Dufferin County
Dufferin County is a primarily rural community of nearly 1,500 square kilometres in Central Ontario. With three main urban areas (Grand Valley, Orangeville, and Shelburne) and many more small towns dotting the countryside, Dufferin is warm, welcoming and lovely.
Its convenient location just 90 minutes outside of Toronto makes Dufferin County the perfect place to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and slow down at of the county's many local festivals and events year-round.
To learn more about all there is to see and do in Dufferin County, scroll down or visit the region's tourism website.
Where is Dufferin County?
Dufferin County is located in central Ontario, about 100 km northwest of Toronto. The area is well serviced by commuter rail and bus service.
Visitors from abroad can arrive via Toronto Pearson International (YYZ), the largest airport in the country, some 80 km directly south of Dufferin County.
Things to Know About Visiting Dufferin County
Make the most of your trip to Dufferin County with these insider tips.
Where to get a great cup of coffee
Mochaberry Coffee & Co Ltd. Café is a cozy cafe and roastery located in Historic Downtown Orangeville that serves delicious delectable varieties of in-house roasted coffee!
Where to get a great meal
Forage Restaurant is a casual gourmet dining, take out and catering made with quality ingredients and cater to gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan and any other food allergy requests.
Hidden gem
The motel used as the Rosebud Motel from Schitt’s Creek is located on private property in the town of Mono, but is available for photos when travellers park safely along the side of the road.
Little-known fact
The famous Amaranth Mastodon skeleton was found near the Village of Bowling Green, just west of Laurel, on the William B. Jelly farm. Mastodon skeletons were unearthed twice in Dufferin County, in 1888 and 1917.
Dufferin County Neighbourhoods & Districts
Dufferin County is made up of eight distinct municipalities, from the more urban Orangeville to the charming small towns that dot the rural landscape.
Amaranth
Named after the amaranth plant that grows across the township, this municipality features beautiful rivers, wetlands, wildlife and agriculture.
East Garafraxa
While the origin of this township’s name is unknown and widely debated, it’s known for its beautiful scenery.
Grand Valley
Though the name has changed many times throughout the years, the charm of Grand Valley’s historic downtown and plentiful outdoor leisure activities has always stayed the same.
Melancthon
Melancthon is primarily known for two things — its extensive potato farming industry and being home to the largest wind farm in Ontario (with over 165 wind turbines).
Mono
In the southeastern corner of Dufferin County is the town of Mono, with enough rural charm to fill a province.
Mulmur
Nestled in the northeast corner of Dufferin County is the township of Mulmur, where rolling fields straddle the famous Niagara Escarpment.
Orangeville
The centre for business and activity in Dufferin County is Orangeville, which boasts small town charm with big town amenities such as live entertainment at the Theatre Orangeville.
Shelburne
As one of the county’s three urban areas, Shelburne is home to a vibrant arts scene as well as plenty of nearby parks and trails.
Things to Do in Dufferin County
Take advantage of the great outdoors around Dufferin County. Head out on a hike through Boyne Valley Provincial Park, go horseback riding or snowmobiling in Dufferin County Forest, try your hand at windsurfing at Island Lake Conservation Area, or go snowshoeing in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. There’s something for everyone in Dufferin County. Check the Dufferin County website for a full offering of outdoor activities.
Those interested in learning more about the history of Dufferin can stop by the Museum of Dufferin in Mulmur, which offers a variety of exhibitions, events, programs, and tours every year. Can’t find it? Just look for the big green barn with the red roof!
Any fan of Canadian television show Schitt’s Creek will want to add a stop to their itinerary for a picture outside of the real-life Rosebud Motel in the town of Mono. Though the signage was part of the set, the motel looks like it did when the Rose family moved in. Remember to remain on the side of the road for your selfies as the motel is located on private property.
The cities and small towns in Dufferin County offer a wonderful array of shopping opportunities. From the craft-filled shelves of Cobwebs & Caviar in Shelburne to the endless rows of paperbacks at Readers’ Choice in Orangeville, to the delightful throwback board games you’re bound to find at Koros Games, you could easily fill an entire day hopping from shop to shop in Dufferin County.
If all of that exploring helped you work up an appetite, don’t worry. Dufferin County’s dining options include fine dining at the Mono Cliffs Inn, gourmet perogies at the Perked Pierogi in Grand Valley, French wines and crepes at Beyond the Gate Restaurant, plenty of Chinese, Asian, and Indian offerings, and frozen treats and milkshakes at Blitzfull Treats.
Last updated: August 22, 2023