Arrowhead Provincial Park: A Wooden Cabin Retreat Close to Toronto

Arrowhead Provincial Park 451 Arrowhead Park Rd. Huntsville P1H 2J4, Canada

The roofed accommodations require that gear by hauled in sleigh, which they provide (there is no direct parking)

Arrowhead Provincial Park is well known for its winter offerings, featuring cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-skating. This park offers heated roofed accommodations for a comfortable stay during colder months like the cabin we stayed in.

Trip Report:

When it comes to winter trips, the name of the game is flexibility. Everything is highly dependant on weather so check the Snow Report before you go, especially when you plans involve things like skiing and skating. Hiking is usually more reliable so I try to have atleast one trail in our back pocket.

Type
   
Roofed

Toronto Drive
   
2 hours

Duration
   
2 nights

Campground
   
East River

Site
   
219

Season
      
Winter (March 2023)

Day 1: Stubb’s Falls

Site #219: what a luxury! We were at a newly built cabins but as remarkable as it was we did encounter an issue with the heating. Our fireplace wouldn’t turn on so we had to have the park staff help out. *Be sure to check if your heating is in working order before offices hours close.

The kitchenette comes with a microwave, mini fridge and counter space with a large dining table and chairs for meals. Even though this is a more comfortable roofed accommodation they do not come outfitted with washrooms. You will have to go to the comfort station (note below).

Cabin Reservations: (here)

*Things to note: 
Transport your belongings by sleigh! You do not park right outside your cabin, instead toboggans are available by the parking lot for you to haul your gear over.
The washrooms are far from our specific cabin. We got used to the trek, but this is a good thing to note.
As usual, there is potable water at the comfort station. Bring your jugs.

The sunroom at the cabin with muskoka chairs

Stubb’s Falls and Dumplings

After unpacking at the cabin we headed straight for a short snowy hike. Because Arrowhead is known in the winter for it’s skiing, the walking trails are limited with just a few easy treks so we took a stroll towards Stubb’s Falls before heading in for the day.

We brought a rice cooker to experiment with one-pot meals. It works!

Day 2: Cross-country Skiing

Being March, although cold, we had warm enough day time temperatures that I could paint comfortably outside so I did that during this slow-rising morning. Although it looks mysterious, the snow trail I painted was actually a shortcut we whittled down to go to the comfort station bathroom.

Full wood interior of the cabin with bunk beds and a queen-sized bed

Painting outside in the winter of a wooded landscape

To The Ski Trails

I am not a skiier. In fact I hadn’t even done cross-country skiing since elementary school in Winnipeg but we were up for the new experience and lucky for us the rentals were open on weekdays!

Rentals: available at the Visitor Centre

This building is incredibly well managed with lots of seating and a park store for anything you need last minute. There's also good cellphone reception! The campgrounds can be spotty so if you have anything urgent, you can come here.

Cross-country skiing at Arrowhead Park’s multiple ski trails in the winter

We did a couple rounds by the Bunny trail since we were both newbies. Feeling comfortable, we were advised that the “moderate” loop around Arrowhead Lake was actually easy too. When I went, I found the hills challenging! But W managed really well so advancing to a harder trail really depends on how quickly you pick the sport. It was still really fun despite all the falling!

No Ice Skating

The skating trail was in fact open, but because we came on a Monday, due to the perfect weather of the weekend, the park experienced extremely large crowds and, quoted from a park staff, it "obliterated" the trail.

So sadly, we weren’t able to experience this favorite activity, but it means we’ll have to visit again! Winter weather is always unpredictable in Ontario, we’ve had instances where there’s been exceptionally warm weather so rinks were closed so we’ve learnt to be flexible with our seasonal activities.

We headed back to the cabin to spend our last night.

Although snowed in, you’re still able to have a roaring fire at the ring pits each cabin had

Day 3: Home

W fired up the barbecue and warmed up some samosa on the grill. Then we headed home.

The gas barbecue works! You can cook your meals outdoors at the cabin

Final Thoughts

Arrowhead is one of those winter destinations that you could visit over and over again. Even though we don’t often repeat parks, we will come again, especially for their Fire & Ice Nights. The highlight of the park are the ski trails, so if that’s your jam, you’ll have lots of fun.

For our camping gear list, click here.

Read other winter trips at a basic yurt at Pinery, a biome yurt at Algonquin or more.