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Frequently Asked Questions
When are you open?
Why do I have to pay an admission/parking fee?
Is the water in the park safe?
What are the caves like? What do I need to go in them?
Does your campground have water/electrical hookups/trailer sites?
Can I bring my dog to the park/camping?
Why is there a ban on bringing firewood into the park?
What is radio curfew and quiet time?
Can I reserve a group campsite?
Got a question you'd like answered? Email us at .
When are you open?
The park is open daily beginning in mid-May (Friday, May 14, 2010) and closes after the Thanksgiving weekend in October (Monday, October 11, 2010). You can still visit the park in the off season – just leave your car in the parking area near the gatehouse and walk in.

The public campground is also open from mid-May through to October. Group campsites are available at other times of the year by contacting our head office at (705) 745-5791 to make the necessary arrangements. You can also organize a school trip by calling this number.

The caves are open to the public from April 15 through to December 1 each year. They are closed through the winter for your safety as snow and ice make footing unsafe.
Why do I have to pay an admission/parking fee?
When you pay your admission or parking fee you directly help support the operation of the park. Admissions and user fees are an important source of revenue and cover off a significant portion of the operating costs of the conservation area.

If you are a frequent visitor, you can save money and show your support by purchasing an annual pass at the gate house. The pass is good for a year from date of purchase and allows access to both Warsaw Caves and Selwyn Beach Conservation Areas. The pass is valid for general admission only and does not cover camping or other user fees/services.

Note that fee increases in 2010 are primarily being driven by the introduction of the new 13% HST - camping and admission fees were previously subject only to 5% GST and not to 8% PST - and by an increase to the Provincial minimum wage.

Do I have to pay the per person admission fee on top of the parking fee?
No. You pay one fee or the other, not both. Pay the parking or bus fee and drive on in, or pay the walk-in fee and walk into the park after you have parked your car in the lot adjacent to the gatehouse.

Camping permits include parking for one car. Any additional vehicles require a separate extra vehicle permit.

Program fees for activities such as canoe rentals and cave tours are paid in addition to admission or camping fees.

What are the caves like? What do I need to go in them?
You could describe our caves as "beginner" caves - they're easy to explore, but still lots of fun. The Warsaw Caves is a series of seven caves anywhere from 40m (130 ft.) to 91m (300 ft.) long. Some are connected, while others are dead ends that you'll have to backtrack. The network of caves is compact enough that you don't have to worry about getting lost. You can stand up in some places, but in others you'll have to crouch or wiggle your way through. Walking surfaces are generally level, but can be uneven and slippery in spots. There are no extreme drops with the sharpest ledge being about 1.25m (4 ft.) high.

You won't really need any special equipment beyond a flashlight (we sell headlamps at our gatehouse). Wear clothing that you're not afraid to get dirty, and a sturdy pair of shoes. Make sure that if you carry in a water bottle or a snack that you bring the bottle or wrapper back out with you -
no littering!

Have fun spelunking!
Is the water in the park safe?
A program is in place to ensure that the water in the campground and in the swimming area is safe. Drinking water is regularly tested in accordance with Ontario’s safe drinking water regulations. Water quality in the swimming area is monitored by the local health department.
Does your campground have water/electrical hookups/trailer sites?
All of our campsites are unserviced – we do not offer water or hydro hookups on individual campsites. Potable water is available at several stations throughout the campground. A limited number of our campsites can accommodate trailers or RV’s (i.e. large, well surfaced).
Can I bring my dog to the park/camping?
Sure, you can bring your dog for a day visit or to camp – after all he's part of the family. As a responsible owner you must respect the rules that apply to you and your dog during your visit.

• Dogs must at all times be on a leash not exceeding 2 metres in length. Warsaw Caves and Selwyn Beach do not offer any leash-free areas.

• Dogs are not permitted in swimming areas, on beaches or in any other area posted as off limits to dogs.

• Do not leave your pet unattended. Dogs must be quiet and under control at all times and are not permitted to disturb other park visitors or campers, and they may not harass wildlife.

• You are required to clean up after your pet - poop and scoop, please!

• Certain exemptions are in place for service dogs.

Additional information is available here.

Why is there a ban on bringing firewood into the park?
We enforce a ban on firewood being brought into the park because of the movement of dangerous insect pests that can destroy a forest. The ban applies to all firewood from Toronto and from the London/Windsor area where trees are being attacked by the Asian Long Horned Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer. A more general ban applies to any wood from outside of the country. These restrictions are based in Provincial and Federal laws intended to combat the threat.

The most significant factor in the spread of these destructive bugs is known to be the movement of wood from one location to another. The first Asian Long Horned Beetle infestation in the Toronto area, centered on Steeles Av. and Hwy. 400, is believed to have started with wooden shipping crates from China. Wooden shipping materials must now meet specific standards before coming into the country, but we are still having to cope with the resulting problem.

Firewood purchased locally (within Peterborough County) is okay to bring to the park. Firewood from any other origin is not - this includes old skids and other wooden shipping materials. You may be refused entry to the park or directed to remove from the park any firewood found on your campsite if you cannot clearly demonstrate that it did not come from an affected area.

When you buy your firewood locally, you support the operation of the park and the local tourism economy, and you protect our forests so they can be enjoyed for years to come!

More information is available here.

What is radio curfew and quiet time?
Noise can be a problem in a shared outdoor setting. To help ensure that everyone can enjoy their camping trip there are rules in place that prohibit excessive noise. These rules are clearly posted at the gatehouse, they are printed on the back of your camping or extra vehicle permit, and they are provided as part of the information you receive if you make a reservation.

10:00 p.m. is radio curfew and all radios must be turned off. Note that this also applies to musical instruments, generators, and other sources of noise.

12:00 midnight is quiet time. You cannot not make any noise that might disturb other campers.

Note that, in addition to enforcing these specific rules, staff may intervene at any time to limit noise that may disturb other campers.
Can I reserve a group campsite?
Certain conditions are placed on the use of group camp areas in an effort to help ensure the safe, quiet enjoyment of these areas by all users. While we recognize that the separateness of the group camp areas is one of the things that makes them attractive, please keep in mind that the same rules apply throughout all areas of the campground, including those rules related to the use of alcohol and to noise.

Group camp areas are generally made available to Scouting/Guiding and recognized educational, community, and social groups. Any other type of group - your family reunion; a camping trip organized by a group of co-workers; a birthday, anniversary, wedding or other type of celebration; a social club or interest group - may be permitted the use of a group camp area at the discretion of the campground supervisor.

Scouting/Guiding and other recognized groups can reserve and make use of group camp areas under the terms of a group camping permit at group camping rates.

Use of group camp areas by other groups may permitted at the discretion of the campground supervisor under the terms of standard camping permits at regular public camping rates.

There are important differences between the two types of permit. We will only issue a group camping permit to groups that are part of a recognized legal entity with a designated officer(s) who can legally act on behalf of the group members. Scouts and Guides, school groups under the authority of a school board (or homeschoolers), and cadet corps are the most common examples of the types of groups who may be issued a group camping permit and are eligible for group camping rates. Note that we will not under any circumstance issue a group camping permit where the consumption of alcohol will take place regardless of the nature of the group. In such cases we will only consider issuing camping permits for a group camp area as described below. Also note that we will not issue a group camping permit at group camp rates simply on the basis that the group will not be consuming alcohol - the group must fit the criteria outlined above.

Any other type of group may be permitted the use of a group camp area at the discretion of the campground supervisor, but only through the issue of standard camping permits. While the reservation is made in the name of the group, each individual group of campers that is part of the larger group is responsible for completing their own permit and paying related fees. In practice this means that each vehicle/camping unit will require its own camping permit at standard camping rates. No one individual will be issued a permit for the entire group or will be permitted to sign for more than one permit. Under the terms of a standard camping permit the responsible use of alcohol is permitted when using a group camp area.

The easiest way to manage it is to think of the group camping area under these circumstances as an extension of the public camping area - the same fees and standards of conduct apply, and all campers are responsible for their own behavior both as individuals and as members of the group. For this type of group a minimum group size equivalent to 5 camping permits per night applies. Note that in many cases groups of this type may be accommodated in the public camping area.

We will in some cases accommodate a group where alcohol will be served under a special occasion permit (SOP) as issued by the Liquor License Board of Ontario - as part of a wedding, for example. The SOP holder is responsible for meeting all Municipal, Provincial and other requirements of the permit, and must provide liability insurance for the event. Such use requires a reservation and the prior permission of the campground supervisor. We will not permit the exercise of any SOP we have not been made aware of, that does not meet all of the requirements of the permit, or where event insurance is not in place.

Based on the information above interested groups may request the use of a group camp area at http://www.warsawcaves.com/register.html. All requests are subject to approval.

 


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Call us toll free at 1-877-816-7604
Phone: (705) 652-3161
289 Caves Road, Warsaw, Ontario
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