Welcome to FYI Haliburton

Nestled in the heart of Ontario's cottage country, Haliburton County is a place that captures the imagination in every season. From the shimmer of a thousand lakes in summer to the fiery palette of autumn hardwoods, from the hush of fresh snow on pine boughs to the first trilliums of spring — this is a region that rewards those who know where to look. FYI Haliburton is your community guide to finding it all.

Whether you're a lifelong resident, a cottager who returns every summer, or a first-time visitor planning your trip to the Haliburton Highlands, this site brings together the events, businesses, activities, and community connections that make this county special.

What's Happening in Haliburton County

Haliburton County pulses with community life year-round. The arts scene alone draws visitors from across Ontario and beyond — the Haliburton County Studio Tour is one of the largest in Canada, bringing together hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors each autumn. The Haliburton Concert Series fills Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion with world-class musicians. Local theatre, film festivals, and gallery openings round out a calendar that rivals cities many times Haliburton's size.

Outdoors, the Haliburton Highlands offer an embarrassment of riches. The OFSC-maintained snowmobile trail network threads through thousands of kilometres of boreal forest. Sir Sam's Ski and Ride delivers downhill thrills overlooking Eagle Lake. Cross-country skiers glide through Haliburton Nordic's groomed trails, while snowshoers explore backcountry routes through the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve.

When the ice melts, paddlers launch canoes on hundreds of linked lakes and rivers. Hikers follow trails through old-growth forest and exposed granite ridges. Cyclists wind through rolling townships. Anglers cast for walleye, bass, and trout. And swimmers — well, in Haliburton, the water is always somewhere nearby.

Four seasons of outdoor recreation in Haliburton Highlands Ontario
Haliburton County delivers four seasons of spectacular outdoor recreation on the Canadian Shield.

Community at the Core

Haliburton County is four municipalities — Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East, and Minden Hills — but it functions as one community. Neighbours help neighbours. Volunteers power dozens of organizations. Fundraisers draw crowds. Local businesses are locally owned, and the people behind the counter actually know your name.

FYI Haliburton has long been a reflection of that community spirit — a place where events get posted, businesses get found, volunteer opportunities get filled, and local stories get told. Browse the sections below to discover everything this remarkable region has to offer.

Explore the Haliburton Highlands

The Haliburton Highlands in Every Season

Winter transforms the county into a playground of snow and ice. Snowmobilers follow OFSC trails across the region. Downhill skiers and snowboarders carve runs at Sir Sam's. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers explore groomed and backcountry routes. Ice fishing shacks dot frozen lakes. The Minden Hills Winter Carnival brings the community together. And when the weather calls for something warm, local restaurants and cafés are always ready.

Spring is the season of mud and magic — the ice goes out, the trout start rising, the trilliums carpet the forest floor, and the chain saws finally fall silent. Local nurseries offer native plants for shoreline restoration. The FEEL (Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning) native plant sale kicks off the gardening season. Birdwatchers scan the treetops for warblers on their northward migration.

Summer is Haliburton's golden season, when the population swells with returning cottagers and touring visitors. Farmers' markets, outdoor concerts, art exhibitions, fundraiser barbecues, and community festivals fill every weekend. On the water, kayaks and canoes glide past loons and great blue herons. Swimming holes beckon. The highland air carries the scent of pine and lake.

Autumn may be the most spectacular season of all. Haliburton County's hardwood forests — maple, oak, birch, and poplar — turn the hillsides into a canvas of crimson, gold, and amber. The Haliburton County Studio Tour draws art lovers from across the province. Hikers and photographers flock to lookout points. The pace slows, the crowds thin, and the county settles into the deep, satisfying quiet of a year well-lived.