This distinctive and seemingly dead landscape in Caledon badlands was formed at the bottom of an ancient sea more than 400 million years ago.
Caledon badlands is the natural site and it is one of the most visited natural attractions in southern Ontario.
The red colour of the land is due to iron oxide deposits caused by seepage of groundwater, which turns the red iron oxide into green iron oxide.
The naturel site is located on the southeast side of Olde Base Line Road, between Creditview and Chinguacousy roads, west of Highway 10 in Caledon, and is characterized by the exposed and eroded shales of the Queenston Shale. The formation is located along the Niagara Escarpment.
Cheltenham Badlands is owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust in Caledon (near Terra Cotta) are now accessible only under the rules applicable to reserves.
