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Arrowhead

Arrowhead Provincial Park

Biking

Arrowhead has two moderately challenging mountain bike trails – the 4.5 km Arrowhead Lake Trail and the 3 km Lookout Trail.

Birding

Several species of birds make Arrowhead their home in the spring and summer months, before migrating south for the winter. A bird list is available at the main gate.

Boating

Motorized boats (including electric motors) are prohibited on Arrowhead and Mayflower lakes. Canoes are ideal for exploring the shorelines and viewing the wildlife of these lakes.

Camping - Winter (including Roofed)

Arrowhead’s winter offerings are well-known across Ontario, and for good reason – there’s nowhere better to go to experience cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and skating through the forest, all in one spot.

Cross Country Skiing
There are 28 km of classic ski trails and 16 km of skate ski trails, ranging from beginner to expert level.

The annual Muskoka Loppet takes place in the park in January.

Snowshoeing
Visitors can explore the 8+ km of marked snowshoe trails, as well as off-trail snowshoeing through mature hardwood forest.

Skating
Arrowhead’s best-known attraction, the ice trail, is a bucket-list item for many Ontarians. Glide through the forest on this 1.3 km skating trail. Be sure to check out our “Fire and Ice Nights” when the trail is lit up for a night time skate.

Canoeing

Be aware of weather conditions before going out as well as making sure you wear a personal floatation device (PFD) at all times.

Discovery Program

Join Discovery staff at an Exploration Station during the months of July and August. Bring along your Discovery Activity Book (or pick one up at the Exploration Station), and use the equipment and materials provided to explore the park, observe plants and animals, and discover the wonders of nature. Be sure to share your observations with park staff! For more information keep an eye out for weekly calendar of events posted throughout the park.

Fishing

Mayflower Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout. Arrowhead Lake is good for Small Mouth Bass. A valid fishing license and outdoors card is required.

Hiking

Beaver Meadow Trail - 7 km (2 hours) moderate
Arrowhead’s longest trail passes Porcupine Bluffs, the remnant shoreline of a huge ancient lake. The bluffs are easily visible in the spring and fall but are hidden during the leafy summer months. The trail circles a large beaver pond with large rafts of cattails where you might see otter, moose, Great Blue Heron, Tree Swallows and, of course, beavers. Near the end, the trail crosses a field and you can see evidence of the once successful Oke homestead—old fence lines, building foundations and domestic plants such as rhubarb and apple trees.

Big Bend Lookout – easy
This short walk from the parking lot on Roe Campground Road leads to a panoramic view of the meandering Big East River and the surrounding Muskoka terrain.

Homesteaders Trail - 3 km (1 hour) moderate
In the 1870s, homesteaders cleared this area. Take this trail across moderately rugged terrain and see traces of abandoned farm fields now reclaimed by young forest.

Mayflower Lake Trail – 1 km (30 minutes) moderate
Ten thousand years ago, Mayflower Lake was a small bay in a large glacial lake. Today it is a small, deep, spring-fed lake. Its cold, clear waters provide ideal habitat for cold water fish such as Rainbow Trout. This trail has several lengthy climbs and descents over the hills surrounding Mayflower Lake and can be muddy, so wear your hiking boots.

Stubb’s Falls Trail - 2 km (45 minutes) easy
Take this trail in early spring when wildflowers and songbirds will be your reward. At Stubb’s Falls, the Little East River rushes down a rock chute. Stop here for a pleasant respite.

Swimming

There are three quiet, clean, sandy beaches with change facilities that back into birch groves. Please note: there are no lifeguards posted at the beaches and pets are not permitted.