Biking
Arrowhead has two moderately challenging mountain bike trails – the 5.1 km Arrowhead Lake Trail and the 3 km Lookout Trail.
Birding
Several species of birds make Arrowhead their home in the spring and summer months, before migrating south for the winter.
Boating
Motorized boats (including electric motors) are prohibited on Arrowhead and Mayflower lakes. Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are ideal for exploring the shorelines and viewing the wildlife of these lakes, all of which can be rented at the Visitor Centre/Park Store!
Camping - Winter (including Roofed)
Arrowhead’s winter offerings are well-known across Ontario, and for good reason – there’s nowhere better to go to experience cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and skating through the forest, all in one spot. Bring your hot tent or trailer to one of the seven pull-through campsites or stay in a rustic camp cabin to stay warm.
Canoeing
Be aware of weather conditions before going out as well as making sure you wear a personal floatation device (PFD) at all times.
Discovery Program
Join Discovery staff at an Exploration Station during the months of July and August. Bring along your Discovery Activity Book (or pick one up at the Exploration Station), and use the equipment and materials provided to explore the park, observe plants and animals, and discover the wonders of nature. Be sure to share your observations with park staff! For more information keep an eye out for weekly calendar of events posted throughout the park.
Fishing
Mayflower Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout. Arrowhead Lake is good for Small Mouth Bass. A valid fishing license and outdoors card is required.
Hiking
Arrowhead Lake Trail – 5.1 km (1.5 hours) moderate
he Arrowhead Lake Trail winds around the perimeter of Arrowhead’s major lake! The trail can be used for hiking and biking and turns into one of our most popular cross country ski trails in the winter. At 5.1 km in length, the trail takes approximately 1.5-2 hours to walk and 30-45 minutes to bike. The Arrowhead Plant, the park’s namesake, is visible along the shorelines. The trail provides some great vistas overlooking the lake and a wetland where Great Blue Herons are often seen.
Beaver Meadow Trail - 4 km (2 hours) moderate
Accessed through North Lumby Campground, or through the Arrowhead Lake Trail. Completing both Arrowhead Lake and the Beaver Meadow loop will be 9 km. This trail passes Porcupine Bluffs, the remnant shoreline of a huge ancient lake. The bluffs are easily visible in the spring and fall but are hidden during the leafy summer months. The trail circles a large beaver pond with large rafts of cattails where you might see otter, moose, Great Blue Heron, Tree Swallows and, of course, beavers. Near the end, the trail crosses a field, and you can see evidence of the once successful Oke homestead—old fence lines, building foundations and domestic plants such as rhubarb and apple trees. This trail is a part of the ski trail system in the winter.
Big Bend Lookout – easy
This short walk from the parking lot on Roe Campground Road leads to a panoramic view of the meandering Big East River and the surrounding Muskoka terrain.
Homesteaders Trail - 2.8 km (1 hour) moderate
In the 1870s, homesteaders cleared this area. Take this trail across moderately rugged terrain and see traces of abandoned farm fields now reclaimed by young forest. This trail is a part of the ski trail system in the winter. Nearby, The Portage Trail, utilizing a winter ski trail, begins just past the old park office and borders the Lumby Campground, making the park accessible by walking, without having to go along the main road.
Mayflower Lake Trail – 2.1 km (30 minutes) moderate
Ten thousand years ago, Mayflower Lake was a small bay in a large glacial lake. Today it is a small, deep, spring-fed lake. Its cold, clear waters provide ideal habitat for cold water fish such as Rainbow Trout. This trail has several lengthy climbs and descents over the hills surrounding Mayflower Lake and can be muddy, so wear your hiking boots. This trail turns into a snowshoeing trail in the winter.
Stubb's Falls Trail - 2.6 km (45 minutes) easy
ake this trail in early spring when wildflowers and songbirds will be your reward. At Stubb’s Falls, the Little East River rushes down a rock chute. Stop here for a pleasant respite to view the picturesque waterfall. In the winter, this trail turns into a snowshoeing trail.
Ice Skating
Arrowhead’s best-known attraction, the ice trail, is a bucket-list item for many Ontarians. Glide through the forest on this 1.3 km skating trail. Be sure to check out our “Fire and Ice Nights” when the trail is lit up for a nighttime skate. Skates are available for rent at the Pavilion.
Skiing - Cross Country
There are 28 km of classic ski trails and 16 km of skate ski trails, ranging from beginner to expert level. The trails include:
- Arrowhead Lake 5.1 km (Classic and Skate)
- Beaver Meadow 5 km (Classic)
- Bunny 1 km (Classic)
- East River 6 km (Classic)
- Homesteaders 2.8 km (Skate)
- Lookout 3 km (Multiuse trail)
- Lumby 4.5 km (Classic and Skate)
- Roe 2.5 km (Classic and Skate)
- Sprint 1 km (Classic)
Please refer to the Snow Report for up-to-date conditions of trails.
Ski packages (skis, boots, and poles) are available for rent at the Pavilion.
New in 2025: The Multi-Use Trail. Typically a moderate level 3 km classic ski trail, The Lookout Trail will now be groomed as a multi-use trail to capture all your favourite winter activities. The trail will be available for skijoring, hiking, snowshoeing and fat biking. This is the only trail where fat biking and skijoring are permitted. Please note, the park does not provide skijoring equipment.
The annual Muskoka Loppet takes place in the park in January.
Snowshoeing
Visitors can explore the 8+ km of marked snowshoe trails through mature hardwood forest. Snowshoes are available for rent at the Pavilion.
Swimming
There are four quiet, clean, sandy beaches that back into birch groves. Change facilities are available in nearby comfort stations. Please note there are no lifeguards posted at the beaches and pets are not permitted. Arrowhead Lake, named after the Arrowhead Plant, has sandy shores, was once apart of ancient glacial Lake Algonquin, and has the Little East River flowing through it, down over Stubb’s Falls and into the famous Big East River. Swim or enjoy the beautiful lake by canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard! All can be rented at the Visitors Centre/Park Store.
Lumby Beach: This is located in the South Lumby Campground. There is a section of the beach close to the walking bridge that is pet friendly, as long as they are kept on a leash. Lumby Beach is the only beach on the western shore of the lake. A small parking lot is available off the main road before the bridge. Full washrooms are available at the Mini Comfort Station further down the main road in the East River Campground, or there are closer outhouses available in the Lumby Campground, just behind the beach.
Beach 1: This is located right at the mouth of the Little East River, by the walking bridge. There is a section of the beach close to the walking bridge that is pet friendly, as long as they are kept on a leash. There is a parking lot, labelled ‘Beach Area 1’ off the main road just after the bridge, and across from the Stubb’s Falls trailhead. Full washrooms are available at the Mini Comfort Station, across the road from the parking lot in the East River Campground.
Beach 2: This is the main day-use beach! Rentals are only available on this beach however, they can be taken to other beaches as long as they are returned to Beach 2 at the end of your allotted time. Beach 2 is located behind the Visitors Centre/Park Store and the parking lot can be accessed by driving past the building. Off the main road, look for the sign labelled ‘Beach Area 2’. There are no pets permitted at this beach. Washrooms are available at the Visitors Centre/Park Store.
Roe Beach: This beach is accessible through Roe Campground. There is a small parking lot at the end of Road 7 in Roe Campground. Campers are encouraged to walk to the beach on trails through the campground from their campsite. There are no pets permitted on this beach. Full washrooms are available at the Roe Comfort Station located on Road 6 and there are also outhouses available throughout Roe Campground, behind the beach.