A Natural Sanctuary in the Heart of the City
Amid the city’s urban energy, Laurier Woods offers a 240-acre natural haven at its heart. Dedicated citizens from the Friends of Laurier Woods along with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority actively preserve and protect this cherished space.
Winding through the landscape, a network of looped trails invites exploration in every season. The provincially significant wetland shelters an incredible diversity of life—birds, flora, fauna, and countless wetland species that thrive year-round.
Exploring Laurier Woods in All Seasons
Each spring and summer, weekly guided hikes offered by the Friends of Laurier Woods and the Nipissing Naturalists Club reveal the woods’ hidden wonders – be sure to add your sightings to the trailhead list of birds spotted in the marsh.
Don’t miss the free annual Louise de Kiriline Nature Festival that brings together naturalists and nature lovers from around the region on the third Saturday of August.
Winter is a captivating experience in Laurier Woods showcasing the beauty of North Bay in a unique and enchanting way. As snow blankets the forest, the trails of Laurier Woods take on a serene and peaceful atmosphere, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city.
The trails meander through the pine, birch, beech and tamarack filled woods, providing hikers with the opportunity to witness towering trees draped in white, the crisp winter air and the crunch of the snow underfoot. Keep an eye out for the resident deer, beavers, foxes and porcupines, active during the winter. You may see wildlife tracks imprinted in the snow, adding an element of intrigue and discovery to the journey.
From the gentle rustle of tree branches to the sighting of winter birds, Laurier Woods in the winter months offers an immersive and serene hiking experience for nature lovers.