Choose Your Own Adventure: Snowmobiling the Huntsville & Muskoka Trail Network
If you’ve never ridden the trails around Huntsville, Ontario, you’re missing one of the most diverse and exciting snowmobile experiences in the province. The STV crew recently spent two days exploring this legendary corner of Muskoka — and came away with a clear message: this place is something special.
Hidden Valley Resort: The Perfect Base Camp
Day two of the STV adventure started right at the doorstep of Hidden Valley Resort, just outside Huntsville. Hidden Valley has been part of the Muskoka adventure scene for decades — it first made a name for itself as a ski destination back in the 1960s, drawing locals and visitors through the winter season. Over the years it’s grown into a true four-season playground, and today it serves as the perfect base camp for riders looking to tap into one of Ontario’s most celebrated trail networks.
The plan was simple: leave from the resort and explore the local trails. As the crew quickly discovered, simple doesn’t mean predictable.
The Trails: Choose Your Own Adventure
Ask anyone who has ridden the Huntsville area and they’ll tell you the same thing — there’s nothing one-dimensional about it. The STV crew described it perfectly: it’s choose your own adventure snowmobiling.
One minute you’re wide open on long logging roads, pushing the throttle as far as it will go. The next you’re threading through narrow bush trails, picking your line through the trees. Then suddenly the forest opens up and you’re out on Lake of Bays, staked and marked for safe riding, with nothing but open ice stretching out ahead of you. Elevation changes, portages, lake crossings, logging roads, and tight singletrack — it’s all here, often on the same ride.
For first-time visitor Brier, the variety was the standout feature. “It felt like we were in all different places but all on the same ride,” she said. “It just kept your energy going.”
The trail conditions on this particular day were nothing short of exceptional — the kind riders dream about. According to locals, conditions like these hadn’t been seen in about ten years. The lakes were solid, the grooming was excellent, and the network was buzzing with activity. Families, vintage sleds, and brand new machines were all out there sharing the trails — a reminder of just how wide the appeal of this sport really is.
One tool that proved invaluable on the day was the OFSC Go Snowmobiling app. With some GPS screens not cooperating in Ontario’s winter conditions, having the trail map right on your phone made all the difference for navigation across such a large and varied network.
Pit Stop: Trading Post Dining Company, Dorset
Midway through the day, the crew pulled into Dorset for a lunch stop at the Trading Post Dining Company — and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole trip.
The building itself has history. Originally a three-story hotel, one of three that once operated in the town, it was renovated in the 1970s and is now a beloved restaurant with a residence above. Owner Paul has been running it for 15 years, and his passion for the place — and the community around it — is immediately obvious.
In winter, the Trading Post is a hub. Dozens of sleds were parked outside when the STV crew arrived, and it’s not hard to understand why. The restaurant sits right in the heart of prime snowmobiling territory, with lake trails and bush trails fanning out in every direction. It’s also a key stop on two of the region’s most popular organized rides — the RAP Tour, which circuits Algonquin Park, and the Kelly Shore Tour, which circles Lake of Bays. A local poker run adds to the calendar of events that bring riders through the doors all season long.
On the coldest days, Paul keeps a fire going and the place warm — the kind of stop where a loaded hot chocolate and a seat by the fire can turn a brutal day into a great one. If you’re riding through Dorset, this is not optional.
Dinner at The Boiler Room, Huntsville
The day wrapped up the right way — dinner at The Boiler Room in Huntsville, a local favourite and a fitting end to a full day on the trails. The Muskoka area is full of iconic restaurants and stops like this one, spread across Huntsville, Dorset, Dwight, and beyond. No matter where the trails take you, you’re never far from a great meal or a warm place to sit down.
The Sled of the Day: Arctic Cat ZR600 with EPS
The machine that stole the show was the Arctic Cat ZR600 with Electronic Power Steering. On a trail network as diverse as Huntsville’s — where you can go from a wide-open logging road to a tight portage in under a minute — the EPS made a noticeable difference. Effortless to maneuver, planted in the corners, smooth on the rough stuff, and surprisingly fast when the trail opened up.
For smaller riders in particular, the electronic power steering is a genuine game-changer. “I just felt really glued to the trail,” Brier said. “I can’t recommend this machine enough.” It handled everything the Muskoka trails threw at it — slush on the lakes included — without missing a beat.
Where to Stay: Hidden Valley Resort
For riders planning a trip to the area, Hidden Valley Resort is a natural home base. Located just outside Huntsville, it puts you within easy reach of the entire trail network with the comfort and amenities of a full resort at the end of the day. The area also has no shortage of accommodation options across Huntsville and the surrounding communities, so finding a place that suits your group and budget is straightforward.
For More Information
To plan your own Muskoka snowmobile adventure, the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at ofsc.on.ca is your essential first stop — real-time grooming reports, trail conditions, and an interactive map of the full network are all available there. Download the Go Snowmobiling Ontario app for on-trail navigation, even when cell service is limited.
For accommodation, visit Hidden Valley Resort at hiddenvalleyresort.ca. For a taste of local Muskoka dining, look up the Trading Post Dining Company in Dorset and The Boiler Room in Huntsville — both well worth the stop.
Huntsville and the Muskoka trail network are the real deal. Diverse terrain, incredible conditions, great food, and a community that lives and breathes this sport. Load up the trailer and go find out for yourself.
