Boat launch open May – November.
Big Bend Facility Rentals [email protected]
Conservation Areas Fee Schedule
LTVCA Conservation Area Regulations
LTVCA Conservation Area and Camping Rules
LTVCA Conservation Area Guidebook
Conservation Area Events Listings
Group and Family Camping
Campground open Victoria Day to late October. Use ‘Lets Camp’ for online reservations. There are some first come first serve sites for those not reserving online. Fees are collected on a regular basis. These fees help us maintain the conservation area and provide upgrades to facilities. River sites are now available for those wanting a back country feel, with great views of the historic Thames River. Camping Fees We have 48 camp sites in total and a rentable pavilion in our day use area (4 sites 30amp/water, 2 sites 15amp/water, 2 group sites, 10 river sites, 30 sites unserviced). Campsites and a serviced washroom building with showers are open Victoria Day Weekend in May to mid-October. There is NO dumping station.
Ice bags available for purchase through a partnership with the local Strathroy Ice House. Located in front of our bathroom building.
Share your experiences with us on LTVCA’s Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages!
Enforcement
The conservation area is open for day use from sun up to sun down year-round. Patrols are made by LTVCA and Municipal Enforcement Unit staff (MEU) on a regular basis.
LTVCA administration office phone (519) 354-7310 or ltvca.ca
This 16 hectare property was acquired by the Lower Thames Conservation Authority 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.
No Hunting. Hunting is a fineable offence under the Conservation Authorities Act. This includes the illegal placement of tree stands, game cameras, blinds and other structures.
Conservation Areas are not off-leash dog parks. All dogs and pets must be leashed. Unleashed pets are a fineable offence. Clean-up after your pet! Section 10.-(2) and (3) Under the Conservation Authorities Act.
Directions
Big Bend Conservation Area is located in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex at 21239 Big Bend Road, Wardsville. It is located on the Thames River, just east of the Village of Wardsville. Follow Middlesex County Road 2 east from Wardsville, and take Big Bend Road 3 km south.
Coordinates
Lat/Long 42.644, -81.705 UTM 442235, 4721535
Features
Big Bend Conservation Area offers group and family camping. 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 (access open May to November) to the Thames River which is a Canadian Heritage River, Memorial Forest, picnic shelter with tables and open space for sports and games. There are areas for hiking, and fishing for yellow perch and pickerel.
General Inquiries bigbend@ltvca.ca
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 or ‘bends’ of the Thames River.