Barrie 
The Muskoka region of Ontario is a place filled with natural gems and sights to explore. This includes, of course, the dozens of lakes that dot the Muskoka, as well as a few lesser-known and more hidden natural attractions. One of Muskoka’s biggest natural attractions is the sky above at night, with the area’s lack of light pollution. This is one of the best places near the more urban parts of southern Ontario to escape the lights and enjoy a night under a clear, starry sky.
To enhance stargazing and help protect nocturnal species, part of the Muskoka region is completely protected from light pollution. The expansive Torrance Barrens Conservation Area and Dark Sky Preserve is open all day and night, year-round, to help visitors get the most of the dark sky preserve. Plus, the Conservation Area permits a few other outdoor activities to make the area worthy of a daytime and nighttime visit.
Here are all the ways to make the most of your trip to Torrance Barrens:
Easily Find your Way around the Barrens
In the spring of 2024, the Muskoka region’s park received several upgrades. These improvements help keep the park’s natural areas as pristine as possible while allowing the public to explore different parts of the park. Barrens in a non-disruptive way. This was all completed with the help of the Torrance Barrens Working Group of volunteers.
One major feature added to the park was the new Information Kiosk. The kiosk features a map with clear markings for trail routes, designated campsites, and showcases art from local Indigenous artists, as well as photos from local astronomers and astrophotographers.
Enjoying the Dark Skies
Campers and day use visitors are both able to enjoy and take in the brilliant night skies above the Dark Sky Preserve. Campers will have the thrill of being out and away from the main roads in quieter, less populated areas. Day use visitors have a recommended stargazing spot located overlooking the Highland Pond from the parking lot. Beyond this, the Main Trail leads to a second awesome stargazing spot: follow the trail across the first boardwalk and over the first ridge for the second great vantage point.
If you are going for stargazing, check the weather and cloud cover.
The Torrance Barrens Trails
Bring bikes to the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve and get a chance to traverse almost all of the trails within one visit! The Park’s Campsite Trail is the only linear trail at 3.7km one-way, and cuts across the park from north to south. The remaining three trails are loops which wind around the south side of Torrance Barrens Preserve.
- Both the Main and Pine Ridge Trails are 3.5km loops that start from the parking lot and dark sky viewing area. These follow the shores of Mossy Lake and Highland Pond for part of the way and smaller wetland areas. And while those trails explore the southeast part of the park, the Barrens Extension Trail offers a way to explore the southwest side of the park.
- The Barrens Extension Trail is a 4km loop which also encircles the Highland Pond but then continues west to the other wetland areas.
Picnics & More Activities
Bring all of the snacks for a morning, afternoon, or evening picnic except blueberries! Wild blueberries grow all around the Torrance Barrens Dark Conservation Area, and u-pick is permitted as long as there are blueberries (July and August are the best months). Whether or not you have a taste for the park’s native fruit, the Torrance Barrens Conservation Area is a great place to treat the family to a picnic or to treat yourself after a day on the trails.
- The town of Torrance is less than 10km north of the Conservation Area, with a handful of local restaurants and takeout spots to help cater the picnic. Find several more options in Gravenhurst, about 30km from the park.
- The dark skies make it clear that a camera or phone camera is a must for your visit. The stars, possible auroras, and lights from plants or satellites all create spectacular photo opportunities. Plus, the park offers awesome sunrise or sunset scenes and is home to several different types of wildlife.
- Among the park’s wildlife are some rare species, too, making it that much more important to have a camera at the ready. These include the Massasauga rattlesnake and sandhill crane. The park is also home to several more types of birds, including waterfowl, small amphibians, wildflowers, and a beautiful showcase of colours each fall.
Peaceful & Pondside Tent Camping
After a day or multiple hours on the trails, sit back and relax at one of six designated walk-in tent sites around the Torrance Barrens Preserve. Each of the six backcountry campsites is named after individuals who had a significant influence on the park or its development. Those include the:
- Dan Waters Site
- Ken Kane and Jan McDonnell Site
- Mike Silver Site
- Bill Grimmett Site
- Charles Sauriol Site
- and the Keith Villamere Site
- The first three of those campsites are the closest to the parking lot on Southwood Road, and they are all accessible from the Main Trail. Sites 2 and 3 also offer waterfront views.
- Site 4 is right in the middle of the park and will require the longest hike to access. Sites 5 and 6 are on the far north side of the park at the end of Clear Lake Road. And while sites 4, 5, and 6, all have foot access from Clear Lake Road, keep in mind that there is no public parking on the north side of Torrance Barrens. Sites 4, 5, and 6 are also set next to peaceful ponds or lakes.
- These campsites are all exceptional places for stargazing before bed!
Planning Your Trip – Torrance Barrens
What: 1,906 hectares of crown land, the Torrance Barrens area of the Muskoka region has served as a place for outdoor recreation for decades, but received official conservation status in 1997. Since then, the park has remained protected from light pollution and any sort of development while it protects an important and diverse southern Ontario habitat. The park is open every day of the year for daytime recreation and nighttime stargazing. And from spring to fall, the park opens six back-country campgrounds.
Location and how to get there: 8km south of Torrance via Muskoka Road 13; 30km from Gravenhurst via Frank Miller Memorial Route and Muskoka Road 13 (Directions)
Torrance Barrens is located approximately 85 km (1 hr 15 min drive) from Barrie and 190 km (3-hour drive) from Toronto
Best time to go: Open year-round
How much: Free (crown land camping)
For more information:
Torrance Barrens Conservation Area and Dark Sky Preserve
Ontario Parks – Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve
