Borrow a Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower pass from the Haliburton County or Lake of Bays Public Library

HALIBURTON COUNTY (September 23, 2026): Starting today, library patrons with the Haliburton County Public Library and the Lake of Bays Township Public Library can borrow a Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower pass to access the tower for free!

Haliburton County Public Library has five Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower passes available to library patrons. Each pass can be checked out for a total of one week. Limit 1 pass per  cardholder. Lake of Bays Public Library has two Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower passes at each of their  Baysville and Dwight Branches available to library patrons. Each pass can be checked out for three days. 

The pass will allow access to the following:

• Walk-up for one person
• One car (or regular sized vehicle that takes up a single parking space) and all vehicle
occupants
• One motorcycle

Upon arrival, users will need to show their card to the entrance gate attendant.

During peak fall colours season—between September 19 and October 25—you must book your date and time to access the Dorset tower at ahtrails.ca. Please use the three-digit number on the pass to complete your booking. 

The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower closes for the season on Monday, October 26 and reopens in the spring. 

About the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower 

Owned and operated by the Township of Algonquin Highlands, the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower is located off Highway 35 just north of the village of Dorset.

The original tower was built in 1922, was 25 metres high (82 feet) and used as a fire lookout tower until 1961. The current tower was built in 1967 and is 30 metres high (100 feet) and was erected for visitors to enjoy the view.

Annually, more than 10,000 vehicles (60,000 visitors) will pass through the gates. In the peak Autumn season, it is not unusual for more than 600 vehicles to visit the tower in a single day. Visitors are welcome to climb to the observation deck, which is 142 metres (465 feet) above Lake of Bays, and enjoy the view from the tree-top lookout as well as ground level lookouts. 

Facilities include picnic sites, restrooms, a tourist information kiosk, gift shop and a hiking trail.

Contact:
Chad Ingram
Communications Coordinator
Township of Algonquin Highlands
705-489-2379, Ext. 327
cingram@algonquinhighlands.ca