Petun Conservation Area is located in the at 675485 2nd Line, in Blue Mountain, ON. It is located just north of Pretty River Valley Provincial Park, and just south of the town of Collingwood. The park is known for large rock formations with thick moss, as well as the quaint Black Ash Creek whom the Bruce Trail runs alongside. I visited in June 2025.
The Petun people were an indigenous group that lived in the area in the 1600s. They thrived. In fact that had 9 settlements in the area, totalling around 10,000 people. Not only this, they mastered agri- and horticulture, and were major players in the fur trade. Unfortunately, an outbreak of European smallpox in the early 1600s and an attack from their southern neighbours (the Seneca), wiped them out entirely before 1650 came around. Anyways, they were the original inhabitants of the land - land which experienced no human tampering right up until the NVCA took control and made it into the conservation area we know today.
"Petun" is the name of the native group, and it's French for tobacco, as they were known for their incredible tobacco plantations.
Petun offers very simple amenities, like:
- a fish hatchery owned by the GTAA.
- viewing incredible rock crevices, like the one right
- access to Pretty River Valley Provincial Park
- interpretive panels along the trail
- access to the Bruce Trail
- the highest point of the Niagara Escarpment
There's three trails, being:
Bruce Trail - 890km, 4km in park, moderate
Running from the very east of the park to the very west is the famed Bruce Trail. It winds through rocky corridors, passing thick moss and lichen before ending at Sideroad 6. It is accessed from the parking lot by the Black Ash Creek Side Trail.
Black Ash Creek Side Trail - 0.3km, easy
Walking along a farm before running down to a bridge crossing Black Ash Creek. It then climbs back up to meet its parent Bruce Trail. It is surprisingly scenic despite this boring-sounding description. I don't recommend skipping.
Petun Side Trail - 4km, easy
This figure-8 shaped trail traverses eastwards, composing of an east and west loop. It goes near the Osler Bluff, the same one that the whole park is sat upon.
Drive in, park and hike.
Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.
Wildflowers
Monarchs, and other butterflies
Ferns and moss
Wild Columbine
Visit from Craigleith.
Use this as your entry point to Pretty River Valley Provincial Park.
The highlight of this park is when you get to walk between the rocks. It is pictured above. You really get to experience the unique rock formations that this park is known for. This is accessed rather simply: from the parking lot, take the Black Ash Creek Side Trail, then hang a left at the Bruce Trail. After staying right when the Petun Trail cutoff is presented, you'll cross a small road (not to be confused with Sideroad 6) and you'll see them there. I appreciate the moss and lichen outlining the rocks, as well as the true outdoorsy feel of hiking between rocks lol.
The farm by the parking lot.
This park should really just be used as an access to Pretty River Valley. Nothing much to do other than that. But I still enjoyed. 6/10.
There is no map online, but one on the park sign.
