November outings in Simcoe: forest trails, Wye Marsh and the Barrie waterfront before the snow

Many people think that once the leaves fall, there's nothing left to do but wait for snow. But November has its charm in Simcoe County: quieter trails, fresh air, no mosquitoes and golden late-afternoon light. It's a good time to explore the region's nature with your family, spending little or nothing.

Simcoe County Forests

The County manages the Simcoe County Forests, a network of public forests across the region with free, open-access trails. One of the best known is Hendrie Forest in Midhurst, near Barrie, with easy trails for walking with kids and dogs. A map of the forests and parking areas is on the County website.

Copeland Forest, Oro-Medonte

Copeland Forest, near Horseshoe Valley, has more than 1,700 hectares of forest and a large network of hiking and biking trails. It's great for a longer outing. Trails can be muddy this time of year, so wear proper footwear.

Wye Marsh, Midland

The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre has trails, boardwalks over the marsh and bird-watching towers. In fall and winter you can often see trumpeter swans, a species the centre helped reintroduce to Ontario. It's an educational outing for kids. The centre charges admission, so check prices and hours on its website before you go.

Barrie waterfront and the Georgian Trail

• Barrie waterfront: the walk along Kempenfelt Bay, between Centennial Park and Heritage Park, is flat, free and beautiful in any season.
• Georgian Trail: the former rail line between Collingwood and Meaford is now a flat trail, great for strollers, with views of Georgian Bay.
• Orillia: the Couchiching Beach Park boardwalk and the Port of Orillia make for a relaxing lakeside walk.

Important precautions in November

Fall is hunting season in many parts of Ontario, including some Simcoe County forests where hunting is permitted. That doesn't rule out outings, but it calls for care:

• wear bright colours, ideally orange, including on your dog;
• stay on marked trails and keep your dog on a leash;
• walk in the middle of the day, since dawn and dusk are peak hunting times;
• it gets dark early: after the time change, the sun sets around 5 p.m., so plan to be back before then;
• bring water, snacks, a charged phone and an extra layer, because temperatures drop quickly.

A suggested day trip

Start the morning with a walk in Copeland Forest, have lunch in Barrie or Orillia and end the afternoon with a sunset on the waterfront. If the weather is bad, public libraries in the region offer free weekend programs for kids, and many community centres start public skating sessions in November.

Before you go

Check the forecast, each location's hours and whether trails are open, especially after heavy rain or the first snowfalls. Enjoying nature in the fall is a great way to adapt to the climate and gradually get ready for the Canadian winter.