Morris Tract Provincial Park is a 58.7 hectare nature reserve east of Goderich. Ontario Parks lists the reserve as established in 1997 and describes it as an upland forest of steep valleys and fertile river bottom fronting on the Maitland River.
In sheltered valley microclimates, trees common farther south, including sycamore, grow with the maple, hickory, and beech typical of southern Ontario. The forest and river valley support 21 distinct plant communities and 14 provincially rare plant species.
Morris Tract is a good long-tail page for visitors looking for Maitland River valley hiking, mature forest habitat, and a compact nature reserve with strong biodiversity. Ontario Parks notes birds that need large expanses of mature trees to nest, including Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Scarlet Tanager, and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
The damp woods also support reptiles and amphibians, including Queen Snake and Pickerel Frog. The Nature Conservancy and local community groups worked cooperatively to purchase and establish the area as a provincial nature reserve.
Access is one of the useful official details. Ontario Parks says visitors can use the parking lot at 36833 Londesboro Road and follow a trail through towering trees down to the Maitland River Valley. The area is also accessible to hikers on the Maitland Valley Trail from Goderich and Benmiller.
Plan around hiking, Maitland Valley Trail access, mature forest birding, rare plant awareness, river valley photography, reptile and amphibian habitat respect, and low-impact nature appreciation.
Confirm access, parking, trail conditions, maps, sensitive species guidance, weather, alerts, and park rules through the official Ontario Parks source before travelling.
Non-operating park in Ontario Parks locator.
