The Ice Trail at Arrowhead: Know Before You Go

*Updated December 17, 2020

Welcome to Ontario’s favourite winter attraction! Opened in 2012 at Arrowhead Provincial Park just north of Huntsville, Muskoka, the Ice Trail at Arrowhead is a 1.3 km skate path set amidst towering, snow-dusted trees that winds through the East River campground.  

Opening Date:

Arrowhead Provincial Park is now open year round. The Ice Trail at Arrowhead will open when when favourable weather conditions (cold nights especially!) allow park staff to ice the beautiful route through the forest. Stay tuned for an announcement on the opening date of the Ice Trail – the best place for up to date information is though their Twitter page here.

Location: 
The Ice Trail at Arrowhead is located just north of Huntsville, Muskoka in Ontario, Canada.

Operating Hours:
Arrowhead Provincial Park is open daily for winter activities, including cross country skiing (30km of groomed trails!), snowshoeing, and of course, the popular Ice Trail, from 9am-5pm. Please keep in mind that the ice trail closes daily for maintenance from 11:30am-1pm and its availability is completely weather dependent. Always check their Twitter page before heading out to be sure the trail is open on the day you wish to visit.

Always check the Park Report for Ice Trail availability before heading to the park.

And be sure to check out this “Frequently Asked Questions” blog by park staff – some handy tips in here including when the best time to visit the Ice Trail to avoid line ups, where to park, how much it costs – and most importantly – what changes you can expect over the 2020/2021 winter season in regards to safety measures put in place during COVID. 

Please note:

• – masks will be required when visiting indoor facilities, including the park office, visitor centre and using the washrooms
• – the communal fire at the skating trail and in day use areas will not be open this year
• – special events, including fire and ice nights, have been cancelled for this season
• – expect measures in place to reduce overcrowding and promote physical distancing

For Ice Trail Updates:
During the busy winter season, Arrowhead Provincial Park yields a high volume phone calls regarding Ice Trail availability. While you can phone the park directly if you’d prefer at 705-789-5105, it’s best to first check out the Arrowhead Twitter Page or the Ontario Parks Ski Report.

The Twitter page is regularly updated to let guests know about the availability of the Ice Trail, and the Ski Report will offer an updated look at which cross country ski trails are groomed and ready for skiing, as well as information on the availability of the Ice Trail (located at the bottom of the page in the ‘Additional Information’ box).

Cost:
Cost to enter the park is $18 per vehicle for the day use fee during weekdays, and $21 during weekends. This cost gives visitors access to all the parks amenities.

Skate Rental:
Skates are available to rent on site at a cost of $10 for 3 hours.

Please note: The Ice Trail at Arrowhead Provincial park is one of the most popular winter attractions in the province of Ontario. Weekends are the most popular, so visits mid-week can be optimal if you’re in a hurry or prefer fewer crowds.

For additional attractions in the area, click here.

To dine in the vicinity of the Ice Trail, click here.