Ontario Trails Council
Ontario Trails Council is a registered charity that operates Ontario's province-wide trail directory platform, covering 80,000+ km of managed trails across 14 regions and 27 activity types, serving trail enthusiasts, clubs, municipalities, and tourism organizations via membership and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersDeseronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ontario Trails Council does
Ontario Trails Council (OTC) is a registered nonprofit charity founded in 1991 and headquartered in Deseronto, Ontario, that operates a web-based trail discovery and directory platform covering more than 80,000 km of managed trails across 14 Ontario regions and 27 recreational activity types. The platform — built on a Heroku-hosted Directus CMS with Google Maps integration for directions — lets users search trails by activity, region, or city; each trail page carries GPS coordinates, length, amenities, contact details, and current weather. Adjacent product modules include the Trail Smart and Paddle Smart safety programs, a Trip Planner tool, a trail events calendar, the weekly Trail Wise newsletter (delivered via Mailchimp at 50+ trail articles per week), and Trail Heroes, a community recognition program.
OTC monetizes through a tiered annual membership program ranging from $33.50 CAD for individuals to $867.50 CAD for provincial-mandate or large-city members, plus a tax-receipted donation platform (minimum $25) that funds named trail development projects such as the Georgian Bay Coast Trail, Kinghorn Rail Trail, and St. Thomas Elevated Park Project. The membership tiers span ten organizational personas, including clubs, counties, townships, First Nations, regional tourism organizations, outdoors industry, media, non-profit partners, and federal or national bodies, with payments accepted via PayPal, Interac e-transfer, and direct deposit.
The organization is volunteer-led, has 1-10 employees, and operates a community-led go-to-market through its website, weekly newsletter, Trailhead Ontario conference, Ask An Expert Yammer forum, and active presence on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Channel partnerships with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV), Ontario Parks, and 13 Regional Tourism Organizations provide reciprocal trail pass access and distribution, while OTC indirectly drives trail tourism by promoting member organizations to outdoor recreation users across Ontario.
Ontario Trails Council firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ontario Trails Council
- Legal name
- Ontario Trails Council
- Website
- https://ontariotrails.on.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ontario Trails Council is a registered charity that operates Ontario's province-wide trail directory platform, covering 80,000+ km of managed trails across 14 regions and 27 activity types, serving trail enthusiasts, clubs, municipalities, and tourism organizations via membership and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ontario Trails Council industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trail Directory and Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transportation & Access Services (Shuttles, Ferry Access, Scenic Drives Permits) (THAAAGAC)
Keywords
Where Ontario Trails Council is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deseronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Ontario Trails Council business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Annual Membership Fees: Tiered annual membership fees ranging from $33.50 CAD (individual) to $867.50 CAD (provincial mandate/large city), with categories for counties, townships, first nations, regional tourism organizations, clubs, media, outdoors industry, nonprofits, and federal/national bodies. Payments include tax.
- Donations: The Ontario Trails Council is a registered charity accepting financial donations to support trail development projects. Donations of $25 or more receive a tax receipt. Current projects include Georgian Bay Coast Trail, Kinghorn Rail Trail, and St. Thomas Elevated Park Project.
- Trail Directory and Tourism Promotion: As a charity promoting trail-based tourism across Ontario's 80,000+ km of managed trails across 27 activity types, the organization drives trail tourism to partner organizations, conservation authorities, clubs, and tourism operators, indirectly monetizing through tourism ecosystem participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Provincial Mandate / Large City membership |
| Subscription | Annual | County / Conservation Authority membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Township / First Nation membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Regional Tourism Organization membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Club / Gym / Health Promoter membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Media / Website / Social membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Outdoors Industry membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Profit Partner membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Federal / National membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual membership |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donations (tax-receipted) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Ontario Trails Council product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Ontario Trails Council operates an online, searchable directory and trip-planning platform for more than 80,000 km of recreational trails in Ontario spanning 27 activity types (e.g., hiking, cycling, ATV, snowmobile, paddling, snowshoeing). It supplements the directory with an events calendar, safety and education programs (Trail Smart, Paddle Smart), a Trail Wise newsletter, and a five-tier membership program supported by donations and grants.
Product overview
Ontario Trails Council operates a web-based trail discovery platform that serves as a comprehensive directory for recreational trails across Ontario. The platform provides trail search and discovery tools allowing users to find trails by name, city, region, or activity type across 27 different activity categories. The core offering consists of the Ontario Trails Website Platform, which includes Trail Search & Discovery, Trail Events Calendar, and Trip Planner functionality. Additional modules include safety programs (Trail Smart, Paddle Smart), the Trail Wise weekly newsletter, Trail Risk Management Training, Trail Heroes recognition program, membership services, and a donation platform supporting trail development projects. The platform connects trail associations, land managers, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout Ontario.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Trail Wise: Official weekly newsletter of Ontario Trails Council covering trail news, events, and stories from across Ontario
Products and services
- Ontario Trails Directory A free, searchable online directory covering more than 80,000 km of Ontario recreational trails across 27 activity types (e.g., hiking, cycling, paddling, ATV, snowmobile, snowshoeing), available to the general public via the ontariotrails.com website.
- Ontario Trails Council Membership Program A tiered annual membership program with five categories (Individuals, Clubs/Associations, Government, Tourism, Industry) providing member benefits including advocacy, networking, event promotion, and access to member resources such as Trail Risk Management Training.
- Trail Wise Newsletter A free, opt-in email newsletter delivering trail news, safety information, events, and advocacy updates from the Ontario Trails Council to subscribers.
- Ontario Trails Council Donation Program An online donation platform through which individuals and organizations contribute funds to support the Ontario Trails Council's mission, with official charitable tax receipts issued (registered Canadian charity 871503245RR0001).
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 80,000 km of managed trails promoted across Ontario
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ontario Trails Council
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ontario Trails Council technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Ontario Trails Council partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC)coreOFSC is the provincial snowmobile association in Ontario. The OTC trail directory features OFSC-managed snowmobile trails, and individual clubs (e.g., Atikokan Sno-Ho Snowmobile Club) are members of OFSC. OFSC provides trail management standards and a provincial trail pass system for snowmobile clubs across Ontario.
- Ontario Federation of ATVs (OFATV)coreOFATV is the professional provincial ATV association in Ontario. The OTC directory prominently features OFATV-affiliated ATV club trails. Clubs under OFATV can reciprocate trail passes, and OFATV provides over 22 OFATV Clubs with over 6,000 km of ATV trails province-wide.
- Ontario ParkscoreOntario Parks manages Ontario's provincial parks trail network. OTC features Ontario Parks trails prominently — including 95 trails from Ontario Parks and extensive coverage of Algonquin Park (25 trails). OTC serves as a promotional platform for Ontario Parks trail experiences.
- Snowshoe CanadaminorSnowshoe Canada is promoted on OTC's Northumberland Forest - Beagle Club Trailhead page as a partner for snowshoeing information, directing users to snowshoecanada.ca for more information on the sport.
- Ontario Recreational Facilities AssociationminorOntario Recreational Facilities Association (ORFA) is listed on the Partners News page with access to past issues of their e-newsletter (2016-2019) through the OTC website.
- Regional Tourism Organization 12 - Explorer's EdgeminorExplorer's Edge is featured on the Partners News page as a regional tourism organization partner whose news is accessible through the OTC website.
- Summer Fun GuideminorSummer Fun Guide (summerfunguide.ca) is advertised on multiple OTC pages and serves as a complementary resource for Ontario cottage country and outdoor recreation experiences, linking to ontariotrails.on.ca and driving cross-promotion of Ontario outdoor activities.
- Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association (ORCKA)minorORCKA is promoted on OTC's Paddle Smart page as the voice of skilled paddlers in Ontario. ORCKA provides paddling education and a place to find places to paddle. OTC directs users to orcka.ca for paddle training and education.
- Ontario Tourism (Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation)minorOntario Trails Council uses photography courtesy of Ontario Tourism (unless otherwise specified) on its trail pages. This represents a content/resource partnership for trail imagery.
- Waterfront Trail / Waterfront Regeneration TrustminorThe Colborne - Waterfront Trail is part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail network managed by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust ([email protected]). OTC features this trail as part of its trail tourism promotion.
- Escarpment Biosphere ConservancyminorThe Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy was established to preserve the landscape, ecology, and wildlife of the Niagara Escarpment. OTC's Aundeck Omni Kaning Trail page references the Niagara Escarpment's UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve designation.
- Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV)coreBatawa Ski Hill Trails page features OFATV as a partner/advertiser. OFATV is described as 'the professional provincial ATV association in Ontario' and links to ofatv.org.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ontario Trails Council competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AllTrails: The leading global trail discovery platform with user-generated GPS trail data, reviews, and offline maps. Targets the same Ontario trail users as OTC but operates as a venture-backed commercial platform with greater technology depth.
- Hike Ontario: Ontario-specific hiking advocacy nonprofit and a historic peer that promotes trail development and hiking participation in the same province, overlapping on Hiking & Walking and related activity types.
- Trailforks: Trail database platform with strong share among mountain bikers, ATV riders, and snowmobilers — directly competing activity types OTC covers, with crowdsourced GPS trail data and condition reporting.
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TrailLink): US-based nonprofit operating a national trail directory and rail-trail advocacy organization; structurally equivalent to OTC in mission (preservation, directory, advocacy) but US-scoped.
- Trans Canada Trail: National trail organization connecting trails across all Canadian provinces — structurally analogous to OTC as a directory, advocacy, and member-supported charity, but operating at a cross-country level rather than provincial.
- Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV): Provincial ATV federation overseeing 22 clubs and 6,000+ km of ATV trails in Ontario — both peer and distribution partner to OTC, with overlapping directory, member services, and advocacy functions.
- Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC): Provincial snowmobile federation managing Ontario's 22,000+ km of groomed snowmobile trails — OTC's core distribution partner and a peer in trail mapping and member-supported trail infrastructure.
Broad incumbents
- Ontario Parks: Provincial agency operating Ontario's provincial parks including Algonquin — provides trail experiences OTC promotes; a broader public-sector incumbent with overlapping trail ecosystem responsibilities.
- Parks Canada: Federal agency managing national parks, national historic sites, and marine conservation areas across Canada; a broader incumbent with overlapping mandate on outdoor recreation, trail promotion, and protected-area visitor services.
Regional players
- British Columbia Trails Society: Provincial trail advocacy and directory organization in British Columbia — same role as OTC but operating in a different Canadian province without direct overlap.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ontario Trails Council social profiles
Digital presenceOntario Trails Council financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ontario Trails Council leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ontario Trails Council funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ontario Trails Council M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ontario Trails Council
What does Ontario Trails Council do?
The Ontario Trails Council operates an online, searchable directory and trip-planning platform for more than 80,000 km of recreational trails in Ontario spanning 27 activity types (e.g., hiking, cycling, ATV, snowmobile, paddling, snowshoeing). It supplements the directory with an events calendar, safety and education programs (Trail Smart, Paddle Smart), a Trail Wise newsletter, and a five-tier membership program supported by donations and grants.
Is Ontario Trails Council a public or private company?
Ontario Trails Council is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ontario Trails Council founded?
Ontario Trails Council was founded in 1991. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ontario Trails Council based?
Ontario Trails Council is headquartered in Deseronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Ontario Trails Council make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Annual Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and trail Directory and Tourism Promotion.
Who are Ontario Trails Council's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AllTrails, Hike Ontario, Trailforks, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TrailLink), Trans Canada Trail, Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV) and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). Broad incumbents are Ontario Parks and Parks Canada. British Columbia Trails Society is listed as a regional player.
Does Ontario Trails Council have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ontario Trails Council.
What industry is Ontario Trails Council in?
Ontario Trails Council's product category is Trail Directory and Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAGAC, Transportation & Access Services (Shuttles, Ferry Access, Scenic Drives Permits). Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 7997.