Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge: Walk, Length & Location

Few things beat the simple thrill of crossing a suspension bridge over a rocky gorge. The Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, tucked inside Ferris Provincial Park just south of Campbellford, Ontario, offers exactly that—a quick, free walk across a 300-foot span with views down through the open metalwork to the water below.

Length: 300 feet (91 meters) ·
Height above gorge: 30 feet (9 meters) ·
Location: Ferris Provincial Park, Campbellford, Ontario ·
Part of: The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail) ·
Open: Year-round, daily ·
Type: Pedestrian suspension bridge

The Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge sits in a well-designed trail network, and its specs tell a clear story: modest enough for a family outing, yet dramatic enough to draw repeat visitors.

Can you walk across the suspension bridge?

Is the bridge open to pedestrians?

• Yes, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge is explicitly open to foot traffic and is part of the Great Trail (Visit Trent Hills (official tourism site)).
• Walking across is a popular activity, offering views of the gorge and nearby falls.

Is it part of a larger trail?

• The bridge forms a link in the Trans Canada Trail, the world’s longest recreational trail network (Ontario Hiking (local hiking guide)).
• From the bridge, hikers can continue on the River Gorge Trail (3.5 km loop) or the Ranney Falls Trail (1 km loop).

The implication: this bridge isn’t a dead-end attraction—it’s a gateway to several hours of hiking in one of Ontario’s most scenic park settings.

How long is the Ranney Gorge suspension bridge?

What is the width and height?

• The bridge spans 300 feet (about 91 meters) and sits 30 feet above the gorge (Northumberland Tourism (regional tourism authority)).
• It is a single-lane pedestrian bridge with an open metal grid deck that lets you see the water below.

How does it compare to other pedestrian bridges?

• It is described locally as “the only one of its kind in Ontario” (TripAdvisor (user reviews)).

The pattern: at 300 feet, it is short enough for a quick crossing but long enough to feel the sway typical of suspension bridges.

Where is Ranney Gorge?

What park is it in?

• Ranney Gorge is located within Ferris Provincial Park, just south of Campbellford, Ontario (Visit Trent Hills (official tourism site)).
• The park is part of the Northumberland County region, about 90 minutes northeast of Toronto.

How do I get there from Campbellford?

• From Campbellford, take County Road 8 (also known as Highway 30) south to the park entrance at 474 County Road 8.
• The bridge is a short walk from the parking area; a yellow trail leads directly to it (Ferris Provincial Park trail map PDF (official park document)).

What this means: the location is easy to reach and well signposted, making it a viable detour for anyone traveling the 401 or the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Is the Ranney Gorge suspension bridge open year-round?

What are the operating hours?

• The bridge is open daily, 24 hours a day, with no admission fee or gate (TripAdvisor (user reviews)).

Is it accessible in winter?

• Yes, the bridge remains open during winter, but ice and snow can make the deck slippery. Visitors are advised to use caution and wear appropriate footwear (Visit Trent Hills (official tourism site)).
• Parking at the free lots may be more limited after snowfall; the paid Ferris Provincial Park lot is cleared seasonally.

The catch: year-round access is a huge plus for photographers and winter hikers, but the lack of a maintenance guarantee means you should check conditions before heading out in icy weather.

What are the parking and access details for Ranney Gorge suspension bridge?

Is there parking on site?

• Yes, there are multiple parking options. Free parking is available at 15 Trent Drive (near Locks 11 and 12) and a small lot on Saskatoon Avenue (Bushlife.ca (Ontario outdoor adventure blog)).
• Paid parking at Ferris Provincial Park (474 County Road 8) costs about $10.75 and is open May to October (TripAdvisor (user reviews)).

Are there trails from the parking?

• Yes, from the free parking on Trent Drive, a short walk along the River Gorge Trail brings you directly to the bridge (Ontario Hiking (local hiking guide)).
• The park’s trail system includes the Drumlin Trail loops (Blue 1.2 km, White 2.5 km, Red 2.5 km) for longer hikes.

The trade-off: free parking saves you money but adds a few minutes of walking; the paid lot puts you closer to the bridge but only operates seasonally.

7 specs, one standout: the combination of free year-round access and a 300-foot suspended walkway over a gorge is rare in Ontario. Most comparable bridges charge admission or have limited hours.

What we know vs. what remains unclear

What visitors say

“Experience a thrilling family adventure at the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, soaring 30′ above the gorge just south of the falls.”

— Visit Trent Hills (official tourism site)

“The bridge spans the high-banked walls of the Ranney Gorge, offering views down through open metalwork over the gorge.”

— Northumberland Tourism (regional tourism authority)

“The Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge is the only one of its kind in Ontario.”

— TripAdvisor (user review)

The bridge delivers exactly what it promises: a short, free suspension walk with scenic gorge views. It is not the longest or highest bridge in Canada, but its integration with the Great Trail and the easy access from Campbellford make it a standout pit stop. For a family looking for a quick outdoor adventure in central Ontario, the choice is clear: pack a picnic, park for free at one of the nearby lots, and spend an hour crossing the bridge and exploring the trails. Missing it would mean skipping one of the most accessible thrills along the Great Trail.

Related reading

• Promenade Samuel De Champlain — Quebec City Waterfront Guide
• Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay: Ferry Schedule, Duration & Guide