Top Things to Do in Haliburton : A Complete Guide to Haliburton Highlands

Discover things to do in Haliburton Highlands: hiking, kayaking, sculpture forest, wildlife, local eats & more. Keep reading if you want to know what to do in Haliburton!

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I’ve driven through Haliburton more times than I can count, always on my way somewhere else. Usually to Muskoka, windows down, coffee in hand, promising myself that one day I’d actually stop to see what was hidden behind all those winding roads and towering pines.

This fall, that “one day” finally came. When Camp Haliburton invited me to collaborate with them, I jumped at the chance to slow down and explore a region I’d only ever admired from the driver’s seat. And let me tell you, Haliburton isn’t just a place you pass through. It’s a place that pulls you in with misty lakes, cozy cafés, and trails that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret corner of Ontario.

In this guide, I’m sharing all the best things to do in Haliburton, from outdoor adventures and scenic lookouts to local gems worth a detour (or an entire weekend).

Don’t forget to check out all of my Ontario blog posts to make the most of your adventures!

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Where Is Haliburton?

Tucked in the heart of cottage country, Haliburton sits where rolling hills meet endless lakes, about two and a half hours northeast of Toronto. It’s part of the Haliburton Highlands, a region that feels like a quieter, more rugged cousin to Muskoka.

You’ll find it surrounded by dense forests, winding backroads, and that unmistakable Ontario stillness. The main village of Haliburton hugs the edge of Head Lake, where you can grab a coffee, browse local shops, or take a stroll through the waterfront park before heading off to nearby trails or scenic drives.

Because it’s so centrally located, Haliburton makes the perfect base for a weekend getaway. You can easily explore surrounding spots like Eagle Lake, Kennisis Lake, and the Haliburton Forest, all within a short drive. And while it feels remote in the best possible way, you’re never too far from a cozy café or a good meal.

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When to Visit Haliburton?

Haliburton is one of those rare Ontario destinations that truly has a reason to visit every season, it just depends on what kind of escape you’re craving.

Fall is pure magic here. The forests burst into fiery reds and golds, the air turns crisp, and every drive feels like you’ve stumbled into a postcard. It’s also when I visited for my Camp Haliburton stay, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine a better time to be here.

Summer is for lake life : kayaking, hiking, chasing sunsets, and swimming until the stars come out. The days are long, the pace is slow, and you’ll find plenty of local markets and small-town festivals happening on weekends.

Winter transforms Haliburton into a snowy playground. Think cozy cabins, snowshoe trails, dogsledding, and frozen lakes that sparkle under the morning sun. It’s peaceful in a way that makes you want to curl up by a fireplace after a day outside.

And even spring, often overlooked, has its own charm : quieter roads, gushing waterfalls, and that fresh, earthy smell that only comes after the snow melts.

No matter when you visit, Haliburton has this way of making you slow down, breathe deeper, and notice the small details, the sound of loons, the crunch of leaves, the way mist lingers over the lake in the morning.

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Top Things to Do in Haliburton

Haliburton may be small, but it packs in more adventure, nature, and charm than most places twice its size. From forest canopies to hidden cafés, here are some of my favorite spots that make this region worth slowing down for.

1. Visit Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve

If you only have time for one stop, make it Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve. It’s 100,000 acres of wilderness, trails, and sparkling lakes, basically, an outdoor playground for anyone who loves nature.

I didn’t have time to do the Canopy Walk this time around, but it’s definitely on my list for my next visit. Suspended high in the treetops, it’s said to give you a completely different perspective of the forest and from the photos I’ve seen, it looks incredible, especially in fall when the leaves turn fiery red and gold.

I did, however, make it to the Wolf Centre, and it was one of the highlights of my visit. The space is peaceful, educational, and beautifully designed to help you understand the wolves’ behavior and habitat. Just a heads-up: wolf sightings aren’t guaranteed, the pack decides if they want to be seen or not. I went right at opening and got lucky enough to see all five of them, including their newest addition, a five-month-old cub. Watching them move quietly through the trees felt like such a privilege.

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2. Check out Hawk Lake Log Chute

If you love places that blend history and nature, the Hawk Lake Log Chute is one of those unexpected gems that quietly tells the story of Ontario’s logging past.

Built in 1861, this wooden chute once helped float massive pine logs downstream toward the mills. It was an ingenious solution for navigating Haliburton’s rocky terrain and rushing rivers, a kind of wooden water slide for logs. Over the years, most chutes like this one disappeared, but the Hawk Lake Log Chute survived through several restorations and now stands as the only working log chute of its kind left in Ontario.

When you visit today, you’ll find an interpretive pavilion with panels explaining how the chute worked and what life looked like during the height of the logging era. The structure itself stretches about 220 feet long, channeling water between mossy rocks and under towering trees. If you come after a rainfall or during spring melt, you’ll hear the thunder of water long before you see it.

It’s a short, easy walk from the small parking area and completely worth it. There’s a picnic spot nearby, and it’s rarely busy, so you can take your time soaking in the view or grabbing a few photos of the chute framed by forest and rushing water.

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3. Talk a walk through Haliburton Sculpture Forest

The Haliburton Sculpture Forest has been on my must-see list for a while, but I didn’t have time to stop by on this trip.

Tucked inside Glebe Park, right near Head Lake, the Sculpture Forest is an outdoor art gallery surrounded by tall trees and winding trails. Over thirty sculptures by Canadian and international artists are scattered throughout the forest, some striking and modern, others subtle and almost hidden in the landscape. It’s free to visit (though donations are encouraged), and it’s open year-round. I’ve heard it’s especially beautiful in the fall, when the sculptures peek out from behind orange and golden leaves, and in winter, when snow softens everything into a quiet, peaceful scene.

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4. Make a stop at Abbey Gardens

A place that perfectly captures Haliburton’s creative, community-focused spirit, Abbey Gardens is one of those stops that pleasantly surprises you with how much there is to explore. Once a barren gravel pit, it’s been transformed into a thriving green space filled with gardens, walking trails, a market, and even a microbrewery.

You can easily spend an afternoon here, start with a stroll through the gardens or along one of the trails, then stop by the Food Hub for lunch. It’s a charming mix of local grocery store and café, with shelves stocked full of Ontario-made products (seriously, the selection is amazing) and a small menu of sandwiches, soups, and baked goods that highlight seasonal ingredients.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the Ojibwe horses, a rare and fascinating part of Abbey Gardens’ mission. These small, hardy horses are one of the few breeds native to Canada. They were once nearly extinct, but through conservation efforts – including the program here – their numbers are slowly growing again. Watching them wander the pasture feels like stepping back in time; they’re living reminders of the deep connection between Indigenous communities and the land.

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5. See the Skyline Park Lookout

If you’re looking for one of the best views in Haliburton without much effort, Skyline Park Lookout is your spot. Just a few minutes from the village, this small hill offers a sweeping view over Head Lake, the surrounding forest, and the charming town below. It’s the kind of easy reward that makes you pull over, grab your camera, and take a moment to just breathe it all in.

You’ll find the lookout at the end of Skyline Park Road, there’s a short uphill walk from the parking area, but it’s quick and easy. From the top, the view stretches across layers of rolling hills and lakes, especially beautiful in fall when the landscape turns into a patchwork of red, orange, and gold.

It’s also one of the best places in Haliburton to catch a sunrise or sunset. The light spills across the treetops and reflects off the water, giving the whole valley a warm glow. I went near golden hour, and it felt like watching the entire town slow down with the sun.

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6. Explore Buttermilk Falls

A short drive from Haliburton, Buttermilk Falls is one of those spots that feels like a hidden reward at the end of a country road. It’s small compared to Ontario’s more famous waterfalls, but its charm lies in how peaceful and easy it is to access, you can literally park nearby and hear the sound of rushing water before you even get out of the car.

Buttermilk Falls has a bit of history, too. The falls were once used to power a sawmill in the 1800s, and while the mill is long gone, the site still holds a quiet, rustic charm.

If you’re visiting in spring, the flow is at its strongest, but it’s beautiful year-round, especially in fall, when the water cuts through a backdrop of orange and gold leaves. It’s a quick, easy stop, but one that captures everything that makes Haliburton special: wild, unhurried, and quietly beautiful.

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7. Paddle on the Lakes of Haliburton

You can’t talk about Haliburton without mentioning the lakes, there are more than 600 of them spread across the region, each one with its own character and charm. Whether you’re into paddling, swimming, photography, or just sitting by the water with a good coffee, there’s no shortage of places to do it.

Kennisis Lake is one of the largest and most loved. Surrounded by forest and dotted with cozy cottages, it’s perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding on a calm morning. The reflections here, especially when the sky turns pink at sunset, are pure magic for photographers.

Kashagawigamog Lake (yes, it’s as fun to say as it is to visit) sits closer to the village of Haliburton and connects to several other lakes through a chain system — you can boat for hours without retracing your path. It’s a favorite spot for locals in summer, with gentle breezes, calm coves, and a great balance of activity and tranquility.

Paudash Lake, just south of town, feels a little wilder and more remote. The shoreline is rugged, with quiet bays perfect for a swim or a picnic. If you’re lucky, you might even spot loons calling across the water in the early morning.

No matter which lake you choose, what I love most about Haliburton’s waters is their stillness, that mirror-like calm that seems to slow everything down. There’s something grounding about it, whether you’re out exploring by canoe or just watching the light shift across the surface from a dock.

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8. Grab a coffee at Castle Antiques & Café

If you know me, you know I can’t resist a good coffee stop, and Castle Antiques & Café was exactly the kind of place I love discovering on road trips. Part coffee shop, part antique store, it’s tucked right in the heart of Haliburton, and it’s the perfect mix of cozy and unexpected.

Inside, you’ll find rustic wooden tables, shelves filled with vintage treasures, and the smell of fresh espresso drifting through the air. It’s the kind of spot where you order your latte and then end up wandering through old books, pottery, and furniture while you wait , and somehow always find something you didn’t know you needed.

I love how places like this capture the heart of Haliburton, creative, welcoming, and just a little bit nostalgic. It’s not your typical coffee shop chain stop, and that’s exactly why it feels special.

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9. Have Dinner atJuna Italian Kitchen

After a full day of exploring trails, lakes, and hidden gems, nothing hits quite like a comforting meal and Juna Italian Kitchen is the perfect spot to end your day in Haliburton.

Located right in the heart of the village, Juna blends small-town charm with the kind of food that feels straight out of a cozy Italian trattoria. The atmosphere is relaxed but refined :warm lighting, wooden tables, and the smell of fresh herbs and homemade sauce drifting from the kitchen.

Their menu changes with the seasons, but everything is made from scratch, with simple, high-quality ingredients that speak for themselves. Think hand-cut pasta, rich tomato sauces, and perfectly balanced flavors that taste even better after a day spent outdoors. I went for dinner after exploring the area and instantly understood why locals call it one of Haliburton’s best spots to eat.

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Where to Stay in (or near) Haliburton

When it comes to places to stay, Haliburton has no shortage of cozy cabins and unique getaways tucked between the trees. But two of my personal favorites – and ones I can wholeheartedly recommend – are Camp Haliburton and Fort Treehouse Co. Both offer completely different experiences, yet share that same sense of peace and connection to nature that makes this region so special.

Camp Haliburton

I had the chance to stay at Camp Haliburton during my fall visit, and it was the perfect mix of modern comfort and lakeside tranquility. The cabin sits right on the water, surrounded by tall pines that catch the morning light just right. Mornings here are quiet and slow, the kind where you sip your coffee on the deck, wrapped in a blanket, and watch the mist lift off the lake.

Inside, everything feels thoughtfully designed: spacious yet cozy, minimalist yet warm. There’s a full kitchen, comfy beds, and huge windows that make you feel like you’re part of the forest. It’s close enough to town for easy exploring, but far enough to feel completely tucked away — exactly how a Haliburton escape should feel.

Read more // Camp Haliburton: A Stunning Cottage Escape in Ontario

Fort Tree House Co.

If you want to turn your stay into something a little more magical, Fort Tree House Co. is just a short drive from Haliburton and offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Their treehouses are architectural gems, beautifully designed spaces suspended among the trees, with modern comforts and panoramic forest views.

There’s a wood-burning stove to keep you cozy, huge windows that frame the changing light, and outdoor features like a fire pit or even a wood-fired hot tub, depending on the season. It’s quiet, romantic, and effortlessly photogenic, the kind of place that makes you want to stay off your phone and just listen to the wind moving through the trees.

Read more // This Ontario Treehouse Stay Feels Like a Fairytale Escape

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Final Thoughts : Things to do in Haliburton

Haliburton has this quiet magic that’s hard to put into words, the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. I’d driven past it so many times before, always on my way somewhere else, but spending a few days here made me realize how much beauty I’d been missing.

It’s a place where mornings start slow by the water, afternoons are spent exploring trails or hidden lookouts, and evenings end with good food and even better views. Whether you’re here for the art, the forest, the lakes, or simply to breathe a little deeper, Haliburton delivers that rare mix of calm and adventure that feels perfectly balanced.

What I loved most is how it still feels untouched, welcoming but never crowded, beautiful without trying too hard. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why it’s worth taking the detour, stopping for the view, and saying yes to one more road trip through Ontario.

So if you’ve ever found yourself driving through Haliburton thinking you’ll stop next time, take it from me: make this the time. You’ll be glad you did.

Looking for more Ontario travel ideas? Check out my other blog posts for itineraries, hiking trails, and hidden gems across the province!

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