Cave Springs

905-788-3135

3949 Cave Spring Rd, Lincoln, ON L0R 1G0

info@npca.ca

Year round, Sunrise to Sunset

Parking
Weddings
Picnic
Sailing
Fire
Boating
Water Skiing
Canoeing
Fishing
Geocaching
Camping
Forest
Hiking
Birding
Swimming
BBQ
RV
Cabin
Beach
Volleyball
Playground
Hunting
Winter
Splashpad
Ziplining
Wakeboarding
Paddleboarding
Washroom

Winter Weather Notice

All NPCA conservation areas remain open daily from sunrise to sunset for passive recreation such as hiking and birdwatching. However, note that trails are natural and not maintained for winter recreation. Parking lot and sidewalks will be maintained on a ‘as-required’ basis. 

Conservation area visitors are reminded to take precaution and prepare appropriately for the weather and trail conditions, especially when inclement weather and conditions may arise. In the event of inclement weather, NPCA conservation areas remain open, but activities and services may be limited and facilities such as the Centre for Conservation at Ball’s Falls may be closed.

Please be mindful of NPCA staff who work hard to ensure primary parking areas are cleared and plowed when visiting. Please check NPCA conservation area pages on Facebook for closure postings, as these are updated regularly.


This property features spectacular vistas overlooking Lake Ontario and the old Lake Iroquois shore, and is an exquisite representation of the Niagara Escarpment’s talus slopes and cliffs. The escarpment rim and bedrock plain forests are dominated by Sugar Maples. The rich and unique diversity of plants and habitat on these rare escarpment features provide a linear migration corridor for animals and plants.

The cultural folklore and mystique of Cave Springs is as rich as its natural diversity. The late Margaret Reed, from whom the property came to NPCA, fondly spoke of the spring’s reputation as a ‘fountain of youth’. There is a famous ice cave, once used for refrigeration, which was regrettably blocked by a failed expansion attempt. There is an underground lake, a wartime hideout, mysterious rock carvings, and a nearby native North American encampment site.

Recently completed in fall 2022, Cave Springs Conservation Area now features dedicated access off of Cave Spring Road, with vehicle and bicycle parking. The Bruce Trail and the Margaret Reid Side Trail can be accessed from this location. Cave Springs also features a 200m accessible trail and interpretive courtyard.

INFORMATION EN FRANCAIS

Cet endroit présente une vue spectaculaire du lac Ontario et des rives du vieux lac Iroquois, et une représentation magnifique des talus escarpés et des falaises de l’escarpement du Niagara. Les bordures de l’escarpement et la forêt de la plaine de substrat rocheux sont principalement composés d’érables à sucre. La riche et unique diversité des plantes et habitats sur ces rares caractéristiques de l’escarpement fournit un corridor linéaire de migration pour les animaux et plantes.

La culture folklore et mystique de Cave Springs est aussi riche que sa diversité naturelle. La regrettée Margaret Reed, dont la propriété se trouvait sur le territoire de Conservation Niagara, a évoqué avec émotion la réputation de Cave Spring comme étant une ‘fontaine de jouvence’. On y trouve une grotte de glace célèbre, utilisée autrefois pour la réfrigération, qui a été malheureusement bloquée par une tentative manquée d’expansion. On y trouve également un lac souterrain, un refuge du temps de la guerre, de mystérieuses sculptures sur pierre, et un campement autochtone nord-américain tout près.