Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd.
Private 100,000-acre Ontario reserve with canopy walks, paddling, fishing, snowmobiling and year-round backcountry cabins
The brief.
Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve is a privately owned, 100,000-acre working forest in Ontario's Haliburton Highlands, held by the Schleifenbaum family since the early 1960s and managed for sustainable forestry by Dr. Peter Schleifenbaum. From its Base Camp the reserve runs the Walk in the Clouds canopy boardwalk tour suspended 10–20 metres above the ground, a Wolf Centre observing a resident pack, plus canoe, mountain-bike and snowshoe rentals, guided ice fishing, a sporting clays range and astronomy nights. Winter brings groomed snowmobile and ATV trail access. Lodging spans two- and three-bedroom units, loft and lakeside cabins, off-grid group lodging for up to 26, and drive-in and backcountry camping across roughly 100 lakes.
14. ways in.
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Canopy Tour (Walk in the Clouds)
For: Ages 10+When: Spring–FallGuided 3.5–4 hour experience including a forest drive, a canoe paddle across a wilderness lake and a walk along an elevated canopy boardwalk 10–20 metres above the forest floor. Minimum two guests; maximum 48-inch waist for harness fit.
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Wolf Centre
For: All agesWhen: Year-roundObservation facility for a resident wolf pack, open across all four seasons with viewing experiences and an on-site shop.
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Guided Ice Fishing
For: All agesWhen: WinterGuided ice fishing on the reserve's lakes with instruction provided. Reserve also offers lake-trout and bass fishing in open-water seasons.
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Canoe Rentals
For: All agesWhen: Spring–FallCanoe rentals with waterfront access for paddling the reserve's roughly 100 lakes.
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Mountain Bike Rentals & Trails
For: All agesWhen: Spring–FallMountain bike rentals and access to the reserve's network of off-road trails.
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Snowmobile Rentals & Guided Tours
For: AdultsWhen: WinterSnowmobile rentals plus guided tours across an extensive groomed winter trail network shared with ATV use.
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Snowshoe Rentals
For: All agesWhen: WinterSnowshoe equipment rentals for exploring the reserve's winter trails.
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Ice Climbing
For: AdultsWhen: WinterGuided winter ice climbing on the property.
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Astronomy
For: All agesWhen: SummerGuided astronomy and night-sky viewing sessions at the reserve.
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Sporting Clays Range
For: AdultsWhen: Spring–FallClay target shooting on the reserve's sporting clays range.
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Sawmill Tour
For: All agesWhen: SummerGuided tour of the reserve's working sawmill, part of its sustainable forestry operation.
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Camping
For: All agesWhen: Spring–FallDrive-in and backcountry campsites distributed across the reserve's roughly 100 lakes.
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Accommodations (Cabins & Cottages)
For: Couples, families, groupsWhen: Year-roundTwo- and three-bedroom units, open loft cabins, lakeside glamping cabins, and group lodging for up to 26. Summer rates are per unit; winter rates are per person with minimum occupancy.
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Property Access Permit (Day Pass)
For: All agesWhen: Spring–FallDay passes granting access to the reserve's trails, lakes and recreation areas.
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Worth knowing.
- 01The reserve spans roughly 100,000 acres with about 100 lakes and is privately owned.Source ↗
- 02The property took its current form in the early 1960s when purchased by the Schleifenbaum family; Dr. Peter Schleifenbaum arrived in 1988 to implement sustainable forest management.Source ↗
- 03The Canopy Tour (Walk in the Clouds) runs 3.5–4 hours, requires guests to be at least 10 years old, and uses a boardwalk 10–20 metres above the ground.Source ↗
- 04The Wolf Centre observes a resident wolf pack and is open across all four seasons.Source ↗