Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is located in the little township of Mono. Mono itself is situated at the intersection of two of the most significant landforms in Southern Ontario, the Niagara escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Because of its location, Mono is home to the headwaters of the Humber River, Nottawasaga River and Credit River, and is known as the heart of the headwaters. Its topography consists of beautiful rolling tree-covered hills and unique rock formations.
Just north of the town is Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Mono Cliffs is nestled right into the Niagara Escarpment and as the names suggest, the park contains several cliff faces along the escarpment itself. In the park, there are several trails that go around the park, including a section of the Bruce Trail. The trails are accessible by walking, biking and horseback.
What you need to know when visiting Mono Cliffs Provincial Park:
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How much does it cost to visit Mono Cliffs Provincial Park?
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is a free for use park, but there is a cost to park in the main parking lot.
Where can I park when visiting Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
The main parking lot is located on the eastern edge of the park. There is a fee of 1 hour for $3.00, 2 hours for $5.00 or a full-day for $11.00.
Alternatively, you can park for free in the town of Mono Centre at the Mono Community Centre or Mono Cliffs Inn. There you can enter off of Dufferin rd 8, directly onto the Cliff-Top Side Trail or South Outlier Trail. Lastly, there is free Cliff top parking by the Outdoor Education Centre. Here you can enter right at the top of the Cliff-Top Side Trail, near the lookout.
Is there cell phone reception at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park?
The cell phone reception here is spotty at best. We were able to get some reception early on, on the Carriage Trail. Although it was mostly 4G making it difficult to use data. Make sure to download a copy of the Park Trails or take a picture of a map early on. As there are not many around the park.
Are there washrooms at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park?
There are only two washrooms in the park. One washroom located at the main parking lot and one at the north end of the Spillway Trail. So plan accordingly.
How is visiting Mono Cliffs Provincial Park with Children?
Overall Mono Cliffs is a great place to bring your children. The unique geographic location offers tons of opportunities to teach your kids about ecology and biodiversity. The Toronto District School Board even has an education centre on-premises. There it offers many programs teaching about the area’s indigenous past and how they act today, will shape the environment of tomorrow.
Check out our top picks for Baby Bags for Travel Here!
That being said, the park is made for hiking. With some of the trails being as long as 4.8 km in length. Including doubling back and lopping, some hikes can be as long as 6 km. Hiking back along the Carriage trail to the main lot alone is 1.3 km.
This may be tougher for younger children, who may have trouble walking that far. If your little one will need assistance, we recommend bringing your baby carrier, instead of your stroller. Although most of the trails are on the packed ground and relatively flat. Some of the trails are quite rugged and require you to climb up rocks or stairs. Making a stroller definitely hard to manage.
Where can I stay when visiting Mono Cliffs Provincial Park?
Overview
If you enter from the main parking lot, your journey will begin on The Carriage Trail. The Carriage Trail is a 1.3 km trail. It starts from the main parking lot and heads into the center of the park. Most of the other trails branch off the Carriage Trail. Starting from the South Outlier trail to the Cliff-Top Trail when you encounter the cliffs.
The most interesting parts of the park are located at the end of the Carriage trail where it meets the Cliff-Top Side Trail. Here you will encounter a stunning 100-foot long wooden stair climbing up a sheer cliff of the Escarpment.
Once at the top of the stairs, continuing north along Cliff-Top Side Trail you will come to a lookout. Here you can get amazing views of the beautiful foliage below.
Continuing north will take you to “Jacob’s Ladder” this short wooden walkway gives you an intimate view of the escarpment. The walkway snakes its way down the 40-meter cliff and through caves and crevices in the rock face.
If you want to come to just see the lookout, Jacobs Ladder and Staircase. Then we recommend parking at the Cliff Top parking lot. From here it will be less than a kilometre hike to any of main sights.