The Best Cottage Areas in Ontario

As you know, much of Ontario is still rugged and wild with beautiful forests, rivers and lakes. Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes and contains about one-fifth of the world's fresh water, so it’s no surprise that Ontario’s cottage country is vast and made up of several regions. Each region has its own distinct features that make it special among cottage lovers. Muskoka is the area most people think of when they think of where people have cottages in Ontario, but you may be surprised to learn about other areas that are just as beautiful, less crowded and are less expensive, both to rent and to own  a cottage in.

Eastern Ontario

Of all the different areas around Ontario where cottages can be found, Eastern Ontario is probably the most isolated and pure cottage experience of all. Nestled into dense forests and on deep, clear lakes are cottages that are perfect for summer vacationing. Many of the deep and sparsely populated lakes of Eastern Ontario make for fantastic fishing and incredibly calm waters that create a beautiful setting for an afternoon hike through the woods or a silent evening canoe ride.

Head east of Toronto on Highway 7 to Ottawa or Highway 401 to Kingston and you’ll get to the peaceful area of Land O’Lakes. Not only is this a great place for a cottage, but there are small villages and towns in the area that have quaint shops and bakeries, festivals and great fishing opportunities. There are over 5,000 lakes in this area, many hidden down winding country roads and others a little more accessible.

Westport

Most people will have heard of the Rideau Canal. This 202-kilometre canal connects Ottawa to the St. Lawrence River in Kingston. There are a total of 45 locks at 23 stations along the route which passes through a number of delightful cottage communities.

Cottages in the Westport area are a great way to experience life in rural Ontario. While taking in all the lake activities, there are also opportunities to live ON the water and explore the Rideau Canal by boat. Renting a cabin cruiser and self-driving through those locks, lakes and rivers either north to Ottawa or south to Kingston is a unique way to spend a vacation.

The Upper Rideau in between the Narrows Lock and the Newboro Lock of the Rideau Canal is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and a boating and fishing paradise. 

Haliburton

For rugged scenery, great hiking and biking trails, a winter wonderland, and the best geocaching in Ontario, Haliburton County is a perfect place for a cottage. The towns of Haliburton and Minden are hives of activity in the summer with plenty of restaurants and quirky stores.  For those who love to be active, there’s so much to do outdoors in every season from kayaking, canoeing and boating in summer to downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter.  The fall colours are also a draw!

Twenty years ago Haliburton was a sleepy little town that came alive in the summer with cottage owners and visitors heading to the hundreds of lakes in the area. Not a great deal has changed except there’s now a Tim Horton’s, a large supermarket and there’s probably twice as many people.

You don’t have to go far to get away from the summer crowds and get back to nature. From a range of hiking trails to suit any ability, to water activities on the internationally renowned Minden Whitewater Reserve, to golf on numerous courses, this is an outdoor lover’s mecca.

Kawartha Lakes

Drive north and to the east of Lake Simcoe and you are in the Kawartha Lakes, another extremely popular location for cottages in Ontario. The meandering Burnt River is wonderful to canoe and kayak, and a stop in Fenelon Falls for an ice cream is a must on a hot summer’s day.

In addition to its beautiful landscape, Kawartha Lakes has a variety of beautiful communities, each with their own unique charm. Cottagers can enjoy a day on the trails, an evening at the theatre and fresh locally grown food. If that weren't enough, the 250 lakes and rivers offer endless opportunities for cottage properties and exploration.

Kawartha Lakes is famous for rural appeal and outdoor recreation, particularly water sports on its numerous lakes. Boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are all popular activities. And there's even more to do out of the water, such as exploring historic towns, hiking, camping and wine tasting.

Because Kawartha Lakes is relatively close to Toronto, it is a very popular place to have a cottage.

South-Western Ontario

Although not really “cottage country”, this is a great choice nonetheless if you like the idea of a Great Lake cottage. There are some wonderful spots on Lake Erie that have been cottage favourites for generations such as Port Stanley and Port Colborne: towns with lots of fun stuff for families to enjoy. The big draw are the beaches with long stretches of sand.

This area has charm, culture and diverse natural beauty set down between the two Great Lakes. Cottages spread from southernmost point of mainland Canada or to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. This area is popular as it has some of the world's most renowned birding spots and you can witness the spectacular late summer migration of thousands of monarch butterflies. Cottagers can hike along towering limestone cliffs and through rare Carolinian forests.

Southwestern Ontario is Canada’s southernmost region, sharing a latitude and similar temperature with central Italy and northern California. Its milder climate means extended growing and harvest seasons, so there is also a great deal of agriculture in the area. The area has a wide array of farm-to-table restaurants and farmers’ markets, as well as wineries, craft breweries, cideries and distilleries.

Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe

Lake Simcoe is the closest big lake to Toronto and is home to fishing, sandy beaches, and the traditional lakeside towns of Keswick, Beaverton, and Orillia at the northern end.  Then go northwest a little to find endless sand on Lake Huron from Midland to Wasaga Beach. This is a great winter playground with Blue Mountain, Hardwood Hills and Mount St Louis Moonstone in the area.

Often referred to as the sixth Great Lake, Georgian Bay features more than 30,000 islands and 2,000 kilometres of shoreline. Georgian Bay's beauty is serene. Windswept pines, majestic towering cliffs, endless beaches and clear blue water all create a one-of-a-kind cottage destination. There is a rich marine heritage and lighthouses dot the coastline.

Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe are one of Ontario’s favourite four season cottage destinations, thanks to stunning geological formations, sandy beaches, caves, snow tubing, downhill and snowboarding slopes nearby. There are also many resorts that have been welcoming families for generations. Mix in outdoor Scandinavian spa baths and forest bathing, craft ciders and local cuisine inspired by the natural beauty of the region, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect cottage location.

Parry Sound

Head up Highway 400 to where it merges with Highway 69 and you’ll be in Parry Sound.  Quieter than its busy Muskoka neighbour, but with the same Canadian Shield terrain, this is a beautiful area for a cottage. The town of Parry Sound is easy to reach from most lakes so a trip into town isn’t a long journey, but you may not want to from your deck or dock on one of the area’s gorgeous lakes. This is traditional cottage country and you’ll find everything here from tiny cottages to mega mansions – with the one thing everyone wants…perfect waterfront.

The Town of Parry Sound is known for its cottage vibes and stunning views, along with a way of living that’s rooted in the outdoor wonders surrounding it. From the beauty and waves of Waubuno Beach and the greenery around the Rotary and the Algonquin Regiment Waterfront Trail to the colourful sunsets and the perfect place for kayaking, boating and canoeing, Parry Sound is a place that people want to be.

During the winter, Parry Sound transforms into a winter wonderland. Winter cottagers come for the snowmobiling, ice fishing and skiing. As one of cottage country’s prettiest places, building a cottage in Parry Sound will ensure that you have a getaway in one of Ontario’s gems.

Muskoka

And finally……Muskoka. This is the most popular area for cottages in Ontario. With good reason. It’s easy to access. Just drive Highway 400 and onto Highway 11 at Orillia and you are heading north to Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville.  Go a little west and you will find Bala, Port Carling and Rosseau. If you like to explore an area, find towns and villages packed with restaurants, great shopping, and drive winding roads with a sparkling lake around every bend, this is the place for your cottage. It’s a little more expensive to have a cottage here, but if you want a great cottage country experience and be fairly close to shopping and eating out, this is a good choice.  If you are willing to drive a little further north, you’ll find the Alamguin Highlands just beyond Huntsville. There are great value cottages in this area and some cool things to do.

Striking lakes and landscapes, abundant wildlife and charming ice-cream communities make Muskoka one of Ontario’s best loved natural playgrounds. The area is renowned for over 1,500 freshwater lakes and mature mixed forests as far as the eye can see, with southern deciduous trees transitioning to northern coniferous pines. Rocky shorelines and exposed Canadian shield formations offer the opportunity to glimpse a moose, beaver or graceful blue heron.

With stunning lakes and vistas being its most defining character, there’s a timelessness to Muskoka. People gravitate to this area for the very same reason they did 150 years ago, and Muskoka ranks high on the list of best places to visit in Canada.