Arrowhead Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide

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Arrowhead Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at Arrowhead Provincial Park is pretty easy.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

We booked our stay at Arrowhead for August and had a pretty easy time getting an awesome site.

I don’t think you could go wrong with most of the sites at this park! They were pretty spacious and private!

☑️ Expert Tip – Be sure to pre-register and check in online before arriving at the park. It definitely expedites the process once you arrive. This can easily be done by logging into your Ontario Parks account and heading to your reservation.

The park is open year-round for camping from January 1st until December 31st.

Arrowhead Provincial Park Address:
451 Arrowhead Park Rd., Huntsville, ON P1H 2J4
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/arrowhead

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Arriving at the Park

Once you arrive at the main entrance to the park, there is a bit of a drive to the Visitor Centre.

We actually stopped at the water fill station first, as it was on the way.

Once you arrive at the Visitor Centre, you will find several massive parking lots. And while we didn’t see any trailer-specific spots, there was a sign that said “Trailer Parking”.

This is the first Ontario Park that we have been to where the Visitor Centre doubles as a gatehouse.

After checking in at the counter, we were also able to purchase our ice and firewood and grab a printed map at the same time.

The Park Store is also located in the Visitor Centre, so I was able to hop over to grab my park patch.

We arrived right at the 2 o’clock check-in time, so we were able to head straight to our site.

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Arrowhead Provincial Park Map

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Navigating the Park

Arrowhead is a pretty large park. That being said, we had no problem navigating our way around.

There were enough large signs to help you find your way around the park, the campgrounds, the beaches, and the day-use areas.

The main park roads were paved and in decent shape.

The one-way campground roads were narrow and unpaved, but were in relatively good condition.

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Parking

The parking lots that we saw throughout the park were more than sufficient in size.

There were large parking lots at the beaches, at the Visitor Centre, and at the trailheads.

You will also find a smaller parking lot at the comfort stations, in the campgrounds, and one at the dog beach.

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Arrowhead Provincial Park Camping

Arrowhead Provincial Park accommodates a variety of camping styles.

From car camping to tenting, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all. They even have some rustic cabins that are open year-round!

You will also have the choice between electric and non-electric sites.

Just keep in mind that not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites. So you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.

Arrowhead Provincial Park has three main campgrounds – Lumby, East River, and Roe Campground.

There is also a small Pull-Through Campground that is home to only 7 sites.

All in all, Arrowhead is home to 378 campsites.

Lumby is the only campground that offers both electric and non-electric sites.

Both the East River and Roe Campgrounds offer only electric sites.

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Campgrounds at a Glance

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Rustic Cabins

Arrowhead Provincial Park is home to 13 rustic cabins.

These roofed accommodations are a great way to experience the park if you are not into “roughing it” or don’t have an RV. They are also a great way to try out winter camping!

Located in the East River Campground, these cabins sleep up to 5 adults, and were super cute!

The cabins come equipped with a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, kettle and counter space.

And while there are baseboard/wall heaters which provide the main source of heat, you will even find a gas fireplace for a little more ambiance!

The cabins also come with a dining table and chairs for indoor meals, a queen bed and a double/single bunk bed with decent mattresses to sleep on.

Outside, there is a gas barbecue, a picnic table, a fire pit, and parking for 1 vehicle. The cabins also have a “Muskoka style” porch.

The Rustic Cabins are also a short walk to the Mini Comfort Station.

The comfort station is open year-round and has flush toilets, showers, and a dishwashing room with potable water.

If this sounds like a great way to glamp in the park, keep in mind that you will need to bring your own bedding, food, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.

There is also a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in all rustic cabins. Only cabin 224 is pet-friendly.

And while you can ski right up to your door and are only steps away from the skating trail, you will need to walk or snowshoe in to access the Cabins in winter (approximately 500 metres).

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Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Arrowhead, we stayed in the Roe Campground.

Our campsite was huge! It was very private with plenty of mature trees.

We probably could have had a large tent, plus our dining tent, and our teardrop trailer on the site and not felt in the least bit crowded.

Amazing!

And while we were right next to the path to the comfort station, as well as next to a water tap, we didn’t notice much in the way of additional foot traffic.

The site’s privacy was just awesome!

All in all, we found the entire campground to be pretty quiet.

I think our only complaint was that even though there is a beach off the Roe Campground, we were still too far from it to walk.

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What Amenities Does Arrowhead Offer?

Comfort Stations

Comfort stations with showers are centrally located in all three campgrounds.

As I mentioned earlier, the East River Campground is also home to a Mini Comfort Station.

The Mini Comfort Station is open year-round and services the cabins and day use area in the winter. It is also conveniently located at the skating trail head.

Vault toilets were located near the largest beach, as well as in each of the campground areas.

The only comfort station that we used was the one in Roe Campground, so I can’t speak to what the others were like.

We found it to be clean, but a little on the older side.

Let me tell you about the shower!! The water was hot, but the pressure was unreal!

I felt like I was being propelled forward anytime I got under the shower! I have NEVER felt this kind of water pressure at a campground before.

And while the water pressure wasn’t completely intolerable (it might be for younger kids), the shower floor filled up with water quickly as the drain couldn’t keep up. Yuck!

Since John and I tried several of the shower stalls during our stay, we found that it was the same in each one.

Something to consider when choosing your campsite.

As in the case of most parks during the summer, the showers got busy around dinner time, so we usually waited until later in the evening.

You will also find vault toilets located throughout the campgrounds, in the day-use area, and near the beach.

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Laundry

There are no coin laundry facilities at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

You would need to drive to nearby Huntsville if you need to do any laundry.

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Park Store

As I mentioned earlier, the Park Store is located inside the Visitor Centre.

Inside, you will find a variety of Ontario Parks merch, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, totes, and more.

You will also find a variety of camping essentials, as well as a small Nespresso coffee station.

You can buy ice and firewood here, but aside from snacks, ice cream bars and drinks, I didn’t see much in the way of small grocery items like many other parks carry.

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Visitor’s Centre

The Visitor’s Centre at Arrowhead Provincial Park is a little different than what you find at most Ontario Parks.

Inside, you will find the Park Store and Check-in counter, as well as public washrooms.

But instead of finding educational displays, the Visitor Centre appears to be more of a gathering spot.

You will find a large room filled with tables and chairs, similar to a cafeteria. The room also has a massive wood-burning fireplace, a book nook, and a huge outdoor deck complete with a propane BBQ.

During the summer, you can also rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards from the registration desk.

And during the winter months, the Visitor Centre serves as a rental centre for skis, snowshoes, and ice skates.

You can pick the equipment up onsite, head out the door and be on the cross-country ski track in minutes.

It’s also a great place to warm up if you are only using the park’s facilities for the day.

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Day Use Area

The day-use area at Arrowhead was pretty nice, as it sits on Arrowhead Lake.

You will find a few large parking lots, the picnic shelter, vault toilets, access to a couple of the trailheads, and the largest of the beaches.

And if you have your furry friend with you, the dog beach is conveniently located adjacent to the day-use beach.

During our visit, we used Day Use Beach 2.

One of the things that you should be aware of before visiting this beach is the slope that leads from the parking lots down to the water.

If you have mobility issues, it’s going to be tricky going both up and down that sandy slope.

Other than that, the beach was sandy, and so was the entry into the lake.

The roped swimming area stayed shallow for a bit before getting deep at the rope.

If you want to visit the park for the day-use area only, you can reserve your daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance.

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Boat Launch

There are no boat launches at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

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Picnic Shelters

There is only one picnic shelter at Arrowhead.

You will find it located between Beach 1 and Beach 2 in the Day Use area.

The picnic shelter was quite basic compared to the ones we have seen at other parks like Bass Lake (they have a built-in fireplace).

As we mentioned earlier, you will find a large parking lot nearby with plenty of picnic tables inside the shelter.

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Arrowhead Provincial Park Beaches

Arrowhead Provincial Park is home to four sandy beaches along the shores of Arrowhead Lake.

Beaches 1, 2 and Roe are located along the southern shore of Arrowhead Lake.

These beaches were all pretty similar, with nice sandy areas and clean shorelines.

The water stayed relatively shallow in the swimming area until you were almost at the rope, which was nice.

Lumby Beach is located on the western shore and has an accessible dock adjacent to the smallish swimming area.

The water on Arrowhead Lake was tea coloured and pretty warm during our visit in August.

We were able to easily launch our paddleboards into the lake from either side of the swimming area on Beach 2.

Beaches 1, 2, and Roe have access to vault toilets that are within a 5-minute walk.

For Lumby Beach, you will have to walk a little further into the Lumby Campground to access a vault toilet.

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What Services Does Arrowhead Offer?

You will find all the usual Ontario Provincial Parks services at Arrowhead.

Water

There is one sanitation station at Arrowhead Provincial Park. It is located off the main road before you reach the Visitor’s Centre.

There, you will find a two-lane loop equipped with two fill stations. Unfortunately, both taps are located on the driver’s side of each lane.

This means if your tanks are on the passenger side, you would need to tie up both lanes in order to fill your rig.

You will find water taps located throughout the campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

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Dump Station

As we mentioned above, there is only one sanitation station at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

And just like with the fill stations, there are two lanes with a dump station in each.

Both dump stations are located on the driver’s side of the lane.

The dump stations come first in the sanitation loop, so if you want to fill your trailer, you may have to wait behind someone filling their tank if you can’t get around them.

And just like at other parks, expect the sanitation area to be busy around check-out time.

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Garbage and Recycling

There is a large garbage and recycling area located near the sanitation loop.

This area includes multiple garbage bins, mixed recycling bins, and designated spots for small empty propane tanks and alcohol bottles.

Unlike Killbear Provincial Park, we did not notice smaller garbage areas within each campground loop.

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Wi-Fi

If you are hoping to stay connected during your time at Arrowhead, prepare to be disappointed.

Considering how close this park is to “civilization,” the cell service is spotty to nonexistent.

We had no reception in our campground, and a little bit of spotty reception at Beach 2. I was pretty surprised that even at the Visitor’s Centre, the reception was terrible.

If you really need to connect to the internet, your best bet is to make the short trip to Huntsville.

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Things to Do at Arrowhead Provincial Park

John and I love to get out and explore as much of the park as we can during our camping trips.

That said, Arrowhead has plenty of activities to keep everyone busy, no matter what your interests!

1. Enjoy a Bike Ride

If you love to bike, then you will be happy to note that a couple of the trails at Arrowhead are bike-friendly.

Mountain biking is available on the Arrowhead Lake Trail and the Lookout Trail.

We took our bikes out on the Arrowhead Lake Trail and had an awesome time.

We found the trail to be pretty easy for the most part.

But just a heads up, some areas can get really rocky, so you need to be more careful.

Not to mention, there are a few steep hills that you will need to climb and descend on the trail.

I’m not gonna lie, I ended up walking my bike up a couple of the steep inclines!

For more of a laid-back ride, you can also ride on all of the campground roads, which are in decent shape.

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2. Go for a Paddle

One of the activities that John and I love to do while camping is paddleboarding. And Arrowhead did not disappoint!

While the park provides access to Arrowhead Lake and Mayflower Lake, we only had time to check out Arrowhead Lake.

We spent an afternoon exploring the entire shoreline of this lake before an impending thunderstorm forced us out of the water.

We found that the water was pretty calm in the southern portion of the lake, but once you hit the middle section, it did get a little choppy.

Just keep that in mind when heading out!

And if you didn’t bring along your own, Arrowhead rents out canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards along with lifejackets at the Visitor’s Centre.

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3. Take the Plunge

As I mentioned earlier, Arrowhead Lake is a pretty decent place to go for a swim.

The tea-coloured water is clean and warm enough to splash around in.

And the fact that it stays pretty shallow in the roped-off swimming area is great if you have younger kids with you.

Our only advice is to keep in mind that the water can get rough on this lake when you go a little further out.

If you are in the Lumby or Roe campgrounds, you will have direct access to a beach, which is pretty nice.

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4. Take Part in the Discovery Program

Arrowhead Provincial Park offers a pretty good Discovery Program for kids.

In July and August, kids can pick up a Discovery Activity Book at the Park Store. The book includes activities that use simple tools and materials to help them explore the park.

During the summer months, the park also runs daily programs. These typically highlight local plants and wildlife.

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5. Try Your Hand at Fishing

For anyone who loves fishing, Mayflower Lake and Arrowhead Lake are great places to try your hand at fishing.

Mayflower Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, while Arrowhead Lake is good for Smallmouth Bass.

A valid fishing license and an outdoors card are required.

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6. Enjoy a Hike

Arrowhead Provincial Park is home to 6 hiking trails. The trails were quite nice, and there was definitely a variety of scenery to enjoy.

We didn’t manage to hike every trail during our visit, but completing three out of six wasn’t bad. The ones we did hike were enjoyable.

Trailheads are spread throughout the park and are clearly marked with large signs.

Some trailheads also have nearby parking, which makes it easier to access the trails.

The Arrowhead Lake Trail is a mixed-use trail that follows the perimeter of Arrowhead’s biggest lake.

The trail also turns into one of the most popular cross-country ski trails in the winter.

As I mentioned earlier, we actually chose to bike this trail.

It was a little tricky in some spots where the path became quite rocky, or where the inclines/declines were quite steep.

The trail provides some awesome views overlooking the lake and a wetland.

We were able to see at least two Great Blue Herons on the water from the trail.

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This trail can only be accessed from the Arrowhead Lake Trail. The easiest access point is from the North Lumby Campground.

But just a heads up, if you plan to complete both Arrowhead Lake and the Beaver Meadow loop, you are looking at 9 km!

Also, keep in mind that this trail is for hiking only. Bikes are not allowed.

This trail runs past Porcupine Bluffs, which mark the former shoreline of a massive ancient lake. The bluffs are most noticeable in spring and fall, while summer foliage tends to block the view.

The route loops around a large beaver pond filled with cattails, where wildlife sightings are possible. You may spot beavers, otters, moose, Great Blue Herons, or Tree Swallows.

Closer to the end, the trail crosses an open field with visible traces of the former Oke homestead. Look for old fence lines, building foundations, and remnants of domestic plants like rhubarb and apple trees.

In winter, this trail is incorporated into the park’s ski trail network.

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This trail is just a short walk from the parking lot on Roe Campground Road.

The walking trail will take you to a panoramic view of the Big East River and the surrounding Muskoka terrain.

It’s a pretty interesting viewpoint that is easy to get to, even for people with mobility issues.

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This trail is accessed via Arrowhead Park Road, just west of the Lumby Campground, and is not a mixed-use trail.

In the 1870s, homesteaders cleared this area. You will be able to see traces of abandoned farm fields that have since been reclaimed by forest.

You can expect rougher terrain on this hiking trail.

This trail is also a part of the ski trail system in the winter.

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If you love to “chase waterfalls,” then this is the trail for you!

Keep in mind, this trail is for hiking only.

If you are taking this trail in a clockwise route, the beginning is a very easy stroll on a pretty wide path.

You will then cross a wooden boardwalk where you can see Stubb’s Falls.

If you head down the embankment toward the water, you will get a much better look at the Little East River as it rushes down a rock chute.

At this point, the trail becomes narrow and a little rockier, so you will need to watch your step.

In the winter, this trail turns into a snowshoeing trail.

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Around 10,000 years ago, Mayflower Lake formed part of a much larger glacial lake. Today, it’s a small, deep lake fed by natural springs.

The cold, clear water supports cold-water fish, including Rainbow Trout.

This hiking-only trail includes several long uphill and downhill sections as it winds around the lake.

It can get super muddy on this trail, so we recommend wearing proper hiking boots.

This trail turns into a snowshoeing trail in the winter.

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7. Do Some Birding

While we are not really avid birders, Arrowhead offers a good opportunity to bird watch while you are camping in the park.

You can expect to see a variety of species throughout the park throughout the spring, summer and fall, before they migrate south for the winter.

Of course, we found that the best places to birdwatch are the hiking trails.

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8. Ice Skate Through a Forest

Arrowhead Provincial Park really is a one-stop shop for winter activities.

Not only is the ice skating trail at Arrowhead an amazing family-friendly experience, but it was definitely a bucket list item for me.

The trail is a 1.3 km long loop which winds through the snow-covered Muskoka woods.

Our kids quite enjoyed whipping around the bends in the trail, while John and I preferred to meander through.

The snow-covered forest provides a really quiet setting that I absolutely loved. That alone makes this experience worth it.

Adjacent to the ice trail, you will find a seating area with cubbies for your shoes, plus a fire pit so you can warm up while getting your skates on.

I can’t even tell you how convenient that area is, especially if you have young kids with you!

If you’re in Muskoka on select Saturday nights in January and February, Arrowhead also runs Fire and Ice Nights on the skating trail.

You can skate after dark under a starry sky, with the path lit by hundreds of tiki torches along the way.

Fire and Ice Nights are easily one of the most memorable skating experiences you can have in an Ontario Provincial Park.

If you don’t have skates with you, rentals are available for an extra fee.

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9. Go Cross-Country Skiing

If you love cross-country skiing, or it’s something that you would like to try, then Arrowhead Provincial Park is a great place to start.

Arrowhead has nine groomed Nordic ski trails. Together, they offer 28 km of classic skiing and 16 km of skate skiing.

The routes range from beginner to expert.

The well-groomed paths take you through snow-covered forests that are very scenic and peaceful.

With only small elevation changes, they’re easy to follow, even if you’re new to cross-country skiing.

Ski rentals are available for all ages.

This makes it super convenient if you didn’t bring your own or if your family just wants to give skiing a try without making a huge investment.

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Is Arrowhead Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Arrowhead to be very accessible.

All the comfort stations allowed for barrier-free access to both flush toilets and showers.

The Visitor’s Centre was also barrier-free.

We were impressed by the accessible dock allows paddlers to line up their boat on smooth plastic guides beneath the water.

Two floating docks on either side, along with a handlebar, help with getting in and out of the boat safely.

Definitely something we haven’t seen at any other Ontario Park.

An accessible canoe and kayak are available to rent at the Visitor Centre.

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Are Pets Allowed at Arrowhead?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and in the day-use area, but must be leashed at all times.

You will find two small pet beaches on either side of the bridge, and adjacent to Beach 1.

They were a pretty decent size, and we did see a few people swimming there as well.

The dog exercise area is a little more isolated. You will find it near the northern part of Arrowhead Lake.

Dogs MUST be on their leash at all times at both the pet exercise area and at the dog beaches.

Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed at the main beaches.

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Is There Winter Camping at Arrowhead?

Yes! There is winter camping at Arrowhead.

Not only are the Rustic Cabins available to rent, but the Pull-Through Campground is also available if you have your rig with you.

The Mini Comfort Station is heated and available all winter long for campers and day-users.

The best part about the Rustic Cabins is that you can ski or snowshoe right up to your doorstep.

The not-so-good part is that you will also have to carry all your gear from your vehicle in the parking lot to your cabin, as the individual driveways/parking spots don’t get plowed.

And let’s not forget all the awesome winter activities that are available at Arrowhead!

From cross-country skiing to hiking, skijoring, skating, snowshoeing and fat biking, you can do it all!

And as we mentioned earlier, Arrowhead even offers skate, ski, and snowshoe rentals.

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Our Park Rating

We give this park 4 out of 5 stars for having:

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Final Thoughts

We had a really great time at Arrowhead, both during our summer and winter visits.

In fact, we already have plans to return next summer with our teardrop, and possibly in the winter to rent a cabin.

We really enjoyed hiking the trails and paddling on the lake. It really is the perfect place to visit if you love spending time in nature.

Can’t wait to go back!

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Pin This Post for Later!

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More Campground Reviews:

• Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Mikisew Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Killbear Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Restoule Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Arrowhead Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Grundy Lake Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide