Scenic Views · Fishing · Ontario
Hatchery Falls
A waterfall on the Skeleton River near Skeleton Lake in Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, reached by a short trail from the old fish hatchery. Free, with a swimming pool at the base.
What visitors say
Hatchery Falls pours over granite into a clear pool on the river that drains Skeleton Lake. The trail starts at the former Ministry of Natural Resources fish hatchery, crosses a field and follows the river through the woods, with signs explaining the site's history along the way. Reviewers call the falls beautiful and the water clean.
The walk is about ten to twenty minutes and mostly easy, though roots and rocks make it unsuitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Parking is ample and the site is free. One visitor's tip: head downstream, to the left, to reach the falls directly.
Swimming at the base is a big draw, and several visitors cooled off in the pool on a hot day. It makes a good picnic break for anyone driving between Parry Sound and Highway 11. Skeleton Lake itself is known for smallmouth bass, lake trout and walleye, and Ontario's regulations apply on the river.
The path down to the base is slippery with roots near the water, and it's a scramble for small children. There are no garbage bins on the trail, so pack out what you bring.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 164 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.