Why millions escape to Canada’s ‘cottage country’ every summer—and how to do it right

Muskoka, the lake region north of Toronto, Canada, is affectionately known as Cottage Country. Yes, it’s home to that cottage—the one on the shores of Lake Muskoka made famous in the final episode of Heated Rivalry’s first season—but it’s been a place to relax and unwind for hundreds of years. And for millennia before that, it was home to the Indigenous communities of Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabek, Métis, and Haudenosaunee. 

What you should know about Canada's Muskoka region

“‘Muskoka’ came from an Indigenous chief's name,” explains Wendy Fairburn, general manager at the Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre, referring to Mesqua Ukee, a 19th-century Chippawa Tribe Chief. The museum’s exhibitions trace the evolution of Muskoka and its more than 1,600 lakes from its role as a destination for hunters and gatherers to its industrial days, when logging and shipbuilding dominated the region from the 1850s to the 1920s, to the present. 

“But it was always kind of a holiday destination,” says Fairburn. “People came up from the city for the beautiful lakes, for the pristine air, for the wilderness. So, you would have camps, and then small hotels.” 

Today, the hotels are bigger, the cottages more luxe. While many of the 3.2 million people estimated to visit the region each year come from Toronto and elsewhere in Southern Ontario, Americans from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York also make the drive up. 

The size of the cottage you book or the lake you claim as home base is the main draw for this area. “Just get in the lake. Swim, boat, paddle. That’s the heart of it,” says Toben Kochman, co-owner of The Pearl, a market and restaurant open May through October in Bala, one of the region’s small towns.

Muskoka, a region in Central Ontario, has five main hubs. In the eastern half of the region, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Huntsville are larger towns that have all the basic necessities of what you’ll need for a cottage stay, as well as restaurants, galleries, shops, and movie theatres. In the western half, Bala and Port Carling are located along Highway 169 and have a quieter and more relaxed vibe. “Each little town has its own flavor,” says Fairburn.

With tranquil fresh-water lakes hidden among pine, maple, and beech forests, and the undulating terrain of the glacier-formed Canadian Shield, this place was made for the ultimate Canadian summer vacation. “From morning hikes to evening concerts, it’s no secret why this beautiful, rugged landscape is a global favorite,” says Sean Menzie, founder of local news site, The Muskoka Almanac. Here’s how to make the most of it. 

(The essential guide to visiting Canada.)

Best time to visit the Muskoka region

While Muskoka is a year-round destination, it comes alive from May through October, with the peak time for visitors in June and July.

During spring, birders have their pick of venues to spot woodcocks, warblers, and more, in Torrance Barrens Reserve, Fairy Vista Trail, and Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park. It’s also prime time to enjoy maple season. The hiking trail at Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm leads visitors through the bush, following the system of taps that collect the sap from thousands of trees. The annual Muskoka Maple Festival caps the season with live music, games, and a pancake breakfast.

In the summer, take advantage of festival season. Huntsville Festival of the Arts offers an eclectic mix of programming, from Just For Laughs comedy shows to talks by environmentalist David Suzuki; Tall Pines turns up the volume for a midsummer weekend with a lineup of indie artists; and Muskoka Chautauqua is a 10-day theatre festival on the shores of Lake Rosseau. 

Fall is leaf-peeping season. “I love fall,” says Fairburn. “The colors are great. The temperature is wonderful.” For optimal views, there are routes you can drive, cruise Lake Muskoka to get a view of fall colors from the water or hike Limberlost Forest for prime vantage points. It’s cranberry season, too, and Muskoka is Ontario’s cranberry capital. Taste the tart fruit in juices, wines, and more at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery. 

Best things to do in Muskoka 

Stop in at Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre for the history and stay for a cruise on Lake Muskoka, which “gives you a feeling of being back in time,” says Fairburn. The center offers one- to four-hour sightseeing cruises, some of which are themed, such as the fall colors tour that sails each autumn. Dinner cruises are also available—an ideal way to soak in a sunset on the water. “The steamship tours are a must-do,” says Menzie. A sail on the restored Segwun, built in 1887, is a historic antidote to the motorized water vessels buzzing around the lakes. 

Kochman’s team at The Pearl has quickly become a local favorite since he opened it with his sister, Elana, and friend Ryan Feldman in 2023. The market-restaurant sources its ingredients from local farms and producers, and guests can stock up at the market or dine in at the restaurant. Pair the Ontario heirloom tomato and avocado salad with halibut katsu tacos or roasted crispy-skinned trout. 

“The food scene in Muskoka is up and coming. You’ve got younger, entrepreneurial chefs doing really specific things with food trucks and pop-ups, plus seasonal, locally sourced ingredients are finally getting the spotlight they deserve. There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening right now,” Kochman says. He also recommends barbecue at The Smoking Birds, blueberry doughnuts at Silver Stream Farms, and a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich at Ice Dreams Soda Shop. Inspired by ‘50s diners, get a waffle cone stuffed with your favorite flavor from Ontario ice cream maker Kawartha Dairy. Moose Tracks, vanilla ice cream with chocolate peanut butter cups and fudge, is a classic option.

Pack a picnic for a full day to explore Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Canada’s smallest national park. Straddling two bioregions, the island park is rich in biodiversity. “Birdlife from raptors to songbirds fly above, small mammals scamper through forest undergrowth, and larger mammals such as fox and bears frequent Beausoleil, the largest of the islands in the park,” says Annique Maheu, acting superintendent of Georgian Bay Islands National Park and Beausoleil Island (Bimadinaagogi) National Historic Site. Parks Canada offers guided hikes through the park, as well as a virtual guided tour on the Parks Canada app that features stories by Anishinaabe First Nations knowledge holders. 

For a high-energy night out, a concert at The Kee to Bala is a must. Kochman calls it “a quintessential Muskoka summer experience.” The venue dates to the 1930s as a concert hall. Today, it’s a stop on the summer tour route for top Canadian bands. 

(Here are 10 national parks in Canada you need to visit.)

Where to stay

You don’t need to stay at a cottage to live the cottage life when visiting Muskoka, but you can book one through Airbnb or local rental agencies. Barlochan Cottage, which appeared on Heated Rivalry, is available to book through Airbnb and Jayne’s Luxury Rentals. (Airbnb will release summer dates on June 1, 2026, and will appear on Jayne’s Luxury Rentals starting July 1, 2026.)  Options range from rustic cabins to spectacular mansions. “Some lakes allow full motorized boating, and others have motor restrictions. When renting a cottage, be sure to check the lake rules and regulations to make sure they align with your plans on the water,” advises Menzie.

Several resorts offer access to a lake and all the fun that comes with it. Located at the north end of the region, JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa on Lake Rosseau is known for its spa, two private beaches, and nature trails. Guests can rent bikes on-site to explore the area. 

Nearby, on Lake Rosseau, Windermere House is a historic resort dating back to 1870. Guests can rent a boat or book a round of golf at the neighboring Windermere Golf and Country Club.  Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville or Taboo Muskoka in Gravenhurst are family-friendly resorts that offer easy access to two of the region’s main towns.

For campers, Georgian Bay Islands National Park and Arrowhead Provincial Park offer camping and cabin rentals. While equipped with beds and kitchenettes, you must bring your own bedding, food, dishes, and cutlery for meals. 

(Seven places to stay in Canada.)

How to get there

Muskoka is roughly two hours from Toronto by car. It’s a local tradition that every trip includes a stop at Webers, the roadside burger stand on Highway 11 just south of Muskoka. 

The regional rail service Ontario Northland relaunches The Northlander late spring or early summer. The train, running four to seven days, a week depending on the season, starts its journey at Toronto’s Union Station, making stops in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Huntsville. Taxi services are available throughout the region—Muskoka Lakes Taxis and SnapCabs are good options—but it’s best to book ahead to secure a ride.