Barrie 
The Oxtongue River springs in Algonquin Provincial Park and winds right through the popular Ontario park. The river exits the park in the far southwest corner, where it eventually flows into Oxtongue Lake. With the Oxtongue River and its valley comes a long stretch of waterway in Ontario with very little urban development along the way and a whole lot of parks and conservation areas.
Algonquin and Arrowhead Provincial Parks are among the larger and more popular parks in the region or on the Oxtongue River, and for good reasons: each provides a huge variety of activities, scenery, or experiences. Those two parks are exciting enough that it might be easy to miss one of the area’s hidden gems, the Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park.
But you won’t want to miss a stop, hike, or picnic at the park, as it’s close to two larger parks and offers incredible views of the Oxtongue River.
Muskoka’s Hidden Gem
The Oxtongue River Ragged Falls Provincial Park is a day-use park located near the southwest corner Algonquin, where the river flows out of the park. A visit any time of year will offer an excellent look into why the Oxtongue River Valley is so heavily protected. Not only will the trails offer views of waterfalls, but also the incredible natural landscapes, bird populations, and possibly the larger wildlife that call the Oxtongue River or valley home.
The park’s Falls are considered among the top waterfalls in Ontario to see for the breathtaking scenery. The things about this central Ontario waterfall that will take your breath away include the sheer force of the raging waters, and the varied scenery that the area provides between each season.
Hiking to River-Ragged Falls
It is a short and simple journey to reach the Ragged Falls at 500m one-way, or about 1km out-and-back. The trail closely follows the riverbanks, with a few steep drop-offs to be cautious. Along the trail is a dense covering of coniferous forests which stretch alongside the Oxtongue Riverbanks for much of the river’s length. It’s easy to tell when you’re close to Ragged Falls, as the rushing water creates a distinct noise along the trail.
During the winter, this trail remains open for hikers and snowshoers. It is one of the best falls for a snow-laden falls experience.
While coniferous trees dominate the scenery, deciduous trees still scatter the river valley and create a vibrant contrast in the fall months. Enjoy bright greens, oranges, yellows, and reds, along with the waterfall views. Fall and spring are usually great times to walk the Ragged Falls Trail while birding or finding the best nature photo ops. Late winter and early spring are the best times to see Ragged Falls at its full force, with the added volume of spring melt and runoff.
A Picnic Beside the Oxtongue River
Enjoy a picnic at the Oxtongue River Picnic Area nearby in Algonquin. While the river valley is generally uninhabited and quite rural, there are still plenty of options for picnic food stops on your way into the park.
- The closest towns to the park are Dwight and Dorset, both to the south. And there are almost no chain restaurants in these towns or communities. Your picnic snacks will be made by locally owned eateries and locals of the area. This includes a wide array of snacks that are perfect for picnics, like takeout pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and coffee or café treats.
- For dozens more options, head to Huntsville, about 34km to the west, with its own tasty variety of local restaurants.
Exploring the nearby parts of Algonquin
The Algonquin Provincial Park West Gate is only about a 10-minute drive from the Ragged Falls parking lot and trailhead. From here, there are more opportunities to explore the Oxtongue River, including the park’s first picnic area on Highway 60. There are also many trails which begin from the southwestern part of Highway 60 like Whiskey Rapids (2.1km), the Hardwood Lookout (1km), or the Mizzy Lake Trail (10.8km). Keep in mind that the fall season at Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the busiest, as the beauty of the fall colours is a major park attraction.
Planning Your Trip – Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park
What: Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is in Ontario’s Muskoka Region, on the southwest corner of Algonquin Provincial Park. The large, protected area surrounds a section of the Oxtongue River where the Ragged Falls crash over the rugged rock bed. While the park is quite large, only a small section is open to the public, with a parking lot and a 1 km trail to the waterfall. With all that surrounding wilderness, the Oxtongue River Valley is a hub of wildlife activity, with small and large animals and a huge variety of birds.
Location and how to get there: 1050 Oxtongue Lake Rd, Dwight
35km east of Huntsville and 14km east of Dwight via Highway ON-60
Best time to go: day use is open May to mid-October; trails are open year-round.
How much: Day use is free
For more information:
Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park
