Kortright Centre for Conservation
Kortright Centre for Conservation
4.5
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Educational sites
Read more
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located 10 minutes north of Toronto, on 325 hectares of pristine woodlands, the Kortright Centre for Conservation combines a natural oasis with some of the most leading-edge sustainable education programs and events in Canada. Kortright Centre hosts 100,000 visitors annually. We offer more than 50 environmental education programs for schools, as well as a selection of 30 different sustainable technology workshops for the public, trades and professionals.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
244 within 5 kms
Attractions
35 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
168 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
52
Average
17
Poor
1
Terrible
7
valgreenfield50
55 contributions
Mar. 2023
Beings outdoors after a log and dreary winter was a special family outing. Walking with the kids in the snow and mud provided a great outlet. Simply walking in a forest was a novel experience. The activities, spread throughout were enlightening and provided an excellent learning opportunity. The pancake lunch was a highlight.
Written March 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jasvirsd
3 contributions
Mar. 2023
Nice place. Saw the maple syrup demonstrations. Very interesting. Staff is very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the trip very much.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anthony W
1 contribution
Mar. 2023
There is something magical about the blue sky framed by the trees after a long winter. I visited with my 14 year old and we walked along the snowy ridge, down to the Humber, and visited the sugar shack stations along the way. Great field interpretors, we could go at our own pace, nothing was sell! sell! sell! and it was nice to get out of the city and have a glimpse of spring around the corner.
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nancy M
1 contribution
Nov. 2022
We walked the wetland trail W1 -W10. We were pleased to see the raptors ( owls, eagle and Falcon) in their enclosures plus the sheep were out. Walking over the bridges we enjoyed seeing the cattails and the babbling brook. The innovation area with the different windmills was interesting.
Although it was a cold day , you do not get any wind while you are walking the trail.
Access to the Kortright centre is available for a washroom and there are tables and chairs if you wish to eat snacks out of the cold.
We stayed for 2 hours.
Although it was a cold day , you do not get any wind while you are walking the trail.
Access to the Kortright centre is available for a washroom and there are tables and chairs if you wish to eat snacks out of the cold.
We stayed for 2 hours.
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul S
Toronto, Canada43 contributions
Oct. 2022
It is s short drive north of Toronto and there are a variety of easy and short paths to walk. It's perfect to bring children to.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sheila270
Toronto, Canada1,861 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Couples
We booked this online for a Thursday 10:30, adults $7.75, seniors $6.85, $3.70 4-14 and 3 and under free. I didn’t pay for parking even though they mention it on their website. We parked and then went into the visitor building. There was a camp there and the kids were outside running around. It was very noisy. We had a map and completed one trail. There was signs along the way telling you that you were going in the right direction. There was lots of mosquitoes for 10:30 in the morning. My husband got lots of bites in that half hour. Bring insect repellent. There was a gift shop and it was closed and I think it’s because of the kids from the camp maybe going in there. The lady opened up the gift shop for us. We bought honey with strawberries for $9. They have a nice gift shop. They didn’t sell bug repellent, it was sold out. They have weddings here and I saw a table with flowers on it. I would definitely go back but maybe in the fall when it’s not as hot and wear insect repellent.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bella
6 contributions
May 2022 • Family
We enjoyed the trails
Spend 2h with my teens
Very nice area, not far from the city.
Make sure to bring enough water and snacks to enjoy the picnic area
Spend 2h with my teens
Very nice area, not far from the city.
Make sure to bring enough water and snacks to enjoy the picnic area
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Debbie K
Thornhill, Canada171 contributions
Mar. 2022
We visited Kortright Centre for their maple syrup festival on the weekend. We thought it would be a nice day to visit and spend some time outside and see how maple syrup is made. We hadn't been in years, but little has changed. I think there could have been more activities to take part in. We bought some of the nicest fluffy pancakes for lunch before we set out. The main building could do with a little freshening up as it looked very tired and old. The gift shop was tiny but we were able to buy some maple syrup.
When we set out on the walk, the path wasn't too bad at first, but as you went on, there was more and more mud. Thankfully, we had on rubber boots, but I'm physically challenged and it was difficult for me to manage in the mud. We went to the area where they talk about the old way of making maple syrup and it was up on a muddy hill. Then we walked further along the path and we listened to a demo on how maple syrup is made the modern way. And that was it. There was nothing else. You can hardly call that a festival.
When we set out on the walk, the path wasn't too bad at first, but as you went on, there was more and more mud. Thankfully, we had on rubber boots, but I'm physically challenged and it was difficult for me to manage in the mud. We went to the area where they talk about the old way of making maple syrup and it was up on a muddy hill. Then we walked further along the path and we listened to a demo on how maple syrup is made the modern way. And that was it. There was nothing else. You can hardly call that a festival.
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ryan F
Vaughan, Canada3 contributions
Mar. 2022
The wife took us to the sugarbush last week and I have to say, the 2019 festival was a little better than the 2022.
To start out, there were two girls at the front gate, one of them wearing pyjama /sweatpants and no Kortright clothes- seemed very uninterested in us when she waved us through to the other girl, I don't even know if she worked there or if she was just helping her friend.
Then we have the girl who talked a little too fast. She was very friendly and knowledgable- happy to help us. However, my wife thought we pre paid the $5 parking fee, but the lady said it wasn't, so she said she would "charge the card on file", not sure which file she's talking about because its been a few days and still no charges- lucky me!
The signage could use a little work, we were given a very basic map but some extra staff would be helpful.
We started by waiting in a long lineup for pancakes- which were delicious by the way. While waiting for our food, my wife spent a fortune in their General Store, where the lady in charge told us a little about the syrup sold in the gift shop. She was very informative and handled the crowd of people very well.
We were disappointed to hear no horse and carriage this year. My wife loved the horses who are actors on the TV show "Murdoch Mysteries".
Sugar shop staff seemed busy. Wife already spent all of our money at the gift shop though so we just passed by.
Steep hill to the demonstrations, feels even more steep going back up- hold the stroller tight. We enjoyed seeing how maple syrup is made modern times vs how it was made back in pioneer times. My kids are a little too young for it but my wife and I enjoyed it. A little stingy on the samples. I like to ask silly questions and most of the staff were awesome. Also be aware that the syrup in the general store is not the syrup from the sugarbush- but you can sample it while there.
We did not bring our dog this time, but good to note they are dog friendly but no dogs in the visitor centre.
Overall, it was a nice half day activity. We will definitely come again.
To start out, there were two girls at the front gate, one of them wearing pyjama /sweatpants and no Kortright clothes- seemed very uninterested in us when she waved us through to the other girl, I don't even know if she worked there or if she was just helping her friend.
Then we have the girl who talked a little too fast. She was very friendly and knowledgable- happy to help us. However, my wife thought we pre paid the $5 parking fee, but the lady said it wasn't, so she said she would "charge the card on file", not sure which file she's talking about because its been a few days and still no charges- lucky me!
The signage could use a little work, we were given a very basic map but some extra staff would be helpful.
We started by waiting in a long lineup for pancakes- which were delicious by the way. While waiting for our food, my wife spent a fortune in their General Store, where the lady in charge told us a little about the syrup sold in the gift shop. She was very informative and handled the crowd of people very well.
We were disappointed to hear no horse and carriage this year. My wife loved the horses who are actors on the TV show "Murdoch Mysteries".
Sugar shop staff seemed busy. Wife already spent all of our money at the gift shop though so we just passed by.
Steep hill to the demonstrations, feels even more steep going back up- hold the stroller tight. We enjoyed seeing how maple syrup is made modern times vs how it was made back in pioneer times. My kids are a little too young for it but my wife and I enjoyed it. A little stingy on the samples. I like to ask silly questions and most of the staff were awesome. Also be aware that the syrup in the general store is not the syrup from the sugarbush- but you can sample it while there.
We did not bring our dog this time, but good to note they are dog friendly but no dogs in the visitor centre.
Overall, it was a nice half day activity. We will definitely come again.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
valgreenfield50
55 contributions
Mar. 2022
Watching our grandchildren learn about the maple syrup process was delightful. The staff were very knowledgable, patient and friendly. Despite the rainy weather we had a wonderful time. Dress for the weather and wear rubber boots!
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
If booking the location for a wedding reception do I have to accept the center's catering or can I book my own catering?
KORTRIGHT CENTRE FOR CONSERVATION (Vaughan) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Kortright Centre for Conservation
- Kortright Centre for Conservation is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Hotels near Kortright Centre for Conservation:
- (3.83 km) Aloft Vaughan Mills
- (12.95 km) Newton Villa
- (4.90 km) Homewood Suites by Hilton Toronto Vaughan
- (4.89 km) SPRINGHILL SUITES TORONTO VAUGHAN
- (7.25 km) Staybridge Suites Toronto - Vaughan South , an IHG hotel
- Restaurants near Kortright Centre for Conservation:
- (1.44 km) Motorino Enoteca
- (3.64 km) Ricci's Pizza & Sandwich Shoppe
- (3.56 km) The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Vaughan Mills
- (3.65 km) Belsito Trattoria
- (3.86 km) Marcellos Pizzeria Vaughan Mills