Our Trails Community

Across the Near North, we have a thriving community of volunteers who provide stewardship for a vast and diverse trails network. There are many rewarding opportunities to get involved with the trails community whether its joining a membership-based club, volunteering time to participate on a committee or picking up trash along the trail.

Trail Associations and Advocacy Organizations

	Forgotten Trails Association: creates, maintains and promotes safe and ecologically sustainable trails of natural or historical significance in the South River area. The four-season, backcountry trails are managed by volunteers for the purpose of non-motorized recreational trail activities. The Forgotten Trails Association hosts volunteer trail building days and trail events. Keep in touch on Facebook @forgottentrails and Instagram.
	Friends of Laurier Woods: a group of volunteers that raise funds and actively make improvements to the trail system within the Laurier Woods Conservation Area in North Bay. Support the Friends either through membership or by volunteering time.
	Friends of Mashkinonje: dedicated to carrying out environmental protection and preservation of Mashkinonje Provincial Park and its trails as well as education and recreation relating to the natural, scientific, historic and cultural resources of the Park.  The Friends lead seasonal guided hikes in the Park.
	Friends of La Vase Portages: work with groups and individuals as well as various levels of government to keep the trail open and protected for future use. Volunteers brush and sign the sections of the trail that still run over Crown Lands or North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority property. FOLVP also host the annual La Vase Heritage Canoe Day to travel the route as a group.
	North Bay Mountain Bike Association: advocates for the sport of mountain biking and mountain bike trails in North Bay. Established in 2019, the association hopes to unify the mountain biking community in an attempt to develop an extensive network of legitimate trails, deliver group rides, as well offer opportunities for education and skill development. The NBMBA is membership based.
	Friends of Mattawa River: Find them on Facebook
	Friends of John Kennedy Memorial Park: volunteer stewards of the John Kennedy Memorial Park, a greenbelt stretching only a few city blocks in North Bay. Find them on Facebook

Cycling Advocates of Nipissing: an active working group under Discovery Routes, comprised of community members with skills and abilities to advocate for cycling in the region across the District of Nipissing and Province of Ontario. Participate by joining the Cycling Advocates of Nipissing Facebook Group.

Near North Trails Association: snowmobile association for District 13 of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs representing 10 area snowmobile clubs across Nipissing.

Our Municipal Trails Partners

Many of the local municipalities across the Near North maintain, manage and support trails and active transportation. Some through Recreation Committees others through Active Transportation Committees. Contact Discovery Routes if you are interested in a specific community.

Agencies & Organizations Supporting Trails

Trails touch a variety of sectors from health promotion to tourism and everything in between. We work with many agencies in the Near North to further our mission. North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit, Near North District School Board, and others.