Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is often overlooked by the popular and massive Algonquin Park, but it's a unique corner of nature in Ontario that you need to visit. Nestled at the southwest edge of Algonquin, Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is home to the magnificent Ragged Falls, one of the top 10 waterfalls in Ontario.
This hiking trail is an easy trek, less than 1km out and back. You can venture out onto the rocks, depending on the time of year and how slippery it is, for the most epic views of Ragged Falls, the Oxtongue River, and the rushing river rapids. This is one of the best places to hike in Muskoka.
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Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Map
Here is a map of the hiking trail at Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park. As you can see, it's a short walk from the parking lot to the viewing areas of Ragged Falls. The map also shows you where the trail is located from Highway 60, where the toilet is, and where you can pay to park.
I always recommend getting an annual day pass for Ontario Parks so you can visit as many as you'd like within the year. It's well worth the cost if you regularly visit provincial parks in Ontario. If you have a pass, simply display it in your window. It covers the costs of parking as well as admission for everyone in your car.
Hiking at Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park
From the parking lot, hike up a small hill alongside the Oxtongue River. There are two paths and you can take either one. Both connect at the top where you will have the opportunity to admire the 80 foot high Ragged Falls.
There is a fence along the river's edge for your safety. Please don't try to hop the fence. If you continue walking, the trail will open up and you will be able to have some amazing views of Ragged Falls.
You will reach some flat rocks that you can walk across for beautiful views of the Oxtongue River rapids and Ragged Falls. There are multiple vantage points and you can witness these powerful waters up close. Ragged Falls is a wild waterfall, meaning that it hasn't been dammed or diverted in any way.
The waterfall meanders around the granite rocks of the Canadian Shield, so there isn't one singular view of the waterfall. The water flows all around where you're standing, making it quite unique. Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is also unique due to the fact that there are nine distinct forest communities inside the park grounds.
Gravel Falls is located farther up the Oxtongue River from Ragged Falls, and its powerful waters demonstrate the erosive force of glacial meltwater. I don't believe that you can hike there as the trail stops just beyond Ragged Falls. You can canoe or kayak there if you choose to paddle upstream. It's a bit more of an adventure, so be sure to let me know in the comments if you've ever attempted it!
Plan Your Visit
It's easy to plan a trip to Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park. I suggest stopping by on your way to Algonquin Provincial Park or as an additional stop on a hiking trip in Muskoka. You could stop here when visiting Limberlost Forest or Arrowhead Provincial Park. As it's such a short hike, you likely won't spend more than an hour here.
There is a toilet on site and the parking lot is really big. You won't have any issues finding a spot, though this park gets pretty busy on weekends so you may end up sharing the lookout spot with crowds of people in the summer months.
In the off season (Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls PP is open from May 13th to October 23rd), the parking lot won't be open. You can park your car at the front entrance gate as there's room for a handful of cars. You can't go camping at this provincial park, but you can camp at nearby Algonquin or Arrowhead Provincial Park.
What to Bring on a Hike
A proper pair of hiking shoes is an absolute must. It’s also a good idea to bring sunscreen and lots of water, too. My water bottle of choice is the GRAYL Purifier because you can drink ANY water from any source, no matter what. Water from lakes, streams, rivers, public restrooms, you name it. It's the world's fastest portable purifier.
Don’t forget to pack some bug spray because there can be biting bugs depending on the time of year. Even if there aren't any signs, it’s safe to assume that ticks are all over Ontario hiking trails. Protect yourself against ticks by reading our guide to avoiding ticks on the trails.
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More Places to Hike in Muskoka
Looking for more places to go hiking in the Muskoka/Algonquin area? Here are more trails that you’ll love:
- Arrowhead Provincial Park (Huntsville)
- Beausoleil Island (Georgian Bay Islands National Park)
- Hardy Lake Provincial Park (Gravenhurst)
- Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve (Huntsville)
- The Best Hiking Trails at Algonquin Park
- Booth's Rock Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park
- Lookout Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park
- Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park
This trail is featured in our list of the 100 best hiking trails in Ontario. Take a look at the entire list to plan all of your future hiking adventures!
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