Tiffin Centre for Con​​servation and​
Tiffin Conservation Area​​​

​​Situated between Barrie and​ Angus, the Tiffin Centre for Conservation is home to the NVCA's Administration Centre, and the 300+ acre property is a four-season destination for environmental recreation and education.​

R​​​ecreational Visitors

The Tiffin Centre is a spectacular place for a walk (leashed canine visitors welcome!) or to bring your gear and bike, cross-country ski or snowshoe on 17 km of looped trails that meander through a​ mixture of wetlands, forests, open meadows and ancient lake beds.

Visit our working sugarbush for a late winter treat! 

Tiffin Educa​tion Programs

While you're visitin​g Tiffin Conservation Area, you may see groups of children learning about nature. Please be sure to drive slowly and not to disturb the eager learners. 

Our education team runs programs often. If you're interested in enrolling in our education programs, please visit our Education and Events page​.

Free P​lay Forest

​As a build-it-yourself, loose-parts playground, children transform “The Hive” using rails, logs, planks and natural materials. This Free Play Forest is a place for imagination, exploration and problem solving through open-ended play.

Families are welcome to use the Free Play Forest when it is not occupied by our education programs.

This project is generously funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

​​Accessi​ble Trails

Tiffin Centre's Hawk and Maple Valley Trails (map) are wheelchair accessible, and accessible washrooms are available.​

Maple Sy​rup​

For more than 40 years, volunteers have produced Tiffin Maple Syrup in support of maintaining Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority's conservation areas.​

Support your local conservation area by purchasing our maple syrup!

Click here to order or for more information about our maple syrup program.​

Disc ​​Golf

The Tiffin Centre is home to the Goldilocks Disc Golf Course, a nine-hole course around Papa Bear Pond, Mama Bear Wetland, and Baby Bear Pond. Use of the course is free. Access may be limited during weekdays.​​

Par​​king F​​ees​​

• Daily Parking - $10.00 + HST ​per vehicle
• Annual Pass - $71.00​ + HST per vehicle (valid for all NVCA-operated conservation areas)
• For payment options and details, see parking fees.

Your parking fee helps offset the cost of maintaining and improving NVCA conservation areas.

Washr​ooms

Washrooms are available in the John Hix Administration Centre Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Other ​washrooms are closed for the season

Operating​ Hours

• Dawn to dusk, daily

Site ​​Maps

• Tiffin Conservation Area Trails Map
• Tiffin Conservation Area Snowshoe Map​
  
  

Facility R​​entals

The Tiffin Centre features a variety of indoor and outdoor venues that may be rented for meetings, picnics, parties and weddings. Camping is available for community groups/clubs. Click here for more information on booking our facilities.

Education, Family Events a​​nd Summer Day Camp

The Tiffin Centre is home to the NVCA's Environmental Education Program for school, daycare and community groups, the Camp Tiffin summer day camp program, the annual Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival, ​March Break activities and other family-friendly events​ throughout the year.

Getting t​​here:

• ADDRESS: 8195 8th Line of Essa, Utopia (map​)
  
• TEL: 705-424-1479
• GPS: X-595757, Y-4907785
• DIRECTIONS: From the City of Barrie or Highway 400, drive west on County Rd. 90 (Dunlop St. towards Angus) to the 8th Line of Essa. Turn left (south) and travel for 4 km to the entranceway on your left.

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