Meet, Eat or Stage from Ontario Snowmobile Clubhouses…
Related: Riding With Kids
Ontario law requires a snowmobile entering an OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trail to display a valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit.
Have you visited any of these Ontario snowmobile clubhouses? Since the first volunteers dragged an old bedspring over the snow to make it smoother to ride on, snowmobile clubs have been the backbone of organized snowmobiling in Ontario. Clubs come in many different shapes and sizes. But they share two main priorities. Operating snowmobile trails and providing snowmobilers with a way to connect with each other…
Many clubs organize rides, events, fundraisers and get-togethers that enable snowmobilers to socialize and have fun. For some clubs, the heart of these activities is their clubhouse. A clubhouse can be a meeting centre for club members and their families. It can be a staging point for volunteer projects. Or a gathering spot for local snowmobilers. And a great pit stop for visiting riders.
What’s a Clubhouse All About?
Many districts mark Ontario snowmobile clubhouses on their trail guides. But they should not be confused with the much-welcomed warm up shelters that some clubs erect along the trail. And just as all clubs are not the same, neither are their clubhouses. Some are only open during club activities. Others are available (mostly on weekends, some staffed, some not) for snowmobilers to take a trail break or stage from. And a few are operated as businesses offering meals and refreshments with extended hours of operation.
So what makes popular Ontario snowmobile clubhouses? From a riders’ perspective, it’s a place that operates with regular hours, even if only on weekends. It’s equipped with either indoor or outdoor washroom facilities. It has space for riders to relax, take a break and warm up. Obviously, it’s on the trail and marked on the district guide so we can find it. Preferably, it serves food and refreshments. Or at least provides a place for you to enjoy your own lunch in warmth and comfort. And finally, it offers regularly scheduled events like pancake breakfasts or wing nights. All of which make this clubhouse a good destination for trail riding snowmobilers.
So where are some of the most popular Ontario snowmobile clubhouses? Take a look at the list below…
CENTRAL ONTARIO SNOWMOBILE CLUBHOUSES
Snowmobile Club: Long Sault Ridge Runners
- Nearest Town: Pontypool
- Tourism Region: Kawarthas Northumberland #experiencekn #kawarthasnorthumberland
- Trail Access: TOP E108 with access to nearby Ganaraska Forest
- Road Access: 320 Sandy Hook Road (Hwy #35, south of Pontypool, west on Sandy Hook Road)
- Staging Parking: At clubhouse or Park ‘n’ Ride location west of junction of Hwy #115/#35
- Hours (when trails are open): Weekends only – 10 am to 4 pm
- Services: Snack bar, indoor washrooms + outhouse; woodstove heat.
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
Snowmobile Club: Port Perry
- Nearest Town: Port Perry
- Tourism Region: Kawarthas Northumberland
- Trail Access: TOP E108
- Road Access: 10480 Russell Rd, 10 km south of Port Perry
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): Saturday and Sunday – 8 am to 8 pm
- Services: Indoor washrooms and kitchen with full menu
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
Snowmobile Club: Twin Mountains
- Location: Bobcaygeon
- Tourism Region: Kawarthas Northumberland
- Trail Access: Club Trail 460, on the Kawartha Highlands Tour
- Road Access: 889 Bass Lake Road
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7
- Services: Microwave available, 2 outdoor port-a-potties, heated
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
EASTERN ONTARIO SNOWMOBILE CLUBHOUSES
Snowmobile Club: Athens & District
- Nearest Town: Athens
- Tourism Region: The Great Waterway
- Trail Access: TOP E015
- Road Access: 10th Line at County Road 42, west of Athens
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7
- Services: Canteen on Saturdays & Sundays, indoor washrooms, heated
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile Eastern Ontario
Snowmobile Club: Grenville Snowmobile Association
- Nearest Town: Prescott
- Tourism Region: The Great Waterway
- Trail Access: TOP E105
- Road Access: County Rd 18 going north from Prescott, and turn left (west) on County Rd 26 to Maynard, and north on Charleville Road
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): Saturdays & Sundays, January 1 to April 1
- Services: Breakfast and lunch (Sat. & Sun.), indoor washrooms, heated
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile Eastern Ontario
Snowmobile Club: Riverside
- Nearest Town: Morrisburg
- Tourism Region: The Great Waterway
- Trail Access: TOP A104 just east of TOP E105 intersection on French Connection Loop
- Road Access: 13125 Riverside Drive, east of Morrisburg
- Staging Parking: Riverside Community Centre
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7
- Services: outdoor washrooms, heated clubhouse
- Activities: See website for other events and updates on Facebook
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile Eastern Ontario
Snowmobile Club: Snow Road
- Nearest Town: Snow Road Station
- Tourism Region: Ontario’s Highlands #OntariosHighlands #comewander
- Trail Access: Junction of TOP E104A & Club Trail 1
- Road Access: 1106 Gemmill Road about 1 km off of Elphin-Maberly Road, east of Snow Road Station
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7
- Services: Self-serve canteen (honour system), indoor washrooms, heated, emergency phone
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
Snowmobile Club: Timberline
- Nearest Town: Pembroke
- Tourism Region: Ontario’s Highlands
- Trail Access: At intersection of Club Trails 121 & 122 with access to RAP Tour
- Road Access: 2 Henan Road, west of Pembroke
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): Saturdays & Sundays noon to 10 pm
- Services: Indoor washrooms, heated
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile RAP Tour
NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO SNOWMOBILE CLUBHOUSES
Snowmobile Club: Moonbeam
- Nearest Town: Moonbeam
- Tourism Region: Northeastern Ontario #rideneontario #BigTrails
- Trail Access: TOP A, on Lumberjack Loop and Northern Corridor Adventure
- Road Access: 20 Nursery Road
- Staging Parking: Yes
- Hours (when trails are open): Thursday to Sunday 9 am to 4 pm
- Services: Snack bar, indoor washrooms
- Activities: Brunch every Sunday during the season
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile Northern Corridor
SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO SNOWMOBILE CLUBHOUSES
Snowmobile Club: Hanover Neustadt
- Nearest Town: Hanover
- Tourism Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe #snowyfunBGS #experiencewinterBGS #winteroutdoorsBGS #snowmobileBGS #winterBGS #BruceGreySimcoewinter
- Trail Access: Club Trail R400 (south of trail intersection #261) on Queen’s Bush Tour
- Road Access: Side Road 30N, just north off Concession Road 4E, north of Hanover
- Staging Parking: limited
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7 – Hot food served Saturday & Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm
- Services: Snack bar, indoor washrooms, woodstove heat.
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile Grey Bruce
Snowmobile Club: Science Hill
- Nearest Town: St. Marys
- Tourism Region: Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington
- Trail Access: TOP B111 starts at club house – access to 5 Alive Tour
- Road Access: Thames Road (137 Road), west of St Marys
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7 – Food Saturday 8 am to 8 pm & Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
- Services: Snack bar, indoor washroom, heated, gas station 1 km away.
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
Snowmobile Club: Southampton
- Nearest Town: Southampton
- Tourism Region: Bruce Grey Simcoe
- Trail Access: Via Club Trail just west of TOP B108 (northeast of intersection #180) on Saugeen River Tour
- Road Access: Concession Road 14, east of Southampton
- Staging Parking: yes
- Hours (when trails are open): 24/7
- Services: Indoor washrooms, woodstove heat
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
- Area Ride Planner: Snowmobile Grey Bruce
Snowmobile Club: St. Clements
- Nearest Town: St. Clements
- Tourism Region: Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington
- Trail Access: TOP B203
- Road Access: Herrgott Road (north of Boomer Line), just north of St. Clements
- Staging Parking: Yes for club members ($10 annual fee)
- Hours (when trails are open): Friday 6 pm to 10 pm, Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
- Services: Food & refreshments, indoor washrooms, heated
- Activities: See updates on Facebook
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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.
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