Lake of Bays Visitors Guidebook
Sightseeing
Only 5 minutes drive from the cottage. 10,000 acres of forest contains many lakes and forest stands with hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing trails throughout that has been made available to the public at no charge
10000+ acres of forest contains many lakes and forest great for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing trails throughout that has been made available to the public at no charge
135 locals recommend
Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve
South Limberlost Road10000+ acres of forest contains many lakes and forest great for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing trails throughout that has been made available to the public at no charge
Beautiful anytime of the year. Great for taking amazing fall pictures.
7 locals recommend
Oxtongue Rapids Park
Beautiful anytime of the year. Great for taking amazing fall pictures.
Great for group activities & families who loves adventure.
93 locals recommend
Treetop Trekking Hunstville
1180 ON-60Great for group activities & families who loves adventure.
Dorset Lookout Tower
1191 Dorset Scenic Tower RdAmazing views.
Echo Valley Nature & Bike Trails
Echo Hills RoadTrailhead & overlook with spectacular views over surrounding hills & the city beneath.
119 locals recommend
Lions Lookout
Lookout RoadTrailhead & overlook with spectacular views over surrounding hills & the city beneath.
Ragged Falls
At Stubb’s Falls, the Little East River rushes down a rock chute. Stop here for a pleasant 2.6 KM hike and is good for all skill levels, best used between May to October.
6 locals recommend
Stubb's Falls Trail
At Stubb’s Falls, the Little East River rushes down a rock chute. Stop here for a pleasant 2.6 KM hike and is good for all skill levels, best used between May to October.
High Falls
High Falls RoadAlgonquin Provincial Park
Ontario 60The wildest and most scenic falls on the North Branch of Muskoka River. Located just to the north of the Downtown Bracebridge area off of River Road, Wilson’s Falls has a great walking trail which provides a spectacular view of the falls. A picnic area is also available.
51 locals recommend
Wilsons Falls
The wildest and most scenic falls on the North Branch of Muskoka River. Located just to the north of the Downtown Bracebridge area off of River Road, Wilson’s Falls has a great walking trail which provides a spectacular view of the falls. A picnic area is also available.
"Lovely beach and dock swimming, walking paths, views of the falls
18 locals recommend
Bracebridge Bay Park
2 Dominion St
"Lovely beach and dock swimming, walking paths, views of the falls
Bala Falls
Santa's Village: Muskoka's Theme Park
1624 Golden Beach RoadLake of Bays Scenic Drive: Drive the 80km loop around the lake by car or experience the route by bike, boat, or snowmobile! This is an incredible way to view the fall colours.
9 locals recommend
Lake of Bays
Lake of Bays Scenic Drive: Drive the 80km loop around the lake by car or experience the route by bike, boat, or snowmobile! This is an incredible way to view the fall colours.
-Estimated attendance of just over half million people over the last 35 years (not bad for a small town of 700!)
-Hundreds of local community groups and non-profit associations supported
-Over $100,000 in scholarships disbursed
-Over 125 local musicians have graced our main stage
-Over 5000 volunteer hours per decade
-Successfully moved the end of the season to what is now called 'Cranberry'
-Awarded as a Festivals and Events Ontario Top 100 Event
26 locals recommend
Bala Cranberry Festival
3130 Muskoka District Road 169-Estimated attendance of just over half million people over the last 35 years (not bad for a small town of 700!)
-Hundreds of local community groups and non-profit associations supported
-Over $100,000 in scholarships disbursed
-Over 125 local musicians have graced our main stage
-Over 5000 volunteer hours per decade
-Successfully moved the end of the season to what is now called 'Cranberry'
-Awarded as a Festivals and Events Ontario Top 100 Event
Food/ Restaurants
Great food, atmospheres and reasonable prices. Only 13 minutes from the cottage. You must try the local beer, amazing wings and flatbread. Also, try the bacon cedar soup and juicy burgers. All in all, you will not be disappointed. Open for weekend breakfast during summer months.
9 locals recommend
Boiler Room Tap & Grill
25748 Ontario 35Great food, atmospheres and reasonable prices. Only 13 minutes from the cottage. You must try the local beer, amazing wings and flatbread. Also, try the bacon cedar soup and juicy burgers. All in all, you will not be disappointed. Open for weekend breakfast during summer months.
3 Guys And A Stove
143 ON-60Muskoka Brewery
1964 Muskoka Beach RdLake of Bays Brewing Company
2681 Muskoka District Road 117Kawartha Dairy Huntsville
178 ON-60Yummies in a Jar
6 Bay StCanvas Brewing Company
12 John StPublic Beaches
Dwight Beach is the only public beach along Lake of Bays’ 170km shoreline! Only 12 minutes drive from our cottage. :).
Description:
Located on serene Dwight Beach Road, Dwight Beach boasts a beautiful stretch of soft sand beach, picnic tables, Muskoka chairs and boat docking. Washrooms and trailer parking are located around the corner at Gouldie Park. No lifeguard on duty. No overnight boat mooring.
Dwight Beach
1158 Dwight Beach RdThe sandy beach at the base of Hutcheson Beach Road boasts over 100 metres of shoreline on Lake Vernon. Great for Families & young kids; shallow beach.
25 locals recommend
Hutcheson Beach
9 Hutcheson Beach RdThe sandy beach at the base of Hutcheson Beach Road boasts over 100 metres of shoreline on Lake Vernon. Great for Families & young kids; shallow beach.
Port Sydney Falls
Huntsville is home to Avery Beach, a sensational little spot that’s ideal for soaking up a sunset
15 locals recommend
Avery Beach Park
2 Yonge St NHuntsville is home to Avery Beach, a sensational little spot that’s ideal for soaking up a sunset
Kirby’s Beach is a fantastic family-friendly spot with picnic tables, a playground, and washrooms that you’ll definitely want to take the kids to – especially because it’s so close to Santa’s Village.
24 locals recommend
Kirby's Beach
1010 Kirbys Beach RdKirby’s Beach is a fantastic family-friendly spot with picnic tables, a playground, and washrooms that you’ll definitely want to take the kids to – especially because it’s so close to Santa’s Village.
Winter Activities
The Ice Skating Trail will open for the 2021/22 season January 4, 2022 and skating will be available daily (weather permitting).
Check out the Ski Report on the Ontario Parks website (updated daily at 9:00 a.m.) for skate and ski trail conditions
The Provincial Park can get extremely busy during peak times (the weekend) and often reaches capacity.
354 locals recommend
Arrowhead Provincial Park
451 Arrowhead Park Rd The Ice Skating Trail will open for the 2021/22 season January 4, 2022 and skating will be available daily (weather permitting).
Check out the Ski Report on the Ontario Parks website (updated daily at 9:00 a.m.) for skate and ski trail conditions
The Provincial Park can get extremely busy during peak times (the weekend) and often reaches capacity.
Outdoor skating loop at Dwight Beach is open seasonally yand weather dependent. Lighting for evening use.
COVID Regulations:
Provincially regulated outdoor group size maximums and social distancing must be adhered to (25 people maximum on the ice)
Change rooms are closed
No gameplay is permitted. This includes hockey and shinny
Dwight Beach Road
Dwight Beach RoadOutdoor skating loop at Dwight Beach is open seasonally yand weather dependent. Lighting for evening use.
COVID Regulations:
Provincially regulated outdoor group size maximums and social distancing must be adhered to (25 people maximum on the ice)
Change rooms are closed
No gameplay is permitted. This includes hockey and shinny
Snowmobiling - Lake of Bays Watch Tour is a nice day ride (approx. 200km) through Lake of Bays and the Huntsville area. Tour highlights include ice cliffs, the Big East River Bridge, Oxtongue Rapids and the Dyer Memorial. This scenic loop takes you through Baysville and Dorset, and close to Huntsville and Dwight. We suggest you start your tour at Port Sydney Ultramar (just ask before you park), and take D103B east to D102B.
9 locals recommend
Lake Muskoka
Snowmobiling - Lake of Bays Watch Tour is a nice day ride (approx. 200km) through Lake of Bays and the Huntsville area. Tour highlights include ice cliffs, the Big East River Bridge, Oxtongue Rapids and the Dyer Memorial. This scenic loop takes you through Baysville and Dorset, and close to Huntsville and Dwight. We suggest you start your tour at Port Sydney Ultramar (just ask before you park), and take D103B east to D102B.
It is tough to have a list of Muskoka winter activities and not include snowshoeing. Recreational snowshoeing is immensely popular in Muskoka today, featuring hundreds of kms of great trails throughout the region. If you are looking for trails with rentals on-site, try Liv Outside in Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in Bala, the Gravenhurst KOA and Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville.
Snowshoe Trail
Snowshoe TrailIt is tough to have a list of Muskoka winter activities and not include snowshoeing. Recreational snowshoeing is immensely popular in Muskoka today, featuring hundreds of kms of great trails throughout the region. If you are looking for trails with rentals on-site, try Liv Outside in Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in Bala, the Gravenhurst KOA and Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville.
Great Skiing. Only 9 minutes drive from the cottage. They have great night skiing rates from Thursday-Saturday.
125 locals recommend
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and Muskoka Ski Club
1655 Hidden Valley RdGreat Skiing. Only 9 minutes drive from the cottage. They have great night skiing rates from Thursday-Saturday.
Eclipse “Walk with Light” is an interactive, unique and artistic sound to light forest night walk at Muskoka Heritage Place (starting at the Rotary Village Station - 100 Forbes Hill Drive) in Huntsville, Ontario
Participants walk a circular path of light, where they will encounter unique heritage buildings and illuminated soundscapes linked to the seasons of the year, and the cycles of the day and moon.
There will be music, spoken words and thousands of interactive lights that will respond to sounds created by the visitors themselves.
Visit website for more info.
https://www.eclipselightwalk.com/about
43 locals recommend
Muskoka Heritage Place
Muskoka Heritage PlaceEclipse “Walk with Light” is an interactive, unique and artistic sound to light forest night walk at Muskoka Heritage Place (starting at the Rotary Village Station - 100 Forbes Hill Drive) in Huntsville, Ontario
Participants walk a circular path of light, where they will encounter unique heritage buildings and illuminated soundscapes linked to the seasons of the year, and the cycles of the day and moon.
There will be music, spoken words and thousands of interactive lights that will respond to sounds created by the visitors themselves.
Visit website for more info.
https://www.eclipselightwalk.com/about
Skate a 1.2 km loop around 12 acres of cranberries. With forest on one side and cranberry beds on the other, this is a one-of-a-kind experience. Head back to the winery for hot mulled wine or hot cran-apple cider.
Remember, outdoor ice is dependent on the weather, and conditions can change throughout the day. Check their website for updated.
Every Saturday night (weather permitting), the trail is lit with 400 tiki torches for Light the Night night skating. ⛸
Trail Hours:
Daily: 11 am to 4:00 pm
open 7 days/week (weather permitting)
Light the Night: Torchlight skating every Saturday night from 6 pm – 9 pm (weather permitting)
*Things to Know:
-Rentals available
-Skate sharpening available
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
1074 Cranberry Road,
Bala, Ontario. P0C 1A0
Ph: 705-762-3203
110 locals recommend
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
1074 Cranberry RdSkate a 1.2 km loop around 12 acres of cranberries. With forest on one side and cranberry beds on the other, this is a one-of-a-kind experience. Head back to the winery for hot mulled wine or hot cran-apple cider.
Remember, outdoor ice is dependent on the weather, and conditions can change throughout the day. Check their website for updated.
Every Saturday night (weather permitting), the trail is lit with 400 tiki torches for Light the Night night skating. ⛸
Trail Hours:
Daily: 11 am to 4:00 pm
open 7 days/week (weather permitting)
Light the Night: Torchlight skating every Saturday night from 6 pm – 9 pm (weather permitting)
*Things to Know:
-Rentals available
-Skate sharpening available
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
1074 Cranberry Road,
Bala, Ontario. P0C 1A0
Ph: 705-762-3203
** Indoor public skating.
** $9/person
All public skate sessions are limited to 100 participants, online preregistration is recommended. It is strongly encouraged that skaters and guests wear a facial covering over the nose and mouth at all times in the facility, including while on the ice.
All guests and participants must check in with the front desk upon arrival
Skates are available for rent during online registration if needed.
Socks are required when renting skates.
No outside food or beverages allowed.
Huntsville Iceplex
3185 Leeman Ferry Rd SW** Indoor public skating.
** $9/person
All public skate sessions are limited to 100 participants, online preregistration is recommended. It is strongly encouraged that skaters and guests wear a facial covering over the nose and mouth at all times in the facility, including while on the ice.
All guests and participants must check in with the front desk upon arrival
Skates are available for rent during online registration if needed.
Socks are required when renting skates.
No outside food or beverages allowed.
Shopping
🍎🍊🥬🥦🌽🥐🧀🥩🥓🎂🍦
Walmart Huntsville Supercentre
111 Howland DrOpen 24/7 for groceries. 15 minutes from cottage
Metro
70 King William StGroceries just 13 minutes from cottage.
Bullock's Your Independent Grocer
131 Howland DrFreshCo
12 Cann StGood to grab small items that are missing from your grocery list. Only 9 minutes away from cottage, but items sold are a bit pricy.
16 locals recommend
Dwight Market Pharmacy
2836 ON-60Good to grab small items that are missing from your grocery list. Only 9 minutes away from cottage, but items sold are a bit pricy.
Good to buy fresh fruit & veg, gourmet food items. Just 10 minutes from cottage.
37 locals recommend
Farmer's Daughter
118 ON-60Good to buy fresh fruit & veg, gourmet food items. Just 10 minutes from cottage.