Category: Events

Featured

🐾 Experience the Pawsome Thrills of the Kearney Dog Sled Races!

Every year, Ontario’s grandest dog sled racing spectacle graces the charming town of Kearney, affectionately known as “Ontario’s biggest little town.” 🏠 Nestled just north of Huntsville, Ontario, Kearney boasts a population of 800 and plays host to this thrilling event annually in February. Drawing teams and mushers from as far as Alaska, Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario, and the North Eastern and Central States, the races have become a celebrated tradition since their inception in 1994.

Kearney, with its close-knit community of supporters, has been the heart and soul of this event for 25 years. We extend our gratitude to the town’s residents who consistently rally behind the race, encouraging spectators and visitors to explore the charming offerings of this delightful town. 🌟

Featuring over 70 competitive mushers, along with novice and aspiring participants, our event caters to both seasoned professionals and those new to the sport. We are proud to offer five race classes of varying distances, traversing the breathtaking northern wilderness. 🏞️ Additionally, a special race is dedicated to the up-and-coming young mushers, ensuring the tradition continues to inspire the next generation.

The Kearney Dog Sled Races boast a unique commitment to inclusivity, offering race classes for professional and beginner mushers of all ages. With divisions such as Pro Open, Pro Registered Northern Breed (RNB), and Sportsman, our top priority is to introduce new mushers to the sport in a controlled, fun, and exciting manner. 🏁

This extraordinary event attracts fans from across the globe, and we strive to keep them engaged through online updates throughout the weekend. The Kearney Dog Sled Race Committee is on a mission to preserve the heritage of this exhilarating dog sport and nurture international enthusiasm for sports competition, education, and awareness of this special style of dog racing. 🌎

For more information about our community, please visit the Town of Kearney website at www.townofkearney.com. 🌐

🔥 Join us for two days of winter delight just 2.5 hours north of Toronto in Kearney, Ontario, situated on the western border of Algonquin Park. ❄️

For those unfamiliar with racing in Kearney, our courses present exciting challenges, including hills to conquer, hardwood bush, and lakes and marshes to traverse, all within the natural beauty of the Almaguin Highlands. The trail offers technical yet exhilarating sections, providing both racers and their canine companions an unforgettable experience. 🏔️

Nestled in the heart of the Almaguin Highlands, Mys Retreat Campground provides a picturesque haven for those seeking a tranquil escape surrounded by nature’s beauty. As you plan your visit to the Kearney Dog Sled Races, we invite you to make Mys Retreat your cozy home away from home, where you can not only experience the thrill of the races but also indulge in exciting winter activities such as ice fishing, snowmobiling, and unforgettable campfires beneath the starlit sky. Join us at Mys Retreat for a winter wonderland getaway, where the enchantment of the Kearney Dog Sled Races meets the warmth of our inviting accommodations and the allure of winter adventures.

Visiting Kearney

Just 20 minutes north of Huntsville, our friendly and inviting town hosts a variety of year-round activities and events offering plenty of  accommodations, restaurants, and amenities.  Well-resourced with pristine waters, lush forests, beautiful northern scenery, and three entrances to Algonquin Provincial Park, Kearney is a year-round getaway for people with busy lifestyles. Whether you are planning to attend one of our annual events, or simply getting away from your hectic routine, Kearney has all you require to make your visit a dream come true!


Tourist Information:

Accommodations and Resorts

Almaguin Highlands Information Centre

Events and Things to Do


Algonquin Park

Map showing the outline of Algonquin Park

Three entrances to Algonquin Provincial Park  are accessed through Kearney, Algonquin Park offers a host of activities including camping, hiking, biking, boating, and fishing!

Algonquin Park Office – Open from mid April to end of October
8 Main Street
Kearney, ON P0A 1M0
(705-636-9525)

o Consider when choosing a mountain for beginners:

  1. If skiing for the first time, check out nearby resorts. There is no need to travel to the farthest reaches of the state just to try something new. Resorts like Verbier Winter Park and some other offer great beginner terrain and are just a short drive from the Alps.
  2. Ask your friends. Have any friends or family that ski? Ask for advice on where to go. If they are really a good friend, they might even offer to take you with them! Skiing for the first time alone or with other beginners can be intimidating, so don’t be afraid to ask for help!
  3. Price. Plan ahead to stay within budget; no one wants to be greeted with sticker-shock at the ticket window. Lift ticket and rental prices from resort to resort and can fluctuate depending on the time of year.

Experience Kearney: Play and have fun

Less than two hours north of Barrie lies an ATVer’s dream. Kearney, Muskoka’s “Biggest Little Town,” is a beautuful small community rich in logging history.

Boasting ATV-friendly resorts such as Mys Retreat and local discounts at restaurants such as Moose Delaney’s you feel at home and welcome on your ATV. Rentals are available through Redline Outdoors and can be picked up right in town at Rickwards Small Motors.

Kearney, known as the “Gateway to Algonquin Park,”  is a wonderfull destination for swimming, water sports, camping and fishing. A tourist information centre will help get you started.

Kearney 02
Plenty of mud and fun on the trails near Kearney

The over 300 kilometers of signed and mapped trails of the Algonquin West ATV Club are second to none, provoking many stops along the way for scenic photo oportunities. Trails are family friendly while somewhat challenging, and well maintained by local volunteers. Trail maps and permits are available at many local retailers. For even more information, visit the club’s Facebook Page and check out the many organized rides and events.

Other local events such as the Blackfly Festival, Creative Changes Art Show, Sand Lake Regatta, and the Kearney Regatta will round out any vacation, or give the non ATVer in your family plenty to enjoy.