Old Annapolis Road Nature Reserve protects three separate, remnant patches of old forest, located north of St. Margarets Bay.

These lands harbour some of the most significant concentrations of old forest in this region, with stands containing old red spruce, eastern hemlock, white pine, sugar maple and yellow birch. Together with abundant, mature red spruce, this reserve offers a chance for old forest restoration in the midst of a heavily managed and disturbed landscape.

The nature reserve includes a few small lakes, as well as frontage on several larger lakes, including Island and Rees lakes, both popular boating and angling destinations.

Bowater Mersey, the site’s previous owner, maintained and promoted a trail at Old Annapolis Road for hiking, cross-country skiing, and forest education. The trail includes interpretive and directional signage. Part of this trail is within the nature reserve, and the remainder (including the trail head parking lot) is on Crown land.

The reserve’s easy accessibility and high profile offer opportunities for nature appreciation, wildlife and old forest viewing, and outdoor education near an urban center.

An east-west section of Old Annapolis Road crosses the southern portion of the reserve, near Rees Lake and the Old Annapolis Road hiking trail. This historic road is now a trail used for walking and off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. A 5 metre wide trail corridor is not part of the nature reserve and remains open to OHV use.