Why Muskoka Beats the Hype
Most people think Muskoka is only for celebrities and million-dollar cottages. The truth is simpler. The region has close to 100 resorts, and it has been hosting regular travellers for almost 150 years.
Muskoka is Ontario's third most popular tourism destination, behind only Toronto and Niagara Falls. Yet you can still book a clean lakeside room in the shoulder season for close to $100 a night.
The region sits about two hours north of Toronto. It stretches from Algonquin Park in the east to Georgian Bay in the west. Three big lakes anchor it all: Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph.
Find the Right Kind of Stay
Not all resorts are the same, and picking the wrong type is the fastest way to waste a vacation. A quiet couple does not want a waterpark. A family of five does not want a spa-only property.
Start with our guide to resorts and lodges, then narrow it down. We cover full-service resorts, cottage resorts, family resorts, romantic getaways, fishing resorts, and pet-friendly resorts.
Match the property type to your trip first, and the town second. Every resort category exists in almost every part of Muskoka.
More Than a Pretty Lake
Muskoka has over 100 hiking trails, some of Canada's best golf, and the first protected dark-sky preserve in the country at Torrance Barrens. Winter brings a famous 1.3 km skating trail through the forest at Arrowhead Provincial Park.
Browse things to do, plan time on the water with our boating and paddling guide, or check events and festivals before you pick your dates.
The busiest eight weeks are July and August. The best value is May, June, September, and October.
Plan It in One Evening
You do not need weeks to plan a Muskoka trip. Pick a region using our regions and towns guide. Pick a resort type. Check travel deals and packages for your dates.
Then use our plan your trip page for driving times, the new Northlander train option, packing tips, and season-by-season advice.
If fishing is your thing, watch the live LodgeStream feed below and see what is happening on the water right now.