We’re at the start of a heatwave here in Ontario, Canada where the temperature has been over 30 degrees for a few days now and it’s expected to last for at least another week!
With no air conditioning in our house, it gets pretty hot inside so Reese and I needed to get outside and find someplace to cool off. We are lucky to live on a lake where we can jump in and splash around whenever we want but we were looking for something different to do this time.
Because we live only 30 minutes from Muskoka, the most beautiful place in Ontario (in my humble opinion), we decided to drive north to find a waterfall that we could hike to.
Knowing that Muskoka is home to over a dozen waterfalls we knew that we would find something within a 1.5 hour drive.
Post Contents
Skeleton Lake Fish Hatchery Trail
After our traditional stop at Tim Hortons on Highway 11 in Severn for coffee and some breakfast goodies, Reese google map searched waterfalls in the area and came across pictures for the Skeleton Lake Fish Hatchery Trail in Utterson and we decided to give it a try.
The Ministry of Natural Resources used to operate a fish hatchery on this property where trout fingerlings were raised for release in local streams. It was closed in 1991 and the hatchery ponds have now been naturalized.
You’ll find waterfalls, bridges, a dam, the lake and trails on the property.
How to get there…
Take District Road 4 north of Bracebridge onto Highway 141 West and then onto Fish Hatchery Road. There is parking on both sides of the road (the entrance to the second parking lot with the smaller waterfall, the dam and Skeleton Lake is just past this sign on the right).
The red and white sign located in the parking area shows where the trails are and you can take one of the free maps with you. The map shows other walking trails also located in Muskoka that I recommend you check out!
This smaller trail map (located inside the free map) shows where the falls and interpretive signs are on the trail.
The interpretive signs offer information and illustrations on the different habitats, flora and fauna in the area and conservation techniques.
When you turn into the parking lot, drive to the end of the open field and park by the trail entrance.
The trail entrance to the waterfall is not marked very clearly – it’s the first grassy entrance to the left.
The Fish Hatchery Trail
From the trail entrance it’s a 1km fairly easy walk that takes you through several different habitats. There are some stumpy sections as well as hills to climb up and down so I recommend wearing shoes or sandals with back straps.
It’s mosquito season and despite using bug spray, we were still bitten several times throughout our walk to and from the falls. The surprise waiting for us at the end of the trail was worth it though.
The trail takes you along the river and when we were at the lower level of the trail, we stopped to take a few photos of the stream.
Such a pretty and quiet spot that we had all to ourselves along the walk.
After 10 minutes of walking we could start to hear the thundering water sound, not realizing how tall the waterfall was until we arrived.
The waterfall
This was our view looking down after arriving at the top.
To give some perspective on how tall this waterfall is, Reese is standing about half way up the waterfall in the picture below.
And this is the view from the bottom looking up.
We arrived at 11am on a Friday morning and there were only 2 other people at the waterfall. By the time we left at 12:30pm there were several other people just starting to arrive.
If we had been better prepared, we would have arrived about a half hour earlier, stayed at the waterfalls for a while longer and had a picnic lunch there before heading back to the car just after lunch.
Waterfall pools
At the bottom of the waterfall, there are 2 areas where the water pools. The water in the first pool right at the bottom of the waterfall is about 3 feet deep and Reese walked in to cool off. There is also a natural rock seat to sit on.
The second pool of water right below is a great spot to cool your feet off and explore – I went in with bare feet but water shoes or sandals will make it a bit more comfortable to walk on.
There was plenty of shade at the area around the bottom of the waterfall and some level spots to set up a picnic area to eat lunch.
We didn’t find it as buggy with mosquitos here because of the breeze from the water.
After our dip and hike back to the parking area, we walked across the road to the see the dam and Skeleton Lake.
This is the smaller waterfall located on the walking trail to Skeleton Lake.
There is also another walking trail that goes around the old ponds that have now been naturalized.
What makes this trail/waterfall area interesting is that it takes you through several different habitats – deciduous forests, flood plain forests, river shorelines and wetlands.
And, the river runs off Skeleton Lake which is spring fed making the water very clear.
If you haven’t been to Muskoka before, I highly recommend that you make the drive up north to see this incredible area and chase a few of your own waterfalls.
Let us know in the comments section below where your favourite waterfall is located. We’d love to hear!
is a Canadian lifestyle and travel blogger, sharing stories, information and resources about family travel and everyday family life.
So cool! I’ve never actually explored so close to home before, so I’ll have to take a drive…maybe when the heatwave is over. I’ve only been to White’s Falls in Severn. Thanks for sharing this hidden gem!
You’re welcome Nadia!
Very informative article. Loved the pictures.
Thanks Karen!
Travelling close to home is the name of the game these days – and how lucky are you to have these beautiful falls so close! Pinning for future reference because one day we will be able to complete another trip across this great country!
I’m very lucky to live where we do 🙂 Thanks for reading this post Megan!