Lough Key Forest Park, Co Roscommon

Practical Information (Lough Key Forest & Activity Park)

Lough Key is an easy, low-faff day out because it’s set up like a proper visitor park: a main hub for facilities, plenty of walking routes, and a mix of free-to-roam areas alongside ticketed attractions (like the play zones, tours and activity experiences).

Getting there & arriving
The main Visitor Centre area is the best place to start. It’s your base for information, toilets, and getting your bearings before you head off on trails or into the paid attractions.

Entry & costs
You can enjoy the estate, lakeside atmosphere and many of the walking routes without needing a general “entry ticket”, but some of the headline attractions and tours are paid. It’s worth checking what’s included before you go, especially if you’re planning around kids’ activities or a specific experience.

Opening times
The park is a year-round destination, but individual attractions and services can run on seasonal hours and may be affected by weather or staffing. For the smoothest visit, check the day’s opening times before setting off.

Parking
Parking is on site at the main entrance/Visitor Centre. On busy weekends and school holidays it can fill up, so arriving earlier is the handiest way to avoid a queue or a long walk back to the car.

Toilets, shelter & food
Toilets are available around the Visitor Centre, which is also the best spot for shelter if the weather turns. Food and refreshments are available on site (hours can vary by season).

Accessibility & buggies
Lough Key is a mixed experience: the main hub areas are generally the most straightforward for wheelchairs and buggies, with smoother surfaces and easier access. Once you head deeper into woodland trails, conditions can be more uneven, and weather can make surfaces softer or slippery. If you’re planning around mobility, treat the Visitor Centre area and the gentler routes as your core visit, and branch out only if ground and weather are on your side.

Dogs
It’s a popular spot for dog walkers. Keep dogs on a lead around busier visitor areas and anywhere with children’s play spaces, and use common sense on trails shared with cyclists and families.