16 Adventurous Things to Do in Huntsville

Best known as the gateway to Algonquin Park, many visitors drive straight through Huntsville in search of outdoor adventure. Don’t be one of them. This lively community is an action-packed destination of its own, with exciting outdoor escapes just minutes from the charming historic downtown.

I consider myself fortunate to live within easy day-tripping distance from Huntsville and everything it has to offer adventure-seekers. On sweltering summer days, I seek out the area’s countless refreshing lakes. When the bright days and crisp nights of autumn arrive, there’s no finer place in Ontario for viewing spectacular fall colours. And in winter, Huntsville’s snowy trails offer a different adventure every time I visit, from skiing and snowshoeing to fat biking, ice skating and dog sledding.  

Whether you’re planning an active weekend or mini staycation, enjoy warm weather or winter activities—Huntsville is your destination for unforgettable outdoor experiences all year long.

Here are my top suggestions for adventurous things to do in Huntsville, Ontario.

Hiking

For a laid-back introduction to Huntsville’s breathtaking Muskoka setting, grab your hiking shoes and choose from dozens of superb trails in the area. From short, flat rambles alongside winding rivers or through bird-filled wetlands, to more challenging climbs to rocky outcrops and hidden lakes, there’s a trail in Huntsville to suit every taste.

After your hike, head to Huntsville’s diverse food trucks and patios for tantalizing post-trail fare.

Where to go hiking in Huntsville

• Just east of Huntsville, Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve offers 70 kilometres of scenic trails to lakes, lookouts and mossy woodlands. Even better, this privately owned, 10,000-acre reserve is free to the public. Try the Solitaire Trail (13 km) for a vigorous day hike around the reserve’s largest lake, with secret swimming spots and a jaw-dropping clifftop view.
• Arrowhead Provincial Park is a popular hiking destination with six scenic trails varying in length and difficulty. The kid-friendly Stubb’s Falls Trail (2.6 km, 45 minutes) is particularly beautiful in fall, when the mature hardwood forest surrounding this cascading waterfall is ablaze with colour. For a longer hike that offers a little bit of everything, I like combining the Arrowhead Lake and Beaver Meadow trails (9 km, 3-4 hours).
• Stretch your legs on the Hunter’s Bay Trail (9.2 km return). Beginning in downtown Huntsville, this unique multi-use trail winds along the Muskoka River, passing orchards, beaches, riverside views and wooded areas. The highlight of this easy hike is a 500-metre floating boardwalk over the waters of Hunter’s Bay.

Paddleboarding

Surrounded by sparkling lakes and placid rivers, Huntsville is the perfect place to find your balance on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). With origins in surf culture, the beauty of SUP is equal parts accessibility and independence (the boards also make great swim platforms!). If you’re new to this activity, consider joining a guided SUP tour exploring some of the area’s most scenic and beginner-friendly waterways.

Where to go paddleboarding in Huntsville

• On the edge of Algonquin Park, enjoy a half-day wilderness paddle from Oxtongue Lake to spectacular Ragged Falls. See this spellbinding waterfall from below, then hike to the top for mesmerizing views. This self-guided tour includes equipment rental from Algonquin Outfitters and is available from May to early October.
• Find Your Wild leads a full-day guided stand-up paddleboarding adventure to Stubb’s Falls in Arrowhead Provincial Park and down the sandy meanders of the Big East River. Oxtongue River day trips and half-day floats are also available.

Fat Biking

As an avid cyclist, I love how fat bikes extend the riding season right through winter. Fat bikes feature oversized tires for flotation and grip on snowy trails. They’re a great way to venture out on winter trails without any special skills. A growing number of places in Huntsville are catering to this popular sport, offering dedicated trails and equipment rentals.

Where to go fat biking in Huntsville

• Find groomed trails, varied terrain and sweeping views of Peninsula Lake at Huntsville’s Deerhurst Resort, where on-site fat bike rentals make it easy to get rolling.
• Visitors to Arrowhead Provincial Park will now find the scenic Lookout Trail is groomed for multi-use, including fat biking. This moderate, three-kilometre loop trail is one of the Park’s most picturesque, with lovely views and challenging hills set in hardwood forest. Bring your own bike.

Horseback Riding

Whether you are an experienced rider or saddling up for the first time, Huntsville’s experienced stables and friendly horses offer safe experiences for everyone. After a brief orientation lesson, you can join a scenic trail ride or opt for a longer experience that includes extra time for bonding with your new equine friend. Not a rider, but love these gentle giants? Huntsville farms also offer “Hug a Horse” experiences and horse-drawn wagon or sleigh rides.

Where to go horseback riding in Huntsville

• Just south of Huntsville, Winding Fences in Utterson offers unique horseback trail riding packages that start with a quick lesson, then head out for a guided ride through pastures, forest trails and quiet country roads. Trail rides are available May through autumn. Alternatively, try their Hug a Horse experience—a warm and fuzzy combination of bonding, grooming and walking that’s offered year-round.
• At Back of Beyond Equine Centre, horse-drawn wagon and sleigh rides offer a memorable way to enjoy every season in the company of the farm’s mild-mannered heavy horses. Take in vivid fall foliage, follow snowy trails to a backcountry marshmallow roast, or tour an active Muskoka maple bush to see (and taste!) the flowing sap.

Winter Camping

As more outdoor-lovers awaken to the unique rewards of cold-season camping, Huntsville is emerging as a truly unforgettable destination for sleeping under the winter stars. Go traditional and discover the comfort of canvas “hot tent” camping, or use your existing tent with winter sleeping bags (don’t forget a Thermos of hot cocoa!). If you’re not ready to winter camp in a tent just yet, rent a rustic cabin to get in on the fun without sleeping in the snow. I love the quiet that descends on the winter woods after dark—and there’s nothing like an early morning ski or snowshoe before anyone else is on the trail.

Where to go winter camping in Huntsville

• Based just north of Huntsville in Kearney, Algonquin Basecamp provides a soft entry into learning winter camping skills. Choose to cold camp or rent a woodstove-equipped canvas “hot tent” during this fully supported weekend package.
• Arrowhead Provincial Park offers winter campsites with electrical service and access to a heated comfort station. Alternatively, rent a cozy camp cabin just steps from the ice skating and ski trails. Bookings fill up quickly, so make reservations well in advance.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The undeniable allure of nearby Algonquin Provincial Park draws many canoe trippers to this part of Ontario. But you don’t have to go all the way to the Park for a rewarding day on the water. Huntsville is cradled by beautiful waterways and lakes, most of which can be explored by canoe or kayak in just a few hours.

Where to go canoeing and kayaking in Huntsville

• Huntsville’s Big East River is a winding, sandy-bottom waterway that’s perfect for a relaxing day outing with great wildlife-watching and swimming along the way. Launch at Williamsport Road bridge and paddle downriver through Arrowhead Provincial Park to Highway 11. Leave a second vehicle here or arrange a shuttle to make this a one-way trip.
• Venture into the lush wetlands of the lower Oxtongue River on a tranquil day trip to Marsh’s Falls. Accessible from Dwight Beach in the village of Dwight, the river meanders to a wide, beautiful waterfall set in a pristine maple and pine forest. Watch for great blue herons, turtles and river otters on this seven-kilometre (one-way) paddle.
• Rent a canoe and tour the broad blue waters of Solitaire Lake at Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. The hills and cliffs surrounding this lake are especially stunning in autumn when the forest comes alive with fall colours. For an adventurous full-day paddle-and-portage journey linking six small lakes, put your canoe tripping skills to the test on the reserve’s Crystal Falls Canoe Route.
• Discover the accessible beauty of the Muskoka River right in historic downtown Huntsville. After a short primer to get you started, you’ll launch from the docks at Algonquin Outfitters and paddle either up- or downstream on beginner-friendly waters.  

Outdoor Art Tour

Uncover the legacy of some of Canada’s greatest landscape painters on a walking tour of Huntsville’s Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery. Weave through the historic downtown on a cultural treasure hunt, discovering some 38 murals while learning about the artists and their inspiration. When you’ve worked up an appetite, stop in for a bite and craft beer at Canvas Brewing.

How to see the Outdoor Gallery in Huntsville

• Take a self-guided walking tour in downtown Huntsville. If you’re keen to see more, consider a driving tour to the nearby communities of Dwight, Baysville, and Dorset for more Group of Seven outdoor art.
• Join a guided walking tour (30-45 minutes) every Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. in July and August. Knowledgeable guides share the stories behind selected murals, the artists who created them, and their powerful connection to Muskoka’s landscape and Huntsville’s artistic heritage.
• Stay after the tour for a one-hour painting class led by a local artist. You’ll receive all materials—paint, brushes and an 8x10 canvas—and step-by-step guidance to create your own Group of Seven-inspired masterpiece.

Ice Skating

Did you know Huntsville’s Arrowhead Provincial Park is the birthplace of Ontario ice skating trails? First opened in 2012, the Park’s celebrated skating path offers an unforgettable woodland experience winding 1.3 kilometres through snowy forest. During iconic Fire and Ice Nights, hosted on Friday and Saturday evenings late January through February, the skate trail is lined with flaming tiki torches for a magical after-dark experience.

Where to go ice skating in Huntsville

• Arrowhead Provincial Park’s skating trail is one of Muskoka’s most popular winter attractions—reserving your daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance is a must. The Park offers rental equipment, including ice sledges for adaptive skating. Check out the Snow Report on the Ontario Parks website (updated daily) for skate trail conditions before you go.
• Huntsville’s Sandhill Nursery transforms into a winter outdoor adventure destination where you can experience the unique thrill of ice skating inside the greenhouses (weather permitting). Their Winter Activity Pass also gives you access to snowshoe and cross-country ski trails (rentals available), a cozy café and an after-dark illuminated forest trail.
• Scenically perched high above Fairy Lake with panoramic views of Huntsville, Lions Lookout Skating Rink is the hometown favourite if you’re looking to lace up for a few icy laps outside.

Dog Sledding

Love animals and adventure? I recommend this bucket-list Canadian experience at Huntsville’s North Ridge Ranch. Located on the edge of Algonquin Park, owners Brad and Leah Fetterley have been running dogs here for over two decades. Together with their team of Alaskan huskies, you can learn to mush your own sled or just sit back and enjoy the winter wonderland.

Where to go dog sledding in Huntsville

• North Ridge Ranch offers half-day and one-hour tours most days throughout the winter season. Choose the half-day tour if you want a true adventure, traversing 20 kilometres of private bush trails with your intrepid dog team. Book early, these dog sledding trips fill up fast.

Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding

Huntsville is a scenic spot to escape the crowds and hit the slopes for some gravity-fueled downhill fun. If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, take a lesson to get started. Then plan a ski getaway to build confidence or put intermediate skills to the test at this downhill destination overlooking Peninsula Lake.

Where to go skiing or snowboarding in Huntsville

• Visit Hidden Valley Highlands in Huntsville for great family- and beginner-friendly skiing and snowboarding. The resort offers a terrain park, kiddie park for little shredders, night skiing and over three metres of annual snowfall. Lessons and rentals available.

Mountain Biking

From mellow flow trails through pine forest to technical climbs and descents on bare-rock Canadian Shield, mountain biking in Huntsville promises two-wheeled fun for everyone. Wind through the trees on a leisurely ride or get your heart pounding on a growing singletrack network thanks to the efforts and expertise of the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association (HMBA).

Where to go mountain biking in Huntsville

• Showcasing the beautiful terrain and scenery Muskoka has to offer, Huntsville’s flagship trail network twists and dips across natural rocky outcrops and beneath leafy canopy. The trails are accessible from Hidden Valley ski area and Deerhurst Resort. Get cranking on a 10-kilometre enduro lap or loop the whole network in 18 kilometres. Note that while the trails on Hidden Valley property are free to use, only Deerhurst guests or HMBA members may use the trails at Deerhurst.
• At Arrowhead Provincial Park, the multi-use Arrowhead Lake Trail (4.5 km) circles beautiful Arrowhead Lake for a double-track, family-friendly ride. The singletrack Lookout Trail (3 km) takes riders through a mature forest with views over the park.

Canopy Trekking

Satisfy thrill-seekers with high-flying fun at Huntsville’s Treetop Trekking aerial adventure park. Zip through the trees, tackle sky-high obstacle courses, or take a more sedate course through the leafy forest canopy—there’s no shortage of vertigo-inducing excitement here.

Where to go canopy trekking in Huntsville

• Set amongst mature forest, Huntsville Treetop Trekking features ziplines, balance logs, cable traverses, hammock nets, wooden bridges and more. For the ultimate rush, try night trekking.

Cross Country Skiing

Huntsville’s extensive cross-country skiing opportunities offer something for every level of skier, from first-timer to avid enthusiast. Cross-country skiing—also known as Nordic skiing—is a relaxing way to experience the quiet beauty of the winter forest, while getting a fantastic cardio workout. For the ultimate ski adventure, try backcountry skiing. Think of these girthy planks as a hybrid between snowshoes and cross-country skis, making it easy to learn the basics in just a couple of hours. 

Where to go cross-country skiing in Huntsville

• Arrowhead Provincial Park’s immaculately groomed trails offer 28 kilometres of classic skiing and 16 kilometres of skate skiing, with trails from beginner to expert. Ski packages (skis, boots and poles) are available for rent. Be sure to check Ontario Parks’ daily Snow Report for trail conditions and reserve your daily vehicle permit before you go.
• Nestled in hardwood forest between Lake of Bays and the Oxtongue River, Bondi Cottage Resort has 20 kilometres of trails to explore. Rent equipment at Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville. Book one of the resort’s comfortable winterized cottages to extend your stay—and enjoy snowshoeing, tobogganing and ice fishing on-site.
• Explore off-trail on a backcountry ski adventure with Huntsville’s Find Your Wild. Join a guided half-day tour with this multi-sport outfitter or tackle their full-day excursion in Algonquin Park.

Cycling

Twisty backroads, countless scenic lakes, sleepy villages and the sprawling forested hills of the Almaguin Highlands just to its north make Huntsville a hot spot for avid cyclists. Depending on your preferred style of riding, you can choose from easy recreational trails to quiet gravel routes or cranking out the miles on smooth pavement.

Where to go cycling in Huntsville

• Avid backroad cyclists will love the steady rotation of dirt and pavement, punchy climbs and low traffic of the Doe Lake Loop (40 km) near Emsdale. Alternatively, tackle the climbs—and savour the hard-earned descents—on the Lake of Bays Loop in Dwight (73 km).
• If you prefer your cycling more mellow and away from traffic, Huntsville’s Fairy Vista Trail offers a relaxing ride on a paved multi-use trail (6.8 km return).
• One of the best ways to get stoked for spoke season is to join a group ride. In early May, the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association organizes the Greystone Gravel Grinder—a fun social event with four distance options from 20 to 100 kilometres. 

Lake Swimming

When it comes to gorgeous, clean, clear-water lakes for adventurous summer swimming, visitors to Huntsville are spoiled for choice. Each year, I look forward to the long days and warm sunshine that herald the arrival of another outdoor swim season. Just about any lake or calm river can be a brilliant swimming hole, but these are my top picks for lake swimming in Huntsville.

Where to go lake swimming in Huntsville

• Just 10 minutes from downtown on the northeastern shore of Lake Vernon, Hutcheson Beach boasts a long, sandy beach with warm shallows extending well into the lake’s sparkling waters. A shaded grassy area, picnic tables, covered pavilion and play structure make this a great destination for a family afternoon.
• The crystal-clear waters of Solitaire Lake make this my choice swimming hole in Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. For a more secluded dip, I head to the small floating dock at Buck Lake.
• Arrowhead Lake is a popular family swim spot at Arrowhead Provincial Park, with four scenic sandy beaches and inviting water temperature, even in early summer.
• Huntsville’s Golden Pheasant Beach is a secret spot worth checking out if you’re driving through on Highway 60 and looking to cool off. Just off the highway, a grassy path leads down to a secluded bay and small beach on Fairy Lake.

Snowshoeing

One of my favourite easy winter activities is taking a tranquil amble through the winter woods on my snowshoes. Stepping softly across the deep snow is a meditative experience that offers the sort of rare quiet I’m searching for when life gets too hectic. Don’t have your own equipment? Snowshoe rentals are widely available in the Huntsville area, so there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the calm beauty of the season for yourself.

Where to go snowshoeing in Huntsville

• Rent snowshoes from Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville and venture into Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve to uncover a sprawling hinterland of frozen lakes and peaceful snowy forest. Try the moderate nine-kilometre High Lake loop for outstandingly varied scenery and a historic warming cabin with toasty woodstove. For a shorter trek, I recommend a mellow circuit of Buck Lake or the brief (but steep!) climb to breathtaking Buck Lake Lookout.
• Book a snowshoe-and-stay vacation at Deerhurst Resort or visit for the day with rentals available on-site. Trek to the top of the Lookout Trail for panoramic views or enjoy a gentle walk along the Sanctuary Trail, winding through serene forest.
• Learn about Muskoka wildlife and woods on a guided half-day snowshoe tour with Find Your Wild.
• Rent snowshoes and hit the eight kilometres of trails at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

Find Your Adventure in Huntsville

Need more ideas for exciting things to do in Huntsville, Ontario? Visit Explore Huntsville for even more adventures, activities and excursions year-round.

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