Arrowhead Provincial Park Ice Skating Trail is Open

Lace ’em up, it’s ice skating time!

MUSKOKA, ON

The Ice Skating Trail for the 2023 season is open with skating available daily (weather permitting).

Check out the Ski Report on the Ontario Parks website (updated daily at 9:00 a.m.) for skate and ski trail conditions
Follow Arrowhead on Twitter for live updates

Please note that Arrowhead Provincial Park can get extremely busy during peak times (the weekend) and often reaches capacity. Plan ahead and check @ArroPark on Twitter for real-time capacity updates. Mid-week is often the best time to visit.

Make your reservation online before you go to avoid disappointment

What’s different this year?

Arrowhead Provincial Park has gone paperless for day use permits, allowing visitors to obtain their daily vehicle permit online up to five days in advance. When arriving at the park, there is no need to stop at the office and check in, allowing visitors to immediately begin their activities.

Ski races are returning this year after a two-year hiatus, and visitors are encouraged to book their trips early or consider visiting on different days due to the expected increased traffic on race days. The dates for the races this year are:

January 8
January 29
February 21-23
February 25-26

The Visitor’s Centre warm-up room will be closed on February 25-26 for the Ontario Special Olympics. In addition to advance purchase of daily vehicle permits, visitors can also reserve permits online in advance for Fire & Ice Nights. Ski permits are no longer being offered and visitors are asked to obtain a daily vehicle permit for access to all of the park’s day-use activities, including skiing. Snow tubing has been permanently ended. The park encourages visitors to check back frequently for updates.

The Legend of Muskoka’s “Fairy Tale Skate Through the Canadian Forest” Continues to Grow!

Already one of Ontario’s most popular winter attractions, the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail was named as one of the Top 50 Canadian Winter Experiences by Flight Network, and one of 19 Stunning Natural Ice Skating Rinks Around the World by Travel+Leisure.

Arrowhead Provincial Park is in full winter swing, with snowshoeing trails, cross country ski trails, and now their famous ice skating trail all open for park guests. Their ice skating trail is an experience that is unmatched, having been recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of 19 stunning natural ice skating rinks in the world.

The recent cold weather conditions have been perfect ice making conditions, with park staff working hard to get the trail up and going for excited skaters. Remember, the skating trail is always weather dependent so please check the Arrowhead Provincial Park daily update before leaving home. The staff at the park update this report first thing in the morning, every day.

Be sure to read the tips below and start planning your magical skate through the Muskoka forest for winter 2022. The attraction is super popular and the tips will ensure you have the best experience possible. If you happen upon the park right after a dumping of fluffy white snow, consider yourself in luck. Snow covered Muskoka pines creating an archway through the forest as you gracefully glide under them is an experience that is second to none.

The details

Admission into the park is $21 per vehicle
Skate rentals are available at the park for $15 (or bring your own)
Helmets are recommended on the trail but are not mandatory
Dogs are not permitted on the ice skating trail (they are permitted on the snowshoeing trails)
Baby strollers with rubber wheels are permitted on the ice skating trail (no metal wheels please)
On Fire & Ice Nights, the Ice Skating Trail will be open from 11am – 3pm, and from 6pm – 9pm.

Tips for the ultimate experience

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 or on Sundays!
Should you find yourself unable to get into the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail on the weekend because it has reached capacity, check out the Cranberry Ice Trail, 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.
After a fresh snowfall there is a certain magic skating on the trail under the snow covered evergreen trees.
Fire & Ice nights make a memorable date night. When the sun goes down and the stars come out, the tiki torches are lit for a romantic candlelight skate through the forest.
If you can’t feel your toes, there are heating stations available for you to go inside and warm up.

More winter activities to do at the park

This place is truly Muskoka’s winter playground and is known as one of the top cross country ski destinations in Ontario. The park is home to 30+km of snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails split up amongst 9 different trails. They also have the only tubing hill in the region, a great activity to wear out the kids as they race down the track and pull their tube back up the hill. The brand new visitor centre is a great addition to their winter activities, equipped with a warm up room to enjoy after spending time in the great outdoors. Lounge by the fireplace and bring your own lunch to enjoy at their large dining table.