Hiking in Arrowhead Provincial Park: trails, map and practical info

The trails

These are the hiking trails listed on Ontario Parks' Activities page, with their figures.

• Arrowhead Lake Trail: 5.1 km, about 1.5 hours, moderate. It circles the main lake, with views of the lake and wetlands where Great Blue Herons are often seen.
• Beaver Meadow Trail: 4 km, about 2 hours, moderate. It loops a beaver pond and passes Porcupine Bluffs, an old lake shoreline. Reach it from North Lumby Campground or the Arrowhead Lake Trail; combined with that trail, the total is 9 km. It also passes the remains of the Oke homestead.
• Homesteaders Trail: 2.8 km, about 1 hour, moderate. Rugged terrain past abandoned farm fields reclaimed by forest.
• Mayflower Lake Trail: 2.1 km, about 30 minutes, moderate. Hilly, with several climbs and descents, and it can be muddy.
• Stubb's Falls Trail: 2.6 km, about 45 minutes, easy. It ends at a waterfall on the Little East River. Ontario Parks suggests early spring, for wildflowers and songbirds.
• Big Bend Lookout: a short, easy walk from the Roe Campground Road parking lot to a view over the Big East River.

Swimming and dogs

The park has a main beach (Beach 2, behind the Visitor Centre), Beach 1, Lumby Beach and Roe Beach. The park page mentions three sand beaches and the Activities page four, so the count depends on the page. There are no lifeguards. Dogs are not allowed on beaches except the designated dog beach; Ontario Parks also lists a leashed-pet section near the walking bridge at Beach 1 and Lumby Beach. Leash of 2 m maximum; minimum fine $95.

Winter

Ontario Parks describes the park as well known for winter activities: 28 km of classic and 16 km of skate ski trails, more than 8 km of marked snowshoe trails, and a 1.3 km skating trail through the forest, lit on "Fire and Ice" nights. Skis, snowshoes and skates are rented at the Pavilion. The Muskoka Loppet is held in the park every January.

Facilities

The park has four comfort stations, showers, a Visitor Centre, two park stores and three warm-up shelters. Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be rented.

Permit and parking

Every vehicle needs a valid park permit (digital or physical) and must park in a designated area; otherwise the minimum fine is $30. The daily permit amount is not published for this park: call 705-789-5105 before you go. Cross-country skiing fees are included in the daily vehicle permit.