Trail Conditions

Trail Maps and Information

  • For more information about our trails and downloadable PDF maps click here.
  • Click here for our interactive Avenza Maps.

Winter Trail Conditions

Update Saturday, January 3, 2025 at 9:00 am.

Winter ATV (no sxs) Trails – OPEN

Snowmobile Trails – OPEN

Limited trails are open.  We ask all sledders and ATVers to stick to the Main Roads/graveled secondary trails until we get more snow.

Open – Approximately 250 kms if not more.

  • East Road, Dutton Road, Black Creek Trail
  • North Road, Stocking Lake Road, Holts Road, Havelock Loop, Kelly Road
  • North Road, Nugget Road, Rainbow Trail, Sunday Trail, Top Red Trail

**New** Staked Lakes – MacDonald, Clear, Little Black and Black

Buyer beware – Trails are great now with little to no clickity claketing, other than corners and a few higher traffic areas. Depending on volumes of traffic conditions may change but with the forecast they should remain relatively the same.

Hiking/Snowshoe Trails – OPEN

Feel free to come for a winter hike or snowshoe! Snow is deep and the trees are snow covered like a scene out of a Hallmark movie. Might be icy in some spots.

Visit the Main Office or Wolf Centre for your trail options.

Rent snowshoes from the Wolf Centre or bring your own!

Knowing Nature in Winter

Here is something fun to do solo, as a family or with friends before you head out on our trails this winter.  Our friends at Wild Muskoka have created an online series that will help you learn about local birds, trees, and wildlife.

Receive three short videos lessons (approx. 15min each) with the following:

  • Inspiring and educational stories,
  • Fun activities to do outside (suitable for adults or kids),
  • Downloadable PDF activity guides to support your learning,
  • BONUS: How to stay warm outdoors in winter!
  • ATV, Quad

Disclaimer

All trails motorized and non motorized may have slippery, icy, wet, muddy, dry, bare, snow covered, washed out and slushy sections. Watch for the usual hazards of trees down, uneven terrain, debris, rocks, roots, and stumps.

Please be extra cautious in the Base Camp parking lot, as it can be quite icy even with the sand that we are putting down.

Reminder when temperatures are COLD scratchers and/or studded tracks are HIGHLY recommended, unless you have a fan cooled sled.

As conditions change we will regularly post on our socials and update this webpage. As things settle we will post Thursday updates on our socials and update this trail conditions webpage Wednesday/Thursdays.

Spring/Summer/Fall Conditions

Update Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Road Conditions

Closed for the season. Re-opens May Long Weekend conditions permitting.

Walking/Hiking/Biking/Running Trails

Closed for the season! We look forward to getting you out on some of our new hiking trails spring 2026!

Annual Closures – Trails and Roads

Passenger vehicle access is open from Victoria Day Weekend until the Sunday after the Thanksgiving weekend.

During moose and deer hunting season (dates below), only select trails close to Base Camp are open for public use, while access to the rest of the property and trails is strictly prohibited. Please see our Guests Services Team in the main office to confirm which trails are available.

Hunting seasons: Typically, the third full week of October AND the first two weeks of November. Specific dates will be updated when posted by the MNRF.

Depending on conditions, trails may be available again after the hunts for some time before switching over to winter usage.

When in doubt, please contact us.

Q&A

Reporting Concerns

Please report concerns to reservations@haliburtonforest.com, in person or by phone 800-631-2198 to the Main Office.  We will do our best to address these concerns as soon as possible.

How Do I Enjoy The Trails?

Permits are required before entering Haliburton Forest property any time of year.

Pet On The Trails?

We love dogs/pets but please keep them on leash and be sure to clean up after them. Harassment of wildlife will not be tolerated.

Spring, Summer and Fall Day and Seasonal Permits

Enjoy our trails, lakes and gravel roads in the warmer months with a seasonal permit or day use permit.

Winter Day Permits

In the winter months Haliburton Forest limits the number of daily riders on its trail system to 100. Therefore, day visitors, especially on weekends, are required to reserve a space on the trails prior to arrival. This will ensure that visiting snowmobilers and winter ATVers will be provided with the best possible and consistently superior trail conditions.

Winter Seasonal Permits

Winter ATV and Snowmobile Seasonal Permits are available online, in person or by contacting the Main Office. Get your seasonal permit before January 1st to qualify for the early bird special.

Guided Hiking and Snowshoeing

Looking for a guided snowshoeing or hiking experience check out  Yours Outdoors!

Rent Snowshoes

We are now offering snowshoe rentals through the Wolf Centre. For more details click here!

Stay With Us

Day use permits are included when staying in one of our housekeeping unitslakeside cabins, our cabin with a view or at one of our campsites.

Having trouble finding accommodations on weekends check out My Haliburton Highlands for other great local B&Bs, resorts, hotels, motels, etc…  And don’t forget our partners at Cabinscape provide tiny off grid cabins throughout our property. Check them out to book your next getaway!

Reminders For our Snowmobilers and ATVers

  • Valid ownership and insurance is REQUIRED to ride our trails.
  • Upon arrival, permits MUST be picked up at the Main Office.
  • Driver’s must have a valid driver’s license or the equivalent Motorized Snow Vehicle Operator’s License.
  • Youth 12 and older can drive with proof of valid Snowmobile License or G1.  Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian.
  • Family Seasonal Permits are valid for those within the same household. Valid for up to 2 adults with their children 21 years of age and under.
  • ATVs are only allowed to access our trails and roads in the winter months when the ground is frozen and we have enough snow.
  • Side by sides are not permitted on the trails.
  • No after market pipes, cans, etc… Nothing that makes your machine(s) louder.
  • If riding double, adults must have a legal, factory made two up.
  • Children are permitted to ride double with an adult.
  • All riders are REQUIRED to wear helmets.

Insider Tip! 

Weekdays are a great time to come. Groomers head out first thing every Monday morning and groom all week (if conditions permit). We don’t see the same volume of day use permits and typically have some availability in our accommodations. Have you booked your winter getaway yet?

Keep Up To Date

We will do our best to update conditions in the winter on the website every Thursday by end of day if not more frequently as conditions change.  Check out our ongoing trail reports and stories on Instagram @haliburton_forest, and Facebook.

Weather

Click here  for a detailed weather forecast for our area! While we wish we could predict what trail conditions and weather will be like for any given day, the Weather Network is the best resource for this information.