Huntsville rests in the heart of Ontario’s “Cottage Country” and is intertwined with pristine lakes, streams and pine trees. As the eastern gateway to Algonquin Provincial Park, Huntsville is the perfect base for combining outdoor adventure with indigenous Algonquin culture.

Things to do

Explore the flora and fauna of Algonquin Provincial Park on an interpretive walking trail. See giant White Pines on the three-kilometer Big Pine Trail or follow the Barron Canyon Loop for spectacular views across the valley and the chance to spot beavers, deer and moose. In summer, canoe across Brigham Lake or cycle the Old Railway Bike Trail.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Don’t miss a tour and tastings at Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Sugarhouse, discover how pure Ontario maple syrup is made and stroll through maple forests. Beautiful views await from the observation deck, which also houses “The Big Maple”, Canada’s tallest-ever maple tree.

Discover Muskoka in the 1800s at Muskoka Pioneer Place. Retrace the history of Huntsville at the Muskoka Museum, from the First People to the European settlements and industrial development. Explore 18 beautiful heritage buildings in the Pioneer Village and ride through the verdant mountains on the Portage Flyer steam train.

Spectacular views over Huntsville await along the Lions Lookout Trail, a 1.5-kilometre path tracing the Muskoka River and Fairy Lake, before ascending Forbes Hill. After a day of hiking, see a live performance at the Algonquin Theatre, a modern venue boasting brilliant acoustics and a jam-packed calendar of events.

Getting around

Huntsville is a two-hour drive from Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. The town is serviced by Highway 11, which connects to North Bay in an hour and Toronto in three. Once in Huntsville, the city is easily explored on foot, although a rental car is needed to reach Algonquin Provincial Park.