Trail Mix: How One Family Found Their Flow at Mansfield Outdoor Centre

“Wow, that was a short drive,” said Collingwood local Mike Thompson as he and his family pulled their Subaru into the parking lot at Mansfield Outdoor Centre. The sun was cutting through the hardwood canopy, and the forest hummed with the sound of tires on dirt. For Mike and his teenage son Jake—longtime three-stage fans with a soft spot for fast, technical terrain—it was an ideal day to ride. But for Sarah, a newcomer to the sport, and eight-year-old Lily, still learning how to shift gears with confidence, the stakes felt higher. First-time trail rides can go either way.

Fortunately, Mansfield delivered.

Located just a 25-minute drive south of Collingwood in the rolling hills of Mulmur, Mansfield Outdoor Centre has become one of Ontario’s most accessible and exciting trail systems—especially lately. It’s also rideable after a rain—even when Three Stage is too wet to ride—due to Mansfield’s sandy well-draining soil. Over the past year, the Centre has been expanding its network, adding dozens of new kilometres of singletrack that range from fast, flowy loops to purpose-built climbs, technical descents, and machine-sculpted berms. The terrain is varied but thoughtful, with something for every level of rider. From old-school roots and rocks to modern, bike-park-style features, it’s a place that rewards experience without punishing beginners.

Over the past year, the Centre has been expanding its network, adding dozens of new kilometres of singletrack that range from fast, flowy loops to purpose-built climbs, technical descents, and machine-sculpted berms.

Mike and Jake dropped into the more advanced loops, quickly losing themselves in tight corners, steep rollers, and lung-burning climbs that had them grinning between gasps. “The flow is unreal,” Mike said, rolling to a stop at a trail junction. “You can ride this stuff fast and aggressive—or just cruise it. It’s smart trail design.”

Back at the beginner-friendly routes, Sarah and Lily were finding their own version of flow. With gently graded descents, wide corners, and manageable technical bits, the green and blue trails helped them build confidence without fear. Sarah admitted she’d been nervous at first. “But the way these trails are laid out, you feel in control,” she said. Lily’s verdict? “Let’s do that one again.”

As important as the trails themselves are the little details that make a ride more comfortable—especially for families. Mansfield delivers on that front, too. The Centre offers clean, modern washrooms, a day lodge, ample parking, and on-site facilities that make it easy to transition from riding to relaxing. No scrambling to find a bathroom. No gear changes in the backseat of a car. Just a well-thought-out experience from start to finish.

Post-ride, the Thompsons headed to the Centre’s sunny, licensed patio, the Pine River Cafe & Public House, where a full menu, cold craft beer and warm butter tarts (yes, award-winning ones) were waiting. As Sarah and Mike sipped their pints, Jake compared lines with his dad, and Lily licked buttery crumbs from her fingers before asking the question no one saw coming: “Can I go to summer camp here?”

Sarah admitted she’d been nervous at first. “But the way these trails are laid out, you feel in control,” she said.

It was the kind of moment that defines a great outdoor day—the kind where a sport turns into a passion, and a trail becomes a starting point. At Mansfield Outdoor Centre, the riding is world-class, but more importantly, it’s welcoming. For the Thompsons, that meant everyone—from the seasoned riders to the absolute beginners—left the trailhead already planning their return.