Grant's Woods Nature Reserve - Couchiching Conservancy

Size: 52-acres

Status: Open to the Public, with trails

Protected: February 2, 2004

Donor: Bill Grant, in memory of his brother Jack

This Nature Reserve is an ideal spot for a hike, and also a perfect setting for family, engagement and other photos. Photographers need to book the date and time at least five days in advance, and there is a fee for use. We ask that people do not touch the Fargo truck - that includes getting into the truck, opening the hood, standing on the roof. These seemingly minor actions degrade the truck over time, and it is not safe. Download the Booking Info Sheet here.

Coming to our trails with a group? Let us know! It is important to let us know to ensure there isn't a conflict with one of our own activities. *Note that we are not accepting community room bookings at this time* The Grant's Woods Conservation Centre has a community room with space for a maximum of 15 people around our moveable tables. We have a projector & screen which can be reserved, a large white board and an accessible washroom and kitchen. Please contact our Administrative Assistant (courtney@couchconservancy.ca) for questions and to book.

When most people think of the Couchiching Conservancy, they think of Grant's Woods. This Nature Reserve is the location of our office and a popular destination for a relaxing walk in the woods on one of the four kilometres of loop trails.

The Grant family purchased this property in 1908, and in 2002 William Grant donated it to the Conservancy in memory of his late brother Jack.

A former house on the property has been extensively renovated to create the Conservation Centre office. Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and a legacy gift from the estate of Bill Grant, our office and gazebo are fully accessible, the office is heated and cooled geothermally, and 50% of our annual hydro bill is offset through solar power generation.

2023 UPDATE: Our newly upgraded Accessible Trail is officially open! We closed Grant's Woods from August 14th-September 1st as we upgraded the Periwinkle trail to make it truly handicap accessible. This involved reframing the trail, laying new stone, flattening it, removing hazards, and refinishing a bridge. So much hard work, planning and support went into this process from staff, volunteers, local companies, and generous donors. Thank you to all involved! We hope that this accessible trail will be a great resource to anyone in the community who feels they need extra accessibility to enjoy nature.

Landscape and Species:

mature upland forest has not been logged for over a century
towering canopy of Hard Maple, White Ash, Red Oak, White Pine, American Beech and Eastern Hemlock
deep moist clay and sand soil, ideal for tall, straight, healthy trees
nesting area for many birds including Scarlet Tanagers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Broad-winged Hawk and Pileated Woodpeckers
Indigo Buntings and Mourning Warblers nest along woodland edges
in the shade of the forest, Christmas Fern, Maidenhair Fern and many spring wildflowers
small cool streams in shallow ravines collect together to form on the headwaters of the North River
a four-kilometre network of looped walking trails, with connecting footbridges and interpretive stations

VISIT:

Best time to visit: spring for wildflowers, early summer for birds, fall for colourful trees; interpretive trails open year-round with parking. Composting toilets available through the summer.

Parking: there is parking for approximately 15 vehicles in our parking area. Keep in mind that this is also our office, so staff and volunteers also park here. If you are bringing a group, please let us know in advance.

Address: 1485 Division Road West, Orillia, ON L3V 0X6

Washrooms: compost toilets are open seasonally and office washroom is open during regular office hours Monday to Friday

Trails: 4km all together, with many options for loops.

Accessibility: 230 meters of trail is wheelchair accessible. The Gazebo is also accessible. There is one reserved parking space in front of our office.