Most people know Huntsville as the last stop before Algonquin Park. It’s where you fill the tank, grab coffee and pick up groceries before heading east on Highway 60. But if you only drive through, you miss a town that’s one of the best places in Muskoka to see the fall colours on its own.
Huntsville sits between Fairy Lake, Lake Vernon and Hunters Bay, with the Muskoka River running right through downtown. In late September the hills around town turn the same deep reds and oranges that draw crowds to Algonquin, and you can see a lot of it without a park permit or a long drive. It’s also a good size town with lots to offer with shops, restaurants, a fall fair and a heritage railway, which makes it an easy base for a longer weekend.
When is the best time to visit Huntsville for fall colours?
The colours around Huntsville usually peak in the last week of September and the first week of October, at about the same time as Algonquin. Ontario Parks posts a Fall Colour Report through the season for both Arrowhead and Algonquin, and it’s the easiest way to check how far along the leaves are before you go.
If you can, come midweek. Huntsville is busy on fall weekends, especially Thanksgiving weekend, since so much of the Algonquin traffic passes through town.
The best fall lookouts in and around Huntsville
Lions Lookout
This is the view most people picture when they think of Huntsville in the fall. Lions Lookout sits high above town and looks out over the Muskoka River, Fairy Lake and downtown Huntsville. You can hike up on a 1.5 kilometre trail or drive most of the way, which makes it an easy stop for anyone. Parking at the top is limited, so early morning or late afternoon is your best bet. Sunset here in early October is hard to beat.
Big Bend Lookout at Arrowhead Provincial Park
Arrowhead is only about five minutes north of town, and it’s the easiest provincial park experience you’ll find in Muskoka. The Big Bend Lookout is a short, flat walk from the parking lot to a viewing platform over a huge sandy bank, where the Big East River makes a sharp horseshoe turn below you. The riverbanks were built up from glacial sediment thousands of years ago, and with the maples turning around it, it’s one of the most photographed spots in the region.
Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower
The Dorset tower is about 40 minutes from Huntsville and worth the drive on a clear day. The tower stands 30 metres tall on a hilltop, and the observation deck puts you 142 metres above Lake of Bays, with a view of forest and water in every direction. On peak fall days it’s not unusual for more than 600 vehicles to pass through the gates, so get there early. There’s also a 2.3 kilometre hiking trail if you’d rather earn the view. The site has had construction work on the tower this year, so check the Township of Algonquin Highlands website before you go.
Fall hikes near Huntsville
Stubb’s Falls at Arrowhead follows the Little East River through hardwood forest to a small waterfall and footbridge. The trail is easy, and the falls surrounded by fall colour make a great family hike. There are stairs down to the main viewing area. Pair it with Big Bend Lookout for a relaxed half day.
Remember that Arrowhead is a busy park in the fall, and daily vehicle permits can sell out on weekends. You can reserve a permit online up to five days before your visit, and I’d do that for any Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October.
The Hunters Bay Trail runs right through town for about 13 kilometres. You don’t need to do the whole thing. Walking a section along the water is a nice way to see the colours without getting in the car at all.
Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve, east of Huntsville, has more than 70 kilometres of free trails across 10,000 acres of private forest and lakes. It’s much quieter than the provincial parks and a good option when Arrowhead is full.
Things to do in Huntsville in the fall
Walk the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery
Huntsville has one of the most unusual art walks in Canada. More than 100 large murals reproducing paintings by the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson are spread across Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Algonquin Park, with 38 of them on the walls of buildings in downtown Huntsville. It’s free, you can do it at your own pace, and it gives you a reason to wander the side streets and parking lots you’d normally skip. It also ties in nicely with an Algonquin trip, since Thomson painted many of his best known works in the park.
Ride the Portage Flyer at Muskoka Heritage Place
Muskoka Heritage Place is a museum, pioneer village and heritage railway in one. The Portage Flyer is a small open air steam train that once ran on what was called the shortest commercially operated narrow gauge railway in the world, and today it runs along the Muskoka River with views of the fall colours on both banks. The Pioneer Village has costumed interpreters, a blacksmith shop and a one room schoolhouse, which makes it a great stop with kids.
This year the site is open daily until October 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the train running Tuesday to Saturday. There’s also a special Thanksgiving Day train on October 12. New this fall is Cemetery Tales, an evening program on Thursdays in September and October that shares local history and lore. In October, keep an eye out for the Great Pumpkin Trail, a family event that has become a local favourite.
Go to the Huntsville Fall Fair
The Huntsville Fall Fair typically runs the last weekend in September at the fairgrounds on Ravenscliffe Road. It’s a proper country fair with agricultural exhibits, a midway, a petting farm, artisan booths and a demolition derby on the Sunday afternoon. There’s no parking at the fairgrounds, but free shuttles run from several spots in town.
Shop the farmers’ market and downtown
The Huntsville Farmers’ Market runs on Thursdays at the fairgrounds, with local meat, cheese, baked goods and fall produce. Downtown Main Street is small enough to walk end to end, with independent shops and cafés, and it’s a good place to spend a rainy afternoon.
Get out on the water
If you have a canoe or kayak, the Avery Beach boat launch gives you access to Lake Vernon and Fairy Lake right from town. Paddling a quiet shoreline on a calm October morning is one of the best ways to see the colours reflected in the water.
How to pair Huntsville with Algonquin Park
Huntsville is about 45 minutes from Algonquin’s West Gate, so it’s a natural base for a fall trip that covers both. A good plan is to spend one day in Algonquin, starting early to beat the crowds, and another day exploring around Huntsville, with Lions Lookout, Arrowhead and the murals downtown. If you’re staying three nights, add the Dorset tower or a paddle on Fairy Lake.
Just remember that Algonquin requires a reserved daily vehicle permit on fall weekends, and it sells out. Book it five days ahead as soon as permits open.
Where to stay in Huntsville in the fall
Huntsville has the widest choice of places to stay anywhere near Algonquin. You’ll find hotels and motels in town, Airbnbs and cottage rentals on the surrounding lakes, and Deerhurst Resort on Peninsula Lake if you want a full resort stay. For a cozier trip, a cottage rental with a fire pit and a dock is hard to top in the fall.
If you’d rather camp, Arrowhead Provincial Park is open year round and sits just minutes from town, which puts you close to both Huntsville and the drive to Algonquin.
Whatever you choose, book early. Late September and Thanksgiving weekend fill up fast, and prices climb the closer you get.
Huntsville fall FAQ
How far is Huntsville from Toronto?
Huntsville is about two and a half hours north of Toronto by car, depending on traffic.
When do the leaves change in Huntsville?
The colours usually peak in the last week of September and the first week of October.
What is the best fall lookout in Huntsville?
Lions Lookout, with views over Fairy Lake and the Muskoka River, is the most popular spot in town. Big Bend Lookout at nearby Arrowhead Provincial Park is another favourite.
Do I need a permit for Arrowhead Provincial Park?
Yes. A daily vehicle permit is required, and on fall weekends it’s best to reserve it online up to five days before your visit.
Is Huntsville a good base for Algonquin Park?
Yes. It’s about 45 minutes from Algonquin’s West Gate and has the most accommodation, food and shopping options of any town nearby.
What is there to do in Huntsville in the fall besides hiking?
Walk the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery, ride the Portage Flyer at Muskoka Heritage Place, visit the Huntsville Fall Fair or shop the farmers’ market and downtown Main Street.
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