Plan Your Winter Adventure to Arrowhead Provincial Park, Huntsville
Trail Update: Thursday, March 12th 2026
The ice skating trail is now CLOSED for the season.
Experience one of Ontario’s most magical winter attractions at the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park, just minutes from downtown Huntsville. This scenic 1.3-kilometre skating trail winds through a snow-covered forest, offering visitors a unique opportunity to skate beneath towering pines in the heart of Muskoka. Widely recognized as one of Canada’s top winter experiences, the trail attracts thousands of visitors each year looking to embrace the beauty of a true Canadian winter.
In addition to skating, Arrowhead Provincial Park offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and the popular Fire & Ice Nights, making it one of the premier locations for winter activities in Muskoka.
For the best experience, visitors are encouraged to purchase permits in advance and check trail conditions before arriving. With breathtaking scenery, unforgettable winter adventures, and easy access from Toronto and surrounding Ontario communities, it’s easy to see why the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail has become a bucket-list experience for winter enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail located?
The Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail is located within Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville, Ontario, in the heart of Muskoka.
How long is the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail?
The skating trail is approximately 1.3 kilometres long and winds through a scenic forest setting, offering a unique outdoor skating experience.
Do I need to reserve a permit to skate at Arrowhead?
Yes. Visitors are encouraged to purchase day-use permits in advance, especially on weekends and during peak winter periods, as capacity may be limited. You can book your Daily Vehicle Permit (DVP) 5 days in advance online at the Ontario Parks Reservations. Permits can also be purchased by calling Ontario Parks at 1-888-668-7275 – open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Please note: Discover Muskoka is unable to book permits on your behalf. Please contact Ontario Parks directly to reserve your permit.
When is the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail open?
The skating trail typically operates during the winter season from January through March, weather and ice conditions permitting. Visitors should always check current conditions before visiting.
Check out the Snow Report on the Ontario Parks website (updated daily at 9:00 a.m.) for skate and ski trail conditions. Follow Arrowhead on X and Facebook for live updates.
What other winter activities are available at Arrowhead Provincial Park?
In addition to skating, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, tubing, and special Fire & Ice skating events.
Is the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail suitable for families?
Yes. The trail is one of Muskoka’s most popular family-friendly winter attractions, offering a fun and memorable experience for skaters of all ages.
What should I bring when visiting the skating trail?
Visitors should bring skates, warm winter clothing, helmets for children, and any additional winter gear needed for outdoor activities. Skate rentals may be available seasonally.
Why is the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail famous?
The trail is renowned for its picturesque forest setting, unique skating experience, and stunning winter scenery, making it one of Ontario’s most iconic outdoor skating destinations.
Click here for tips on planning your Arrowhead adventure!
Buy Your Tickets in Advance!
Arrowhead Provincial Park is making it easier than ever to plan your next outdoor adventure with the use of paperless day-use permits! Gone are the days of stopping by the office to check in; now you can simply purchase your DVP permit online up to five days in advance and hit the trails as soon as you arrive. Permits can also be purchased by phone at 1-888-668-7275 – open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm.
If you want to guarantee your access, it’s critical to buy your DVP permit in advance. The cost is $21 per vehicle.
Fire and Ice Nights: Now completed for 2026, see you in January 2027! Friday & Saturday Evenings starting in late January. You’ll enjoy the beauty of skiing under torchlight through a magical forest.
Book your permit up to 5 days in advance! When reserving your permit, make sure you select the “DVP – Day Use + Fire and Ice Evening Skate” option. Still just $21 per vehicle.
Very Important ‘Insider’ Information
- Saturdays are the busiest days for the Ice Skating Trail, and it often reaches capacity.
- To avoid disappointment and for the absolute best experience, visit midweek, on Sundays, and pre-book your permit.
- Should you find yourself unable to get into the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail because it has reached capacity, check out the Cranberry Ice Trail. Located in Bala, it is the only skating trail in the world with its own on-site winery. Post-skate, cozy around their campfire and sip on a cup of hot mulled wine.
- Looking for more rinks and skating in Muskoka? Click here for our comprehensive Skating Guide in Muskoka.
Where to Stay
Check out these great accommodations nearby. From resorts to cottages to B&Bs, there is a cozy room with your name on it!
Related: click here to see our top winter vacation packages
Ontario’s best-kept secret…might not be a secret anymore. The Ice Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park has graduated from local folklore to becoming a mainstay in Muskoka’s winter season! Opened in 2012 on a whim and a vision, the Ice Skating Trail has become one of the region’s most popular winter attractions, and one of the province’s most sought-after winter ‘bucket list’ experiences.
The 1.3 km Ice Skating trail winds through the thick Muskoka forest and is a winter experience like no other. If you get to skate the loop after a fluffy snowfall, consider yourself in luck. Being surrounded by snow-covered evergreen trees is an absolutely stunning sight, and one that you won’t soon forget. Bring your family and watch your kids whip around the track with the perfect backdrop, or surprise your loved one with a romantic ‘hand-holding’ skate through the forest.
Arrowhead Provincial Park’s ice skating trail may have garnered the park a lot of attention, but the truth is, it has long been renowned as Muskoka’s winter playground. The provincial park is regarded as one of the top cross-country ski destinations in Ontario, with 28km of classic ski trails and 16km of skate ski trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. The park also features a number of snowshoeing trails, with rentals for both snowshoeing and cross-country skis available on site. If you need a break from the cold, the park has a number of heating stations with wood-burning stoves for you to cozy up inside, perfect if you packed a lunch for your day of winter fun!
