purchased a pass on July 31, 2023, your pass will expire on July 31, 2024.
  • Transferable between areas

An annual pass can be purchased through our online form. Annual pass holders will receive an access card that will grant entrance to all of our areas, both with and without electronic gates. Current Annual PayByPhone Pass Holders Please Note: You will need to validate your pass to receive an access at CAs with gates. Proceed with the Renew Your Annual Pass option below.

Buy an Annual Pass

Purchase an annual pass graphic
Purchase a New Annual Pass

Not already an annual pass holder? Fill out option 1 to purchase your pass and receive your access card. 

 Gift an annual pass graphic
Gift an Annual Pass

Give the gift of nature with our annual pass! Fill out option 2 to purchase an annual pass as a gift. 

 Activate a gifted pass graphic
Activate a Gifted Pass

Received an annual pass as a gift? Fill out option 3 to activate your pass. 

Renew an annual pass graphic
Renew Your Annual Pass

Already have an access card? If so, fill out option 4 to renew your annual pass. You need to keep your card and we will re-activate the renewal through our system. 

Replace an Access Card graphic
Replace an Access Card

Did you lose your access card? Fill out option 5 to have a new card sent to you. A replacement fee will be applied.

Experiencing issues with your pass graphic
Experiencing issues with your pass?

Using Your Access Card

How to use your access card at CA gates

Conservation Area Parking GateTap the grey pad located on the Parking Boxx with your access card.

If you have a valid access card, the gate's arm will lift. You will be notified on the screen if your pass has expired.  

The access card pad is located in the bottom left corner of the Parking Boxx system.

If you need assistance using the gate, please press the call button located at the bottom. 

Daily Rate

Daily Rate

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023:

  • A conservation area day pass is $6.00 per vehicle and can be purchased onsite either through the electronic gate (at select areas) or PayByPhone by using the area's zone number (see Parking Zones). 
  • A day pass for buses and vehicles with trailers (horse trailers, boat trailers etc.) is $12.00. 
  • Access to Deerock Lake through Deerock Lake Conservation Area is $12.00 per vehicle per day.
  • Access to Little Bluff Conservation Area is $15.00 per day.
PayByPhone

Use the zone numbers listed below to complete your order. 


Experiencing issues with the App?

Call our office during regular operating hours for assistance. 

Parking Zones

Paid Parking Locations
Conservation AreaZoneHours of Operation

Beaver Meadow

78783

Parking seasonal closure. Accessible on foot only.

Depot Lakes

Electronic Gate Parking

5 am to 10 pm
Deerock (Boat Launch)

78774

6 am to 8 pm

H.R. Frink

Electronic Gate Parking

6 am to 8 pm

Little Bluff

Electronic Gate Parking

Parking seasonal closure. Accessible on foot only.

Macaulay Mountain

78776 6 am to 8 pm

Massassauga Point

78777 6 am to 8 pm

O'Hara Mill

78778 6 am to 8 pm

Potter's Creek North

Electronic Gate Parking 6 am to 8 pm

Potter's Creek South

Electronic Gate Parking 6 am to 8 pm

Sheffield

78781 Parking seasonal closure. Accessible on foot only.

Sidney

78782 6 am to 8 pm

Vanderwater

Electronic Gate Parking 6 am to 8 pm

Borrow A Parking Pass

Borrowing a pass from your local library
Did you know that you can borrow a Quinte Conservation Area parking pass through your local library for free? 

Passes are available at:
Contact your local library for more information.

Parking FAQs

When does my Annual Pass expire?
Your Annual Pass expires 365 days from day of activation.
For example: If you activate your Annual Pass on July 31, 2023, your pass will expire on July 31, 2024.
 How long has paid parking been in place?
 Paid parking at Quinte Conservation Areas has been in place since September 1, 2018.
 How does Quinte Conservation use the revenue from paid parking?
The revenue from the electronic gates guarantees a maintenance budget to support the preservation and improvement of various essential amenities at Quinte Conservation Areas. These amenities include boardwalks, bridges, benches, educational signage and safety features.

Parking fees are essential for Quinte Conservation to keep trails open, safe and accessible for public use. 
 Why electronic parking gates?
The goal of installing  gate systems is to manage visitor numbers and mitigate the reoccurring issues of vandalism, illegal dumping and loitering, which will help to reduce the demand of our already-limited staff.

The electronic parking gates support Quinte Conservation efforts in keeping trails open and safe for public use.
Shouldn't my tax dollars cover these costs?
Quinte Conservation pays property tax on 30,000+ acres of land including public conservation areas.

Unlike other public outdoor spaces, our conservation areas are not strongly supported through public tax dollars. The majority of our municipal levy is allocated to our mandated programs like flood forecasting.
What does the 'do not' sign on the parking gate mean?
The 'do not' sign located on the parking gate serves as a precautionary measure, advising pedestrians and cyclists to avoid approaching the gate to prevent any potential harm from the moving bar. It's important to note that the parking gate is intended solely for motor vehicles.

Exploring on foot or by bike are just a couple of the diverse activities that visitors can partake in at Quinte Conservation Areas.
Can I park overnight?
Overnight parking is not permitted at Quinte Conservation Areas.