Haliburton Forest is a privately owned wilderness of more than 100,000 acres in the Haliburton Highlands, around three hours north of Toronto. It’s a brilliant “proper Ontario” outdoors day, with a mix of lakes, rivers, wetlands and endless forest trails, and you can keep it as relaxed or as active as you like.

One of the main highlights is the Wolf Centre, a fully indoor, self-guided experience with museum-style exhibits, a cinema space and a large observatory where you may be able to spot the resident wolf pack through one-way glass. Staff are on hand to answer questions, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for wildlife in a way that isn’t weather dependent. For something extra special, there’s also the Dinner with the Wolves experience, where you’ll have private access to the Wolf Centre for the evening while enjoying a three-course meal in the main observation room. Sightings can’t be guaranteed, but the setting and atmosphere make it a real trip highlight either way.

If you’re after a bigger adventure, the Walk in the Clouds Forest Canopy Tour is a standout. This guided experience combines a scenic drive through the private forest, a short canoe paddle across a wilderness lake, a walk along the Pelaw River rapids, and then the canopy boardwalk itself, high up in the treetops for a totally different perspective over the forest. The full experience takes around 3.5 to 4 hours and runs rain or shine, so it’s a good one to plan into a day where you want something active and memorable.

For a simpler, flexible option, you can also hire a mountain bike and explore the extensive gravel trail network across the forest, which is a fun way to cover more ground at your own pace.

Please note that some activities run seasonally and operating hours can vary. Advance reservations aren’t required for Wolf Centre admission, while guided experiences such as the canopy tour have set departure times and minimum numbers to operate.