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Central Ontario is full of fun and colourful fall scenery, no matter where you visit for the season.
Credit:David Zhang/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
At the heart of the region is Algonquin Provincial Park, known around the world for its fall beauty. The massive park is also surrounded by dozens of much smaller provincial parks that share scenery, foliage, and beauty similar to Algonquin.
Arrowhead Provincial Park provides all the same fall fun and activities as Algonquin and within the same colourful foliage, outdoor activities, and camping opportunities. Also near Arrowhead is the town of Huntsville with its own list of reasons for a fall visit. Combined, these two destinations create the perfect fall getaway.
Easy Fall Colour Hikes
These hikes around Arrowhead Provincial Park are under 3km and don’t have the steeper climb sections that some of the moderate hikes in the park have. These can all be completed in under two hours.
- Big Bend Lookout trail is very short, but it is one of the best views in the park for fall colours. Big Bend is part of the Big East River, which also serves as the park’s southern boundary.
- The Stubb’s Falls Trail follows the shores of the Little East River from the dog beach area. The trail follows the river for about 1km on either side and creates a 2km loop with the crossing near the Stubb’s Waterfall.
- The Homesteaders Trail is a level, easy 3km loop located on the west side of the park. Signs of the farms that once stood in the area will be scattered along the loop.
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More Challenging Fall Hikes
These Arrowhead trails are slightly longer in length or feature a few steeper sections. Overall, none are too strenuous and still offer great views as a reward.
- The longest trail in the park is the full Beaver Meadow loop at 7km. This hike is as great for wildlife viewing as it is for fall colours.
- The Mayflower Lake Trail is about 2km, but includes a few steeper climbs along the way. This hike may take just as much time to complete as the Meadow loop. The portion which passes the lake is covered in foliage of bright reds, greens, and golds.
Top Things to Do in Arrowhead Provincial Park During Winter
Paddle Mayflower or Arrowhead Lake
One of the most peaceful ways to enjoy the autumn foliage and wildlife or birds around Arrowhead Provincial Park is with a paddle. Both Mayflower and Arrowhead Lake are open to canoes, kayaks, or SUPs, while rentals may also be available at the Visitor Centre.
Fishing is also permitted on both lakes! Mayflower is stocked with trout, while Arrowhead offers bass fishing opportunities.
Mountain Biking Trails
Both the Arrowhead Lake Trail and Lookout Trail permit cycling. On top of the great views, these trails can offer cyclists a fair bit of challenges and climbs along the route.
The Arrowhead Lake Trail is a 4.5km loop around the Lake, while the Lookout Trail is a 3km loop.
Camping A Few Ways
The Arrowhead Provincial Park campgrounds are open year-round! Those three campgrounds include Roe, East River, and Lumby. Each of these areas offers spaces for tents, trailers, or RVs, and sites with electricity, while East River is best suited to trailers and RVs.
- Rustic cabin rentals are also available year-round at Arrowhead Provincial Park! These provide enough room for up to five people, electricity, a kitchenette, beds, a barbecue, a heater, and a picnic table.
Fall Fun in Huntsville
The historic and picturesque town of Huntsville is on the west side of the Lake of Bays Region, near the Georgian Bay, and within the scenic Muskoka cottage country of Ontario. Additionally, the town offers a great deal of fall fun within its picturesque scenery.
- More great views and trails await in Huntsville on the 13km The Hunter’s Bay Trail, or the Lion’s Lookout area.
- One can easily find additional paddling under the autumn colours around Huntsville. Use the Avery Beach Boat Launch to access Lake Vernon or Fairy Lake.
- Celebrate the fall and harvest fun with the Fall Fair in Huntsville, the Huntsville Farmers’ Market, open every Thursday), The Peca Farm petting zoo, or The Sandhill Nursery’s Fall Festival.
- Huntsville’s Muskoka Heritage Place has various fall activities planned for all ages this season! These notable events and experiences include a Heritage Fall Fair, Fall Train Rides, a Fall Art Walk in the Pioneer Village, and the Great Pumpkin Trail trick-or-treating event.
Fall Colours Getaway – Make the Best of Your Trip to Huntsville
Trip Planning – Fall at Arrowhead Provincial Park
When to visit: Arrowhead Park is open year-round for camping and day-use.
How much: A daily vehicle permit ($21 per day). Buy a Parks Pass in Advance.
For fall colours, check online for the leaf colour report.
Rentals are available at the Visitor Centre.
Where: 451 Arrowhead Park Rd, Huntsville
7 km from downtown Huntsville.
Arrowhead Provincial Park is located about 2.5 hours drive (~ 24o km) from Toronto, 3.75 hours drive (380 km) from London, 1.5 hours drive (110 km) from Barrie, 4 hours drive (~390 km) from Kingston, and 4 hours drive (~345 km) from Ottawa.
