OAKVIEW Lodge and Marina

Within a 5 minute car ride or a 25 minute walk, the Hawk Lake Log Chute is something to see.  Log chutes, developed in Canada in 1829 to circumnavigate the Chaudière Falls in Quebec, were man-made troughs that were used to carry logs over rough river landscape to a sawmill. In the late 1800s there were thousands of wooden chutes around the province and dozens in the county of Haliburton, but they're all gone now. The Hawk’s Lake Log Chute was built in 1861 and is now the only one of its kind in Ontario.  There is an interpretive pavilion, picnic area, log chute viewing platform and a short walking trail that borders the chute.. This is also the beginning of the 6 km (one way) Crests of Kennisis Trail which follows the ridgeline of the Kennisis River valley and has spectacular panoramic view points.

From the moment you arrive your professional guides will lead you through a unique and very dynamic tour. From river basin to tree top, the tour takes in all the splendour that nature has to offer.

The canopy boardwalk is the ultimate highlight of this outing. Over half a kilometer long - and as such the longest of its kind in the world - the canopy boardwalk winds through the treetops some 10-20 meters above the forest floor. A platform suspended from the treetops above, becomes the gathering place where you can enjoy a leisurely snack while your guide elaborates on the forest environment surrounding you. A spectacular view across the lakes and forests becomes a fitting closure to your tree top tour.

Oakview Lodge & Marina provides an ideal base for an enjoyable day trip to Algonquin Park, Ontario's premier Provincial Park. Our lodge is less than one hour away from the Park and all that it has to offer Algonquin visitors. With breath-taking scenery every kilometer of the way, even the drive to the Park is enjoyable and well worth undertaking, any month of the year. For foreign tourists exploring Canada, out of province visitors and first time visitors to central Ontario, a trip to world famous Algonquin Provincial Park should be on your must do list. At the Park you will find an interesting and informative centre, museums, displays, abundant animal life, and pristine lakes and forests. There are plenty of marked trails throughout the Park that are especially suitable for day visitors to walk, bicycle or ski. As well, arrangements can be made for guided canoe tours, wilderness tours, nature tours, photography tours and a whole lot more.

The original tower was built in 1922, was 25 metres high (82 feet) and used as a fire lookout tower. The current tower was built in 1967 and is 30 metres high (100 feet).

Visitors are welcome to climb to the observation deck which is 142 metres (465 feet) above Lake of Bays.

Facilities include an extensive picnic site, restrooms, a tourist information kiosk, a gift shop and a hiking trail.  

The Haliburton Highlands is home to many of the best water trails and hiking trails in Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Region. Here you can find countless opportunities to canoe, camp, hike, snowshoe, ski, snowmobile, ATV, fish, hunt, cottage or just relax and take in the scenery.

The Township of Algonquin Highlands manages over 38 km of hiking trails, 26 km of nordic ski trails, hundreds of campsites, portages, area lakes and canoe routes. Since 2002 we’ve been successfully working to preserve, protect and promote our outdoor and natural recreational opportunities through a proactive, sustainable management approach.

At the Frost Centre just North of Oakview one can experience a winter wonderland of rugged Canadian Shield, majestic hardwood forests, old growth white pine, hemlock and yellow birch.  Ski or snowshoe to cliff-top lookouts and spectacular ice falls.  Catch a glimpse of wildlife such as moose, deer, owls, martens, grouse and much more

The Haliburton Highlands Nordic Trails Association grooms and maintains 3 ski areas, with trails totalling 38 Km of skiing. Each area offers a unique experience, with trails suitable for for a wide range of abilities.

Glebe Park 13 km of classic & skate trails. 1.5 km lit loop for night skiing. intermediate to difficult – host to most races. Right in the Village of Haliburton on Fleming College Drive.

Moosewoods 15 km of classic & skate trails – easy to intermediate through picturesque forest terrain – large warming hut – on County Road #14 on the way to Eagle Lake.

Twin Lakes 10 km of classic & skate trails – easy to intermediate – dog friendly – 12 Mile Lake Road at Taylor Lake Rd off of Hwy #35 between Minden & Carnarvon.

YMCA Camp Wanakita 16 km of classic trails – easy to intermediate – Koshlong Lake Road off of County Road #1 (Gelert Rd.).

We offer some of the best cross country skiing in all of Ontario. The Haliburton Highlands is just south of Algonquin Park just 2 ½ hours north east of Toronto on Hwy # 35.

In Haliburton you can bundle up and join us on the Sir Sam's hill! Fresh powder, challenging elevations, breathtaking views and friendly staff are waiting for you at Sir Sam’s. Spend your day easily moving from hill to hill on our 1100 foot covered surface lift or your choice of 4 uncontested chair lifts. Our goal is to maximize your time by getting you to the top of the hill as quickly and efficiently as possible, allowing you to get in as many runs as possible during your day. 

Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is a ski and snowboard resort in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada. Hidden Valley offers 14 groomed trails, three quad chairlifts, one handle tow, two snow cats, night skiing and snowboarding, and a terrain park.

Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd. has a fully functioning observatory as well as a planetarium. With the use of three Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, roll-off roof, clear, dark night sky and dome shaped planetarium there is never a time when our astronomy program does not deliver a quality, introductory experience to our guests. The Forest's observatory is located at the edge of 80,000 acres of undeveloped land, giving way to night skies, which are void of light pollution, the largest obstacle to night-sky viewing

The Haliburton/Algonquin Ontario tourist area boasts a diverse and extremely talented artist and artisan community. There are many nearby studios featuring pottery, stained glass, jewellery, paintings, toys and furniture, just to name a few.

Many of the studios offer half-day and full-day workshops for those that are interested.  If this is something that appeals to you, please let us know and we will be more than happy to organize an experience that appeals to your individual interests.

For over 20 years, Haliburton Village has played host to the famous Haliburton School of The Arts summer program. This well-respected school attracts students from around the world by offering hundreds of exciting and original five day art courses. Why not combine your stay at nearby Oakview Lodge with an art course at the School of The Arts? A terrific way to spend your Haliburton vacation. As well, it wouldn't be a Haliburton summer without the Highlands Summer Festival. The Highlands Summer Festival offers a variety of live theatre performances, including Broadway plays, musicals, musical performances and opera. Tickets are reasonably priced and are often available at the door.

The Fall Studio Tour, which is traditionally held on the first two weekends each October is not to be missed.   

Haliburton and the Algonquin Highlands is a Ontario's premiere ATV destination with literally thousands of kilometers of trails ranging from fun beginner's trails to intermediate level trails, and deep woods expert trails. New to the sport? Local ATV tour companies offer guided ATV adventure tours, providing everything you need for a day of fun in the wilds of Haliburton. As well, for those who bring their own machines, ATV's trail passes and maps are readily available. You will find the ATV trails well marked and very scenic.

For the bicycle enthusiast, Haliburton is the place to be to enjoy the greatest Ontario cycling holiday. With fabulous scenery and hundreds of kilometers of trails, country roads and highways - boasting a diverse terrain and landscape, Haliburton is a cycling-friendly community and a supporter of Share the Road. For a self-guided bike tour, The Haliburton Highlands Cycling Coalition's Haliburton cycling map details over a dozen of the most popular cycling routes in the county and is widely available

Another way to explore many of Haliburton's wilderness trails is by horseback. Located at the southern tip of Algonquin Park and less than a one hour drive from Oakview Lodge, South Algonquin Trails offers a variety of trail ride excursions with certified trail guides. Explore the tranquil beauty of Haliburton’s wildlife and wilderness with a one, two or 3 hour ride. There is also a half day excursion that takes guests well into Algonquin Park, riding to Gut Rapids or to Highfalls Look out. We would be happy to arrange an Algonquin trail ride for your during you stay with us.

Haliburton, Ontario, Canada has become a popular geocaching destination. All you need is a GPS or GPS enable smart phone and co-ordinates and away you go to discover hidden treasures. Our Haliburton, Ontario resort is located right in the heart of geocaching heaven. Come test your skills. Whether you are new to the sport or an expert geocacher, it is a great activity that offers fresh air, exercise and a challenging game in the great outdoors that everyone can participate in. The Algonquin Highlands has many caches, making it ideal for geocaching vacations and geocaching weekends or as a fun activity while on a Haliburton vacation, couples escape or couple's getaway. Geocaching is a terrific way to explore this vast, rugged and beautiful Ontario vacation destination.

For a fabulous Ontario fishing vacation, Oakview Lodge can't be beat. Whether you are looking for an Ontario fishing resort for a fishing weekend with the boys or a week long Haliburton fishing retreat, Oakview Lodge and Marina can accommodate you. We can supply all the fishing equipment that you need to make your stay and fishing adventure with us a big success. Little Hawk is known for its excellent fishing. Here, along with bass, you will find a unique species of Lake Trout, found only in some Haliburton lakes. Through the assistance of the Haliburton Highlands Outdoor Association Fish Hatchery, the Haliburton Lake Trout species is now thriving in Little Hawk Lake and makes quite the catch.

The Haliburton Highlands Outdoor Association Fish Hatchery, located on County Road #1, just 3 km outside of Haliburton Village, offers free tours of their facility. Originally a commercial fish hatchery, the H.H.O.A. Fish Hatchery has raised over 200,000 trout since April 2000. The Fish Hatchery's objective is to preserve, cultivate and develop the genetically unique Haliburton lake trout strain, known as "Haliburton Gold" - a species found here at Little Hawk Lake. As well as monitoring and preserving fish species, the Fish Hatchery is also involved in educating the public, both in the schools and in the community. It also undertakes environmental projects in Haliburton.

The Haliburton Gold Lake Trout, also known as the Golden Lake Trout and the Haliburton Lake Trout, is a species of Lake Trout found only here in Little Hawk Lake and only 4 other Haliburton Lakes. This very unique strain of Lake Trout is thought to be a survivor of the last ice age, more than 10,000 years ago, trapped in only five lakes after the glaciers receded. Designated as a Heritage species, it has been concluded that the Haliburton Gold is genetically distinct. It looks quite different from other trout species, with a smaller, torpedo shaped body and distinctive colouring. While at Oakview, why not try your hand at catching one of these truly unusual fish? It would make a great tale to tell your fishing buddies back home. Better yet, why not bring your friends along for a Haliburton fishing weekend?

Oakview Lodge is conveniently is located on the main OFSC 'B' trail which is part of the 640 kilometres of snowmobile trails in Haliburton County and also connects to the 1000+ kilometres of trails of the Muskoka Snowmobile Region. At our front door  is access to the Round Algonquin Park (RAP) Tour which showcases some of the best snowmobiling to be had in all of Ontario, in one remarkable circle tour of Algonquin Park. The diversity of trail found on this tour is one of the reasons why it is so popular. From the thick maple forests of the Almaguin and Haliburton Highlands, where trails wind back and forth over hills and through valleys to the vast hydro and gas corridors that run alongside the Ottawa River from Pembroke to Mattawa, this tour has a little bit of everything.

Minden Wild Water Preserve is one of Ontario's premier whitewater destinations for white water kayaking and whitewater canoeing. The Preserve, located approximately 7 kilometers north-east of Minden on the Gull River via Country Rd. 20, is privately owned and operated by Whitewater Ontario. It is widely regarded as the province's premier white water venue and is one of its most valuable assets. Throughout the years, festivals, races and events - most recently the designated venue for the slalom events of the 2015 Pan American Games - have drawn visitors, participants and spectators from near and far. With its trails, breath-taking scenery and picnic facilities, it's a great place to spend a few hours. 

The Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve is a unique, privately owned property located on 80, 000 acres of rolling hardword forests, beautiful lakes, meandering rivers and extensive wetlands in the Haliburton Highlands. An outdoor lover’s paradise, Haliburton Forest features wilderness activities including the Wolf Centre, the Walk in the Clouds forest canopy tour, groomed snowmobile trails, mountain biking, dog sledding, fishing, hiking, astronomy, summer music festivals and wildlife observation.

Well worth the scenic 35 minute drive from Oakview Lodge, Haliburton Forest provides children and adults alike with a very entertaining and often educational experience!

Winterdance is another Ontario dogsledding tour company that operates out of the Haliburton Highlands, Canada, alongside Algonquin park, and is owned and operated by husband and wife team Hank DeBruin and Tanya McCready-DeBruin, with help from their 4 dogsledding children, Logan, Dustyn, Michaela and Jessica. Discover the thrill of dogsledding by learning to drive a dogteam! Explore Haliburton's breathtaking wilderness dog sledding in magical silence for a 2 hour, 1/2 day, full day, moonlite or multi-day dog sledding trip.