Bruce County is characterized by rolling cattle pastures and cropland in the south, to the rugged forested lands of the Bruce Peninsula with it's international World Biosphere Reserve designation in the north, bordered by the Niagara Escarpment along the east side, overlain with an intricate web of warm and cold water streams and small inland lakes and surrounded by Georgian Bay on the east and Lake Huron on the west. Approximately 37% of the land base in Bruce County or a total of 149,917 hectares is forested. In the south half of the County, the hardwood stands of maple and beech support furniture making, saw logs and a local fuel wood industry while the conifer stands in the north provide shingles, cottage industry crafts, cedar poles and good habitat for white tailed deer, black bear and ruffed grouse. Fishing opportunities abound throughout the county while mineral resources range from decorative stone and marble quarries near Wiarton, extensive unconsolidated aggregate areas in the south to consolidated dolomite deposits on the peninsula. Three provincial parks and two federal parks (one being an underwater park) provide opportunities for both camping and day use. Even more day recreational opportunities are available through the significant areas of Crown, County, municipal and conservation lands. The network of trails which includes the Bruce Trail system extending along the length of the Bruce Peninsula provides excellent hiking potential. | 
