Saugeen Conservation offering horse camping at Saugeen Bluffs this summer

Saugeen Conservation is initiating a big change this year for Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area, located in central Bruce County, Town of Saugeen Shores.

Horse camping will be featured at the park - a first-time venue for this part of Ontario.

 

“We’re very excited about this new venture<" says Luke Charbonneau, chairman of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA/Saugeen Conservation). “We’ve had some difficulties over the past few years attracting new campers to the park and we think this whole new venue may provide some incredible opportunities for horse enthusiasts and put Saugeen Bluffs back on the map.”
 

“We put some feelers out first to see if there would be a market for this type of thing and the response was incredible," says Wayne Brohman, general manager/Secretary–Treasurer of the SVCA. “There are only two other campgrounds in the province that offer horse camping and both are located in Eastern Ontario.”

 

Saugeen Bluffs offers scenic vistas and approximately 200 regular campsites. The property winds along the Saugeen River and is a regular stop-over for canoeists and fishermen. There is a Camp Store, kayak and canoe rentals, shower building, laundromat, a scenic look-out, trails and more. The horse camping will be featured in Campbell Campground, one of the group campgrounds.

 

“The development of a horse-friendly campground is an exciting addition to the great experiences available across BruceGreySimcoe," says Bill Sullivan, executive director of BruceGreySimcoe Tourism or RT07. "Bringing your horse along on your vacation isn’t something that’s available in very many places across Ontario and we think that being able to explore parts of the region on horseback will encourage many new visitors to come vacation here.”

 

Staff has already begun marking out trails on the 300-acre property that will provide horse riders (campers and day-users), with some great trail riding opportunities.

 

Horse camping is just one recommendation included in a new business/marketing plan, developed by staff this year.

“In addition to the horse camping, the plan recommends other improvements,” says Charbonneau, “including new signage, new management for the camp store, RV rentals, the conversion of one of the main buildings into an activity centre, the provision of WiFi services, and much more. We’re very fortunate in that we have an incredible ‘volunteer’ base to work with in making this come together, including our valued seasonals. I’m very optimistic that we can bring some real positive changes to the park for 2016.
 

The SVCA will be hosting a public open house at the park on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 15, from 1-4 p.m. Bring the whole family out to check out the park, hike some trails, take in the look-out and get a personalized tour.

 

A grand opening for the Horse Camp will be featured Saturday, June 4, with horse-drawn wagon rides, live entertainment, vendors, equine product sales, and more!

 

For more information go to www.svca.on.ca