Visiting or staying at a cottage rental in Muskoka is like visiting a different way of life - Boasting over 1600 lakes, all within about 40,000 acres, Muskoka is comprised of four major bodies of water, Lake Rousseau, Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka, Lake of Bays and the three largest towns of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville. Cottage rentals can be found on these large lakes as well as the smaller ones - in fact, if there is a lake, you will find several suitable lake rentals.
Gravenhurst is the most southerly of the Muskoka towns and it has a rich logging, railroad and steamship history. Back then this was the last port and from here travelers had to proceed by horse-drawn carriages.
It is here that you will begin to see the hundreds of crystal lakes that dot the Precambrian shield landscape. The Muskoka Wharf is located in Gravenhurst – it’s an 89 acre display of Gravenhurst’s unique and varied heritage; home of the oldest operating Steamship, the RMS Seguin, and home to the famous Dr. Norman Bethune. Old railroad lines have been converted to multi-use hiking trails and the historic steamships are used for tourist cruises. An Ontario vacation should include a stop in Gravenhurst and perhaps a cruise on one of the Muskoka Steamships
This area was the birthplace of tourism in the early 1900's. Travelers stayed with the locals who soon developed lodges and resorts to house them - some of which are still standing today. Of course, today's vacationer has no difficulty finding cottages for rent on any lake in any area of Muskoka.
Bracebridge is a picturesque little town nestled along the Muskoka River at the centre of Muskoka. It overlooks roaring waterfalls and boasts that it is Canada’s waterfall capital. Take a drive along the side roads or a walk along the trails to uncover the many natural watercourses, or have a picnic at Bracebridge Bay Park at the foot of downtown, while watching the falls cascading down to the bay. After a day in Town you can return to the solitude of your Muskoka cottage rental and relax while the sun sets and the stars light up the sky.
Huntsville is the largest and most northerly of the 3 major Muskoka towns, with the largest population of 18,000 and growing. Its close proximity to Algonquin Park make it a ‘must visit’ town for nature lovers. The Muskoka River runs through the historic downtown area and connects 4 lakes – Vernon, Fairy, Peninsula and Mary Lake providing the boater or site seer with over 40 miles of boating. Since these lakes are inter-connecting and have miles and miles of shoreline, there are lots of cottage rentals to choose from.
It's here in Muskoka that the vacationer begins to see and feel the unique spirit of this special place – now a year round destination for all kinds of outdoor activities and festivals. Dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing are major attractions in the wintertime, fall colours that have a depth to them not common anywhere else. And of course summer offers a host of activities and attractions including water sports, hiking trails, horseback riding, museums, spas, world class golfing, festivals and some of the finest dining in Ontario. A common destination for vacationers Muskoka offers a wide variety of cottage accommodations on lakes and rivers throughout the area.
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