Saugeen Bluffs Events

Join us on Saturday, May 2^nd from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area for a full day of hands-on trail stewardship.

Volunteers will help clear and tidy the trail system in preparation for the busy summer season. Tools and garbage bags will be provided. Please wear sturdy boots, bring gloves, and pack water or a drink of your choice.

Lunch will be provided for all volunteers, and as a thank-you, participants will receive one free night of camping at Saugeen Bluffs Campground.

We will meet in the parking lot at the upper pavilion. This event runs rain or shine.

Help us keep the trails clean, safe, and ready to enjoy.

The annual River Run event at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area is a celebration of outdoor adventure and community fun. It features guided paddling on the scenic Saugeen River for beginners and recreational enthusiasts, a camping and paddling workshop, alongside thrilling canoe and kayak races sanctioned by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racing Association. Guests can also enjoy disc golf activities, delicious meals, and live music performed by local artists, making it a weekend packed with excitement for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

2026 Event Itinerary

Friday, May 22nd, 2026

• 7:00 pm - “Preparing for your paddling adventure" workshop at Saugeen Bluffs - Free

Saturday, May 23rd, 2026

• 8:00 am - Guided paddle on the Scenic Saugeen River from access pt. 9a to access pt. 11 for beginner and recreational paddlers - $5.00 per paddler, 12 and under free
• 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Sanctioned OMCKRA canoe and kayak races with many race categories and distances that will be enjoyed by both competitive paddlers and recreational paddlers 
• 5:00 pm - Dinner at lower pavilion of Saugeen Bluffs
• 7:00 -10:00 pm - Music by local artists

Friday through Sunday

• Free disc golf during the day and glow in the dark disc golf after dark

Event Fees

• Guided Paddle: $5.00 per person, kids 12 and under free
• River Run races for OMCKRA members: $37.00 per person
• River Run races for non-OMCKRA members: $45.00 per person
• Saturday Night Dinner Tickets: TBA

Registration

Online registration will be available after March 2^nd, 2026. If you would like to register prior to this date, please call 519-377-4591 or 519-588-5178 or contact us via email at campinginfo@svca.on.ca.

Planning to participate? Submit your image release form by clicking here.

Want to sponsor this event in 2026?  Email us!

NEW THIS YEAR: We have added another day of music and fun activities to your weekend stay!

This annual event at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area is a favorite for equestrians, offering a weekend of fun and connection for riders and their families. Highlights include guided trail rides through scenic landscapes, an equestrian scavenger hunt, equestrian orienteering, games in the sand ring, a delicious pig roast meal, and live music featuring country and classic rock and roll artists. Whether you're camping with your horse or just enjoying the festivities, it's a perfect way to celebrate the outdoors and the vibrant equestrian community.

If you would like tickets for the Saturday evening concert and pig roast, or if you are unable to register or pay on-line, please call 519-377-4591 or 519-588-5178 for assistance.

2026 Event Itinerary - This event sells out quickly!

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

• 4:00 pm - Guided ride on the Saugeen Bluffs trails.
• 9:15 pm – Candlelight Parade

Friday, June 26th, 2026

• 9:30 am - Saddle up and enjoy a 2-hour guided trail ride
• 2:00 – 5:00 pm - Equestrian orienteering
• 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm - Musical showcase featuring several local musicians

Saturday, June 27th, 2026

• 9:30 am - Equestrian scavenger hunt
• 2:00 – 4:00 pm - Fun and games in the sand event ring
• 5:00 – 7:00 pm - Pig roast (veg options available)
• 6:30 - 10:30 pm - Concert

   Sunday, June 28th, 2026

• Enjoy the park until check out or pay $20.00 to stay later the day.

Tickets

• $45.00 pig roast and concert (adult)
• $25.00 pig roast and concert (youth ages 12 and under)
• $10 concert only

Tickets can be bought: 

• • With the purchase of a site on Campspot.com/book/saugeenbluffs as an “add on” sale.
  • By calling 519-377-4591 or 519-588-5178.
  • In person at the Saugeen Bluffs gatehouse or store or after April 24^th, 2026.

All equestrian sites sell out quickly - to book an overflow non-corral site for you and your horse, please call: 519-377-4591 or 519-588-5178  or contact us by email campinginfo@svca.on.ca

Want to sponsor this event in 2026? Email us!

Planning to participate? Submit your image release by clicking here.

Grass Roots Extreme Cowboy is an affiliate of the Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA) and offers Extreme Cowboy events in south central Ontario. At Grass Roots Extreme Cowboy events horses and riders of all levels are welcome to participate and enjoy the challenge of ranch type obstacles and tasks on a timed course, while using their horsemanship skills.  We welcome riders ages 3 and up and all levels of horses to come and compete in this fun and easy to follow discipline. There is a division for everyone!

Friday, July 17th will kick off with an obstacle clinic. This is optional to riders. The clinician TBA.

GREC is offering TWO shows, come for one or both days!

Saturday, July 18th *and* Sunday, July 19th - Ribbons to 5th and EXCA double points each day. Judge TBA. 

Grass Roots Extreme Cowboy offers the following divisions for 2026:

Lead Line (3-10), In-Hand, Young Guns (7-11), Giddy-Up Walk-Jog (12+), Green Horse, Novice (Adult), Youth (12-17), Intermediate (Adult), Non-Pro (12+), Ride Smart (55+), Pro, and Open/Jackpot (12+).

For full rules, division descriptions, or to register (create a free user profile) please see our website at www.GrassRootsExtremeCowboy.com 

Race entries cap at 60 runs, pre-registration is recommended, if there spots available, we will take 'day of' entries.

The Grass Roots Extreme Cowboy shows go rain or shine.

Camping sites to be booked through Saugeen Conservation portal. Park day pass required for this event if not camping. Feel free to download the Horse Camping Liability Form to fill out and present when you arrive. This will save time.

Spectators encouraged, bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show!

To reserve your campsite, please click here!  If you are unable to book a campsite please call 519-377-4591 or 519-588-5178 for assistance.

We will be hosting our annual Kid’s Olympics on August 22^nd for children 14 years of age and under.

The fun will begin at 1:30 pm in the main playground area and will include events such as a water balloon toss, hands free balloon races, and hula hoop throwing.  

Halloween Weekend at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area is a festive celebration for all ages, bringing the spooky season to life with exciting activities and community spirit. Guests can enjoy costume contests for kids and adults, a best-decorated campsite competition, Halloween games, and trick-or-treating around the main campground. Equestrians can join in the fun with a magical witches' ride and a candlelight parade and NEW THIS YEAR there will be a witches ride for kids on their bicycles in the main campground. This is a perfect opportunity to decorate your campsite, dress up, and create unforgettable Halloween memories with family and friends in the great outdoors!

Friday, September 18th, 2026

• 6:00 pm - Halloween Games: Pumpkin Bowling, Pumpkin Rolling, Mummy Racing

Saturday, September 19th, 2026

• 5:00 - 7:00 pm - Trick or treating in the main campground. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• 6:00 pm - Halloween Contests: Best Costume and Best Decorated Site
• 7:00 pm - Witches' Ride for kids on their bicycles in the main campground
• 8:00 pm - Witches' Ride: a guided candlelit ride for horse campers 

Want to sponsor this event in 2026?  Email us!

To buy tickets and/or reserve your campsite, please click here!

Planning to participate? Submit your image release by clicking here.