Big Bend Conservation Area
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority acquired this 16 hectare property in 1964. Immediately north of the conservation area, a 20 hectare field also owned by the LTVCA, is leased out on an annual basis as agricultural land.
Directions
The address for Big Bend Conservation Area is 21239 Big Bend Road. It is located on the Thames River, just east of the Village of Wardsville, in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex. Follow Middlesex County Road 2 east from Wardsville, and take Big Bend Road 3 km south. Watershed Map
Coordinates
Lat/Long 42.644, -81.705
UTM 442235, 4721535
Features
See Conservation Areas Information and Conservation Areas Fees 2012.
An archaeological site located here was shared by hunting and gathering Native people over 3,000 years ago. Also located here are a boat launch to the Thames River which is a Canadian Heritage River, Memorial Forest, picnic shelter with tables and open space for sports and games, group and family camping (no reservations are necessary, but fees are collected on a regular basis), hiking, fishing for yellow perch and pickerel, a serviced washroom building with showers open mid-April to mid-October. For information contact Eastern District Supervisor - David Little - longwoods.workshop@ltvca.ca or call 519-264-1500. The park is open for dayuse from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Natural Features
Yellow perch and pickerel are found in the Thames River. Big Bend is an effective use of floodplain lands along the Thames River. Carolinian Life Zone tree species are found here along one of the largest meanders of the Thames River.
To find out more about other tourism opportunities in Middlesex County, please visit:
Middlesex Tourism
or
The County of Middlesex Tourism page
