Huntsville

Huntsville, a town with a population of about 20,000 (2016), is the largest community in the Muskoka District of Ontario, Canada.

The town, at the junction of Highway 11 and Highway 60, is west of Algonquin Provincial Park. Access to the park is via Highway 60, between Huntsville and Maynooth.

Understand

Huntsville was named after Captain George Hunt. He arrived in 1869 and settled on the east side of the Muskoka River.

The town plays host to thousands of tourists in the summer season, mostly from Toronto and surrounding cities. Huntsville's numerous lakes and rolling hills make it a beautiful and ideal summer destination.

In 2010, Huntsville hosted the 36th G8 Summit, attracting much international attention.

Climate

Huntsville has warm, humid summers and cold winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with considerable variance in day to day temperature, particularly during the colder weather season. Huntsville is in the snowbelt region of Central Ontario, near the Great Lakes, so experiences snowy winters. The city has comfortable summer temperatures and occasional heatwaves accompanied by high humidity and active thunderstorm weather. Huntsville and the Muskoka region have the highest annual precipitation of any region in Ontario.

Get in

By plane

The closest major airport is Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto. There are closer smaller airports in North Bay, Bracebridge, Emsdale and Sundridge/South River. There are daily flights between Toronto and North Bay.

By car

Huntsville is on Highway 11, a major highway in Ontario. Toronto is 217 km to the south and North Bay is 128 km to the north. Huntsville is also the western terminus of Highway 60, which is the main road to Algonquin Provincial Park (40 km east of Huntsville).

By bus

Ontario Northland Bus Service comes from North Bay, making stops at Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Washago, Orillia and Toronto

Get around

You can get almost anywhere in Huntsville by walking.

See

• The Lions Lookout provides spectacular views of the town and the rolling hills of Muskoka.
• Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery, Main Street, downtown Huntsville. An outdoor trail that features over 90 mural replicas showcasing the works of the Group of Seven painters and Tom Thomson who inspired them. This is a mobile tour of locations throughout Muskoka and Algonquin Park through which you can experience the art of these important early 20th-century Canadian artists. The tour begins in front of the Algonquin Theatre, 37 Main St. East. See the map onntge website. Free. (updated Apr 2020)
• 1 Muskoka Heritage Place, 88 Brunel Rd, ☏ +1 705-789-7576 (ext. 3214). Museum: 10AM-4PM -- May-Oct: daily, Oct-May: M-F. Pioneer Village: mid-May to early Oct: daily 10AM-4PM. Portage Flyer train Mid-May to June (diesel locomotive): Tu-F 1PM; Sa noon, 1PM, 2PM & 3PM; Jul-Aug (steam engine): Tu-Sa noon, 1PM, 2PM & 3PM; Sep (diesel electric): Tu-F 1PM; Sa noon, 1PM, 2PM & 3PM. The primary historical centre in Huntsville, featuring two museums, 18 authentic pioneer buildings, and a genuine open-aired train ride, on a 90-acre site. Full site pass: adult $17.90, senior (65 and over) $16.10, child (3-12) $12.15 (lower prices for individual sites). (updated Aug 2018)

Do

• Redline Outdoors, 200 Townline Rd. Huntsville, ☏ +1 705-380-3052. Provides services from fishing guides/charters to ATV rental, snowmobile rental and Algonquin adventure charters. Fishing guides and charters are offered within the Muskoka Region, bordering the Severn River System, Sparrow Lake & Lake Couchinging, north to the Huntsville Water Way, Lake of Bays & Muskoka. 
• Limberlost Trails, 1088 Buck Lake Landing. The private forest reserve contains more than 70 km of hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing trails made available to the public at no charge. No snowmobiles or ATVs. Lodges, cottages and camping available. (updated Aug 2018)
• Catch one of the many performances at the new Algonquin Theatre in downtown Huntsville.
• Huntsville is on three beautiful lakes so, naturally, the town has many public beaches for swimming and relaxing.
• Take a stroll down Main Street and check out all the little shops where you can find clothing, local art, fine dining and desserts.

Eat

• Soul Sista's, 68 West Rd, ☏ +1 705-789-6655. M-F 7:30AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-4PM. A "health and wellness" restaurant with organic and fair-trade coffees and teas, wholesome food, gluten-free products, organic spelt baked goods. Wi-Fi. Open year round. Fully accessible. (updated Aug 2018)
• That Little Place by the Lights, 76 Main St E, ☏ +1 705-789-2536. Tu-Sa 11:30AM-8:30PM. Pizza and pasta. Lunch dishes $10-12, dinner mains $15-20. (updated Aug 2018)
• Spencer's Tall Trees Restaurant, 87 Main St W, ☏ +1 705-789-9769. Tu-F 11:30AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM. (updated Aug 2018)
• Westside Fish & Chips Family Restaurant, 126 Main Street West, ☏ +1 705-789-7200. Daily 8AM-8PM. Your choice of haddock, white fish or halibut Breakfasts $8.50-11, sandwiches and burgers $4-12. (updated Aug 2018)
• Pizza on Earth, 1009 Clan McKay Dr (south of Dorset, about 40 km east of Huntsville), ☏ +1 705-349-8827. Summer: 11AM-8PM daily, May to September. An authentic thin crust Italian pizza baked in a traditional wood-fired brick oven while you watch. One can eat in a small, but beautiful garden. Seasonal. $15-19 (14", 8 slice takeaway pizza). 

Drink

• On the Docks, 90 Main St E, ☏ +1 705-789-7910. Daily 11AM-midnight. Restaurant and pub with good Muskoka River view. Mains $16-19, sandwiches $14. (updated Aug 2018)
• Huntsville Brewhouse, 59 Main St E, ☏ +1 705-789-7931. Brewery: M-Th 10AM-7PM, F 10AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM; tours: Sa Su noon-3PM; restaurant: daily 11AM-11PM. Extra-small batch brewing facility includes a full kitchen with a seated capacity of 100 people. (updated Aug 2018)
• Moose Delaney's Sports Bar and Grill, 3 Cann St, ☏ +1 705-787-1025. M-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-midnight. Casual pub fare, full menu until 1AM, Wi-Fi. Burgers and sandwiches $20-15, mains $16-20. (updated Aug 2018)

Sleep

Room rates at hotels in Huntsville are higher in the summer months than in the spring or fall.

The town also has many quaint bed & breakfasts.

Budget

• Econo Lodge, 117 Main Street W, ☏ +1 705-788-5051. Free coffee, free continental breakfast, pet-friendly hotel. From $63. (updated May 2019)
• Rodeway Inn King William, 23 King William Street, ☏ +1 705-789-9661. From $72. (updated May 2019)
• Motel 6, 70 Howland Drive (Highway 11 at Highway 60), ☏ +1 705-787-0118. Free morning coffee, free expanded cable, pets allowed, accessible rooms, coin laundry, free Wi-Fi, indoor pool, kids stay free, smoke free. From $85. (updated May 2019)
• Comfort Inn, 86 King William Street, ☏ +1 705-789-1701. From $94. (updated May 2019)

Mid-range

• Hidden Valley Resort, 1755 Valley Road, ☏ +1 705-789-2301. An Ascend Hotel Collection member. From $127. (updated May 2019)
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Huntsville - Muskoka, 100 Howland Dr, ☏ +1 705-788-9500, toll-free: +1 877-660-8550. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Wi-Fi, coffee and tea, and in-room conveniences. Free breakfast buffet. Smoke-free. From $126. (updated May 2019)
• Best Western Plus, 86 Howland Drive, ☏ +1 705-788-3345, toll-free: +1-800-780-7234. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Exercise facilities, wireless Internet connection in public areas, 100% smoke-free hotel, free full breakfast, indoor pool, hot tub, cable satellite television 42-inch. No pets. From $130. (updated May 2019)

Go next

Routes through Huntsville

Kapuskasing ← North Bay ←	N  S	→ Bracebridge → Barrie
END ← Junction ←	W  E	→ Algonquin Provincial Park → Renfrew