Muskoka
District Municipality Of Muskoka · Gravenhurst, Ontario
Muskoka is Ontario's classic cottage country, about two hours north of Toronto, a region of rocky Canadian Shield, pine forest and hundreds of lakes. The big three, Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph, are lined with boathouses, private cottages and grand lakeside resorts, some dating back more than a century. Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Port Carling and Huntsville are the main towns, with waterfalls, marinas, shops and breweries, and a historic steamship still sails from Gravenhurst in summer (confirm the schedule). Algonquin Park lies beyond Huntsville, but is a separate destination. This region suits couples, families and groups who want a lake holiday, and it works as a long weekend or a week. It is not cheap, much of the shoreline is private, and Highway 400 is jammed on summer Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. Autumn colour is a highlight, and winter brings snowmobiling, skating and cross-country skiing. Book cottages and resorts early for July and August, and confirm all prices and seasons.
Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst, Gravenhurst, Ontario, P1P 1R3, Canada
The region is open year round, but most services run on a seasonal calendar. Steamship cruises, boat tours, lake swimming areas and many seasonal restaurants operate from late spring to early autumn, with the busiest weeks in July and August. Resorts stay open in winter with a different mix of activities such as skating, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, depending on snow and ice. Some smaller shops, cottage rentals and attractions close from late October until May. Hours for museums, lookouts and parks vary by year, so confirm with the town, the park or the operator. Highway traffic is the real schedule: leave Toronto before Friday noon or after Friday evening rush.