“If Crawford Lake were any other lake, we wouldn’t have known about the native settlement on this site,” explains Dianne, a resource interpreter at the Crawford Lake Conservation Area.

The lake is a rare meromictic body of water, meaning it’s unusually deep in proportion to its small surface area. Due to the lack of oxygen at the bottom of the lake, everything is preserved, which provides a phenomenal window into the history of the area and led to the discovery of a 14th century Iroquoian settlement. 

The village has now been meticulously reconstructed for visitors to explore here in Milton, Ontario.

The sediment layers at the bottom of the lake act much like the rings of a tree, revealing the age of what is found. One of the discoveries was corn pollen from 600 years ago, proof of farming by native peoples, who were, of course, the only inhabitants at the time.  A local farmer brought out bucketful of arrowheads he had found on his property providing further evidence of an important settlement.

Excavation began in 1973 and over 10,000 native artifacts were unearthed. With this information, along with records from Jesuits and native oral histories, archaeologists were able to determine where the longhouses were located, and much about their structure and appearance. 

Today, visitors can enjoy a vivid representation of daily life in an Iroquoian village. It is believed that about 250 people lived in five longhouses. 

The village is well worth a visit but it’s the natural surroundings are also a huge draw. Here, atop the Niagara escarpment, glaciers sculpted a dramatic landscape that can be explored on one of the many well-marked hiking trails. A boardwalk around Crawford Lake is stroller friendly, wheel-chair accessible and offers up views that are sure to keep your camera shutter busy. A half-hour walk along the Escarpment Trail rewards you with a panorama of the Nassagaweya Canyon, a heavily wooded, pre-glacial valley.  Longer treks are also available, including a stretch of Canada’s famous Bruce Trail, a 450-mile hiking trail that follows the Niagara Escarpment from Georgian Bay to the Niagara River. 

And if you’re still craving more of the great outdoors, there are five additional conservation areas within a 10-minute drive.

Rattlesnake Point has 10 km of cliff edge and forest trails with connections to Bruce Trail and Crawford Lake. There are no less than five lookouts with great vistas. Experienced rock climbers can ascend challenging cliffs at three designated spots.

A highlight of Hilton Falls is a 10-metre waterfall that cascades over the Niagara Escarpment. Like neighbouring parks Mount Memo and Kelso, it offers hiking trails showcasing unique geological features and historical ruins. 

For bird lovers, nearby Mountsberg is not to be missed. Its extensive wetlands provide a natural habitat for many native species, which visitors can observe at bird watching blinds The area is known for its birds of prey, and we were lucky enough to observe a flock of 15 turkey vultures. If you want to learn more about these birds, the  Raptor Centre at Mountsberg houses 14 different  birds of prey species. 

The Crawford Lake Conservation Area and its surrounding parks is truly a destination for all seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and maple syrup; glorious summer is a great time to explore the historical village’s Three Sisters Garden. Fall offers crisp air and   dazzling autumn colours. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular activities on snowy winter days.

Note: Reservations are now required before your visit - book at parkvisit.ca. The Longhouses are open weekends and holidays only Labour Day to May 1. Masks must be worn inside while visiting.

www.conservationhalton.ca/parks