Swimming & Beach.
Elora Quarry Conservation Area is a former limestone quarry — now a 2-acre swimming hole below the gorge with a small beach, a lifeguarded swim zone, and reservation-required entry through peak summer. Belwood Lake Conservation Area, on the reservoir above Shand Dam, runs a sandy reservoir beach with calmer water.
Both are operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The brief.
Elora Quarry capacity is controlled by GRCA reservations through the peak summer weeks — book through the GRCA reservation system before the drive in. Cliff jumping at the Quarry is prohibited; the swim is to the lifeguarded area only.
The Quarry runs late June through August. Belwood Lake's beach is a quieter alternative with sand instead of limestone, and reservoir water levels move through the season as Shand Dam releases for downstream flow augmentation.
Both sites carry day-use fees.
2. places.
- 01
Elora Quarry Conservation Area
2-acre former limestone quarry swim site below the gorge; cliffs, beach area, lifeguarded swim zone; reservation-required entry through peak summer.
- 02
Belwood Lake Conservation Area
Sandy reservoir beach above Shand Dam; calmer water than the Quarry.
Today's read.
Temperature (2.6°C) below the typical range and outside the typical season window.
By the book.
- 01Elora Quarry requires advance reservations for entry during peak summer season; capacity-controlled.Source ↗
- 02Cliff jumping prohibited at Elora Quarry; lifeguarded swim area only.Source ↗
- 03Belwood Lake water levels fluctuate seasonally as Shand Dam releases for downstream low-flow augmentation.Source ↗