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From Wikitravel

The Muskoka [1] area of Ontario, Canada is a rolling expanse of forest and lake, quietly beautiful. Highlights of the area include Georgian Bay with its rocky inlets and wood-lined shores. It was scenery like this - and further east, in the Algonquin - that inspired Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven painters. The view, as evening falls over the silver water, broken by the low outlines of islands (there are about 30,000 in the Bay) is hauntingly beautiful.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Cities

(North to South)

• Huntsville
• Township of Lake of Bays
• Bracebridge - a small town, but with some spectacular falls.
• Gravenhurst

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Much of Muskoka, especially around Georgian Bay or any other body of water, is private property. Towns such as Honey Harbour are filled with fenced cottages whose residents may not be very welcoming. Unless you are renting a cottage, it is better to stay away from the towns and instead turn to the many provincial parks in the area. These offer parking, facilities, access to the water and campgrounds.

If you are interested in boating, do not expect to find boat rentals by Muskoka's lakes. If you drive in through Barrie, it has several rental shops you can stop at before heading further north.

[edit] Talk

[edit] Get in

You can reach Muskoka on a day trip from Toronto. Since it is such a large area, travel times can vary. From Toronto, most tend to take Highway 400 north, through Barrie, then have a choice of whether to continue on the 400 or change to Highway 11. The former generally takes you to western areas of Muskoka (i.e. Port Severn, Midland), while the latter takes you to the more well known cities of the area (i.e. Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville).

Since there are so many lakes between the two highways and around them, there are hundreds of winding "cottage" roads taking a traveller to more specific areas and smaller towns, such as Bala and Rosseau. The main highways between the major two are highways 169, 118, and 69.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

Six Mile Lake Provincial Park [2]. A park right off the 400. Parking, campgrounds and facilities available. Allows access to Six Mile Lake, perfect to explore on canoe. Much of the coast is private property, but still a great Muskoka experience. Ideal for a day trip.

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

• ReelPro Fishing Charters, 1217 Muldrew Lake Rd, Gravenhurst P1P1T9, ☎ 705-238-3637, [3]. Daily fishing charters on Lake Muskoka, great family fun. www.reelpro.ca mike@reelpro.ca  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-Range

• Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf (on pristine Lake Muskoka) [4]. 285 Steamship Bay Road, Phone: 1-705-687-6600, Toll-free: 1-866-580-6238. The Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf is the newest Muskoka Hotel and situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Muskoka offering guest complimentary breakfast, high speed internet access and is pet friendly. Rates from $149 per night.
• Delta Grandview, [5].  edit A hotel with a rustic feel; well-maintained, and like most Muskoka resorts, located deep in the woods overlooking a lake (Fairy Lake).

[edit] Splurge

• The Rosseau, A JW Marriott Resort and Spa (located in the community of Red Leaves) [6] 1050 Paignton House Road, Phone: 1-705-765-1900. The Rosseau, a JW Marriott Resort and Spa, is located in the heart of the Muskoka lakes. Year-round indoor-outdoor pool, outdoor adventures, shops and events of the Red Leaves community and Spa Rosseau await at this JW Resort in Ontario, Canada. Directly located on Lake Rosseau.

[edit] Stay safe

May, early Spring for the areas, is peak time for blackfly and mosquitoes.

[edit] Get out