Huntsville

The beautiful town of Huntsville is best known for its love of the great outdoors and access to many nature trails, parks and lakes. You’ll also find delicious food, amazing local artwork, fabulous shopping and many other points of interest. 

Thanks to the terrain and climate, outdoor activities in and around Huntsville are available year-round, ranging from hiking, camping, paddling and bicycling in warmer months to skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in winter.

Just over a half hour drive east Huntsville, you’ll find access to Algonquin Provincial Park. Experience Ontario’s cherished wilderness through camping, backpacking, boating, canoeing, fishing, skiing, swimming and wildlife viewing. The park provides education programs and interpretive workshops and hikes for those interested in an in-depth understanding of the region’s natural beauty. 

10 minutes north of Huntsville is Arrowhead Provincial Park. The smaller park offers many similar activities, including treed campsites, sand beaches, hiking trails, canoe, kayak, paddleboard and mountain bike rentals, as well as outfitting for snowshoes, ice skating, sit-skis and more during the winter. 

Several trekking and adventure-focused companies offer equipment rentals and guided adventures for visitors eager to hit the trails, ski slopes or bicycle paths. 

Huntsville has been attracting visual artists for more than a century with its vivid landscapes and picturesque charm. Such famed painters as Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven were inspired by the area. Today, you’ll find outdoor Group of Seven murals and a statue of Tom Thomson in town. And other galleries, museums, and shops feature visual arts and handicrafts by local Huntsville artists. 

Consider planning your visit around the Huntsville Festival of Arts, one of the region’s top visual and performing arts festivals. Events sponsored by the festival take place year-round, with the main bulk of performances and public displays happening each summer. 

For train and history buffs, the Muskoka Heritage Place makes for a fun afternoon of exploration. Learn about the local history at the Muskoka Museum, watch demonstrations, learn handicrafts, dress up like a pioneer, and try some scones or bannock at the Pioneer Museum. Take a ride on the century-old Portage Flyer steam train. 

For panoramic views worthy of any Instagram account, take a walk along Lions Lookout Trail. The 1.5 km long trail can be accessed via Forbes Hill Drive and Camp Kitchen Road, and climbs up over the Muskoka River and Fairy Lake, with an overlook offering spectacular views of the city beneath and the surrounding hills. 

Another path worth hiking is the 4.8 km long Fairy Vista Trail. On the lightly trafficked path, you’ll spot wildlife and wildflowers. Bring your dog along or rent some cross country skis in winter. 

While in town, try the many restaurants serving up classic Canadian fare, familiar standards and a selection of international cuisines. Many restaurants feature local artists and live music throughout the week.