Find Year-Round Adventure at Arrowhead Provincial Park

Outstanding visitor facilities and fantastic hiking, camping and winter activities make Arrowhead Provincial Park a popular destination throughout the year. Located just minutes from Huntsville, the Park’s compact size means it’s easy to explore Arrowhead as a day trip. But with ample private sites for car camping by the shores of Arrowhead Lake, family-friendly swimming beaches and biking trails, paddling options, and cozy heated cabins for winter stays, this Central Ontario gem merits a longer visit.

Whether you’re planning a summer camping escape or looking to experience Arrowhead’s sensational winter ice skating trail, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, this is your ultimate guide to one of Ontario’s best all-season parks.

Where is Arrowhead Provincial Park?

Arrowhead Provincial Park is located on the east side of Highway 11, just north of Huntsville. To get there, exit Highway 11 at Muskoka Road 3 (one exit north of Highway 60) and take the immediate left turn onto Arrowhead Park Road. You can also get there by following Muskoka Road 3 North from Huntsville centre for about seven kilometres (10-minute drive).

Expect a drive time of just over two hours from the GTA, making Arrowhead Provincial Park a popular day trip destination from the city, summer or winter.

Arrowhead Provincial Park History

Thousands of years ago, massive glaciers carved through and shaped the landscape that is now Arrowhead Provincial Park, leaving behind glacial erratics—huge boulders transported and dropped by the receding ice sheet—like those visible along the Park’s Stubb’s Falls Trail. At Big Bend, visitors can witness the impressive sand bluffs and winding meanders of the Big East River, shaped by glacial river sediment.

With the colonization of Muskoka in the late 1800s, the area’s pine forests proved irresistible to loggers, who claimed nearly all the region’s immense old-growth red and white pines for timber. Today’s forest is a mix of second-growth pines and deciduous species like maple, oak, aspen and birch.

Arrowhead Provincial Park was established in 1971 to provide outdoor recreation opportunities in 1,237 hectares of outstanding natural Muskoka setting.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Camping

There are 382 frontcountry campsites at Arrowhead Provincial Park for car camping, spread across three campgrounds. Lumby Campground features exclusively non-electrical campsites, with leafy deciduous forest giving it a quiet feel that is also well-shaded in the heat of summer. Lumby is designed for tent camping and those with smaller tent trailers. Sites in the South loop are designated radio-free for those who want a quieter experience. Lumby Beach is accessible through South Lumby and both campground loops offer good access to the Arrowhead Lake Trail.

The East River Campground offers electric and non-electric options for trailers, larger RVs and tents. The mixed conifer-hardwood forest cover in this area provides good shade throughout the day, but some larger sites offer less privacy. This is the closest campground to Stubb’s Falls, with the campground road running parallel to the Stubb’s Falls Trail. If you’re camping at sites 338 to 352, you can often hear the waterfall flowing just out of sight. The beach here—located across the main park road—is also used by day visitors, so it tends to be busier.

The Roe Campground offers 100 large, well-drained, sandy campsites that are your best option for private sites. There are both electric and non-electric sites available, with those near Roe Beach being the most sought-after. The campground occupies a forest of large conifers, making this a good choice for those who enjoy more open, spacious campsites. You can also access the Arrowhead Lake Trail through this campground.

All campgrounds are serviced with water taps and centrally located comfort stations with washrooms and flush toilets and showers. Additionally, flush toilets are found throughout Roe and East River campgrounds, while Lumby Campground has vault toilets. All campsites at Arrowhead Provincial Park are pet-friendly, with a designated pet exercise area and dog beach accessible from Lumby Campground.

Seasonal camping at Arrowhead Provincial Park runs from May until Thanksgiving weekend, however the Park offers a limited number of campsites and roofed accommodations for year-round camping. There are seven pull-through sites between the East River and Roe campgrounds that are available year-round. These are electrical sites, perfect for winter camping. A year-round mini comfort station with hot showers, dishwashing room and flush toilets is located nearby.

Check-in for camping at Arrowhead Provincial Park is generally after 2 p.m., with check-out by 2 p.m. Ontario Parks now offers a new self-check-in system via email on your arrival day, allowing you to go straight to your site after 2 p.m. once confirmed. Always check your confirmation email from Ontario Parks before your trip to complete your pre-registration and confirm your details.

Campsite Reservations

Camping at Arrowhead Provincial Park is popular year-round. To avoid disappointment and have the best choice of sites and dates, make your campsite reservations as early as possible. You can make an Ontario Parks online reservation up to five months before your arrival date. Booking online allows you to review campground maps and campsite options, with photos to help you narrow down your choice and know what to expect. Reservations can also be made over the phone by calling 1-800-ONT-PARK.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Cabins

If you’re looking for a comfortable alternative to camping, Arrowhead Provincial Park has 13 camp cabins sprinkled throughout the East River Campground that are available year-round. The rustic cabins are one room with a cozy wood interior and “Muskoka room” style screened porch. Each cottage sleeps five with a queen bed and a double/single bunk bed. In the winter, you can ski right up to your door and are steps away from the Park’s iconic ice skating trail.

Arrowhead cabins feature a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, kettle and outdoor propane barbecue for self-catering. There is a dining table with five chairs for inside meals, as well as a picnic table and firepit outside. The Arrowhead cottages are fully winterized with baseboard heating and a propane fireplace for ambience. Cabins are a short walk from the parking area and a year-round comfort station with flush toilets, showers and a dishwashing room with potable water. In winter, pull sleds are provided for transporting your gear to your cabin.

Keep in mind there is a two-night minimum stay and a three-night minimum stay on long weekends for Arrowhead cabins. Check-in is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and check-out is at 10 a.m. Reservations for roofed accommodations can be made online or by phone up to five months in advance.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Weather

Weather in Arrowhead Provincial Park varies greatly depending on which season you are planning to visit. During peak summer season (late June through early September), Arrowhead Park enjoys hot, humid days, warm nights and plenty of sunshine. Afternoon thunderstorms can bring heavy rain but are usually short-lived. The average daily high is 20-30°C.

Spring (April to June) is generally cooler and wetter, while fall (mid-September through October) offers a mix of bright sunshine, chilly rains and crisp nights.

Winter (December to March) can be a magical time to visit Arrowhead Park—for those equipped for frigid weather. In January, the coldest month in the Park, the average daily high is -5°C and overnight temperatures can drop below -20°C.

What to Do in Arrowhead Provincial Park

Hiking Trails

Arrowhead Park is a fantastic hiking destination with six scenic trails varying in length and difficulty. One of the best hiking trails in the park is the kid-friendly Stubb’s Falls Trail (2.6 km), which is particularly beautiful in fall when the mature hardwood forest surrounding this cascading waterfall is ablaze with colour. Another easy trail is the short walk to Big Bend Lookout, where you can gaze across an impressive gooseneck in the Big East River far below the lookout deck.

For a longer hike that offers a little bit of everything, combine the Arrowhead Lake (5.1 km) and Beaver Meadow (4 km) trails for a total walk of just under nine kilometres. Keep a close watch for wildlife; this hike circles a large beaver pond where you might see otters, moose, great blue herons, tree swallows and, of course, beavers.

Two other scenic hikes in the Park are the Homesteaders Trail (2.8 km), where you can see traces of abandoned 19th-century farm fields now reclaimed by forest, and the sometimes muddy—but beautiful nonetheless—trek along Mayflower Lake (2.1 km). Ten thousand years ago, Mayflower Lake was a small bay in a large glacial lake. Today it’s a deep, cold, spring-fed lake that provides ideal habitat for cold-water fish like rainbow trout.

Swimming

Arrowhead Lake is the focal point of summer family fun at Arrowhead Park, with four sandy swimming beaches and inviting water temperatures from June through mid-September. Beach 2 is the main day-use beach on the south side of the lake, where you’ll also find canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals at the nearby Visitors Centre/Park Store. If you’re looking for the dog beach, head to Beach 1 near the mouth of the Little East River. Accessible from the Arrowhead Lake Trail or their respective campgrounds, Lumby Beach and Roe Beach offer a quieter swimming experience.

Biking

The multi-use Arrowhead Lake Trail (5.1 km) circles beautiful Arrowhead Lake for a double-track, family-friendly ride—just be prepared for a few steep hills! The singletrack Lookout Trail (3 km) takes riders through a mature forest with some challenging climbs and great views over the Park.

Fishing

Wondering “can you go fishing at Arrowhead Provincial Park?” Mayflower Lake is stocked with speckled trout, while Arrowhead Lake offers good angling for smallmouth bass. A valid fishing license and outdoors card are required. Canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available from the Visitors Centre/Park Store.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Winter

Arrowhead Park’s winter activities are well-known across Ontario—there’s nowhere better to experience cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and skating through the forest, all in one spot. Arrowhead Provincial Park is open all winter for day-use, with a limited number of winter campsites and cabins for overnight stays.

Ice Skating

The Park’s most popular winter attraction is its ice skating trail, which was the first of its kind in Ontario. First opened in 2012, it continues to be a bucket-list item for many visitors. The Arrowhead skating trail offers an unforgettable woodland experience winding 1.3 kilometres through snowy forest. During iconic Fire and Ice Nights, hosted on Friday and Saturday evenings from late January through February, the skate trail is lined with flaming tiki torches for a magical after-dark experience.

The ice skating trail is typically open from early January through the end of February or even early March. Keep in mind that skating at the Park is weather dependent—temperatures must remain consistently below freezing for the trail to be open. Check the Arrowhead Provincial Park Snow Report for current ice skating conditions (updated daily) before you go. Skating trail hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Friday and Saturday Fire and Ice Nights, the trail closes from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for maintenance, and reopens for night skating from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Access to regular daytime skating is included with your Arrowhead Provincial Park Daily Vehicle Permit, available for reservation up to five days in advance. If you’re looking to attend a Fire and Ice Night, be sure to select “Day Use + Fire and Ice Evening Skate” when you reserve. Your Fire and Ice permit is valid for the full day including the Fire and Ice event in the evening. Night skates sell out quickly so reserving early is a must!

Learn more about visiting Arrowhead in winter on the Ontario Parks blog.

Cross Country Skiing

Arrowhead Park’s immaculately groomed ski trails offer 28 kilometres of classic skiing and 16 kilometres of skate skiing, with trails from beginner to expert. If you’re looking for a moderate skate or classic ski, try the scenic circuit around Arrowhead Lake (5.1 km) with some exciting hills and great views along the way.

The narrow, twisty Beaver Meadow loop (5 km) generally opens later in the season when there is more snow and is my favourite for challenging classic skiing. For an easy warm-up classic or skate ski, try the Roe loop (2 km) or take the East River loop (3.5 km) for a classic ski to Big Bend Lookout and alongside the Little East River. The cardio-cranking hills of the Homesteaders loop (2.8 km) are best suited to experienced (and fit!) skate skiers.

Arrowhead ski season typically runs from mid-December through March and is weather dependent. Be sure to check Ontario Parks’ daily Snow Report for trail conditions before you go. The Park’s gorgeous Visitors Centre serves as the hub for most ski trails, with on-site equipment rentals and a bright and spacious chalet for dining or warming up by the fireplace.

Snowshoeing

Explore eight kilometres of marked snowshoe trails through mature hardwood forest. The easy Stubb’s Falls Trail (2 km) visits a scenic waterfall and is the Park’s most popular snowshoeing route. Make it a longer trek by linking to the Mayflower Lake (1.5-2 km) or Lookout (3 km) trails via the Hardwood Ridge Trail (0.7 km). Beginning in 2025, the Lookout Trail is groomed for multi-use and can also be used for winter hiking, fat biking and skijoring.

Ice Fishing

While it’s not one of the more popular winter activities at the Park, ice fishing is permitted on Mayflower Lake with a valid fishing license and outdoors card. Try your luck for speckled trout, which are stocked in the lake in spring. Check with park staff for specific regulations and ice safety before you venture out.

Winter Camping

Arrowhead Provincial Park offers seven winter campsites suitable for tents, trailers or smaller RVs. Each pull-through site has electrical service and access to a heated comfort station with showers, flush toilets and a dishwashing room. Alternatively, rent a cozy camp cabin just steps from the ice skating and ski trails. The park’s 13 rustic cabins book up quickly all winter long so make reservations well in advance (up to five months before your visit).

Snow Tubing

Arrowhead no longer offers a snow tubing hill (or snow tubes) for winter visitors.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Rentals

Arrowhead Provincial Park makes it easy for visitors to get on the trails—or water—with comprehensive rental services throughout the year.

During summer, you’ll find stand-up paddleboard, kayak and canoe rentals behind the Visitors Centre at Beach 2. There are also PFDs, helmets, and an accessible canoe and kayak available to rent.

In the winter, the Park rents cross country ski packages (classic and skate), snowshoes, ice skates and helmets from the Rental Pavillion beside the Visitors Centre. You can also rent accessible sit skis and ice sledges for adaptive skiing and skating here.

Rentals are available on a first come, first served basis and frequently sell out on weekends, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Events and Programming

Discovery programs led by skilled Ontario Parks interpreters are popular activities at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Natural history, outdoor art and kids’ programs are scheduled weekly through July and August, with event calendars posted at the Park Visitor Centre and campground comfort stations.

The annual Muskoka Loppet takes place in the park in late January. This is a fun classic cross country ski event for all ages and abilities with course distances of four, 17 and 24 kilometres.

Also in late January, the Park hosts Women of Winter—an inclusive, social day of winter activities and guided sessions with other outdoor-loving women. Learn from the best with a morning classic or skate ski lesson, suitable for beginner, intermediate or advanced skiers. In the afternoon, choose from yoga, ice skating or a guided trail ski. Alternatively, sample backcountry “hok” skiing, try your hand at biathlon, or take part in wacky winter challenges on and off your skis. Lunch and snacks are included.

Arrowhead also hosts several ski races throughout the winter. If you plan to visit during one of these races, you can expect the Park to be extra busy. Book your trip as early as possible or consider coming another day. Certain trails may be closed to the public during races.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Maps

Ontario Parks has useful PDF maps of Arrowhead day use recreation and trails, winter trails, and the Lumby, East River and Roe campgrounds on the Park website. You can also pick up a print copy of the summer or winter trail maps at the Park Visitors Centre when you arrive.

Chrismar produces a detailed waterproof map of Arrowhead Provincial Park, including all trails, lakes, streams, wetlands and even individual campsites. Flip it over to learn about the natural and human history of the area, and find trail descriptions, canoe routes, safety tips and more. Buy it online or pick up a copy at Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Permits

Arrowhead has quickly become one of the region’s most popular attractions—especially in winter—so it’s important to plan your visit and reserve your daily vehicle permit in advance to guarantee access.

Ontario Parks no longer issues printed tickets for Arrowhead Provincial Park day-use. Instead, you’ll want to reserve your daily vehicle permit, up to five days in advance, to secure a day use spot in the Park. Reservations can be made online or by phone at 1-888-ONT-PARK. This is particularly important on summer and winter weekends, when Arrowhead frequently reaches capacity. If you arrive without a permit on a day the Park is full, you will be turned away.

When you arrive at the Park for day use, there’s no need to stop at the office and check in if you have reserved and pre-registered online. You also don’t need to print your permit; just go on in and start having fun!

Remember that a season pass or annual pass does not guarantee entrance if the Park reaches capacity. If you have an annual or winter Ontario Parks permit, you should use the serial number on your pass to reserve your permit (for free) up to five days in advance.

Looking to avoid the crowds? Consider visiting the Park midweek and skip Arrowhead’s busiest times, which are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check the Park’s social media channels for regular capacity updates.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Wildlife

For many visitors to Arrowhead Park, seeing wildlife is at the top of their Park wish lists. In winter, look for the tracks of snowshoe hare, wild turkey, deer and porcupine crossing snowy trails. During the warmer months, less-travelled trails like the Beaver Meadow loop provide good opportunities for spotting beaver, otter, great blue heron and even moose. Smaller creatures like chipmunks and raccoons may appear friendly, but remember that you should keep your distance and never feed wild animals.

The Park also offers habitat for black bears, so it is important to be bear-wise. That means keeping a clean campsite and storing your food safely overnight, either inside a vehicle or a metal food storage locker. The best way to minimize your impact on wildlife is to learn and follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace.

Accommodations Near Arrowhead Provincial Park

Couldn’t get a cabin or campsite in the Park? Or maybe you’re just looking for a bit more comfort after a day of outdoor adventures. Baaman’s Arrowhead Inn offers cozy rooms and spacious family suites in a natural setting just outside the Park gate.

Find more comfortable and affordable accommodations just 10 minutes away in the lively town of Huntsville. Arrowhead-adjacent hotels are ideal for those wanting modern comforts and urban amenities while enjoying easy access to the Park’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Popular hotel chains with locations in Huntsville include Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Best Western Plus and Comfort Inn.

Those travelling on a budget will find Huntsville also has several good motel options. Check out the Rodeway Inn King William, Rainbow Inn, Huntsville Inn or Knights Inn for comparably priced motel-style accommodation within easy walking distance of downtown.

If you’re looking for more of an all-inclusive experience, Huntsville is home to some of Muskoka’s top-rated year-round resorts. Base yourself at family-friendly Deerhurst Resort to enjoy fantastic on-site dining, spa and outdoor activities on the shore of Peninsula Lake, just 15 minutes from Arrowhead Park. Nearby, Hidden Valley Resort offers a similar blend of lakeside luxury just steps from Muskoka’s only downhill ski area.

Another great option for families, friend getaways or a romantic couples’ escape, is a cozy waterfront cabin rental. The Huntsville area is rich with charming year-round cabin and cottage stays—all a short drive from Arrowhead Park. Enjoy pet-friendly lakefront self-catering cottages at Tally Ho Inn, or book an all-inclusive stay at a rustic lakeside log cabin at Cedar Grove Lodge. For a summer-only option with unbeatable Arrowhead access, rent a tiny cabin overlooking the Big East River at Huntsville Lagoons RV park and paddle right from your doorstep into the Park.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Food

Arrowhead offers limited options if you need to grab a bite to eat in the Park. The Park Store at the Visitors Centre sells hot and cold beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, juice, pop, etc.), chips, candy, small snacks, and some rudimentary camping staples like pasta and Cup-of-Soup if you forget a meal. Better to bring a picnic lunch, pack a camping cooler or head into the town of Huntsville for a plethora of tasty dining options.

For a convenient choice of restaurants near Arrowhead Provincial Park, follow Muskoka Road 3 to Highway 60, then continue into downtown Huntsville or turn left (east) to discover more mouthwatering options. Try the Taco Stop for a vegetarian-friendly food truck menu that includes tacos, burritos and funky fries. Or sit down to delicious comfort food made with farm fresh ingredients at 3 Guys and a Stove. For authentic Thai dishes down by the river (and a killer mango salad), head to Bangkok Thai. Worked up a serious appetite? Follow up a gourmet butter-brined fried chicken or crispy tofu sandwich and poutine with a fresh, handmade doughnut at Fox in the Henhouse.

Getting to Arrowhead Provincial Park

Arrowhead Park is located 10 minutes (seven kilometres) north of Huntsville, off Highway 11. Take exit 226, turn right onto Muskoka Road 3, and then turn left onto Arrowhead Park Road.

From Ottawa, follow Trans-Canada Highway 417 west to Highway 60 west through Algonquin Park. When you reach Huntsville, turn right onto Muskoka Road 3, follow this for six kilometres, then turn right onto Arrowhead Park Road. Allow four hours to drive from Ottawa or 30 minutes to drive from the East Gate of Algonquin Provincial Park.

If you’re planning to travel from Arrowhead Provincial Park to Algonquin Park, keep in mind that your advance daily vehicle permit only guarantees access to the Park for which it was reserved.

Parkbus provides direct, round-trip coach transportation from Toronto to Arrowhead Provincial Park. Choose from winter departures for Fire & Ice skating nights, or summer and fall departures with a guided hike option. Departures from downtown Toronto offer a convenient, car-free option for day trips to the Park.

Important Things to Know

If you are planning a trip to Arrowhead in May or June, it’s a good idea to bring insect repellant and a head net to protect yourself from biting mosquitos and blackflies. Bringing a screened picnic shelter for your campsite offers a welcome reprieve from hungry mosquitos on summer evenings. Check out this handy Arrowhead Provincial Park bug report to see what’s biting during your visit.

Many Park visitors look forward to a cold beer or glass of wine after a day on the trails or at the beach. Keep in mind that when visiting Ontario Parks, including Arrowhead Provincial Park, alcohol can only be consumed on a registered campsite or at your camp cabin. Fines will be issued for drinking alcohol elsewhere in the Park.

Muskoka weather can be unpredictable, particularly in winter. This near-Arrowhead Provincial Park webcam offers a real-time preview of snow and driving conditions on Highway 11 at Highway 60 (Huntsville).

A visit to Arrowhead is a welcome respite from the distractions of everyday life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make phone calls, send and receive text messages, or connect to the internet. Arrowhead Provincial Park cell service is reliable near the Park entrance, Visitors Centre and Beach 2, while coverage may be weaker on some trails and campground areas.

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