Thinking about heading up north for the weekend and want to do something a little different during the winter? It may feel like you're better off hibernating but we're here to share with you that there is an excellent way to plan a 2 day Muskoka winter itinerary with this winter getaway.
Canada is full of hidden gems
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- Unique winter getaways in Ontario
- How to find Muskoka cottage rentals
- Best Airbnb Muskoka cottages
- 9 getaway-worthy Northern Ontario resorts
- Weekend road trips in Ontario you can't miss
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A Muskoka Winter Adventure
Canada is full of hidden gems that most people don't automatically think about when the Great White North pops up in their heads. As with most gems though, you just need to know where to look.
For those coming from Toronto, you'll want to look north to take advantage of the Muskoka winter. It doesn't get better than the crisp winter air, fresh pine smell, gentle snowflakes falling, the snow that captures the precious beams of sunlight that makes its way through, and the warmth of a crackling campfire.
With snow and ice on our mind, we hopped into the car and headed north to Muskoka for a winter weekend escape to cozy up in our upgraded suite at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Huntsville and a few adventurous ideas in tow.
Day 1 – Skating a Natural Ice Trail
Imagine skating in the calm of the wilderness with forest trees to your left and to the right. Imagine cutting through fresh sheets of ice and going on a trail that feels never ending? Sounds too good to be true?
One of Muskoka winter's best kept secret is Arrowhead Provincial Park and their magical 1.3 km ice trail.
Absence of the echoing noise and brightness of your typical arena, you can truly skate freely out here. There's something fairy tale-like about being able to carve your skates in the open while surrounded by snow-covered evergreen trees.
Located mere minutes from downtown Huntsville in Muskoka, entrance to the park is a very affordable $21 per vehicle. If you don't own a pair of skates, they have a rental shop which has them for $15 per pair.
At the head of the trail is a comfy staging area which has benches to lace your skates up, cubbies to store your shoes, and a campfire to keep you warm. String lights dangling between trees further help set the ambiance.
BEFORE YOU GO
Check out our other winter getaway ideas in Ontario.
Between December and March, there are special Fire and Ice nights on Friday and Saturday when the trail is illuminated by hundreds of tiki torches that light your way after the sun has gone down. If you're lucky enough to plan around those days, I highly recommend making it out to the park.
Whether you like zipping through the track at speed-skating velocity or taking a leisurely skate with your family or loved one, this is an experience that you won't forget.
Know Before You Go
Address – Arrowhead Provincial Park is 7 km north of Huntsville, off Hwy 11. Take exit 226, then turn right onto Arrowhead Park Road.
Phone – 705-789-5105
Park Hours
- December & January: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- February: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- March: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ice Trail Hours – Daily: 9:00 am — park closes (The skate trail is closed for maintenance from 11:30AM – 1PM)
Cost – $21 per vehicle and $15 for skate rentals (3 hours)
Reservations – Due to the pandemic, reservations are now required for day use at Arrowhead including for ice skating. You can drop-in but if the park has reach capacity, you will not be able to enter so it's best to reserve online in advance. The cost is $21 CAD including tax per vehicle.
Bathrooms – There are washrooms across the road from the Park Office, at the entrance to the skate trail and at the Visitor Centre.
Is it open? – Due to weather and ice conditions, the trail isn't open all the time. It's also possible that the capacity has hit its limit. Your best bet is to check Twitter, Ski Report, or call.
Tips – The park can get extremely busy on the weekend so if you want to go during a quieter time, you can plan your Muskoka winter getaway during the week.
Day 2 – Snowshoeing in Algonquin
In the equally serene winter air, trade in your skate blades with snowshoes to trek into waist-high snow in the thick Algonquin forest highlands.
Instead of cutting through ice, you'll be crunching through fresh powdered snow to follow your own path of adventure.
There are two trails in the park that are worth exploring even as a novice.
The first is the one that starts at the Mew Lake Campground which branches off into the Highland Backpacking Trail. This trail offers an incredible diversity of forest landscapes from wide opening of fields to being under a canopy of trees to ending up on a bridge and watching the rapids of a stream come rushing through.
While it may seem daunting at first, the trail itself is quite well marked from others passing through.
The second trail is right across the highway and called the Two Rivers Trail.
This trail that takes you along a full loop around thick forest, and it rewards you with 180 degree vistas when you get to the other end. Perched on top of a cliff, enjoy the view of the army of trees dusted with snow that make up the forest below.
The tranquil experience of snowshoeing is special because it is one where you're out there alone in the forest, focused on nothing more than the blowing of snow across a ground packed with powder, and your left foot moving forward followed by your right foot.
Know Before You Go
Address – The West Gate is where you'll most likely enter into the Provincial Park. Make sure you stop by the visitor centre before proceeding to pick up your vehicle permit. The West Gate is 43.6 km east (on Highway 60) of the junctions of Highways 11 & 60 in Huntsville, Ontario.
Phone – 705-633-5572
Trail Hours – There are no opening and closing hours per say but my recommendation is to be on the trail when the sun is up. Trust me, you don't want to be out there in the dark.
Cost – $21 per vehicle and $30.49 for all-day snowshoe rentals at Algonquin Outfitters
Reservations – Starting June 7, 2021, there's an online reservation system in place to guarantee your daily vehicle permit spot as capacity limits are now in place. The one you're looking for is the “Highway 60 Corridor” day-use reservation.
To think that all I needed to do was drive up north a few hours from Toronto and stay the weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Huntsville shows just how easy, incredibly accessible, and yet easily forgotten these two winter experiences are.
That's why skating at Arrowhead Provincial Park and snowshoeing at Algonquin Provincial Park are my handpicked destinations for any Muskoka winter getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
To responsibly enjoy winter at Arrowhead Provincial Park, you are advised to follow public heath advice. Face masks are required in all indoor locations such as the bathrooms and visitor centre.
To responsibly enjoy winter at Arrowhead Provincial Park, you are advised to follow public heath advice. Face masks are required in all indoor locations such as the bathrooms and visitor centre.
They are not mandatory as it is still possible to drop in these parks in the Muskoka winter, however, reservations are highly recommended to guarantee a spot since capacity limits are in place.
No, the cost of reserving online is the same as dropping in.
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