Recreational Use

Recreational use of the Dufferin County Forest is governed by the outdoor recreation plan and Dufferin County By-Law 2017-39. The purpose of the policy and the by-law is to protect the environmental integrity of the Dufferin County Forest and to manage public use of the Forest through the regulation of certain activities.

County Forest Do's

• Non-motorized recreation such as hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding.
• Obey all signs, including those designating trail uses.
• Snowmobiling in the Dufferin County Forest is permitted only on designated and signed trails that are part of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) network. All of the rules that apply to OFSC trails anywhere in Ontario apply to the trails in the Dufferin County Forest. Check trail status here.
• What you carry in, please carry out.
• Dogs must be under control or on-leash at all times within the Dufferin County Forest.
• Remember your emergency number! Each entrance to the County Forest is posted with a six digit "address" on a green sign. Remember this number for emergencies.
• In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
• If you wish to hold a recreational event, please contact the County Forest Manager to find out if your date is available prior to completing a County Forest Event Permit Application. 
• Enjoy your visit to the Dufferin County Forest!  

County Forest Don'ts

• No motorized vehicles except snowmobiles on designated Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trails.
• No campfires.
• No camping.
• No littering or dumping.
• No hunting allowed in any Dufferin County Forest tract between June 1 and September 30.  A forest use permit is required for hunting at all other times. For more information, click here. 
• Unless you have a valid ticket from the Mansfield Outdoor Centre, do not use groomed/track-set cross-country ski trails leased to the Centre from December 1 to March 31.

Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Plants

Use of recreational trails can be a lot of fun, but also has the potential to spread invasive plants and their seeds. Studies have shown that trails act as a pathway for spread of invasive plant species. Invasive plant seeds can cling to clothing, boots, pets, horses, and vehicles like mountain bikes and be spread along trails. Also, going off trail can create disturbances which can create places for invasive plants to become established.

What You Can Do

 1. Stay on the path: When you venture off the path you risk picking up plant seeds and creating disturbed areas where invasive species can easily establish.

2. Clean your gear: Check all your gear at the end of your adventure for plant material, and clean it off before leaving the trailhead.

3. Groom your pet: Inspect your pet after a walk and wash off any mud that might be carrying invasive plant seeds.

4. Report all invaders: Take a photo and report any sightings of invasive species to the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or visit www.EDDMapS.org/Ontario

5. Spread the word: Motivate your friends and family to take action by sharing information about invasive species, and the implications an invasion would have on our environment and economy!