Dyer Memorial

The Dyer Memorial sits on a rocky hilltop south of Huntsville, reached by a short trail through maple and pine forest. The memorial consists of a small stone structure and several contemplative markers placed among the trees, dedicated by a Detroit lawyer in memory of his wife. It is a quiet, slightly eccentric landmark — the kind of place that Muskoka specialises in.

The main draw is the view from the hilltop, which takes in a wide sweep of Lake Vernon and the surrounding forest. The hike is easy and takes about 20 minutes from the trailhead off Hoodstown Road. There is a small parking area and the trail is well-marked. Best visited in the morning, before the lake haze builds on warm days.

things to do sight
A story
Cavert Dyer, a Detroit lawyer who fell in love with Muskoka, built the memorial in the 1950s in honour of his late wife Helen. He cut a trail through the forest himself, hand-placed the stone markers, and erected a small stone tower on the hilltop. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation now maintains the site, which has changed very little since Dyer first built it.