Travel

Country clubs, championship golf courses, lovely lakeside cottages, marinas, what do all these things have in common? They are all characteristic of the Ontario municipality of Muskoka!

Muskoka is Ontario’s hidden vacationing gem, a tranquil municipality that offers almost unlimited potential for exploration. So sheltered and quiet that internationally recognized figures like Mark Wahlberg and David Beckham have chosen this spot for their summer getaways to escape their hectic celebrity lifestyle briefly. It didn’t take long to realize their reputation will always precede them.

Muskoka is not a luxury vacation destination. Yet it offers untapped natural splendor and opportunity for varied outdoor activities like jet skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, golfing, cycling, hiking, swimming, and kayaking.

Suppose you’re up for a memorable outdoor adventure, and you’re undaunted by the region’s rugged terrain. In that case, several local waterfalls and national parks deserve a spot on your itinerary.

We’ve selected five of Muskoka’s most beautiful waterfalls in the Huntsville area. So keep reading and pick your next destination!

Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park

Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is close to the more popular Algonquin Provincial Park, located northeast of Huntsville.

Visitors often overlook Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls in favor of Algonquin Provincial Park, yet its appeal and attractions are certainly on par with the considerably larger Algonquin Park.

Ragged falls are one of the park’s main attraction points. The resounding falls are both beautiful and awe-inspiring, showcasing the raw power of glacial melt water. The park is about 34 km (21mi) from Huntsville or around a 30-minute drive.

Once there, you can leave your car at the designated parking lot and commence on the less than a mile-long trail along jagged terrain that leads to remarkable views of the falls.

Named one of Ontario’s top 10 waterfalls, Ragged Falls is not a destination you want to miss if you’re up for a challenging (but not too challenging) adventure near Huntsville.

Stubb’s Falls

Stubb’s Falls is part of Arrowhead Provincial Park and is one of the best areas for outdoor recreation near Huntsville. The park provides fantastic opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. The nearby Mayflower Lake, Arrowhead Lake, and two local rivers (Big and Little East Rivers) are also ideal locations for fishing, boating, and paddling.

Arrowhead Lake has several sand beaches great for swimming, accompanied by quiet camping sites. In addition, it includes about 15 kilometers of hiking trails, including one that will take you to Stubb’s Falls.

The trail leading to the falls is less than 3km (1.5mi) long and can take up to 40 minutes to complete by foot. It is properly maintained and visibly marked, and while wide at the start, it gets narrower and steeper as you climb, so make sure you wear appropriate shoes.

The park is just over 6 miles north of Huntsville. You can stop by the Arrowhead Inn on your way to Stubb’s Falls trail or back. The inn is about half a mile (1km) before the trail.

Skeleton Falls

Skeleton Falls, also known as Minnehaha Falls on Skeleton, is in the Parry Sound District, just west of Huntsville.

It is a 30-minute drive along a 20-mile road to the falls from Huntsville. But, despite an ominous-sounding name, Skeleton Falls is nowhere near as dangerous or life-threatening. If anything, the cool air, crystal-clear waters, and ponds on Skeleton River will reinvigorate you.

There is a parking lot, and the trail to the falls is close by, though you may have to make some effort to find it.

It is advisable to travel in a group with someone who knows the trail and the path to the falls, as the trail is not always clearly marked. It is a steep, sloping walk to the falls, so be sure to dress appropriately and avoid carrying heavy luggage.

The best time to visit the falls is between May and September.

High Falls

A 20-minute drive south of Huntsville (about 18 miles) will take you to Muskoka High Falls. The falls are less than 4 miles north of the city of Bracebridge.

Muskoka High Falls are wide and steep but not less attractive, despite a local dam and power station that diverts water from the Muskoka River.

Here it is also advisable to travel with someone familiar with the falls’ location as it can be easy to miss. Once you find the trail, it is an easy walk to the falls, making it convenient for a family trip.

Locally called the “Niagara of the North,’’ the Muskoka High Falls are among the largest and steepest in Ontario.

There are also three smaller falls near the adjacent Small High Falls, alongside convenient camping grounds, cottages, and a beachfront waterpark, among other attractions.

Rosseau Falls

About 27 miles (44km) west of Huntsville is the cascading Rosseau River, home to Rosseau Falls.

If you’re planning on visiting Skeleton Falls, which is about 5 miles east of Highway 141, you should also try to spare time for Rosseau Falls. You can easily get to the falls via Rosseau Lake Road 3, which is about half a mile west of the Upper Falls.

There is also the Lower Rosseau Falls as an extension to the upper falls. The lower falls are about half a mile downstream from the upper falls and rapid whitewater streams from the river.

Beautiful vistas of Lake Rosseau and the upper and lower falls, accompanied by many picnic areas off highway 141, make the Upper and Lower Rosseau Falls a must-visit spot in Muskoka.

Where to Stay When Visiting the Falls

Muskoka Cottage is one of the quietest and most accommodating rental cottages in and around Huntsville.

The property is almost perfectly positioned to commence on any local adventure and is less than an hour’s drive even to the farthest waterfall on this list.

The cottage is about a 10-minute drive from Huntsville and can also be reached by boat. It is perfect for a relaxing stay with family or friends, equipped with a hot tub overlooking Vernon Lake, a games lounge, and several canoes and kayaks. The property is also close to the Arrowhead and Algonquin provincial parks and a local ski resort, making it a suitable destination for a winter vacation as well.

If you’re using a jet boat, the possibilities for adventure are limitless as Lake Vernon connects with three large lakes: Fairy Lake, Peninsula Lake, and Mary Lake. This network of lakes provides tens of miles of water to explore the local lakefront.

• County: Gloucester
• Falls Height: 10 m (30 ft)
• Falls Type: Cascade
• Latitude/Longitude: N 47 24′ 14″ / W 065 47′ 30″
• Property Ownership: Crown
• Rating / Difficulty: *** / Easy
• River System: Nepisiguit River
• Scenic Route: Acadian Coastal Route
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 26 / Nepisiguit Falls 21P/05

Waterfall Detail: Arthur P. Silver in his book “Farm-Cottage, Camp and Canoe in Maritime Canada” 1907 writes about the problem of driving logs over the Grand Falls of the Nepisiguit River: “I once witnessed an imposing ‘jam’ of logs on the Nepisiguit River, in New Brunswick, above the Grand Falls. Here the river plunges over a precipice of eighty-five feet in height. The water above became backed up by the ‘jam’ for several miles. When the river fell the logs were left arched over the summit of the falls, wedged between the steep rocky heights which formed the river banks. Here they remained for a whole season. During the ensuing spring, when the river rose to an unprecedented height, they were suddenly started and carried away with an appalling crash; some huge logs were split entirely in halves. Below the falls the waves bound and wallow through a steep gorge for half a mile with a great swelling noise, and the passage of the timber through this rock canyon was most impressive. The sound of the huge logs striking the rock walls resembled the bombardment of a battery of artillery-and much good timber was utterly ruined by being bruised and smashed against the sides of the canyon, as the logs rushed past and were borne along by the resistless fury of the current. It was a striking spectacle to see the surging mass careering on the tumbling billows, and vaulting over the frightful brink of the cataract.”

Construction started on the Power dam in 1919 and produced power for the first time in 1921.  Log drives did not stop because of the dam.  In 1925 wood contractor Odilon Thériault would meet a tragic death on the river drive. While opening one of the sluices at the Nepisiguit Power Dam, Thériault was accidently carried over the dam in the raging waters of the Falls.  The Gloucester Northern Light carried the story of his accident in the May 14, 1925 edition with the headline “Theriault’s Body Not Yet Found”. His body was only found 40 days later down river. The accident is recorded in the log-book at the dam.  The drive of long-logs ended in 1929 but the 4 foot drive replaced the long-log drive and the 4 foot river drive on the Nepisiguit River only ended in the spring of 1965. The power station has changed ownership over the years until NB Power purchased the property. There are plans to increase the head by raising the height of the dam and spillways. The current installation generates 10 Megawatts of power.

From Route 11 take exit 304 in Bathurst. Drive away from the city on Route 430 heading west for the community of Bathurst Mines near the falls. At approximately 25 km there is a turn off to the mine itself. Continue past this an additional 1 km and the road turns sharply to the left. Follow this road passing though the small community of Bathurst Mines to the dam and falls.

Visit Detail: Finished photographing Millstream and Hadley Falls, I decided to drive out to Nepisiguit (Grand) Falls. By this time the afternoon sun rejuvenates my spirit after the cold north wind of the day previous. My last stop of the day will be Pabineau Falls and I was waiting until later in the day, when the sunlight was less harsh to photograph.

Unsure of the exact location of the falls I stopped along the road to ask directions from an elderly gentleman on his morning walk. Through his broken English I understood that Nepisiguit Falls was just up the road near the Bathurst Mines and that there are road signs. Thirty minutes and several U turns later I arrived at the community of Bathurst Mines and falls.

Parked near the hydro dam, I grabbed my camera gear and walked down an old road to a spot below the falls. There was a trail leading to an open spot with excellent views of the lower falls and the gorge. The falls is somewhat restricted from flowing through the rocky gorge by the dam. Never the less the gorge below the power plant is simply striking. Rising almost 40 metres above the river the narrow channel provides a dramatic scene with large white pine standing sentential over the river.

I spent the better part of an hour photographing the falls and gorge. I was glad I took the time to drive out to this site. Regardless of the dam, the area is well worth the visit.

• County: Gloucester
• Property Ownership: Private (O’Connell Family)
• Rating / Difficulty: ** / Easy (Trail)
• River System: Nigadoo River
• Falls Height: 7 metres
• Falls Type: Combination Notch/Cascade
• Latitude/Longitude: N 47 44’ 02.1” / W 65 45’ 07.3”
• Scenic Route: Acadian Coastal Drive
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 16 / Bathurst 21P/12

 

Waterfall Detail: Dr. Loring Bailey stated in his report on the Mines & Mineral of New Brunswick in 1864 that “a succession of romantic falls & rapids working their way backwards over the slate strata outcrops at Nickadoo Falls, running east &west injected with limestone, quartz, copper pyrites and lead.”

Little has changed in almost 150 years. The ravine is rich in unique geological structures. Millions of years ago as the continents collided the geology was folded back on itself. This is evident today as the strata exposed by the wear of the river, is tilted vertically running east and west. The power of the river continues to cut a twisting ravine through.

The falls is one of the two larger waterfalls on the Nigadoo River. The first, Upper Nigadoo Falls is located in the Chaleur Highlands several kilometers inland from the bay. The river system is sourced by several lakes, bogans and streams and has forged a path through the tailings of the Appalachians Mountains to the Bay of Chaleur.

The more widely visited falls is south of Route 11 in the Village of Nigadoo. The property belongs to the O’Connell Family, which established their homestead here upon arriving from Ireland. They received a land grant along the Dunlop Road in Beresford Parish. In 1830 the family settled along the south side of the river.

 

Visit Detail: The early morning air on this frosty May morning is biting as I descend into the ravine at Nigadoo Falls. My face and hands are cold and my camera lens immediately steams up once it is exposed to the air. The sun is not high enough to escape the tall pine that shroud the area to brighten it and warm the air. My tripod securely in place between two rocks I quietly enjoy the waterfall while waiting for the camera to acclimatize.

My first impression is that this is not a place I would visit again. The area is trodden over and there is plenty of broken glass and litter strewn about as well as several fire-pits. Further down in the gorge there is a large mural painted on the granite face. Some fool has painted Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”. This once beautiful area shows the scars of overuse and disrespect. I can only image how wonderful this waterfall was to O’Connell Family.

From looking at the graffiti and the litter I can fully understand why the family does not want people on their property. I hope this post motivates conscientious individuals to take a stand and tell people to stop the littering and defacing of the area. It is worthwhile visiting and when you do help respect the area by hauling out some of the trash as I did on this beautiful morning.

The picture posted was submitted by Rod O’Connell. Rod owns the property near the falls and was out on Christmas Day enjoying our natural world.

• Property Ownership: Crown
• County: Saint John
• Rating / Difficulty: **** / Easy (Trail Side)
• Falls Type: Veil/Tiered
• Scenic Route: Fundy Coastal Drive
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 88 / Salmon River 21H/06
• Falls Height: 15 meters
• River System: Fuller Brook
• Latitude/Longitude: N 45 23′ 56.2″ / W 65 27′ 12.4″

 

Waterfalls Details: Shrouded by a canopy of lush green trees, the thin veil of Fuller Falls drops 15 meters through a moss cover ravine and continues in a series of smaller drops to Melvin Beach and further into the Bay of Fundy. The falls are one of many sites to visit while at the Fundy Trail Parkway. The falls are accessible via a cable stairway from the main hiking path.

The Fundy Trail has been open to the public since 1998.  This first phase of the Fundy Trail consists of sixteen kilometers of hiking/biking trails, supported by a paved auto parkway, which afford magnificent panoramic views from every angle, and lead to the suspension bridge and Interpretive Centre at Big Salmon River. A secondary phase of the Parkway has started with the construction of a structure across the Big Salmon River gorge. This will facilitate the development of the parkway through to the Fundy National Park.

The Fundy Trail is accessible via Route 111 from Saint John or Sussex and is located 10 kms east of the Village of St. Martins.

 

Trip Details: After a 2-hour drive from Fredericton it was refreshing to make our way down to the observation platform to take in the grandeur of the waterfalls. On this trip my wife, Marlaine and my son Liam decided to come along for the trip. Liam and I scouted the ravine for the best photo opportunity while Marlaine returned to the SUV. I was pleased that there was sufficient water volume to photograph the falls. At the falls we met visitors from Florida who where enjoying their retreat from Florida heat. I liked these waterfalls because it allows photographers to walk up close to the falls and secondly the amount of moss and lichen that make the area lush and green.

While visiting the parkway we wanted to walk across the suspension bridge over the Big Salmon River but unfortunately during the construction of the highway structure the suspension bridge was off limits for the day.

• County: York
• Falls Height: 7 meters
• Falls Type: Step
• Latitude/Longitude: N 45 56.322’ / W 66 43.279’
• Property Ownership: Crown
• Rating / Difficulty: ** / Easy (Roadside)
• River System: Garden Creek/Saint John River
• Scenic Route: River Valley Scenic Route
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 70 / Fredericton 21G/15

 

 

 

 

Waterfalls Detail: Garden Creek like many small brooks and creeks along the plateau that borders the Saint John River Valley, flows in a northerly direction down towards the “Rhine of New Brunswick”. The plateau in the Fredericton area rises 100 to 150 meters above the river valley and this results in numerous cascades up and down the river valley in this area.

The fall is located alongside the High-speed entry lane to the Trans Canada Highway heading west out of Fredericton. Just a few meters past the 1 km marker there is an ATV trail on the right hand side of the highway leading into the falls. There is absolutely no indication of these falls from the road or the trail. The walk into the falls is very short.

Visit Details: I was informed about the falls by an acquaintance, Mark Gallagher and decided to see if I could find them. I was given general idea of where the falls could be located. So this I drove up and parked along side the highway where I thought the falls might be located. There are two ravines and I chose the largest. I waded down to the stream and began to wade down stream until the mosquitoes drove me back. I wandered about 100 to 150 meters downstream with no luck. Upon returning to the car I decided to try the second but smaller gully. I was just about to climb over the guardrail when an ATV came along and stopped. I asked the driver if there was waterfalls nearby and was told that he was heading to the falls and to follow him.

Voila, within a 5 minute drive from my home there is this wonderful waterfall. I spent approximately 30 minute taking pictures. This is a nice location with a large pine tree stand shading the area. I walked down to the falls and was pleasantly surprised by the proximity to the highway. There are several large boulders from which to view the falls.

I revisited the falls on Tuesday, July 15^th to take a few more pictures. Thanks to Mark and the nice people on the ATV.