Mountsberg Conservation Area is located at 2259 Milburough Town Line, in Campbellville, ON. The park is located on Mountsberg Reservoir, an artificial lake that was created by damming off a creek of the same name. The park was built on a farm, and features numerous activities unique to its history, geography, and landscape. I visited in May 2025.
In 1833, Archibald Cameron emigrated from Scotland to purchase a plot of land in what was then considered a part of Flamborough. And soon after, Archibald's son, Duncan, purchased the 100 acres immediately of east of his father's land, which is where the reservoir is today. In 1857, Duncan Cameron built the modern day Mountsberg Barn, the lime kiln (visible on the northern portion of Pioneer Creek Trail), as well as the modern-day Cameron House. Duncan's son, James, lived in the house right up until 1962, when he died. The land was sold to a new owner. But fortunately, the Halton Region Conservation Authority bought the land in 1964, and established it as a conservation area just ten years later.
The name comes from the nearby village.
Mountsberg offers a plethora of activities, like:
- a one-of-a-kind Raptor Centre, where numerous live birds of prey are on display (see SPOTLIGHT for more)
- paddling on the calm waters of Mountsberg Reservoir
- numerous intepretive programs run by park staff
- summer camps for children
- well-renowned fishing for smallmouth bass
- numerous lookout towers providing scenic lake views
- great birding, watch for osprey on the Wildlife Walkway
These are the five trails in decreasing length:
Pioneer Creek Trail - 6.5km, moderate
The longest trail at Mountsberg does not follow "Pioneer Creek", but rather Kilbride Creek, with the "pioneer" part coming from the numerous artifacts along the trail hearkening back to pioneer days. The main pioneer artifact is the lime kiln, constructed by the Cameron Family around 1860. (bikes permitted)
Lakeshore Lookout Trail - 5.6km, moderate
Of course when I visit Mountsberg, the stars misalign, and majority of the Lakeshore Lookout Trail is closed. Despite this, this was my favourite bike trail at this park, offering a large lookout tower as well as the best access to the lake at any spot in the park. (bikes permitted and recommended)
Wildlife Walkway Trail - 1.6km, wheelchair accessible
What is easily Mountsberg's best trail finds itself on the far eastern edge of the park, wandering on a wheelchair accessible path through the Raptor Centre. The trail starts at said Raptor Centre and heads east, past a horse enclosure, and looping around past the best lookout in the park, pictured at the top and on the left. Not only this, but the trail has lots of murals/artwork, as well as numerous interpretive panels, only strengthening the experience. (no bikes, no pets)
Sugar Bush Loop Trail - 1.5km, easy
The southern half of the Sugar Bush Trail is shared with the Pioneer Creek and Lakeshore Lookout Trail, so it ain't nothing special. But the northern half shows off Mapletown, a collection of pavilions and buildings used by school children for summer camp. The buildings all have a classy, rustic feel. (bikes permitted)
Rabbit's Run Trail - 0.3km, easy
Straying away from Pioneer Creek Trail is Rabbit's Run. This quick divergence runs parallel to a powerline as it loops back to Mapletown, intersecting Sugar Bush Trail. This trail is short, but it's useful for accessing Mapletown from Pioneer Creek, and vice-versa. (bikes permitted)
Drive in the main entrance. You must scan the QR code to pay at the gate. Continuing on the main road, it veers left towards a parking lot, where you must park to explore the land. If you're still facing south, the visitor centre is on your right, as is Mountsberg Barn, Cameron House, and trail access. Directly behind you is the Raptor Centre, and the main access to the Wildlife Walkway Trail (see SPOTLIGHT). Ahead of you is the reservoir itself, as well as the first lookout tower. And to your left is the end of Wildlife Walkway. Please note that all trails except Wildlife Walkway are accessed by crossing the train track, which can only be done at one point, right beside the Cameron House.
If you want to kayak, you must go to Mountsberg South Entrance, you must drive to the end of Concession 14E, where there is the dam as well as a non-motorized boat launch.
Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.
Wild birds of prey
Dense forest floor, many ferns
Conifer plantations along the Pioneer Creek Trails
Marsh landscape, lots of reeds
The species below are the farm animals found at Mountsberg: (there's pigs and cats, too)
Horses
Turkeys
Goats and sheep
Chickens
Below are species found at the Raptor Centre: (there's turkey vultures and other types as well)
Multiples hawks
Bald Eagles
Unique kinds of owls
Peregrine Falcons
Day trip from the city. It's worth the drive.
Great for young boys. I imagine any man reading this would've loved to see big bird enclosures as a kid.
Do every trail and get your money's worth.
Try the maple peanuts from the visitor centre gift shop.
Get a map from the visitor centre PRIOR to hiking/biking.
Visit nearby Robert Edmondson. There are 8 Halton Region Conservation Parks, and they're all within a few kilometres of each other.
View from atop the Lakeshore Lookout.
I've never seen a more obvious spotlight in my life. If it weren't for this exhibit (and the barn next door), there'd be no reason to visit Mountsberg. When I first walked up, I saw the first three birds and I thought "oh, this is cool". But then, we continued down Wildlife Walkway to see bird, after bird, after bird, after bird, all with interesting stories to tell. A fence provides a 3 foot gap between the walkway and the chain-link fence keeping the predators in, providing for maximal viewing and minimal risk of danger. As well, many of the birds are trained and you'll often see park staff doing tricks with the birds inside a fence right behind the main Raptor Centre building. All I'm going to say is that this alone is worth the price of admission - let alone the ability to see the barn, go hiking, and go to other Halton Region parks.
Considering that this was one of the least pretty reservoirs I've seen, I am surprised how much I enjoyed this park. Obviously, this can be almost exclusively attributed to the two main attractions that have nothing to do with the lake itself, being the raptor centre and the barn. I would certainly recommend this park, especially for families with kids. A solid 8.4/10.
