York Regional Forest Walks and Events

York Regional Forest's guided walks and events are designed for various age groups, residents and visitors. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and registration opens one month in advance. While these events usually proceed rain or shine, extreme weather conditions may lead to cancellations. Registered participants will be notified of any event changes through their provided contact information.

January

Your Forest Adventure 

Embrace the winter season with a fun-filled day of outdoor adventure at the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre and explore the beauty of the York Regional Forest! Whether you're looking to enjoy a peaceful self-guided winter hike, try your hand at do-it-yourself kick-sledding or snowshoeing (weather permitting), or simply relax with a warm beverage, this pop-up event has something for everyone. 

Saturday, January 10 (all ages)  

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Hollidge Tract 
16389 Highway 48, Whitchurch-Stouffville 
 

February

Love in the Wild

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a winter hike in the York Regional Forest. Explore scenic trails, discover the fascinating world of animal mating rituals and learn how wildlife adapts to the season. Afterward warm up with a cozy cup of hot chocolate and take in the beauty of nature. Whether you’re sharing the day with someone special or simply enjoying the peaceful outdoors, this experience promises a memorable Valentine’s celebration surrounded by winter’s charm. 

Saturday, February 14  

• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (all ages)
• 1 to 3 p.m. (ages 18 and up)  

Happy Valley Tract 
15430 7th Concession, King 

March

Streams of Spring

Join us, along with Ontario Streams, for a fascinating discovery of the winter thaw and its impact on our forests and waterways. Discover how the Forest responds to the seasonal shift and the important role water plays in the ecosystem’s awakening. Learn about the animals that call our streams and wetlands home and discover how they adapt to the cold months before the rush of spring begins. From aquatic creatures that survive the winter freeze to the Forest’s gradual transformation, this walk offers a deep dive into the interactions of water, wildlife and seasonal change. Don’t miss the chance to observe how the Forest’s hidden aquatic world thrives and evolves as the days warm up.  

Saturday, March 28 (ages 10 and up)  

• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• 1 to 3 p.m.  

Hollidge Tract 
16389 Highway 48, Whitchurch-Stouffville 

April

Green Up, Clean Up

Join us for a day of environmental stewardship to help keep our beloved York Regional Forest clean and healthy! During this Green Up, Clean Up event, we’ll collect litter and do our part to ensure our Forest remains a beautiful and vibrant place for our wildlife and visitors.  

Stop by Hollidge Tract or Brown Hill Tract to pick up supplies like gloves, litter grabbers, bags, hand sanitizer and safety vests. Feel free to bring your own supplies if you prefer. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day and, at 2 p.m., we’ll gather for a group photo at each of the trailheads at Hollidge and Brown Hill Tracts to capture our collective efforts in preserving this beautiful natural space.

Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to community clean-up events, this is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on our local environment. So bring your kids, friends and neighbours as we work together to protect our Forest for generations to come. It’s a fun, rewarding day to get outside, make a difference and be part of something meaningful. 

Saturday, April 18 (ages 6 and up)  

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Hollidge Tract 
16389 Highway 48, Whitchurch-Stouffville 

Brownhill Tract
22612 McCowan Road, East Gwillimbury

Can’t make it to one of our events? Check out what our partners have to offer:

• Evergreen
• Forests Canada
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)
• Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF)
• Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust
• Oak Ridges Trail Association
• Ontario Streams
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
• Rouge National Urban Park

In 2025, we updated the Discover Your Forest (DYF) program! While many of your local libraries already offered nature backpacks, kits and lending items, we provided participating libraries with forest-related items and activities to enrich their existing collections and support local nature exploration. Check out the list of participating libraries below!

We’re also making nature exploration more widely available with new digital printable resources. This ensures everyone can enjoy the benefits of the DYF program, whether online or in person.

• Bark Quilt: create a colourful quilt by making bark rubbings from different trees
• Leaf It to Memory: enhance your tree identification skills with a memory card game
• Leafo Bingo: a bingo game that challenges you to find leaves with various characteristics
• Nature Exploration: boost your well-being with an activity that engages all your senses
• Sound Map: explore and document the diverse sounds of nature
• True Colours: a fun experiment that reveals the hidden pigments in leaves
• Tree ID Wheel: match leaf characteristics to identify tree species