RBG Cootes Paradise Sanctuary — Attraction in Hamilton

This Paradise Sanctuary is connected to the Arboretum. This Arboretum is located on Lake Ontario with the Cootes Paradise Marsh. I love the view of water, and this arboretum offers that with an amazing view of Lake Ontario. My little ones and I hiked the Marsh Trail from the Arboretum, which is along the water with beautiful view of Lake Ontario and the marsh. At the end of the Marsh Trail, there is a trail on the left and one on the right. The left trail is a short walk to a platform providing a view of Lake Ontario. I went in May, and the trees blocked most of the view. The right trail is a long hike. Before turning to take any of the trail, in front of you is a lot of trees. There is where you'll get to see a lot of chipmunks. So cute. Some people had peanuts; not sure if they brought them for themselves or knew about the chipmunks. They were feeding the chipmunks the peanuts, and it is so cute to watch the little chipmunks running around getting peanuts. After taking the trail to the left, I back tracked on the Marsh Trail, and headed back to the exit. The entire trail was easy walking, but it is lengthy. There are markers along the way, but you can still get confused, not knowing where you are in relations to everything. It is best to take the Arboretum map with you, and I use the MapMyDogWalk (or any MAPMYxxxx) app to track my hike. The app is great because if I were to get lost, which I occasionally do, I can use the app to following my trail to take me back to where I wanted to be. I always remember to turn on my app before exiting my car and turning it off when I get...

Easy and nice hike for all family members. We had family visiting from out of town so we went here during the summer for the first time. It was a medium length walk and all flat trails. Near the end there is a beautiful lookout point where you can see a bald eagle’s nest.

Updating review: we went back again and this time we had a little one so we had a stroller with us. It was great the whole way for our stroller. I can see if maybe getting muddy and be harder but we went on a dry day. We went down the marsh walk trail and at the end there is a long floating dock that is quite narrow. The water level said it was pretty high so go at our own risk. I wouldn’t have gone with the stroller but there wasn’t anyone else there so I was able to get to the lookout point and back no problem without having to pass anyone (there wouldn’t have been enough space).

Be prepared that the marshwalk trail although it is shorter, has less shade then the longer...

I enjoy walking through Cootes Paradise. Bordered by a university and brick houses, Cootes Paradise manages to maintain a lush, quiet presence overlooking the tip of Lake Ontario. My most memorable experience was watching the television show "Mayday" shoot a night sequence in Cootes doubling as a crash site somewhere in South East Asia. They'd strewn bits of styrofoam board into the water near the lily pads. Also memorable, the annual Halloween walks organized by the McMaster university students. You can find deers, skunks, squirrels, foxes and other animals as well as joggers, students, furries and retirees all enjoying this natural secluded sanctuary. There's even eagles overhead. It's a...