{{Short description|Valley in Ontario, Canada}} {{Infobox Protected area | name = Elora Gorge Conservation Area | image = Elora Gorge.jpg | image_caption = The Grand River flowing through the Elora Gorge | image_size = 300 | location = | nearest_city = Guelph | coordinates = {{coord|43|40|0|N|80|27|0|W|region:CA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | area = {{convert|145|ha}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wdpa/sitedetails.cfm?siteid=66057&level=nat |title=World Database on Protected Areas |access-date=2008-05-18 |archive-date=2020-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126084454/https://www.unep-wcmc.org/wdpa/sitedetails.cfm?siteid=66057&level=nat |url-status=dead }}</ref> | established = 2006 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = Grand River Conservation Authority }}The '''Elora Gorge''' is a popular tourist attraction located at the western edge of Elora, Ontario, Canada, which is 25 km north from the city of Guelph.
'''Elora Gorge Conservation Area''' is one of many conservation areas owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
==About== The Grand River flows through the bottom of the gorge, approximately {{convert|2|km}} long, with limestone cliffs reaching {{convert|22|m}} high.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=124|publisher=Grand River Conservation Authority|title=Elora Gorge Conservation Area|access-date=2008-05-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022204448/http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=124|archive-date=2006-10-22}}</ref> It was formed from glacial meltwaters from the previous ice age. The area includes a park with camping sites, hiking trails, and is also popular for kayaking and tubing.
Located nearby is the "old swimming hole", at the Elora Quarry Conservation Area, a 0.8 hectare (two acre) former limestone quarry encircled by sheer cliffs up to {{convert|12|m}} high. Elora Quarry did not become a conservation area until 1976, but it was a popular swimming area long before that. thumb|Elora gorge thumb|Elora Gorge Cliff Face The '''Elora Gorge Falls''' are a roughly {{convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall waterfall located upstream from the Elora Gorge.<ref>[http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/eloragorge.shtml Elora Gorge Falls - Great Lakes Waterfalls & Beyond]</ref>
Popular activities at the site include: camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, cycling, swimming, picnicking, and tubing.
The Quarry served as a film location in the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s novel ''It'', as well as its 2019 sequel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7545359-local-landmarks-shine-on-the-big-screen-in-it-/ |date=8 September 2017|title=Local landmarks shine on the big screen in ‘It’|publisher=Waterloo Region Record}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== * {{Cite book | publisher = Boston Mills Press | last = Hewitt | first = K. | title = Elora Gorge: A Visitor's Guide | year = 1995 | page = 80 }}
==External links== * [https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Elora-Gorge.aspx Elora Gorge Conservation Area] * [http://www.elora.info/ Official web Page of the Village of Elora]* * [http://www.elorafergus.travel/ Fergus Elora Tourism] * [http://www.hanifworld.com/EloraGorge.htm Elora Gorge Photo Gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029201525/http://www.hanifworld.com/EloraGorge.htm |date=2006-10-29 }} * [http://ootboot.com/guidebook/Elora_Gorge_Grand_River_Ontario_Canada/ Whitewater kayaking and tubing at Elora Gorge Conservation area] {{Ontario parks}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Conservation areas in Ontario Category:Protected areas of Wellington County, Ontario Category:Centre Wellington Category:Grand River (Ontario)