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Komoka, Ontario

Latitude: 42.95044912     Longitude: -81.39506607

(519) 874-4691

https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/komoka

Camping Dates – Non-operating park. No camping permitted.

Opening and Closing (Day Use) – Open Year Round

2015

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Komoka Provincial Park was founded in 1989 and covers 198 hectares on the western edge of the City of London. As a Non-Operating park, camping is not permitted and there are no facilities. The park has four trails and two main access points: Gideon Road near Bringham Road and Oxford Road West (Glendon Road) near Woodhull Road. The trail map can be found at the Oxford Road West parking lot.

What Makes The Park Special?

“The land is much more interesting than it may appear…. The [Thames] river is deeply entrenched and forms, therefore, a beautiful valley with steeply sloping and heavily wooded valley sides interspersed with raw and exposed cliff like banks to 125 feet in height. To add to the interest of this wilderness river core, the land to the southeast of the river is higher than that to the north by as much as 60 feet offering contrasting impressions depending on which side of the river one is on. Looking south across the river one is looking into a forested wall. Looking north across the river, one has the long birds eye view of the land and the feeling of great height, a rather unique aspect in the flat lands of South-western Ontario.”

– Osmond Langtvet, A Proposal for the Establishment of a Wilderness Park Straddling the Thames River between the Kilworth and Komoka Bridges, Delaware and Lobo Townships, Middlesex County, Ontario, 1964.

The ‘cliff like banks’ were formed long ago by glacial lakes and were therefore beaches at one time. The park also features a long stretch of riparian forest (a forest that is next to a body of water) and adjoining upland forest (a forest at a higher elevation). Riparian forests are very important to an ecosystem and it’s biodiversity: they control soil erosion by stabilizing river banks;  they aid in plant dispersal and wildlife migration.

The park has more than 100 species that are considered rare in Middlesex County and several of those are endangered or threatened. The following endangered species have been found in the park: American Badger, Blue Ash, Black Tern, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Least Bittern, Northern Bobwhite and the Spiny Softshell turtle.

Black Tern

 

Northern Bobwhite

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Least Bittern ID Guide

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During our research into Ontario’s Provincial parks, we recently discovered Komoka Provincial Park and decided to take a short trip up to the London area to check it out. We didn’t have too much trouble finding it and went for a hike from each of the access points. We noticed that the only trail map was at the Oxford Street access point and would have liked to have seen one at both. The trails can be a little confusing since there are multiple orange and blue side trails that link up to other trails. The white trail is the longest trail and runs the total length of the park joining up with most of the other trails. We would suggest printing a ‘coloured’ map to take with you.

The park is considered to be an urban park since it is so close to London. At the trail head, we were greeted by three beautiful blue birds, which we took to be a sign of good things to come.  On our visit, we found the trails to be well marked with coloured vinyl trail markers.  Komoka park was definitely well used and offered a variety of sights and elevations for an interesting hike. On our visit, the snow covered trails were packed down and icy and we should have brought crampons to safely hike up and down the valley. At the end of the eastern blue trail, we happened on a spectacular view of the Thames River and surrounding country-side.  This is definitely a park that we will visit often and enjoy in the future.  We eagerly await seeing it’s beauty as the seasons change.

Trail Map

White Trail • linear trail that starts at the Oxford Street West parking lot • Follows the Thames River  • 4.5 km one way up and down the valley and through a variety of habitats • Walking only

Orange Trail • several access points, mostly off of the blue trails • 4.0 km total • Recommended as an ‘add-on’ trail for those who wish to make the other trails longer • Walking, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc.

Blue Trail • linear trail accessible from Gideon Drive access point • Can add-on other trails to create a loop • 1.0 km in total • Walking, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc.

Yellow Trail • linear trail accessible from Gideon Drive access point • Can add-on other trails to create a loop • 2.0 km in total • Walking, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc.

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Boating

Hiking

Natural Heritage Education

Other

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Boat Launch

Day Use Area

French

Non-Electrical Sites

Pet Swimming Area

Rentals

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Great Canadian EcoFest • June 21st, 2015 • Komoka, Ontario • Promotes building a sustainable future • Proceeds go to fund ecological and community projects • Charity BBQ, Electronic Recycling Depot, Scales Nature Park, First Nations Cultural Dancing, Music, Railway Museum, Vendors, etc. • Free Admission • More information

Pawlooza • Third Saturday in August, 10am to 6 pm • London, Ontario • For dogs and animal lovers • Dog dock diving, pond swimming, agility course, off-leash play, demonstrations, vendors, adopt a pet • $10 per vehicle (free parking) • All proceeds go to two local charities • held on International Homeless Animal’s Day • Held at The Plunkett Estate • More details

Conservation Areas – Fanshawe Conservation Area, Longwoods Road Conservation Area, Sharon Creek Conservation Area