Bellamont Forest is located at the outskirts of Cootehill town, and constitutes a national sanctuary with many kilometers of forest walks and oak trees of more than 170 years old. The forest was once thickly planted with Norway spruce and other trees, and is now managed by Coillte and was clearcut in the early 1990s.
Areas were replanted with a mixture of oak, ash and scots pine within guidelines for old woodland sites, also included were alder, holly, & willow trees.
The forest is famous for deer, with well over 2000 sika and fallow wild deer roaming through the trees at any one time. Other animals such as fox, red & grey squirrel, pinemartin, badger, mink, hares, rabbits and otter are also present. The rivers and lakes carry duck and wildfowl in great numbers, Birds include kingfisher, robin, bluetit, owl, buzzard and sparrow hawks.
The main recreation lies along the Dromore river, where facilities include fishing stands, walkways, exercise machines and the award winning picnic area at Haltons on the Monaghan Road. Development in the area has been aided by Cavan County Council Peace III Programme. The works are on-going with many new colour coded walks laid out throughout Bellamont & Dartry Forests. Cootehill Park Run is a very successful programme taking place here every Saturday.