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What Is Screaming Heads? A Guide to Burk’s Falls, Ontario
What Makes Screaming Heads a Must-See Ontario Attraction?
More about Screaming Heads near Burk's Falls Ontario
Screaming Heads is a one-of-a-kind outdoor art installation near Burk's Falls, Ontario, Canada where giant concrete sculptures, imaginative architecture, and a sprawling Muskoka landscape come together to create an unforgettable Canadian adventure. Created by artist Peter Camani, this unusual roadside attraction is unlike anything else you're likely to encounter in Ontario.
More About What Is Screaming Heads? A Guide to Burk's Falls, Ontario, Canada
Key Facts - Screaming Heads, Burk's Falls Ontario
- Location: 981 Midlothian Road, about 10 minute drive from Burk's Falls, Ontario
- Best time to go: Late spring through fall for walking trails and outdoor viewing. Summer and fall offer the best overall conditions.
- Cost: Free admission, donations are appreciated
- Time needed: Allow 1-2 hours to explore the property and see the major sculptures
- Accessibility: Some trails are wide with packed ground cover, but portions of the property are uneven, rocky, hilly or rough. Accessiblity may be challenging for some visitors.
- Notes: Open year-round, with reported hours of approximately 8 a.m.–8 p.m., but because this is a private property and conditions can change, it's worth checking current information before travelling.
What is Screaming Heads in Burk's Falls, Ontario?
Screaming Heads is a large outdoor sculpture garden and art installation created by Canadian artist Peter Camani on his property near Burk's Falls, Ontario. The site combines more than 100 enormous concrete sculptures with walking trails, ponds, gardens, unusual structures and Camani's distinctive home, known as a Midlothian Castle. The Township of Ryerson describes the attraction as including the Screaming Heads, trees, giant spider webs, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and trails through the property.
What makes Screaming Heads different from a conventional gallery is that the artwork isn't contained inside a building. Instead, visitors wander through a large natural landscape and encounter sculptures along the way. Many of the heads are roughly 20 feet tall, creating an impressive contrast with the surrounding forest and open fields.
Camani has spent decades developing the property into a continually evolving artistic environment. The result feels less like visiting a traditional tourist attraction and more like discovering an enormous outdoor art world hidden in the Ontario countryside.
Why is Screaming Heads a must-see Ontario attraction?
For travellers who enjoy unusual roadside attractions, outdoor art and Canadian hidden gems, Screaming Heads offers something you won't find at a typical Ontario gallery. It's particularly appealing if you like destinations that combine art, nature, photography and a little bit of the unexpected.
- Reasons to add it to an Ontario road trip include:
- It's genuinely unusual: Giant concrete heads and fantastical structures make for a memorable experience.
- It's outdoors: You can explore the sculptures while walking through the surrounding landscape.
- It's highly photogenic: The sculptures, castle-like buildings and natural setting provide plenty of interesting subjects for photography.
- It's family-friendly: Visitors of different ages can explore the property at their own pace, although children should be reminded not to climb on the artwork.
- It's an authentic Northern Ontario experience: Screaming Heads is closely connected to the local landscape and community around Burk's Falls and the Almaguin Highlands.
- It's free to explore: Multiple travel sources report that there is no admission charge.
What can you see at Screaming Heads?
- The enormous Screaming Heads sculptures
- Midlothian Castle and its elaborate exterior
- The two-headed dragon chimney
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
- Giant spider-web sculptures
- Ponds, trees and gardens
- Birds and other animals around the property
- Smaller sculptures and unexpected details tucked throughout the grounds
Part of the fun is not knowing exactly what you'll discover around the next bend. The property has developed over many years and continues to reflect Camani's imagination and evolving body of work.
What should you know before visiting Screaming Heads?
Screaming Heads is a little different from a conventional Ontario attraction, so it's worth arriving prepared. The property is large, and although some paths are wide and relatively easy to follow, other areas can be rocky, uneven, hilly or rough, particularly away from the main path.
A few practical tips can make your visit a little easier:
- Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking on uneven outdoor terrain.
- Allow at least 1–2 hours if you want time to explore rather than simply stop for photographs.
- Bring water, particularly on warm summer days.
- Allow extra time for photography—there are plenty of unusual details to discover.
- Respect the artwork and property: don't climb on sculptures or enter areas that are marked as off-limits.
- Check current conditions before visiting, particularly around special events or the annual Harvest Festival, when access arrangements can differ.
- If mobility or accessibility is a concern, plan your route carefully. Some portions of the property may be challenging, even though the main path provides easier access to several of the sculptures.
- The best approach is to treat Screaming Heads as an outdoor adventure and art experience, rather than trying to rush through it like a quick roadside photo stop.
FAQs for visiting Screaming Heads in Burk's Falls
Is Screaming Heads in Burk's Falls free to visit?
Yes. Visiting the outdoor Screaming Heads sculpture grounds is generally free, although donations may be accepted and are appreciated. The property is privately owned, so visitors should respect posted signs, designated areas and any temporary closures. Admission arrangements can differ during special events such as the annual Harvest Festival.
Where is Screaming Heads located?
Screaming Heads is located at 981 Midlothian Road near Burk's Falls, Ontario, in Ryerson Township. The property is just west of Burk's Falls and can be reached from Highway 520 via Midlothian Road. The site is also known as Midlothian Castle and is approximately 240 kilometres north of Toronto.
Who created the Screaming Heads?
The Screaming Heads were created by Canadian artist and sculptor Peter Camani, who developed the property as a large-scale, evolving outdoor art project. Camani also built Midlothian Castle on the property. More than 100 large concrete "screaming head" sculptures are now spread across the grounds, alongside other sculptures and structures.
How long does it take to visit Screaming Heads?
Plan for at least one to two hours to walk around the property, view the major sculptures and explore the grounds. You may want longer if you're interested in photography or taking your time with the artwork. The property covers a large area, so the experience is more of a walk and exploration than a quick roadside attraction.
Is Screaming Heads accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
Accessibility varies across the property. A main trail is relatively wide and packed, but other trails can be rocky, uneven or hilly. Some visitors with mobility challenges may find portions difficult to navigate. If accessibility is important for your visit, it is best to plan around the main paths and confirm current conditions before travelling.
Is Screaming Heads open year-round?
Screaming Heads has traditionally been open to visitors throughout the year, although access can change for special events or other circumstances. Current visitor information lists the property as open during the year, while the annual Harvest Festival creates a temporary change in normal access. Always check current information before making a dedicated trip.
Is Screaming Heads suitable for families?
Yes. Screaming Heads can be an interesting destination for families because the outdoor setting allows visitors to explore the sculptures and grounds at their own pace. Children should be supervised and reminded not to climb on the artwork or enter restricted areas. Supervision for children around the water features and ponds is required. The uneven terrain also means comfortable footwear and appropriate supervision are important.
What else do I need to know?
Screaming Heads is located at 981 Midlothian Road in Ryerson Township, just outside Burk's Falls in Ontario's Almaguin Highlands. The property sits in a rural landscape of forests, fields and rolling terrain, making it a natural fit for an Ontario road trip. It can be reached from Highway 520 west of Burk's Falls or via the Nipissing Colonization Road.
Its location makes Screaming Heads an easy addition to a wider Muskoka and Northern Ontario adventure. Huntsville is about 40 km away, or roughly 30 minutes by car, while Bracebridge is approximately 73 km away, or about 50 minutes. Travellers coming from Toronto can expect roughly 2½–3 hours of driving, depending on their route and traffic.
The surrounding Almaguin Highlands are especially appealing during the warmer months, when the forests are green and the outdoor sculptures can be explored comfortably. Fall is another particularly scenic time to visit, with colourful Northern Ontario foliage providing a striking backdrop for photography. The area is also close enough to make Screaming Heads part of a longer itinerary that includes Huntsville, Bracebridge, Burk's Falls and the surrounding Muskoka cottage country.
If you're planning a September visit, note that the property also hosts the annual Harvest Festival, a four-day arts and music event held at Midlothian Castle and Screaming Heads. The 2026 festival is scheduled for September 11–14, so visitors travelling during that period should check the event information before planning a regular sightseeing visit.
Screaming Heads Take-Aways
Screaming Heads is a truly distinctive Ontario attraction where large-scale outdoor sculpture, nature and Canadian creativity come together in an unexpected Northern Ontario setting. For road trippers, families, photographers and adventure seekers exploring Burk's Falls, Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands, it offers a memorable experience that is well worth adding to an Ontario travel itinerary.
For additional images see my album from our recent visit here.
Photo credit: Anja Cahill & Emma Cahill
What Is Screaming Heads? A Guide to Burk's Falls, Ontario
What Makes Screaming Heads a Must-See Ontario Attraction?
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A visit to Screaming Heads is definitely not something you forget - it is such a cool place to visit. Kind of makes you feel like you're being watched. Did you have a favourite part?
Sonya Richmond - agreed! Definitely felt like I was being watched... maybe even followed lol) My favourite part was getting to explore the artist's courtyard - it felt like a very special, kinda mystical space. Lots of artist mojo going on in there for sure!