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Urbex Jamie
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Chasing Ghosts in Cottage Country: A Guide to Ontario’s Mysterious Screaming Heads
If you are looking for the ultimate Ontario road trip, visiting the Screaming Heads in Burks Falls needs to be at the top of your bucket list. Located deep in the Almaguin Highlands along an unmarked stretch of Midlothian Road, you won't find any flashy billboards or official government highway signs pointing the way here. Yet, rising out of the rolling green meadows and dense forest is one of the most surreal, hauntingly beautiful art installations in North America.
Your journey begins the moment you pull up to Midlothian Castle. In 1981, a retired high school art teacher named Peter Camani bought a derelict 1912 farmhouse for a few thousand dollars. Instead of renovating it normally, he spent decades transforming it into a full-scale fortress complete with 40-foot stone towers and a giant, two-headed concrete dragon perching on the chimney!
Passing through a security gate adorned with iron spiderwebs and concrete gargoyles, you step out onto the expansive grounds. There is no set path or tour guide—you are simply invited to get lost across hundreds of acres of meadows, woods, and spring-fed ponds.
As you hike deeper into the fields, you are suddenly surrounded by giant monolithic entities. There are now over 100 concrete sculptures scattered across the landscape, some soaring over 20 feet tall and weighing up to 30 tons each.
While they might initially look like a spooky Halloween display, Camani’s work carries a profound environmental message:
An Environmental Warning: The heads represent the earth rebelling and crying out against humanity's destruction of nature.
The Primeval Forest: Look closely at the clusters of leafless, shrieking concrete trees. They are meant to represent the stark, lifeless remnants left behind by clear-cutting forests.
A Hidden Dragon: Incredible as it sounds, the monoliths are so meticulously placed that when viewed from an aerial drone or satellite, the entire property forms the shape of a massive, winding dragon.
The true magic of visiting during autumn is the striking contrast of textures. The cold, unyielding gray concrete cuts sharply through the warm, fiery golds, rusts, and reds of the changing Muskoka canopy.
Walking down the grass pathways feels like walking through a portal. One of the coolest structural features is a pathway laid out with massive stone circles.
Adding to the dreamlike atmosphere is the soundscape. Peter Camani shares his property with a massive flock of roaming peacocks. As you navigate the rolling hills, their high-pitched, ghostly shrieks echo through the trees, making you feel like you've completely left reality behind.
Because this attraction is entirely independent and located on private property, a few practical logistics will make or break your trip:
Admission: There is no official ticket price, but there is a pay-what-you-can donation box at the entrance gate. Please bring cash to slide into the box—every dollar goes directly to helping Peter maintain the property and build more art!
Footwear is Key: Expect to walk a lot. While some main paths are packed, much of the 300 acres consists of uneven meadows, long grass, and rocky terrain. Wear sturdy, mud-resistant hiking shoes.
Facilities: There are no public washrooms on site. Make sure to stop in the village of Burk's Falls to use the restroom and grab a coffee before driving out to the property.
Timing: The trails are open year-round from dawn to dusk. However, the property temporarily closes for about a week in mid-September every year to host the legendary Harvest Festival electronic music rave. Be sure to check dates before you drive up!
If you love weird roadside roadside gems, dark surrealism, or simply want an unforgettable autumn hike that isn't crowded with typical tourists, put Burk's Falls on your bucket list. The earth is screaming—and you really ought to go hear it.
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