The many lakes and hills in the area, combined with its proximity to Toronto, make Huntsville and the Muskoka region a major tourist destination. Resorts such as Deerhurst Resort and Hidden Valley Ski Hill are located within the town's boundaries. There are also a handful of large manufacturers in Huntsville,.
The town was first settled and founded in 1869 by Captain George Hunt. When the Muskoka River was opened to navigation and the railway was built, Huntsville started to grow and was officially incorporated in 1886.