Haliburton County pairs lakes with forest. This guide lists things to do from the municipality’s, the park’s and the forest’s own pages: paddling, trails, a wolf centre, Algonquin Provincial Park to the north, and the Minden Hills cultural centre.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Public boat launches in Dysart et al | 26 |
| Algonquin Provincial Park | 772,300 ha on the park’s facts table; Highway 60 trails from 1 km to 10.8 km |
| Haliburton Forest | 100,000 acres, 100 lakes (its own description) |
| Wolf Centre admission | Adult $13.28, youth $7.96 (plus tax) |
| Hospital | Haliburton Highlands Health Services, 7199 Gelert Road, Haliburton |
Quick answer: five things to do
- Paddle a lake from a cottage dock or a public launch.
- Walk the Highway 60 trails in Algonquin Park.
- Visit the Wolf Centre at Haliburton Forest.
- Ride or walk the trails at Glebe Park.
- Spend a day at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre.
Outdoors
Paddling. Dysart et al lists these paddling outfitters and companies: Adventure Haliburton, Algonquin Outfitters (rentals), Deep Roots Adventure (rentals and tripping), Harper Powersports & Marine, Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd., RPM, Wolf Flow SUP Yoga & Fitness and Yours Outdoors. Confirm each business’s season on its own site. The municipality has 26 public boat launches, all use at your own risk, and it asks boaters to check that their equipment suits low-water launching. For lake detail, see Kashagawigamog, Drag and Twelve Mile lakes and Kennisis and Kawagama lakes.
Glebe Park. The municipality suggests starting at Glebe Park for walking trails. To ride the Glebe Park mountain bike trails, buy a membership from the Haliburton Mountain Biking Club or make a donation to it; Trailforks has more information. Dysart et al asks riders to call ahead about trail conditions, because the trails can stay closed in early spring.
Hiking. Dysart et al lists Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve and Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride for hiking and trail activities. In Algonquin Provincial Park, the Spruce Bog Boardwalk is 1.5 km and easy, the Lookout Trail is 1.9 km and moderate, and Centennial Ridges is 10 km and strenuous. See Algonquin Provincial Park camping and day trips.
Family days
The A.J. LaRue Arena has a single ice pad; the township says the ice "is usually put in mid-June" for the summer season, and open skates are on its schedule. The Haliburton Highlands Museum offers summer programming for children and youth. The Wolf Centre at Haliburton Forest charges $26.55 plus tax for a family of two adults and two youth. See Haliburton Forest.
Boat tour
Dysart et al lists a Highland Boat Tours history tour on Wednesdays in July and August, departing at 1:00 PM from the Town Docks in Haliburton Village. Tickets are $25 per person, booked in advance through the Haliburton Welcome Centre (705-457-2871). Passengers sign a waiver, children under 16 must be with a parent or guardian, and tours run weather permitting.
Culture
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre includes the Agnes Jamieson Gallery, which shows local art and special exhibits, the Minden Hills Museum & Heritage Village, which covers local history, and Nature’s Place, which focuses on the environment.
By season
- Summer: paddling, beaches, the Wednesday boat tour and the arena’s summer ice.
- Fall: Algonquin’s maple peak averages September 27 in the western Highway 60 corridor. See Algonquin fall colours.
- Winter: Algonquin offers cross-country skiing and groomed trails. Haliburton Forest lists a snowshoe network and snowmobile trails. See Haliburton winter guide.
Rainy days
The Wolf Centre is all indoors, with exhibits, a theatre and one-way-glass observation rooms. The Algonquin Visitor Centre runs year-round, with exhibits and a theatre presentation. See Algonquin Visitor Centre.
Getting around
Dysart et al lists municipal phone 705-457-1740. For hospital, burn rules and services, see Hospitals, groceries and essentials in Haliburton.
FAQ
How many public boat launches does Dysart et al have?
26. Checked November 3 2026.
Where can I mountain bike in Haliburton?
Glebe Park. Riders buy a membership from, or donate to, the Haliburton Mountain Biking Club. Checked November 3 2026.
What is in the Minden Hills Cultural Centre?
The Agnes Jamieson Gallery, the Minden Hills Museum & Heritage Village and Nature’s Place. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I see wolves at Haliburton Forest?
Yes, through indoor one-way glass at the Wolf Centre. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages in this area
Browse cottages in Haliburton or the Haliburton and Algonquin region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for Dysart et al and Minden Hills. Our dataset has no confirmed short-term rental rule for this municipality yet, so confirm with its clerk before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dysart et al seasonal activities (old summer-activities URL 404): paddling outfitters list; Glebe Park MTB membership or donation to Haliburton Mountain Biking Club (Trailforks), call ahead, may be closed early spring; Glebe Park walking trails; Haliburton Forest and Sir Sam’s listed; Haliburton Highlands Museum summer programming for children and youth; Highland Boat Tours Wednesdays July-August 1:00 PM, Town Docks, $25, advance booking via Welcome Centre 705-457-2871, waiver, under 16 with guardian | https://www.dysartetal.ca/explore-and-play/seasonal-activities/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 1a | 26 boat launches, use at own risk, low-water launching caution | https://www.dysartetal.ca/explore-and-play/water-access-sites/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 1b | A.J. LaRue Arena single ice pad, ice in mid-June for summer; open skates | https://www.dysartetal.ca/explore-and-play/arena/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | Algonquin 772,300 ha; trails Spruce Bog Boardwalk 1.5 km easy; Lookout 1.9 km moderate; Centennial Ridges 10 km strenuous; Mizzy Lake 10.8 km | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/algonquin/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 3 | Algonquin Visitor Centre year-round; exhibits; theatre presentation | https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/locations/algonquin_visitor_centre.php | 2026-11-03 |
| 4 | Haliburton Forest: 100,000 acres, 100 lakes | https://haliburtonforest.com/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 5 | Wolf Centre: adult $13.28, youth $7.96, family $26.55 plus tax; all indoor; theatre; one-way glass rooms | https://haliburtonforest.com/wolf-centre/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 6 | Minden Hills Cultural Centre: Agnes Jamieson Gallery; Minden Hills Museum & Heritage Village; Nature’s Place | https://www.mindenhills.ca/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 7 | Algonquin maple peak average Sept 27 western Hwy 60 corridor | https://algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/general_park_info/fall-colour-report.php | 2026-11-03 |
| 8 | HHHS Haliburton hospital 7199 Gelert Rd | https://www.hhhs.ca/ | 2026-11-03 |