Muskoka For Beginners 🛶
Jun 8th, 2025
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Guide for Muskoka Lakes and Algonquin Provincial Park of Ontario
How to use this guide
The cottage country for the world. While Muskoka is busy all summer, it is most renowned, and the busiest, during autumn, when the leaves are changing and the forest is carpeted with amber and gold.
- The Lake Muskoka Loop
- Beautiful driving route to see the fall leaves change, or just the gorgeous small towns along the way.
- Natural Scenery
- The best hikes, viewpoints, lookouts, and waterfalls.
- Attractions
- Ideas for activities and family fun.
- Best Restaurants
- The best foods Muskoka Lakes and Algonquin have to offer. Keep in mind that a lot of restaurants only open during the summer and fall cottage seasons.
Transportation
Mostly driving. Keep in mind if you're driving into Algonquin, that a vehicle pass is required and can be purchased online or at the West Gate in order to stop at any Algonquin Park hikes or attractions. Huntsville will be the last major stop for gas, groceries, and humanity in general before entering Algonquin.
Bus routes along the Orillia, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville line.
Lodging
Airbnb for cottages, hotels around the Lake Muskoka Loop, Lake Rosseau, and Huntsville, plenty of camping.
Ideas for activities
- Kayak
- Canoe
- Hiking
- Camping
- Mountain biking
- Golf
- Astronomy
- Fishing/Ice Fishing (Winter)
- Boating/Jetski
- Arts and crafts shopping
- Farm/brewery tours
Foliage Season
Foliage is usually in full colour from Late September to mid-October. Check daily Algonquin updates for details: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/general_park_info/fall-colour-report.php. Muskoka foliage will be a few days earlier than Algonquin.
Resources
Muskoka Official Tourism Site: https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/
Algonquin Official Tourism Site: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/index.php
The Lake Muskoka Loop
1
Gravenhurst
From the web: Gravenhurst is a town in the Muskoka Region of Ontario, Canada. It is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Bracebridge, Ontario. The Town of Gravenhurst includes a large area of the District of Muskoka, known to Ontarians as "cottage country.". Wikipedia.
2
Bala
From the web: Bala is a compact rural community in the township municipality of Muskoka Lakes, District Municipality of Muskoka in Central Ontario, Canada. It is well-known for the Bala Falls, the source of the Moon River, which flows from Lake Muskoka to the Georgian Bay. Wikipedia.
3
Port Carling
From the web: Port Carling is an unincorporated community in the Township of Muskoka Lakes in the Canadian province of Ontario. It has been the municipal seat of the township since 1971. It has several hundred year-round residents and is a service centre for thousands of other seasonal residents in the area. Wikipedia.
4
Bracebridge
From the web: Bracebridge is a town and the seat of the District Municipality of Muskoka in Ontario, Canada.
The town was built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River in the centre of town and is known for its other nearby waterfalls. It was first incorporated in 1875. Wikipedia.
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Natural Scenery
Huckleberry Rock Lookout Point
Must go
Scenic spot
An easy 20 mins hike on some of the oldest rocks in North America leads to this amazing lookout point with panoramic view of the lake.
Wilsons Falls
Waterfall
Nature & Parks
Pretty waterwall just outside of Bracebridge, no hiking required.
Muskoka Falls Beach
Public parking space
Another small chute fall of Bracebridge.
High Falls
Must go
Waterfall
Listen to the incredible power of this 50ft water fall from across the river or right up close.
Lions Lookout
Must go
Scenic spot
Look over the city of Huntsville and into Algonquin Park on this highly elevated lookout.
Stubb's Falls Trail
Hiking area
Take a hike on this beautiful trail alongside a waterfall. 45 mins loop.
Dorset Lookout Tower
Temporarily Closed
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic spot
Climb on top of the high tower over Dorset and Trading Bay for the best view of fall foliage.
Oxtongue River - Ragged Falls Provincial Park
Must go
Park
Nature & Parks
The most impressive waterfall in the park. High, thunderous, and powerful. You can view it from all stages, get up close from the serene flow of the river at the top to the middle of the canyon with strong, tumbling waves.
Centennial Ridges Trail
Hiking area
Nature & Parks
Hiking Trails
4 hours loop. For the advanced hikers and the highest reward, almost 1000 feet above the park.
Track and Tower Trail
Hiking area
3 hours loop with great views of the park.
Canoe Lake of Algonquin Provincial Park
Park
Canoeing area
Great lake for canoe and kayak, it's what Muskoka is all about.
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Temporarily Closed
National park
Nature & Parks
Beautiful beaches and coves for some of the prettiest hikes in this National Park.
Access by pre-purchased ferry tickets only two times a day or your own boat. Hike the north loop as a half-day trip, bike the southern island, or camp out for the night.
Bonnechere Caves
Temporarily Closed
Nature & Parks
Caverns & Caves
Private, paid attraction for a small cave system almost outside of Ottawa.
Killbear Provincial Park
Temporarily Closed
Provincial park
Nature & Parks
More beautiful coastline along the Georgian Bay.
Attractions
Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf
Must go
Park
Board the Muskoka Lake steamship cruise, or enjoy the harbour view, boardwalk, and ice cream.
Big Chute Marine Railway
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
See this remarkable and still active piece of water engineering as boats are lifted hundreds of feet over a road from one lake to the other.
Bracebridge Bay Park
Must go
Park
Park and viewpoint for the Bracebridge waterfall and dam.
Algonquin Park Visitor Centre
Visitor center
Book store
A visitor's centre and a lookout over the park.
Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve
Nature preserve
Museums
Observatories & Planetariums
Great spot to haul over your telescope, and enjoy the full view of the Milky Way even without one.
Clear sky chart: https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/TrrcBrrnsDSPONkey.html
Mew Lake Campground
Campground
Hiking area
The beach at Mew Lake is another excellent location for stargazing, according to enthusiasts.
Clear sky chart:
Northern Escapades Mini Golf
Miniature golf course
Ice cream shop
Small mini-golf course.
Treetop Trekking Huntsville
Temporarily Closed
Amusement center
Amusement park
Your classic treetop experience.
Muskoka Zip Lines & Aerial Park
Temporarily Closed
Amusement park
Recreation center
Theme park
Another fun treetop alternative.
Windsor Park
Park
Nature & Parks
Boardwalk with a view of the lake in Bala.
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
Winery
Food & Drink
Visit a cranberry farm! A Muskoka classic.
Santa's Village: Muskoka's Theme Park
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
A Christmas-themed amusement park.
Kirby's Beach
Beach
Outdoor Activities
A nice beach for some picnic and relaxed people watching.
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Animal protection organization
Nature & Parks
Best way to see the classic wildlifes of the Canadian forest upclose.
Best Restaurants
Din's Fresh Cut Fries
affordable
Hidden gem
Takeout Restaurant
Smash burgers right before you enter Algonquin.
Farmer's Daughter
Gourmet grocery store
Fresh food market
Local goods, fresh foods, and gourmet grocery.
Fox in the Henhouse
Restaurant
Hole in the wall for chicken sandwiches.
Allora
Italian restaurant
Amazing pizza and fine Italian in Huntsville.
Smokin' Hot BBQ - Smokehouse & Grill
Barbecue restaurant
Central Texas and other styles of BBQ and sandwiches.
Crossroads
expensive
Fine dining restaurant
Restaurant
Beautiful high-end dining in Rosseau.
Pete's Links
Hidden gem
Takeout Restaurant
Passing by Port Carling? Stop by this roadside stand for a top-tier sausage in a bun.
Ice Cream for Breakfast | Closed for the Season!
Temporarily Closed
Ice cream shop
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Ice cream and waffles in this adorable stand.
The Smokin Birds
Temporarily Closed
Hidden gem
Barbecue restaurant
BBQ and burgers are absolutely perfected in this small shop in Bala.
Jack & Stella
Cafe
Bar
Gorgeous cafe on the waterfront in Bala.
The Pearl Muskoka
Temporarily Closed
Restaurant
One of the biggest names in fine-dining in the region with a clean and lean operation that offer dishes and takeouts.
My Neighbour’s Kitchen and Grill
Temporarily Closed
Food court
Filipino restaurant
Super creative Asian fusion food truck just outside of Bracebridge.
NidNoi
Hidden gem
Thai restaurant
Takeout Restaurant
You did not expect top-tier Thai food in the middle of Bracebridge, but you've got it.
The Oven Woodfire Pizza
Takeout Restaurant
Creating pizza in a woodfire owen west of Bracebridge.
Henry's Fish Restaurant
Restaurant
Famous fish and chip shop in Parry Sound
Famous Archie’s
Restaurant
Smash burgers in Orillia
Mariposa Market
affordable
Bakery
Gorgeous bakery with country charm.
Kawartha Dairy Orillia
Must go
Dairy store
Ice cream shop
Get mountains of ice cream on an amazing deal and try Ontario-only flavours like tiger's tail, maple pecan, and moose track.
The Fishbowl Restaurant
Temporarily Closed
Hidden gem
Caribbean restaurant
Trini gems in the middle of Huntsville
Sawdust City Brewing Co.
Brewery
Food & Drink
A popular tourist spot for some food truck eats and local craft beers tasting.
Rosseau Market
Market
Shopping
Flea & Street Markets
Farmers' market Friday mornings
Gravenhurst Farmers' Market
Market
Farmers' market Wednesday mornings
Webers
cheap
Hamburger restaurant
Fast food restaurant
Some considers this 60 years old iconic pitstop and its charcoal grilled burgers a must before entering Muskoka.
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