Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is a popular place.
It offers excellent hiking and scenic views, hosts a portion of the Bruce Trail, protects many rare cliff-dwelling species, and is a fall colours hot spot.
The crowds being drawn to this small park are growing, so it is important to plan your visit carefully.
We’re counting on people to be respectful of the park and of one another, so read on to find our suggestions on how to avoid the busiest times and keep this natural gem protected:
Planning a trip to Mono Cliffs?
Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for a frustration-free day:
- What’s new?
- How do I book my daily vehicle permit in advance?
- When is the best/worst time to visit?
- How do I get to the park?
- What do I do when all available permits are sold?
- How much does it cost to visit?
- What park rules should I be aware of?
- Can you recommend a hiking spot other than Mono Cliffs?
- Where can I get lunch?
- Can I bring my dog?
- What should/shouldn’t I pack?
1. What’s new?
Have you ever arrived at Mono Cliffs and found no space for your vehicle even though you’ve already booked in advance? We’re working hard to prevent that frustration and help visitors guarantee their space before they arrive.
This year, there are new gates at the entrance of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. These gates will be fully-automated.
To gain access, all you need to do is scan the barcode on your advance daily vehicle permit at the gate, and you’re ready to explore!
If you arrive at the park and are having technical difficulties with the gate, simply press the call button to contact park staff. We’ll do our best to help you get into the park as quickly as possible!
2. How do I book my daily vehicle permit in advance?
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park has a limited amount of space for visitors.
To help guarantee access for day use, our visitors must now obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance.
Advance daily vehicle permits are available to be booked at 7:00 a.m., five days in advance of your arrival date. We are offering daily vehicle permits on four-hour time slots, in addition to full day permits.
When purchasing your permit, please note that you will only be guaranteed access during your selected time slot. Access to the park outside the designated time slot is not permitted.
Reservations can be made:
- online
- by phone: 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275)
For more information, including how seasonal-permit holders can take advantage of this opportunity, please visit our website.
3. When is the best/worst time to visit?
Mono Cliffs draws large crowds on weekends, especially during summer and fall. This means the best times to visit are winter and early spring.
Beat the crowds by visiting November through April.
If you’re planning a trip during the busy months, make sure to visit on a weekday, especially Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Whenever you plan to visit, you must obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance, as described above. Entry will not be permitted without a permit. Once all available permits are sold, the park is full for the day.
Please note that the parking lot has limited capacity, and parking is not permitted on municipal roadsides. Visitors must park in a designated parking spot and obey all signage, or they risk receiving a parking ticket or fine, or even having their vehicle towed.
Wondering whether permits are still available? When registering online, the available time slots will be indicated in green. If there are no green time slots, then the park is full.
4. How do I get to the park? / Where do I park?
The park entrance is located at 795086 Third Line EHS, Mono. That’s where you’ll find the gated entrance and parking lot.
Once you’ve scanned your vehicle permit at the gate, park in a designated parking spot and obey all signage. Parking outside designated areas or failing to obey road signs puts you at risk of receiving a parking ticket or fine, or even having your vehicle towed.
5. What do I do when all available permits are sold?
If there are no vacancies for the rest of the day through our reservation system, try exploring somewhere new in the area (see #8 below).
There are many attractions in the area. The Town of Mono has plenty of options for any day-tripper or adventure seeker.
6. How much does it cost to visit?
Day use fees are charged per vehicle:
- full day: $18.00
- four hours: $8.50
You can also use your seasonal permit to book in advance at no extra charge.
7. What park rules should I be aware of?
It’s important to stay on-trail during your visit. There are crevasse dangers due to unstable and uneven terrain.
Also, park trails are designed to avoid harming sensitive plants and habitats. Leaving the trail puts those species at risk, and we know you want to help us keep them safe. Walking off-trail can also spread invasive species.
If a park warden encounters someone off-trail, the person may be subject to a provincial offence notice and the associated fines.
Removing plants or natural objects from provincial parks is also prohibited. Please refrain from picking flowers, harvesting mushrooms, or any other action that removes a natural object from the park.
8. Can you recommend a hiking spot other than Mono Cliffs?
The Mono area has several local parks. There are also a number of provincial parks in the region.
Earl Rowe Provincial Park offers six hiking trails, including the Lookout Trail that leads to a lookout platform with a view of the park and surrounding area.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville has five great hiking trails. The 50 m deep Bronte Creek ravine is a photogenic feature.
If you’re willing to venture farther from the GTA, MacGregor Point Provincial Park boasts a collection of cycling and hiking trails, with several routes along the breathtaking Lake Huron shoreline.
The sunsets here are not to be missed!
9. Where can I get lunch?
Head into the Town of Mono, or bring your lunch for a picnic (don’t forget to pack out any waste!).
10. Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Just make sure to keep your pooch on a leash (no longer than 2 m). Clean up after Fido, and deposit waste in a garbage can or pack it out.
11. What should or shouldn’t I pack?
What you should definitely pack: sunscreen, hat, water, snacks, a good pair of hiking shoes
Ticks are also common throughout much of Ontario, so you may wish to bring a pair of fine-tipped tweezers.
What you shouldn’t pack: alcohol and firewood
Fires are not permitted in the park at any time, and violators will be fined.
Also, please limit the amount of food packaging and other disposable items you bring with you, and dispose of waste responsibly. Please do your part to limit single-use plastics, prevent litter, and keep our parks beautiful.
