St. Marys Quarry

The St. Marys Quarry will open for the 2025 season on Friday, June 27 to Monday, September 1!

Hours: 11:00 am to 7:30 pm daily

• Children/youth aged 3-18: $5.00 per person
• Adult: $7.50 per person

Payment may be made in person using cash, debit or credit card or through our secure online registration portal. 

Please note:  The Super Splash Waterpark is not included with general Quarry admission, nor is general admission included with a Super Splash Waterpark pass. Please visit the Super Splash Waterpark website for pricing and details about how to pay for a Super Splash pass in person or online. 

The following features and amenities are included with general admission:

• Cliff jump (water levels permitting)
• Rafts and slide
• 25 foot water trampoline
• Shaded seating
• Grassed area for picnics
• Life jackets available and recommended
• Summer snacks and treats are available for purchase at the Canteen

Please note:  The Super Splash Waterpark is not included with general Quarry admission, nor is general admission included with a Super Splash Waterpark pass. Please visit the Super Splash Waterpark website for pricing and details about how to pay for a Super Splash pass in person or online. 

Perfect for a group or family outing, this floating playground features obstacles like the 14ft tall Ice Tower, which will challenge you with free climbing, and the Action Tower, which is 12ft tall, and acts like a giant slide.

For more details and to purchase passes to the Super Splash Waterpark, please visit supersplashstmarys.ca.

The Resident Season Pass offers a discounted rate for local swimmers. It is valid for weekday admission throughout the season; regular admission applies on weekends.

Fees

Children/youth aged 3-18: $74.80 per person
Adult: $114.19 per person

*Prices vary depending on date of purchase and are pro-rated according to remaining time in the Quarry season.

Purchase a Resident Season Pass:

1. Go to ActiveNet
   
2. Sign in (top right)
3. Click on “Memberships”
4. Type “Quarry” into the search bar
5. Click “Enroll now” into the pass you would like to purchase
6. Select the “Pass holder” in the dropdown menu
7. Select “Add to cart”
8. Confirm Price then click “Check out”
9. Put in your payment details then click “Pay”
10. Check your receipt
11. Enjoy your season pass!

For more information on the Resident Season Pass, contact the St. Marys Quarry at 519-284-3090.

The water is tested on a regular basis for bacteria levels by Huron Perth Public Health to ensure it remains safe for swimmers. To see the latest results, visit the Beach Water Quality page and find the Quarry listed in the Current Status Table.

Water safety basics are key to preventing an emergency in or around the water. Check the following resources to learn more:

• Lifesaving Society | Water Safety
• Five ways to stay safe at the beach - Canadian Red Cross
• Water Smart Tips | Life Saving
• Choosing lifejackets and personal floatation devices
• Office of Boating Safety (canada.ca)
• Be sun safe - Canadian Cancer Society

Parking in St. Marys is free. There is a small, parking lot across the street from the St. Marys Quarry. We also have bike racks available.

Several municipal lots are also available downtown within a ten to twenty minute walking distance depending on the lot.  

For more details, please download our parking map with estimated walking times. (Accessible version available upon request.)

Must be directly supervised by a parent/guardian (13+) who is in the water and able to provide immediate assistance. 2:1 ratio.

Must be directly supervised by a parent/guardian (13+) who is in the water and able to provide immediate assistance. 4:1 ratio.

Must be directly supervised by a parent/guardian (13+) who is in the water and able to provide immediate assistance. 4:1 ratio.

Must always be supervised by a parent/guardian (13+) within the Quarry enclosure. Swim with a buddy.

Must identify self as a swimmer/non swimmer upon entry, non-swimmers must wear a lifejacket. Swim with a buddy.

1. Tread water for 3 minutes
2. Swim 100 metres
3. Jump into deep water and back float for 10 seconds

Swim/bathing attire is used for the purpose of swimming only. T-shirts are permitted. Undergarments, cut-offs and street clothes are not permitted.

• Direct Supervision - Able to render immediate assistance, 'within arm's reach'.
• Guardian - A person of at least 13 years of age who is responsible for the children.

Swimming conditions

• Water is deep. Depths vary throughout the season in swim area.
• Water may be cold
• Bottom is rocky and uneven
• Ladders may be difficult to climb
• You may feel/encounter: fish, weeds, slippery surfaces including stairs, rocks and ladders

Swimming skills

• Know your limitations, including physical fitness, swimming ability and medical conditions
• Lifejackets are recommended and available to use at no cost
• Always swim with a buddy
• Stay 'within arm’s reach' of children and actively supervise

First aid station and emergency phone are located in the lifeguard office.

• Swimming under the rafts and other water features is not allowed
• Swim within the buoy area
• Please walk on the deck
• Get out of the water if you hear one long whistle blow
• Listen to the lifeguards at all times, ask questions if you are unsure
• Know your limitations, including physical fitness, swimming ability and medical conditions
• Lifejackets are available and free to use
• Smoking and vaping are not allowed on the premises of St. Marys Quarry
• Swim sober. Do not enter the water or go swimming while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Alcohol is prohibited on the grounds of St. Marys Quarry
• Glass containers and barbecues are not permitted

• Play safe
• One at a time on the slide
• Feet first down the slide

• Only open if water levels permit
• For ages 8 and up (green and blue bands)
• Feet first jumping only – no running, handstands, inwards, flips, dives, spinning etc.
• One person may jump at a time, all others please wait behind the line
• Look before you jump, wait until the area below is clear
• Jump straight off and exit quickly
• Do not climb or sit on the railings

• For ages 6 and up
• Parents/guardians of children that have not passed the swim test (blue bands) must be close by the trampoline watching their children
• Maximum of 6 people on the trampoline at a time
• Always enter the water feet first
• Do not attempt flips, somersaults or other aerobatic manoeuvres on the trampoline
• Never swim or play under or around the water trampoline
• Bounce in the center of the trampoline surface away from the padded metal frame
• Maximum 15 minute jump during peak times

Please visit the Super Splash Safety Webpage for details.

Information courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA): 

Water depths in the quarry range from 10 to 32 feet, there is no shallow area.

Please note that zebra mussels are present at the Quarry.

Their sharp shells can cause cuts to hands and feet. Staff are taking steps to remove them from high-touch areas.

Exercise caution when navigating rocky areas and while entering or exiting the water.

No, the Super Splash Waterpark is not included with general Quarry admission, nor is general admission included with a Super Splash Waterpark pass.

Once you have paid for your swim time, visit the Super Splash Waterpark website to purchase your pass to the inflatable park.

You may also pay for your Super Splash Waterpark pass in person. Visit the Super Splash website for pricing.

Please visit supersplashstmarys.ca.

Follow these steps to set up an account and then book a swim time.

Create an account with a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet

1. Using your browser, visit the ActiveNet Registration Page select Sign In/Up and locate the “Don’t have an account?” and click Join.
2. Enter the email address you would like to use as your login
3. Begin entering your personal information and create a password.
4. Read and agree to the Terms of Use, Copyright Policy and Your Privacy Rights and click next.
5. Continue completing your personal information, click "I’m not a robot" and hit submit.
6. Once your account has been created, please check your email to activate your account.
7. After your account has been activated, you may now manage your account settings, including subscribing for communications, and adding family members to your account.
8. If you are accessing your account from your mobile device, please click the menu on the left top corner and select 'full site' to enable editing of your account.

Sign-up for a swim time

1. Visit the ActiveNet Registration Page.
2. Sign in with your email and password.
3. Select the Activities tab to see your list of options.                          
4. Choose the category St. Marys Quarry.
5. The next page displays all available times and dates in that category. Select the Enroll Now for your date and time.
6. Next, select the participant, respond to some basic questions, and finally click on Add to cart.
7. Select Finish and pay. You will be able to pay with a credit card.
8. You’ll receive a receipt as confirmation of your registration.

IMPORTANT: Super Splash Waterpark Inflatable sold separately

The Super Splash Waterpark is not included with general Quarry admission, nor is general admission included with a Super Splash Waterpark pass. Please visit the Super Splash Waterpark website for pricing and details about how to pay for a Super Splash pass in person or online. 

We require 24 hours notice for all cancellations. 

How to cancel

1. Click on “My Account” in the top right.
2. Click on “Transaction and payment history.”
3. Select "Withdraw" on the activity you would like to cancel.
4. Confirm your refund amount.
5. Confirm you are canceling the correct program, then click "Finish".
6. View your receipt.

If you are not able to cancel your swim online, please call us at 519-284-2160 and we will assist you. Please note that we do not take cancellations for the Super Splash Waterpark. For details about Super Splash, please visit supersplashstmarys.ca.

Yes, bathrooms are available.

Please use discretion when planning your trip to the Quarry on days with poor weather conditions.

In the event of heavy rain or thunderstorms, all swimmers will be required to exit the water for safety. Re-entry will only be allowed when:

• Rain has lightened enough for safe supervision, and/or
• 30 minutes have passed since the last sound of thunder or visible lightning.

Please note: No refunds will be issued.

Yes, you can purchase non-alcoholic food and beverages at the Canteen.

The quarry was constructed in the mid-1800s. Workers used dynamite to extract limestone blocks until the 1930s. Between 1930 and 1935, the quarry filled with water and was used as a popular swimming spot by the locals. In 1945, the town bought it and the adjoining Thames Quarry along with 50 acres of surrounding land for $2,200.

Information courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA): 

The water in the quarry originates from groundwater discharging from fractures or cracks in the bedrock, and from precipitation. Groundwater is always cold, staying within a few degrees of 10˚ Celsius, year round. As a result, the water in the quarry is cool during the swimming season and relatively warmer in the winter.

Groundwater levels are also fairly constant, varying only about 1 metre over the course of a year. Groundwater is at its highest in the winter/early spring, and relatively stable throughout the summer. During hot summers, water levels in the quarry may drop slightly due to increased evaporation and surface water temperatures may be warmer. 

Information courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA): 

The main fish species found in the quarry are Common Carp, Pumpkinseed and Rock Bass. The fish are able to migrate between the west quarry fishing hole across the street and the quarry through the underwater tunnel connecting the two. In an open watercourse, species like Common Carp and Pumpkinseed would move to warmer portions of that waterbody. However, they are still able to survive in the colder water temperatures found in the Quarry.

Common Carp

The Common Carp is a large, deep-bodied fish, varying in colour from silver to olive-green, brass or grey on the back and sides. It has whisker-like appendages called barbels near the corners of its mouth. Native to Asia, carp were introduced to North America from non-native populations in Europe. Common Carp adapt to a variety of conditions, tolerating all types of bottoms and water clarity ranging from clear to murky.

Pumpkinseed

The Pumpkinseed is a very deep-bodied, laterally compressed, almost disk-like fish. The fish’s breast and belly are orange to red-orange, and its back and sides are brown to olive. Its sides and back are speckled with orange, yellow, blue, and emerald spots. Pumpkinseeds can be found in large schools and often make up the largest portion of the fish population in small, warm bodies of water. Part of the sunfish family, the Pumpkinseed is native to eastern North America.

Rock Bass

The Rock Bass is a small and very deep-bodied fish. Its back and upper sides are brown to olive with golden tints, and often with dark saddles. It has a large red eye and its mouth is large and extends backwards to below the middle of the eye. The Rock Bass is part of the sunfish family and can be found swimming with other sunfish and bass. It is a cool-water fish native to Ontario.

You may fish in the west "fishing" quarry between dawn and dusk from the Riverview Walkway, platform and stone outcrop. Swimming and boating in the west quarry is prohibited by the Quarry By-law.

No pets are allowed. 

Inflatables are not permitted at the quarry; however, feel free to bring a noodle! 

The Town of St. Marys is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items or property. Any items are brought at your own risk. Items that fall into the water will not be recovered.