Autumn 2012 – My First Explore of the Abandoned Muskoka Sanitarium

The Abandoned Muskoka Regional Centre was my very first large explore when I first started Urban Exploring back in 2012.  In the Fall of 2012 I had collected a bit of intel from friends and fellow explorers who had been recently, I woke up bright and early and made the long drive up north.  With gear packed for a whole day I knew this would be a long day so I came prepared to spend the day and I did.

Knowing there was a 24/7 security patrol I followed the instructions I was given and followed my instincts moving to areas that would not be accessible by the security SUV.  Points of Entry for this location are usually sealed up just as quickly as they are opened so i was pleasantly surprised when I found that the open basement window I had been told to look for was still available.

I found it very easy to get lost and turned around as I navigated this massive abandoned facility, having seen many photos from others I passed and photographed many familiar scenes.  I would try and get my bearings but with so many hallways and stairwells I kept losing my place.  I would make my way to the roof where I watched the security doing his patrol and then sit in his van.  I enjoyed my lunch and captured some photos from the roof and the fall scenery before I made my way back inside to try and get back to the single open window in the basement, this was no easy task!

I knew that somewhere there was a chalk board with the names of all the explorers who had been here before me, I was happy to finally locate it and add my name to both chalk boards.

Come late afternoon I found my way to the exit, used the trees and heavy brush for cover from security and zipped back around the fence and took the long walk back to my car.  I had finally and successfully explored the Muskoka Regional Centre, also known as “The San”

Autumn 2018 – My Return to Muskoka Regional Centre

2018 was a great year of exploring, lots of Time Capsule houses as well as many mansions and large homes, however many of the locations this year lacked the decay, peeling paint and all of the good stuff that only a location like the San can provide.

I had planned a roadtrip to Northern Ontario for the Fall of 2018 and had the San on my list of locations, I had a solid 2 days so I knew I could afford the time to explore the building again.  Upon arrival I noticed an SUV parked right at the front gate, this is a sign that someone is inside, a rookie or a lazy explorer….you never park at the front gate!!  I parked far off-site and made the long walk back and in.  As I approached the building two women emerged from the cut open fence, they were ghost hunters but were too afraid to go inside.  One of the girls stated that her mother had been a patient many years ago.

I said goodbye and made my way around, I wasn’t having much luck finding a way inside until I finally came across a window that had a board ripped off and a table to allow for easier entry.  Relieved that I hadn’t wasted my time I made my way into the San once again and right away knew where i was.  I managed to keep my bearings the whole time I was inside, unlike my first explore I knew where I was the whole time.  First observation, much more graffiti this time around….LOTS more!  Also much more vandalism, I didn’t think it was possible to vandalize this place more than it was, but they found a way!

I spent much less time inside this time around as i was quickly losing sunlight and I arrived later in the day than I had planned.  I actually originally planned to just come and do a quick walk through, confirm that i could get in and then return the next morning, however since I was in I just completed the whole explore in less than two hours or so.

On my first visit, due to the security patrols I was unable to explore the grounds and the exterior, however now there seemed to be no security patrol so I was able to enjoy the entire exterior, including the enclosed gazebo on the lake, the playground and i also had an encounter with a family of deer.

With the sun setting and the air getting colder I made my walk out and back to my car, another successful explore of the San and possibly my last.

Summer 2020, My 3rd Visit to the Abandoned Muskoka Regional Centre

Winter 2024 – Another Visit to the Abandoned Muskoka Sanitarium