Lake of Bays: Lakes, History and Nature

Lake of Bays combines a landscape shaped by lakes with historic places and a circular route that can be planned as an outing in its own right. The township is located in northeastern Muskoka next to the world-famous Algonquin Park; Lake of Bays has 100 lakes to explore. If you’re looking for a vacation rental or holiday home, you can first consider whether water, walks or a drive through the region will be the focus of your vacation. There are also a variety of ideas for families planning days together.

The Lake of Bays Scenic Drive and Its Stops

The Lake of Bays Scenic Drive is an 80 km circular route with stops in Baysville, Dwight and Dorset. Along the way, you can enjoy views of lakes and rocky slopes; in September and October, the splendid fall colours are an added attraction. The route can be a focus of your trip in its own right if you’d like to experience several places on a scenic drive. Both the total distance and the planned stops are useful to consider when planning your trip.

One stop offers a tour of the Lake of Bays in-house craft brewery. This places scenic landscapes and an insight into the local brewing culture side by side along the circular route. The Baysville Farmers’ Market offers a different focus: this weekly outdoor market features fresh Ontario produce, handmade goods, baked goods, local meat, flowers and art. It brings food and crafts together in one market, without requiring you to focus your trip on either category alone.

Water and Nature at the Lower Oxtongue River

At Dwight Beach, visitors can launch a canoe or kayak, paddle to the mouth of the Lower Oxtongue River and follow its meanders and oxbows to Marsh’s Falls. Below Marsh’s Falls, the Lower Oxtongue River winds for 4.5 km through a broad valley before flowing into Dwight Bay. This lets you experience the waterscape both from a boat and by following the river’s course.

Marsh’s Falls Nature Reserve has four interconnected loop trails with a combined length of 4 km. Nature events led by experienced local naturalists are also held there. For another way to enjoy the water, Arena Beach in Baysville offers swimming. Baysville Boat Launch has water access, parking and docks. These different options offer concrete ideas if water activities, nature trails or time at the beach are to shape your travel plans.

Historic Trails and Experiences

Three historic walking trails and a paddling guide to local sites of historic and cultural interest are available for the township. Self-guided historic walks lead through the historic communities of Baysville, Dwight and Dorset. The Baysville Historic Walking Trail is 5 km long and runs along both the east and west sides of the river. Along the way, it passes historic homes, churches and shops; it also includes a nature trail in Van Setter’s Park that leads to a lookout over the rocky slope on District Road 117.

The Dorset Heritage Trail follows a different route: the marked loop is about 1.5 km long and goes up and down Tower Hill. It starts and ends at the Dorset Heritage Museum, just off Highway 35. The two trails clearly differ in length and route: in Baysville, the trail extends along both sides of the river, while the Dorset loop includes Tower Hill. This lets you choose between these historic walks when planning your day, without inferring a walking time from the distances provided.

The SS Bigwin also combines a water-based experience with history. It offers a 90-minute narrated historical cruise on Lake of Bays; museum admission is included with every ticket. The SS Bigwin is a lovingly restored 1910 steamship. For families and others travelling together, this offers another way to plan a day around a historic theme.

For more community pages, you can also visit Gravenhurst, Mactier, Baysville, Torrance, Dwight, Bala, Honey Harbour and Dorset.

For the broader travel overview: Muskoka District Municipality.