Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve spans approximately 100,000 acres of mixed boreal and deciduous forest in central Ontario. It features lakes, wetlands, rivers, and old-growth forest habitats that sustain populations of moose, wolves, black bears, white-tailed deer, and over 200 bird species. Established in 1927, the reserve is privately owned but open to the public for responsible outdoor recreation. Visitors enjoy multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing, as well as guided tours including wolf howls and moose safaris. The reserve offers notable attractions such as the Canopy Tour, a 12-line zipline course through the treetops, and the Wolf Centre where visitors can observe a wild wolf pack in a large natural enclosure. Numerous lakes within the reserve provide opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and kayaking. The area also has historical significance with old logging roads and remnants of early forestry operations. Facilities include campgrounds, cabins, and a lodge providing year-round accommodations. Haliburton Forest promotes conservation and sustainable forestry practices, balancing resource management with outdoor education and ecotourism. Its location north of the busy cottage country region of Haliburton Highlands makes it a quieter, less trafficked destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking wildlife viewing and wilderness experience not far from Toronto and Ottawa.
