FERRIS
Superintendent’s Message
Welcome to Ferris Provincial Park for the 2023 camping season. We hope this season will provide your family with a fun camping and outdoors experience.
2023 marks an important milestone for the Friends of Ferris, Barb Hogan will be retiring as the President of the Friends of Ferris this year. Barb has been the president since 2009 and has been a driving force for the Friends of Ferris. Barb has been a fantastic president whose love of Ferris has been obvious from the day I met her. Barb has given thousands of hours to the park and has been the park’s biggest supporter for decades. One of Barb’s favorite memories involved seeing Saturn through a telescope at a night sky viewing event. Barb has overseen and championed many achievements throughout her tenure including the Dry-Stone Wall restoration, Chimney Swift towers, trail head sign development, tree identification plaques, historical signage, and the DeBug wheelchair. As the Park Superintendent I would like to personally thank Barb for all her hard work and dedication, and she will be sorely missed at Ferris.
Ferris offers the visitor many assorted and interesting activities. If you
enjoy biking, hiking, or just walking, Ferris offers a great network of trails and roads. We have a dedicated mountain biking trail which offers even more opportunities for riding. Families with young children will find Ferris a great place to recreate.
In regard to Ranney Falls, please enjoy the view from the lookout but do not venture down onto the riverbed. The water level can rise at anytime and some unfortunate tragic incidents have occurred.
During your visit to Ferris, please visit the local community of Campbellford. The town offers some unique food experiences. Dooher’s Bakery has some of the most amazing donuts around and of course the World’s Finest Chocolate Outlet.
Don’t forget to stop by the gatehouse on your visit, along with helpful staff you will find ice cream, snacks, a small assortment of camping supplies and a selection of Ontario Parks merchandise for sale. We also offer kayak rentals, and this is a great way to see the park from a different perspective. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 1-613-475-4324 ext. 226. Once again enjoy your stay.
Sincerely, Rob Cunningham, Park Superintendent, Ferris Provincial Park
Rent a Kayak and Explore the Trent River!
Kayak Rental
Ferris offers kayak rentals to allow visitors a chance to get out and explore the Trent River. Pick-up your gear and a key for the kayak at the Main Gate. Kayaks are stored down at the boat launch. Have fun but remember Safety First! Stay away from the hydro dam outlet upstream from the boat launch.
2023 Kayak Pricing
Take a Walk on Ferris’ Trails
Drumlin Trail System - 5km total, moderate 3 interconnecting looped trails
Single Kayaks Double Kayaks
1 Hr $25 $35
2 Hrs $35 $45
Half Day $50 $65
- 4hr from purchase, must be returned before gatehouse closes
Full Day $75 $90 - from time of purchase until the gatehouse closes
Security Deposit (per kayak) $100
Kayak Late Fee $10/hr
Lost Key Fee $30
*Each rental includes paddle(s), life jacket (s) and safety bucket
*Kayaks must be locked back up at the boat launch and all keys, paddles, and safety buckets must be returned to receive security deposit back (no exceptions)
*Each rental must be accompanied by a complete rental form and waiver signed by all participants
*Prices are tax inclusive and non-refundable
The Drumlin Trail System takes you through mature mixed forest, by small wetlands and along seasonal creeks that have developed on two elongate hills called drumlins. These drumlins were formed thousands of years ago by glaciers, and largely left as woodlots by European settlers. The spring wildflowers can be spectacular in spring.
Ranney Falls Trail - 0.6 km, loop, easy
This trail follows the original roadway to Ferris Provincial Park before looping back along the river, where there are magnificent views of the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and Ranney Falls. The gorge edge habitat supports different vegetation from the rest of the park, including the regionally rare Chinquapin Oak. Look for its unique saw-tooth shape on trees along the trail or on fallen leaves underfoot.
River Gorge Trail - 3.6km loop, easy, parts can be wet in the spring. (Yellow markers)
This trail offers magnificent views of the Trent River gorge from the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, before continuing downstream past the old Ferris Quarry and onto the legendary “sheep wash”, now a picnic area. On your way back upstream the trail travels through meadows and past Ferris’s unique stone fences, some of which have recently been rebuilt.
Milkweed Trail - 1.2km, easy
Enjoy a stroll through a small woodlot before climbing a hill into fields hosting tall milkweeds. From there you can make your way to the River Gorge Trail and onto the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge.
ISSN: 1710-128X
To assist those physically challenged enjoy our trails a nonmechanized, All-Terrain Wheelchair is available for loan with a small refundable damage deposit. Inquire at the Main Gate.
OUR COVER
Main Photo: Osprey
Bottom Right: Mourning Dove
Park Office (June, July, August)
474 County Rd.8, Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0
Duty Officer (May-October)
705-653-3575
613-242-5561
Off-season Contact (November – April) Presqu’ile Park 613-475-4324
Fire, Police and Ambulance
Park Warden (May – October)
Poison Control
ISBN: 978-1-4868-7147-6 PRINT (2023 ed.)
© King’s Printer of Ontario
Printed in Ontario, Canada
911
613-242-5561
1-800-268-9017
Camper Information
Camper Limit
A maximum of six persons, or one immediate family (two adults) is permitted on each campsite.
Drinking Water
You can get fresh drinking water from any of the water taps or comfort stations in the park. Please do not wash dishes or pets at the drinking water taps.
Delayed Arrivals – Call (705) 653-3575
If you have a reservation and are going to be delayed, please let us know. Failure to cancel a reservation will result in a “no-show” after 8:00 a.m. on the day after the expected arrival date. Fees for the first night will be levied and your site will then be considered available for new occupancy.
Flowers and Firewood
All natural features in the park are protected by law and their removal by visitors is prohibited and is a chargeable offence. This includes flowers, deadfall, twigs, rotting logs, etc.. Leave these features in the park so that they can fulfill
their natural role in the park’s ecosystem. For your convenience firewood and starter blocks may be purchased at the gatehouse.
Firewood
Firewood is available for purchase at the gatehouse. Using deadfall, twigs, logs from the forest floor is prohibited and can result in a fine of up to $150.
Washroom Facilities
Comfort stations, with hot and cold running water and electrical outlets, are located in Valley View and Bedrock Campgrounds. The comfort station in Valley View Campground has showers. Vault toilets are conveniently situated throughout the Park. Please do not use the electrical outlets for cooking appliances and do not leave plugged-in items unattended.
Dish Washing
Please dispose of your wastewater at any vault toilet or at the trailer sanitary station. Please do not throw dishwater in the bushes, it can attract wildlife and damage plants.
Complaints
If you have a complaint or wish to report a hazardous condition, please report it immediately to park staff. A park warden can be reached at 613-242-5561 from May to October.
All Terrain Vehicles
All-terrain vehicles and other unlicensed motor vehicles are prohibited on all park roads and trails including the portion of the Trans Canada Trail that travels through Ferris Provincial Park.
Trailer Filling and Dumping Information
Trailer sewage may be dumped at the sanitation station located near the entrance of the park. You can also refill your trailer with fresh water at this location. Have consideration for the park environment and your fellow campers by ensuring grey water is disposed of at the trailer sanitation station. Please do not fill your trailer at the campground water taps.
I have a permit! Why did I get a parking ticket?
Permits are required for all Park use (from short day visits to extended overnight camping trips). If a Park Warden cannot see a valid permit on your vehicle dashboard, a parking ticket is issued for "fail to display” (not "fail to have") permit. Always remember to visibly display your permit on your vehicle dashboard when in a provincial park.
SUMMARY OF OFFENCES: RULES YOU SHOULD KNOW
There is one basic rule in Ontario Parks: Have respect and consideration for your fellow camper and the park environment. The following table lists some of the more common laws enforced in provincial parks. Under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, the registered permit holder is responsible for the conduct of all campsite occupants and could be charged with an offence based on the actions of the occupants of the registered campsite. The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and other legislation governing behaviour in provincial parks can be reviewed at provincial park offices and on the e-laws website at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca . These laws are enforced by Provincial Park Wardens who have all the power and the authority of a member of the Ontario Provincial Police within a provincial park. Many of the listed offences could result in eviction from a provincial park. Evicted visitors are prohibited from re-entering any Provincial Park for a period of 72 hours. Fines do not include the victim fine surcharge.
If you are 19 years of age or older, you are permitted to possess or consume alcoholic beverages on a registered campsite only.
Provincial Parks are established to provide a setting for peaceful and natural experiences. Rowdy behaviour which includes excessive noise, obscene language or gestures, is not permitted. You cannot disturb any other person or interfere with their enjoyment of the park any time of the day or night.
Do not maintain or store potential wildlife attractants, including food or beverages, food preparation or storage equipment, cooking devices or utensils, garbage or recycling products, scented products or any other item that is likely to attract wildlife.
Deposit all garbage and litter in the containers provided to discourage wildlife from becoming pests. Campsites and/or facilities must be clean at all times to eliminate potential hazards to parks visitors and wildlife.
Pets
• Unlawfully take motor vehicle into park or possess or operate it
• Speeding –more than 20 km/hr
• Operate vehicle off roadway • Disobey stop sign
• Permit domestic animal to be without leash
• Permit domestic animal to make excessive noise
• Permit domestic animal to be in designated swimming area or on a beach
• Permit domestic animal to disturb people
•
Protection • Fail to vacate and remove property from campsite on permit expiry • Unlawfully occupy campsite • Camp over time limit
Campfires
Fireworks Hours of Closing
Off-Road vehicles are not permitted in Provincial Parks because of the environmental damage they cause. Licenced motor vehicles may be operated on roads only. All provisions of the Highway Traffic Act apply on all park roads. Each vehicle in the park must have a valid permit. Bicycles are only allowed on park roads and on designated bike trails.
All vehicles must park in a designated area and display a valid park permit. You must prominently display your valid park permit on your dashboard.
For health and safety reasons, your pet must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 2 meters at all times. You must ensure your pet does not damage or interfere with campsite vegetation or wildlife. You must ensure your pet does not interfere with others enjoyment of the park. Pets are not permitted in the swimming area, on the beach or in a posted prohibited area at any time.
To maintain the park as a natural setting, the removal of natural objects is prohibited. All vegetation, wildlife and natural features are protected in provincial parks. This includes the cutting of any live growth and the damage of any natural or other object. You may not take any fallen or dead wood from a provincial park for the purpose of a campfire or other such intent.
You are required to vacate and remove all property from your campground campsite or interior campsite by 2:00 p.m. on the date your permit expires so that others may have access to it. The maximum length of stay in a Provincial Park campground is 23 consecutive nights and 16 consecutive nights on an interior campsite, to ensure park visitors have an equal opportunity to enjoy our campsites and limit environmental impact. Without a limit on the amount of camping gear allowed, campsites would quickly deteriorate, becoming larger, eventually destroying the surrounding vegetation.
The maximum number of campers allowed per campground campsite is six persons and the maximum number of campers allowed on an interior campsite is nine persons.
Fireplaces are designated by park staff for safety reasons. Restricting fires to these locations greatly reduces the risk of forest fires. At any time during a fire ban no person is permitted to have a fire unless otherwise stated by the Park Superintendent. Possession or use of Fireworks is prohibited in Provincial Parks at all times. They constitute a fire hazard and disturb visitors who wish to enjoy the park in a peaceful manner.
Only registered campers are allowed in a provincial park during the posted hours of closing (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.).
Drumlin Tales
One of the features of Ferris that is often overlooked is the drumlin. These are small hills that were formed by glaciers that covered this area up until about 12,000 years ago. While small in stature, they have had a lasting impact on both the flora and fauna of the area as well as how we use the land today. Drumlins have a distinctive shape, looking like a teardrop in both profile and map view. The high, wide end faces in the direction the glaciers came from. They tend to occur in swarms, with several to hundreds occurring in proximity to each other. One of the biggest swarms in the world occurs in Northumberland and Peterborough Counties, right here!
Locally the drumlins tend to have been left as woodlots, with the flatter area between cleared for agriculture. These provide a series of forested habitats that are havens for wildlife as well as providing scenic vistas of treed hillsides. These are particularly attractive in the fall when the leaves turn colour. The drumlins at Ferris have contributed greatly to the character of the park. The appropriately named Drumlin Trail winds around two adjacent drumlins through the best forest stand in the park. Valleyview Campground is on a third drumlin and its height provides some of the best vistas at Ferris. Both the trails and campground roads are elongate circles with the long axis running northeast to southwest (see map, page 6). These follow the contours of the drumlins and show that the glaciers were moving slightly west of due south when they were formed.
As you gaze out at Ferris or walk its trails, don’t discount the little drumlin. Formed 1000s of years ago, they continue to influence not only what plants and animals live here but also the way we use the land and how we have developed our infrastructure.
Drumlin Shape
Direction of ice flow
Profile Map view
CAMPERS AND DAY-VISITORS!
Please help us keep parks clean and dispose of all garbage correctly.
Garbage can result in human-wildlife conflict and become a hazard to park visitors.
We suggest bringing a garbage bag with you to collect your trash and dispose of it at park designated garbage and recycling areas before heading home.
Borrow Fishing Equipment
We appreciate and encourage park-lovers who are committed to protecting our environment for the future.
Ticks and Lyme Disease
Do ticks and Lyme disease make you wary of going outdoors this summer? By being aware of ticks and understanding the role they play in spreading Lyme disease you are taking the first step to protect yourself and your loved ones.
There are many different species of ticks and not all of them carry Lyme disease. The most common tick you may encounter is the American Dog Tick, which does not carry Lyme disease. The only tick that carries Lyme disease in Ontario is the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, Ixodes scapularis. Both ticks can be found in wooded areas or tall grass habitats. In Ontario, Blacklegged ticks are more commonly found in rural areas along the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. Blacklegged ticks are known to feed on migratory birds and as a result, they can be transported throughout the province. Therefore, while the potential is low, it is possible for people to encounter Blacklegged ticks, or to be infected with Lyme disease from the bite of an infected Blacklegged tick, almost anywhere in the province.
Ticks feed slowly, and an infected tick must feed on a person for at least 24 hours in order to infect them with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Because of this delay, prompt detection and removal of ticks is one of the key methods of preventing Lyme disease. If you become infected from a tick bite, symptoms usually begin within 1 - 2 weeks, but can take as long as one month to begin. The “classic” symptom is a bullseye rash that can develop anywhere on the body; however, this rash may not occur in all cases. Early symptoms of Lyme disease can include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, stiff neck, jaw pain, and sore muscles. If untreated, problems with the heart, nervous system, and joints can occur months or years later. Lyme disease is easily treated in the early stages so seek medical attention if you feel unwell.
When you are out in tick habitat you can better protect yourself by taking a few precautions:
1. Wear long sleeves and tuck your pants into your socks.
2. Wear light coloured clothing so you can detect ticks before they attach.
3. Use insect repellent containing “DEET” (please follow manufacturer’s directions). Apply it to your skin and outer clothing.
4. Conduct a tick check. Look on your clothes, body and pets. Pay close attention to your groin, scalp and armpits.
5. If you find a tick on your body, properly remove it, and place it in a container. Visit www.etick.ca for tick identification. Additionally, you may contact your family doctor for questions on Lyme disease and follow-up.
By following these simple suggestions you can have a safe and enjoyable time exploring Ferris Provincial Park.
For more information, please consult the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease
Firewood Restrictions
Bringing firewood when you travel to or from your favourite provincial park may seem harmless but can spread invasive species such as insects, plants and diseases.
Many of these species are hidden in the wood and are difficult to detect.
Millions of trees have already been infected. Help us reduce the spread by;
• Leaving firewood at home
• Purchasing kiln-dried firewood where available
• Buying local
If you move firewood out of an area regulated for a quarantined pest without prior approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) you could face penalties of up to $50,000 and/or prosecution.
For more information on firewood movement restrictions and the latest updates about emerald ash borer and other regulated pests, please visit www.inspection.gc.ca or contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.
Blacklegged tick with a penny for scale
Found a Tick?
DO:
4 Use fine point tweezers
4 Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible
4 Gently pull the tick straight out
4 Disinfect the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
4 Save tick (alive if possible) in a jar, with a piece of damp paper towel for identification (www.etick.ca)
4 Watch for symptoms and seek medical attention if you feel unwell or if you cannot safely remove the tick.
DON’T:
6 Grasp around bloated belly and squeeze the tick
6 Use a match, heat or chemicals to try and remove it
6 Twist the tick when pulling it out
Discourage uninvited guests
Bears are a�racted to anything that looks or smells like food. Items like unwashed utensils, food packaging, toiletries and trash are tasty treats for bears.
Be Bear Wise when camping:
Don’t leave food or scented items una�ended on your campsite.
Pack and store these items in your vehicle, out of sight, with windows closed. Clean food prepara�on areas promptly a�er use. Rou�nely take your garbage to the park’s waste depot.
Provincial Park. We walk every Tuesday rain or shine starting May 2nd at the east end of the Suspension Bridge at 9am and we walk for about an hour. Each week we follow a different combination of the many well maintained trails that exist in the park. The route is determined by the capabilities of the attendees that day. Regardless of which trail we take in the spring, summer, fall or winter, there is always something wonderfully “natural” to see.
This is your opportunity to increase your daily steps, enjoy nature bathing, and learn about nature that abounds in our Provincial Park. Whether you are a Trent Hills resident or a visitor, please join us rain or shine.
As we walk along the path, someone in the group might spot an interesting feature that prompts a short discussion or interpretation. It could be one of the many wildflowers that appear in the spring, the call of a bird that is nesting or just passing through or we may find evidence left by a 4-legged resident. There is always something new to see and to learn.
Walkers are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and long pants are recommended. Join us any or every Tuesday for a guided walk in the park.
Tracking our Trails
Local geologist and naturalist Graham Wilson has been walking all of the trails in Ferris Provincial Park and tracking the distances of each section. This has helped us to improve the accuracy of the trail map and mark natural points of interest. Check out the updated version on our website http://friendsofferris.ca/
The Friends are grateful to Graham and Carol Robertson for their enthusiasm and diligence!
Friends of Ferris Calendar of Events 2023
Spring Nature Walk – Saturday June 10th at 10am
Experience the sights and sounds of spring in Ferris Provincial Park with Chief Park Naturalist Kristen Osborne. Spring in Ferris is full of spring flowers, returning birds and butterflies. You never know what we might find.
Campbellford District High School Reunion Walks –July 15th and 16th at 10am
Join us for a guided tour of Ferris. This is a registered event. To register please contact Barb Hogan at 705-653-1702 or info@ friendsofferris.ca
Jacob Rodenburg – Saturday August 26th at 1pm
Award winning educator Jacob Rodenburg is back! Jacob has over 30 years of experience and is the co-author of “The Big Book of Nature Activities”. This is sure to be an adventure filled program!
Message from the President
We are looking forward to another great year in supporting this treasure of Trent Hills.
We are very excited to welcome two new board members, Bev Meyers and Christa Giddings. New faces always bring new ideas. We are pleased to be associated with the 100th Anniversary of Campbellford District High School and are offering two registered guided walks that weekend. You will also find us set up at the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge welcoming all visitors. When in Ferris, I find a calmness and peace that is different than anywhere else. You can hear the waters of our Trent River, birds, and a special silence.
It has been an honour to have been President of the Friends of Ferris for the last 16 years and I hope that the tradition continues of promoting, educating, and introducing the wonderful gem called Ferris Provincial Park that we are so lucky to have in our own backyard.
Memories of Ferris Provincial Park
Every camper has a story! Friends of Ferris volunteers are in the process of compiling your stories by posting them on our web site and including them, as hard copy, in our Memories of Ferris Park Binder. Submit your picture and/or you story to info@ friendsofferris.ca. Whether you exaggerate the size of the fish you caught or enhance your campfire ghost story; we would like to share it and preserve it as part of our Park history.