This realistic Ferris Provincial Park Ontario Guide helps you plan your next adventure in Ranney Gorge.

Ferris Provincial Park is a large park near Campbellford, Ontario. The park is a great place to enjoy the Trent River, see Ranney Falls, and walk on a suspension bridge.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Ferris Provincial Park is a lesser known destination in Ontario. But it deserves a place on your itinerary thanks to a variety of sights.

Hikers could find the park trail system enjoyable. 6 trails of varying length and difficulty bring you to the waterfall, atop the cliffs, through forests and meadows.

You will not be disappointed if you are after the human made structures. A suspension bridge, a power station, and a canal lock are not something you see in your average park.

This Ferris Provincial Park Ontario Guide describes the main sights. This way, you could decide if it is worth visiting this park on your next trip to Ontario.

1. Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge

There is a good chance that your visit to Ferris Provincial Park will start at the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. This free parking lot is the closest gateway to the park for out-of-town visitors.

This steel suspension bridge connects both shores of the Trent River. It spans some 300 ft (90 m) while hovering 30 ft (9 m) above the river level. The bridge recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

This pedestrian only suspension bridge is a bit similar to the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge in San Diego, California. There is no a better way to start a Ferris Provincial Park adventure for most people.

But those with fear of heights might not find the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge as thrilling. You will feel the movement of the bridge and see water through the small square openings.

2. Ranney Falls Generating Station

You might be eager to cross the bridge to Ferris Provincial Park. But there are a few things to see on the west bank of the Trent River. You might decide to spend a few minutes exploring these sights first.

You are a certain to notice a brick building next to the parking lot. Its large windows and location next to the falls give away its purpose. You are looking at Ranney Falls Generating Station.

This small hydropower plant dates back to 1922. The plant has undergone a few expansions and renovations. But it is still an active power station and part of Ontario Power Generation.

As a result, you could only admire this building from the outside. There is no way to visit this plant like Niagara Parks Power Station in Niagara Falls.

3. Trent-Severn Waterway

The other attraction on this side of the suspension bridge is also an engineering wonder. But you do not need to be a history or engineering geek to appreciate it.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a 240-mi (386-km) long route. It connects Georgian Bay with Lake Ontario via rivers, lakes, and canals.

The first lock on the Waterway dates back to 1833. It is the same time when the Morris Canal opened in New Jersey. You could see a section of that canal at Waterloo Village Historic Site.

But it took another 87 years before the first complete transit on the Trent-Severn Waterway. Not unlike the Morris Canal, this Waterway failed to become a successful commercial route.

Instead, it turned into a tourist destination. Parks Canada operate it as a National Historic Site. Navigation is open on the Trent-Severn Waterway from May to October.

The Trent River goes through a narrow Ranney Gorge near Ferris Provincial Park. Ranney Falls make this section of the river perfect for a power plant but not suitable for navigation.

A canal takes tourist boats around the gorge. You could see Locks 11 and 12 right from the Trent Drive Bridge. The viewpoint is less than 500 ft (150 m) from the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge.

4. Trent River

You should continue your exploration of Ferris Provincial Park in Ontario by crossing the Trent River via a bridge. The Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge brings you from the power plant and locks to the trails.

This river flows for 56 miles (90 km) from Rice Lake to Lake Ontario. The Trent-Severn Waterway development left its mark on this area. But there is more to the Trent River than the human made canal.

Ranney Gorge is a very scenic section of the river. There are 40-ft (12-m) high cliffs on both sides. Evergreen trees, islands, and river bends make sure the views from the bridge are spectacular.

You will notice icicles on both river banks if you visit the park in the winter. High and rugged cliffs are a perfect place for the icicles to form. Rainwater freezes as it drops from the cliffs in late fall.

These massive icicles are a sight to see. They could be as high as 20 ft (6 m) at the height of winter. The icicles hang from the ledge and almost touch the water.

They look just like stalactites you could see in Oregon Caves, Jewel Cave, and Lehman Caves. Below freezing temperatures and high humidity make the icicles almost as hard as a rock.

5. Ferris Provincial Park Trails

The Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge brings you to the main part of Ferris Provincial Park. There are 6 miles (10 km) of hiking trails in the park. You could choose between 6 trails.

• Trans Canada Trail: a small section of this trail goes through the park. The total length of TCT is 17,000 miles (28,000 km). It is way longer than the Appalachian Trail and PCT in the US combined.
• Ranney Falls Trail: a 0.4-mi (0.6-km) loop path.
• River Gorge Trail System: a 2.2-mi (3.6-km) loop path.
• Drumlin Trail System: a 3-mi (5-km) loop path.
• Milkweed Trail: a 0.7-mi (1.1-km) out-and-back path.
• Camp Trail: a 0.1-mi (0.2-km) connector path.

The Ranney Falls Trail is the best choice if you have little time in the park. This short trail brings you to the most scenic attraction in Ferris Provincial Park.

You should consider the River Gorge Trail System if you could spend a couple of hours hiking. This trail follows the Ranney Gorge atop of the cliffs.

Leave the Drumlin Trail System, Milkweed Trail, and Trans Canada Trail to your next visit. These trails are long and bring you away from the river. You might not find them as scenic as the other paths.

But winter is one time when you should choose the inland trails over the river routes. The forest trails are perfect for cross-country skiing during the cold season.

6. Ranney Falls

You should take a trail to Ranney Falls if it is your first visit to Ferris Provincial Park. This waterfall is a highlight of the park. Still, it is best to set the right expectations when visiting Ranney Falls.

You should not expect a high waterfall like Niagara Falls, Ball’s Falls, Delaware Water Gap, or any falls in Iceland. Ranney Falls has just a fraction of the height of these waterfalls.

But whatever it lacks in height, it gains in width and power. As a result, Ranney Falls are similar to the falls on Fall Creek in Ithaca and Pedernales Falls in Texas.

There is a path that brings you to Ranney Falls. Be extra careful when exploring these falls. Their powerful current is dangerous during any season. But it is easiest to slip and fall in the river in the winter.

These warnings do little not stop the locals. A handful of the island residents have permanent staircases. They connect the houses on top of the cliffs with the Trent River right at Ranney Falls.

You could often see people wade in the water if you visit Ferris Provincial Park in the summer. The river levels tend to be lower then. Still, you should know your limits and enjoy the falls from a safe distance.

7. Glanmore National Historic Site

If you already made it to this part of Eastern Ontario, you should consider stopping by another regional attraction. Glanmore National Historic Site is a house museum in Belleville, Ontario.

It is only fitting that you could visit a house museum after a waterfall, suspension bridge, and power plant. This museum is on the way if the road brings you to Kingston next.

You might also make Belleville your stop for the night. There are a good number of places to stay and restaurants in this town.

Glanmore protects a 1883 mansion. This three story brick house is a great example of the Second Empire architectural style. A few elaborate elements of this style are on display in this house museum.

Yet, it could not be more different than other mansions of that era. The Gifford Pinchot House, Meeker Mansion, and Haas-Lilienthal House are all nothing like Glanmore.

You could admire Glanmore from the outside year round and free of charge. But you could also tour the mansion unless you visit it on a Monday or a holiday.

The house museum is open to self guided tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on most weekends. Weekdays give you another hour to explore the mansion. The museum is open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. then.

The opening hours are the longest in the summer. You could tour Glanmore from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June to August.

Admission costs $8 CAD (~$6 USD) per adult. Seniors and students pay $6.5 CAD (~$5 USD). A child between 5 and 10 could visit for $4.5 CAD (~$3 USD). Kids under 5 visit free.

Continue with this Ferris Provincial Park Ontario Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Ferris Provincial Park

Ferris Provincial Park is near Campbellford in the East Region of Ontario, Canada. It is an inland park, at least a 30-minute drive away from Lake Ontario. The park is on the east bank of the Trent River.

Ferris Provincial Park is in between two major highways. Highway 7, or Trans-Canada Highway, is 12 miles (20 km) north of the park. Highway ON-401, or Highway of Heroes, is 17 miles (27 km) south.

On the one hand, this location makes Ferris Provincial Park a nice addition to your Ontario road trip. You could see a powerful river, a suspension bridge, and a northern forest by taking a short detour.

On the other hand, a stop at this park will extend your trip by at least 90 minutes. You might not have enough time to explore the sights on the way from Toronto to Ottawa, like Kingston.

Ferris Provincial Park has two entrances. The main one is off County Road 8. But it is a longer drive from both Hwy 7 and ON-401. You should enter the park via the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge instead.

There is a parking lot next to the bridge. You could save a few minutes by starting your park visit there. Get ready to see a historic hydropower plant and canal locks.

Without a doubt, crossing a suspension bridge is the most scenic way to the park. On top of that, you will reach Ranney Falls, the main attraction of the park, way sooner.

Out-of-province visitors need to fly to visit Ferris Provincial Park. Billy Bishop Toronto City (YTZ) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) are the closest airports to the park.

Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is another option. Yet, it is over 3 hours away. A car is a must for a visit from either city.

Where to Stay near Ferris Provincial Park

Ferris Provincial Park is in a fairly remote and rural area of Ontario. As a result, you should expect to drive to find a place to stay.

There is only one hotel fairly close to the park. Emilyville Inn is a cute bed and breakfast in Campbellford. It is less than 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge parking.

Unless you prefer apartments or houses, you will be driving for a while to a place to stay. Suggestions for places to stay differ depending on your starting point and destination.

You should look into Belleville if you are driving from Ontario to Kingston. Take a closer look at TownePlace Suites by Marriott Belleville and Hampton Inn & Suites Belleville.

Further west, consider staying in Oshawa. There are a lot of great places to stay. Check out Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshawa Downtown – Toronto Area, an IHG Hotel.

Napanee and Kingston are good options on an eastbound journey. Comfort Inn & Suites in Napanee and Hampton Inn By Hilton Kingston are fantastic choices in this area.

There are fewer options if you travel on Trans-Canada Highway. Do not overlook Peterborough. It is home to Hampton Inn Peterborough and Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn.

You might not find a lot of places to stay all the way to Perth, Carleton Place, and Kanata. All of these towns are closer to Ottawa than to Ferris Provincial Park.

But if your journey brings you to this area, you have a few options. Consider Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa and Comfort Inn & Suites in Carleton Place.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Ferris Provincial Park might charge day use and amenities fees like other Ontario parks. These fees differ by season and type of activity. But the park page does a poor job outlining the exact fees for your visit.

In general, you could expect to pay at least $12.25 CAD ($9 USD) per car for a day visit. A summer visit could cost more, up to $21 CAD ($16 USD) per car. Picnic shelter rentals and boat launch fees are extra.

You should follow the rules and regulations of the park. Otherwise, you are risking hefty fines. Most of the fines are between $100 CAD to $150 CAD (~$75 USD to $110 USD) per violation.

There might be another reason to park at the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. You might not be subject to the park fees since this parking lot is outside of the park boundaries.

There is no way to pay if you enter the park by foot via the suspension bridge. At least, this is true for a winter visit to Ferris Provincial Park. It is the only entrance to the park in the winter.

Takeaways: Ferris Provincial Park Ontario

Ferris Provincial Park is a site off the beaten path in Ontario. Despite being close to the major highways between Toronto and Ottawa, few people visit this park. Tourists rarely make a detour to see its wonders.

You will see a surprising number of sights if you make it to Ferris Provincial Park. Start your visit at the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. This free parking lot is the closest stop to both Hwy 7 and ON-401.

You will find this area interesting if you like engineering wonders. Ranney Falls Power Station and Trent-Severn Waterway are on full display from the parking lot.

Cross the gorge via a 301-ft (92-m) suspension bridge. Once you are on the other side, hike a trail to Ranney Falls. The path takes you right to the falls at your own risk.

You could find the park enjoyable throughout the year. Fall foliage and spring bloom add colors to the Trent River Gorge. You could also see the winter wonderland or escape the summer heat in this park.

Ferris Provincial Park is a nice place to visit if you have a couple of hours to spare. But if your itinerary is packed, you should not choose it over the sights in Toronto, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Take a look at this Ferris Provincial Park Ontario Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

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