Forest Tracts

On This Page

• Forest Tract Locations
• Trails and Forest Tract Guidelines
• Parks and Recreation Upcoming Public Information Sessions
• Invasive Species

Kawartha Lakes has 3,792 hectares of forests located within four Municipal Forest Tracts.

Our Municipal Forest Tracts are open year-round and offer the perfect backdrop for a variety of outdoor recreational activities for both residents and visitors to Kawartha Lakes. Enjoy the extensive well-being benefits associated with spending time outdoors in nature.

Municipal Forest tracts are working forests; not parks. There are no facilities or waste receptacles provided, visitors are asked to plan their trip accordingly ahead of time. Visitors are advised to exercise caution while visiting Forest Tracts, like any outdoor nature pursuit there are risks that can occur; visitors are reminded to use Municipal Forest Tracts at their own risk.

All Municipal Forest Tracts adhere to the By-law 2022-011.

Forest Tract Locations

Somerville Tract

Somerville Tract is located in Norland and is comprised 3,420 hectares of mixed forest property. The Forest Tract contains three trail loops covering a variety of terrain including pine plantations, wetlands, hardwoods and rock outcrops.

Address:  4420 Monck Road, Kinmount

Permitted Activities:

The following activities are permitted at the Somerville Forest Tract:

• Walking and hiking
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
• Orienteering and geocaching
• Nature appreciation and study
• Horseback riding
• Dog walking - Pets must be under control or on leash
• Off-Road Cycling

Restricted Activities:

The following activities are not permitted at the Somerville Forest Tract:

• Camping
• Motorized vehicles (ATV’s, Dirt Bikes, 4x4s etc.)
• Hunting
• Forest harvesting
• Off-leash dog walking
• Littering or illegal dumping
• Open fires
• Consumption of alcohol
• Target practice / patterning or sighting of firearms
• Paintball
• Cutting, pruning, digging or gathering of trees, shrubs, ground cover or firewood
• Construction of unauthorized structures, trails, permanent tree stands
• Digging or the use of a metal detectors

For further information e-mail the Parks and Recreation Division or call 705-324-9411 extension 1176.

Manvers Tract

Permitted Activities:

The following activities are permitted at the Manvers Forest Tract:

• Walking and hiking
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
• Orienteering and geocaching
• Nature appreciation and study
• Horseback riding
• Dog walking - Pets must be under control or on leash
• Off-Road Cycling

Restricted Activities:

The following activities are not permitted at the Emily Forest Tract:

• Camping
• Motorized vehicles (ATV’s, Dirt Bikes, 4x4s etc.)
• Hunting
• Forest harvesting
• Off-leash dog walking
• Littering or illegal dumping
• Open fires
• Consumption of alcohol
• Target practice / patterning or sighting of firearms
• Paintball
• Cutting, pruning, digging or gathering of trees, shrubs, ground cover or firewood
• Construction of unauthorized structures, trails, permanent tree stands
• Digging or the use of a metal detectors

For further information e-mail the Parks and Recreation Division or call 705-324-9411 extension 1176.

Laxton Tract

Permitted Activities:

The following activities are permitted at the Laxton Forest Tract:

• Walking and hiking
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
• Orienteering and geocaching
• Nature appreciation and study
• Horseback riding
• Dog walking - Pets must be under control or on leash
• Off-Road Cycling

Restricted Activities:

The following activities are not permitted at the Emily Forest Tract:

• Camping
• Motorized vehicles (ATV’s, Dirt Bikes, 4x4s etc.)
• Hunting
• Forest harvesting
• Off-leash dog walking
• Littering or illegal dumping
• Open fires
• Consumption of alcohol
• Target practice / patterning or sighting of firearms
• Paintball
• Cutting, pruning, digging or gathering of trees, shrubs, ground cover or firewood
• Construction of unauthorized structures, trails, permanent tree stands
• Digging or the use of a metal detectors

For further information e-mail the Parks and Recreation Division or call 705-324-9411 extension 1176.

Emily Tract

Emily Tract is comprised of 99.2 hectares of mixed forest property. This Tract includes two trail loops that wind through the property providing visitors the opportunity to explore unique glacial land features including moraines and eskers.

Emily Tract contains two trail loops: Loop 1 is gently rolling and heavily forested and Loop 2 crosses a wooden bridge, is hillier and is also heavily forested.

Address:  832 Peace Road, Omemee

Permitted Activities:

The following activities are permitted at the Emily Forest Tract:

• Walking and hiking
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
• Orienteering and geocaching
• Nature appreciation and study
• Horseback riding
• Dog walking - Pets must be under control or on leash
• Off-Road Cycling

Restricted Activities:

The following activities are not permitted at the Emily Forest Tract:

• Camping
• Motorized vehicles (ATV’s, Dirt Bikes, 4x4s etc.)
• Hunting
• Forest harvesting
• Off-leash dog walking
• Littering or illegal dumping
• Open fires
• Consumption of alcohol
• Target practice / patterning or sighting of firearms
• Paintball
• Cutting, pruning, digging or gathering of trees, shrubs, ground cover or firewood
• Construction of unauthorized structures, trails, permanent tree stands
• Digging or the use of a metal detectors

For further information e-mail the Parks and Recreation Division or call 705-324-9411 extension 1176.

Trails and Forest Tract Guidelines

Below are some suggestions for using and sharing Kawartha Lakes Forest Tracts responsibly:

• Try to stay on the trail, even if it rough and muddy;
• Walking or cycling on the edge of the trail can widen the trail and cause damage and erosion; travel single file to avoid widening the trail;
• If you are in a group and are not following a marked trail (for example, if you are walking through an open field) try to spread out rather than following in each other's footsteps to reduce environmental impact;
• Avoid sensitive vegetation and watch where you put your feet;
• Be considerate and honour other's desire for solitude and a peaceful outdoor experience;
• Be especially cautious around horses and bikers, stay to the right of the trail and let them pass;
• Allow for future use of the outdoors, by leaving it better than you found it;
• Carry out what you carry in, don't burn or bury trash;
• Respect the environment and other trail and Forest Tract users.

For further information on Municipal Forest Tracts e-mail the Parks and Recreation Division or call 705-324-9411 extension 1301.

Invasive Species

Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer has been detected and confirmed in Memorial Park, Oakwood and near Balsam Lake. We work closely with Fleming College and participated in a street tree inventory program for Lindsay. The inventory results showed that our urban street tree canopy contains approximately 4% ash species. This inventory provides us with valuable data to determine future needs.

We follow a set of best practices to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer:

• The ash trees in Lindsay Parks have been inventoried;
• City staff have participated in Emerald Ash Borer awareness and training;
• Emerald Ash Borer monitoring traps are in place around the City;
• Arborists monitor ash trees throughout the City and remove pests;
• We have identified parks and green space that contains predominately ash species and are working toward plans for inter-planting and replacement planting in preparation for the loss of these ash species;
• Replacement planting does not include the ash species.

Lymantria dispar dispar (Ldd) Moth

The Lymantria dispar dispar or Ldd moth is an invasive species that is native to Europe. It was first detected in Ontario in 1969. This defoliator feeds on a variety of hardwood specifies but prefers oak, birch and aspen. During severe outbreaks, softwoods such as eastern white pine, balsam fir, and Colorado blue spruce may be affected.

Healthy trees can withstand repeated years of defoliation before branch and twig dieback start to occur.

The MNRF does not manage Ldd moths on private land. Landowners can find reputable insect control service providers with experience in controlling Ldd moth populations by checking their local listings.

For more information, visit the Ontario website.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What do Ldd moths do to forests?

Answer: Larvae (caterpillars) feed on new foliage. They may also defoliate understory shrubs and plants. Hardwood trees can produce a second crop of leaves during the growing season enabling them to continue to grow. Defoliation stresses trees making them more susceptible to damage from secondary pests, drought, and poor growing conditions.

Are Ldd moths a common occurrence every year in Kawartha Lakes? are some years better than others or is this something that strictly happens every few years or so?

Answer: Lymantria dispar dispar are always present however, every 7 to 10 years populations can spike.

Are there certain areas in Kawartha Lakes that have been harder hit than others?

Answer: When compared to neighbouring municipalities Kawartha Lakes has experienced lower to moderate infestation numbers. However, some areas in the southern portion of the municipality around Pontypool have experienced higher Ldd populations with significant defoliation occurring in forest stands and woodlots.

What has the municipality done this season to tackle these invasive insects?

Answer: Public awareness by way of resident outreach. Local nurseries are working with concerned residents and directing them to the Ontario website.

What are some control methods for Ldd moths?

Answer: Landowners can find reputable insect control service providers with experience in controlling Ldd moth populations by checking their local listings. 

In spring, after eggs have hatched, placing burlap bands around the tree stem gives the traveling larvae a place to congregate during warm days from which they can be physically removed and killed.

Also in spring, just after larvae have emerged, registered insecticides can be applied to help protect trees from defoliation.

In fall and winter, physical removal and discarding of egg masses is also effective.

Related Resources:

• Invasive Species Centre website
• Invading Species Awareness Program

For further information e-mail the Parks and Recreation Division or 705-324-9411 extension 1176.