26 Ontario cottage regions 

 

From sandy beaches to rocky cliffs to meandering rivers, Ontario's cottage country has it all. So how do you pick out your piece of paradise? We’ve looked at 26 different regions to give you a head start. And for a closer look where to find the best deals, check out the March 2007 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Sunset Country

Lake of the Woods
Rainy Lake

Two big lakes dominate cottage country in northwestern Ontario: Lake of the Woods (LOTW) and Rainy Lake. Both areas include abundant Crown land - which also means cottages aren't easy to come by. The 3,150-sq.-km LOTW is speckled with more than 14,000 islands, innumerable sandy beaches along its south shore, and countless coves throughout, all making it a favourite playground for boaters. Most LOTW cottagers hail from Winnipeg (a two-hour drive) or the U.S., which isn't surprising considering parts of the lake are in Manitoba and Minnesota. The 4,000-member-strong Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association has an active presence, most recently taking steps to tackle almost annual blue-green algae blooms that cloud areas of otherwise clear water.

The 128-km-long Rainy River links the southern tip of LOTW with the western end of Rainy Lake, which also shares the Minnesota border. Americans make up a large portion of cottagers in this area, as do residents of northwestern Ontario. At 741 sq. km, Rainy Lake is considerably smaller than its neighbour to the northwest, but it still boasts more than 1,300 km of shoreline on the Ontario side. Fishing is great - you'll find walleye, pike, trout, and crappie - and every July the lake is home to the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships. As at LOTW, the plentiful wildlife includes moose, deer, eagles and, for lucky spotters, lynx and marten. About 175 cottagers and year-round residents are members of the Rainy Lake Conservancy, which works with consultants, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to monitor water quality (good news so far), and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect the diverse flora and fauna.

Want a virgin island of your own? No can do. All vacant islands owned by the Crown were designated as conservation reserves in 2002, which means that no new development can take place.
- Bonnie Schiedel

 

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2. North of Superior 

There are two main cottaging choices in the Thunder Bay area: You can opt for the shores of Lake Superior, with its spectacular cliffs, crashing waves, and pebbled or sandy beaches. Or you can head to one of the numerous inland lakes of varying sizes that lie within an hour's drive of the city, such as Dog, Shebandowan, One Island, Hawkeye, Loon, and Trout. Kayakers and sailors love to explore Superior's rugged coastline. The water is famously cold, but sheltered, shallower bays enable you to take a dip without turning blue. If you throw out your back waterskiing or blueberry picking on any of these lakes, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, which opened in 2004,  isn't far away. There's plenty of Crown land, which means development is limited, and only a handful of properties come up for sale every year. Many cottagers are from Thunder Bay, although Americans are starting to discover the area, increasing demand and pushing up traditionally low prices.

Further afield, the terrain is even more pristine, but its remoteness means facilities such as health-care centres and marinas are scarce. To the north lies Lake Nipigon, with few access points and a small number of cottages that rarely come on the market. Popular spots include Lac des Mille Lacs to the west, Whitefish Lake to the southwest, and the town of Rossport on the eastern shore of Lake Superior. Dozens of sparsely populated cottage lakes radiate out from small towns such as Ignace, Atikokan, and Dryden. No matter where you cottage in the area, you're guaranteed to have lynx, bears, moose, and eagles as neighbours, not to mention killer mosquitoes and blackflies, given the rugged terrain, isolated location, and number of suitable breeding areas surrounding many of the cottages in the region.
- B.S.

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3. Timiskaming & Temagami 

Temagami is a land of old-growth pines, deep lakes, and lofty summits. Ancient portages still stitch together the waterways, and 30-metre fire lookouts still tower (and in some cases, teeter) atop the hills. A region that inspires strong emotions, Temagami has been a focus for land-use debate. During the 1980s and '90s, a battle was waged between environmentalists and logging companies, as well as between the Temagami aboriginal community and the government. Disputes still flare up from time to time over new logging licences and lingering land claims.

For cottagers, the grail of the region is sprawling, multi-armed Lake Temagami (the name means "deep water by the shore"). The lake's mainland is, for the most part, off limits, owing to a long-standing "skyline reserve" (a buffer of trees), meaning nearly every cottage is on an island. That said, there are plenty of islands - more than a thousand - but demand is high for the few that go on the market.

Lady Evelyn Lake, to the north, is nearly as big, but less populated, as well as less convenient to access. Properties here are cheaper, but even harder to come by. There are numerous other cottaging options, however. Properties can be found on smaller neighbouring lakes such as Cassels, Net, and Rabbit, while farther east and north, the Montreal River, Lake Timiskaming, and Elk Lake are worth considering. Crown and park land are abundant; Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park spans 72,400 hectares, and parts of Lake Temagami may receive waterway park status in coming years, pending First Nation approval. The large numbers of rental houseboats on Lake Temagami can be an occasional nuisance.
- Jim Moodie

 

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4. Algoma & Sudbury 

Granite-rimmed lakes. Windswept islands. Boulder-strewn and beach-scalloped bays. All can be found in this broad swath of north country between Sudbury and "The Soo." Lakes like Panache, near Sudbury, and Matinenda, near Blind River, are both sprawling, attractive, and largely boat-access, where a $100,000 cottage is not uncommon. A train-access property in the Algoma hills, north of Sault Ste. Marie, is cheaper to buy or lease, though complicated to reach, as is a spot smack-dab on the shore of Lake Superior (awe-inspiring views, dread-inspiring dock maintenance).

The population, apart from the two big cities at either end, is thinly spread. That said, communities like Espanola, Blind River, and Elliot Lake offer many services.

Probably the most salient feature common throughout the region, regardless of price, is privacy. Cottages here don't climb over top of one another; even on the recently freed-up lakes near Elliot Lake only 20 per cent of the shoreline will be developed. They also tend to be modest. Crown land is plentiful, as are pike, bass, trout, and walleye. And, regrettably, blackflies. Bug jackets recommended in early summer.
- J.M.

 

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5. French River & Lake Nipissing

After a tough upstream battle on the Ottawa and Mattawa rivers, the voyageurs welcomed the bug-dispersing breezes of Lake Nipissing and a swift downstream journey on the scenic French. Today, after battling up highways 400 and 11, cottagers also breathe a sigh of relief when they reach this relatively untrammelled region. Yes, there are resorts and houses now, not to mention the city of North Bay, but the rugged terrain is virtually unchanged from the days of the fur trade, and much of it is still unpopulated.

French River Provincial Park, created in 1989 and slated to expand by over 20,000 hectares, allows the private properties already in existence to remain, while ensuring that the river's long stretches of wild shoreline will remain undeveloped. Lake Nipissing is not part of this waterway park, although much of the south shore west of South Bay is proposed either for a French River Provincial Park addition or is part of South Bay Provincial Park, and much of the north shore is reserve land belonging to the Nipissing First Nation.

Lake Nipissing is a vast body of water, some 70 km long and containing numerous bays and islands, but it's also remarkably shallow and, consequently, often choppy. Expect a teeth-rattling boat ride on windy days. Water quality is good for recreational purposes, as little industry exists here (particularly since the container-board mill in Sturgeon Falls shut down in 2002), and the moderately enriched conditions support a healthy fishery. Nipissing is famous for its walleye.

The French River is 110 km long, but contains many braids and channels, especially in the labyrinthian delta where it empties into Georgian Bay. The shoreline is composed of lichen-flecked gneissic rock, topped with pine, maple, and pockets of hemlock. Rapids exist, but mostly in one eight-kilometre section; elsewhere, the current is negligible. Some cottages have road access, particularly between the Chaudière Dam and Hwy. 69, but many are reached via marinas at Dokis, Wolsey Bay, the French River supply post, or Hartley Bay. (Some are also on land leased from the Nipissing and Dokis First Nations.) West of Hwy. 69, in the delta region of the river, cottages are primarily boat-access, tend to lack hydro, and have a more rustic character.
- J.M.

 

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6. Parry Sound Central

North of Muskoka, stretching east from its namesake town, the Parry Sound Central region comprises heavily forested, rolling landscapes and lakes that link the stark beauty of Georgian Bay's Canadian Shield islands with the varied woodlands of the interior.

Its inland waters - from Horseshoe Lake in the south, and northward to Manitouwabing, Whitestone, and Harris lakes - are dotted with rocky, pine-covered islands, and seemingly countless bays that offer wind-whipped anglers shelter at the turn of the tiller. Hundreds of kilometres of snowmobile trails criss-cross the region (as do many cross-country ski routes), while the Magnetawan River, which cuts a swath through the northern part of the region from Ahmic Lake west to Georgian Bay, and the Seguin River, further south, offer paddlers an opportunity to explore the area by canoe or kayak.

The new West Parry Sound Health Centre, bringing CT scans and 180 additional beds to the area, opened in late spring 2005.
- Pat Lynch

 

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7. Almaguin Highlands

More remote than Parry Sound Central, the Almaguin Highlands are just beyond desired striking distance for a majority of cottage seekers travelling from southern Ontario. Stretching north from Novar and Dunchurch to Port Loring and Restoule, and east to the border of Algonquin Park, the region retains a relatively low profile, both in terms of cottage demand (and, hence, prices) and geography. Topographically, it's more mellow than its counterpart to the west, with shallower, slightly less rocky lakes and more forgiving shorelines; its larger waterbodies, including lakes Bernard, Ahmic, Cecebe, and Eagle, blend classic Canadian Shield features with the occasional sandy beach and often-weedy bays. The Magnetawan River offers great paddling, as well as cottage properties perched on both its rugged, steeper shores and lower-lying areas.

A pair of provincial parks, Restoule and Mikisew, reside here in the shadow of the neighbouring giant Algonquin.

Towns such as Burk's Falls, Sundridge, Powassan, and South River may not possess all the conveniences of more populated regions but, aside from a full-service hospital, the Almaguin Highlands lacks little in the way of cottage essentials. Grocery, liquor, and hardware stores can be found at many stops along the major north-south route, Hwy. 11.
- P.L.

 

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8. Muskoka

This region's population triples during the summer season, to around 150,000, an easy stat to believe just counting cars merging onto Hwy. 400 from 11 on a mid-August Sunday evening. Wealthy visitors skip the traffic and arrive by floatplane.

With history, geography, and close proximity to Canada's wealthiest and most populous city on its side, Muskoka is home to tiny and large lakes, historic summer homes dating back generations, rustic cabins, and the villas of the super-rich.

The Muskoka experience begins with the "big three" lakes, Rosseau, Joseph, and Muskoka, but the entire region offers stunning views, charming cottage communities, and the attractions of such a settled vacationland; the trade-off is higher prices for starter cottages and, in many areas, heavily congested boat traffic. Excellent golf and boating facilities, summer-long music festivals, theatre, and fine dining options add to the refinement of Muskoka cottaging. If you're looking to build a monster cottage of your own, beware: Recent restrictions on development in Muskoka Lakes township (where "Mo, Jo, and Ro" are located), including a greater shoreline buffer zone and a 7,500-sq.-ft. cap on gross floor area, may hinder your efforts.
- John Degen

 

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9. Haliburton

The list of accolades for this chunk of cottage country, with its wide swaths of Crown-owned wilderness, is long indeed. The granite shorelines can be steep and rugged and are flanked by white pines and leafy trees that turn fiery bright every fall. Many lakes are sparsely inhabited and filled with a range of fish species, bass being the most popular. In summer, nighttime calls of the loon are all but guaranteed, and in winter, hundreds of kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails are a draw for recreational sledders. However, Haliburton's true claim to superiority may be the drive. Avoid the multi-lane highway, if you like, and the route is as good as a cottage drive can get: two-lane highways and county roads that wind past grain silos, grey barns, and blue lakes.

For many years, in fact, Haliburton was undervalued. While it was popular with buyers from Oshawa to Ottawa, Torontonians shied away, preferring Georgian Bay and the better-known lakes of Muskoka. However, as more buyers from the Big Smoke discover this Shield country, within three hours of the city, those days are coming to an end. A boat-access cottage that cost $7,000 in the early 1970s could easily fetch several hundred thousand dollars in today's market. And that's if you can find one - boat-access cottages might be cheaper, but they don't come on the market very often. The million-dollar cottage, a species once found only in Muskoka, has now started popping up on various shores as retirees build four-season homes with full basements.

That said, Haliburton is still a deal, and cottagers continue to be drawn to its smaller, quiet lakes, though Kennisis, Kawagama, and Kashagawigamog offer big stretches of water for sailors and windsurfers.Be aware that many lakes in this region are reservoirs for the Trent system further south, so water levels are controlled by a series of dams and fluctuate from one to 2.5 metres or more over the course of a season.
- Mark Schatzker

 

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10. Lake Simcoe & Lake Couchiching

Once called Lac de Taronto, Lake Simcoe, one of Ontario's largest lakes, adds a bit of wildness to the area's more urban cottaging experience. Summer storms can whip up one- to two-metre swells on the open water, and the resulting breakers have been known to punish docks. Close proximity to Toronto's sprawl has burdened the lake with ever-increasing boat traffic, so quiet afternoons by the water have all but disappeared, especially on weekends. And yet, the appeal of buying on Simcoe and adjoining Couchiching will not wane, considering the promise of a relatively short trip from downtown to dock. Added attractions include being on the Trent-Severn Waterway, fine sport fishing (including some of Ontario's best ice-fishing), and the growing cultural centres of Barrie and Orillia.

The high-density shoreline on Simcoe's western edge has seen an increase in year-round homes. Even backlot cottage properties command a steep price. Prices on Couchiching - locals call it "Cooch" - vary depending on proximity to Orillia. More-affordable cottages are available on the less densely populated northeastern shores of both lakes, though the prices are rapidly catching up. Cottage properties exist on Simcoe's larger islands, but rarely make it to market. However, there are approximately 300 island cottages on lands leased from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. -J.D.

 

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11. Kawarthas

The Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) defines cottaging in the Kawarthas: You're either on the Trent or you're not. The middle section of the 386-km-long boat path cuts through the region, roughly dividing the farmland and limestone plains of the south from the rocky Shield country to the north.

Generally, you'll pay a premium to be on the TSW, with the highest prices on Balsam, Sturgeon, Stony, and Clear lakes, where sales in excess of $1 million are not unheard of. While the boating and fishing are good, swimmers may turn up their noses at some of the shallow, murky, and weedy parts of the Kawartha lakes. The lake levels on the TSW are controlled by dams and locks and, as a result, remain at a constant level over the boating season.

Peterborough and Lindsay, the two biggest communities in the area, both have expanding, full-service hospitals. Dozens of smaller towns lie clustered along the TSW, many of them providing essential services and boat-access points.

Most cottages in the region have road access, with more water-access properties to be found in the northern areas, and many have been converted to year-round use, often with lakeside retirement in mind. Stony Lake is one exception to the road-access rule, with a large number of highly desired island properties. In this long-established cottaging area, vacant lots are hard to come by.

Kawarthas cottagers from southern Ontario are blessed with a wide range of options for getting to the lake. Highway hogs can follow the 401 to the 35/115 combo and take advantage of the four-laned 115 running all the way into Peterborough. Or you can take a scenic drive through rolling farmland by criss-crossing along a variety of backroads. -A.B.

 

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12. Lake Scugog & Rice Lake

Lakes Scugog and Rice can be reached in as little as an hour by car from Toronto. As a result, the two lakes, particularly Scugog, have largely become bedroom communities for people who live on the water and work in the GTA, and the number of strictly recreational properties is steadily dwindling. Hospitals, shopping, and other essential services are readily available. The growing town of Port Perry is perched on the southwest shore of Scugog, while Rice Lake lies directly between Peterborough and Cobourg.

The lakes' other big draws are boating - both are on the Trent-Severn Waterway - and fishing, which is year-round on Scugog. The generally eutrophic conditions - shallow, warm water prone to algae and weeds - are ideal for many sportfish, though not so pleasant for swimming. However, zebra mussels have helped clean up Rice Lake's murky reputation.

Neither body of water has a lake-wide property owner's association, though small road and social groups exist and Scugog is home to a local chapter of the Kawartha Fisheries Association.

Cottagers on Scugog Island can be forgiven for harbouring uncharitable feelings towards a casino at the north end of the peninsula (which was, in fact, once an island). Traffic delays are common leaving the single access road at the south end. Creating a second access point is a priority for the township but, with an environmental study underway and funding needed, this project probably is still at least a couple of years away. -A.B.

 

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13. North Channel & Manitoulin Island

Although it lies within view of the stark quartzite hills of Lake Huron's north shore, 2,766-sq.-km Manitoulin Island feels more like a piece of the pastoral south. Cedar fences flank quiet country roads, while mixed forests (spectacular in the fall) cap its many limestone bluffs. Manitoulin is, in fact, an extension of the Niagara Escarpment, as well as the world's largest freshwater island.

While the deeply notched coastline offers pleasing vantages on both Lake Huron and the North Channel, not to mention access to fine sailing and salmon fishing, the inland lakes are coveted for their relative warmth, calm, and clarity. There are more than 100 of them, many spring-fed. The largest, Lake Manitou, reaches depths of 50 metres and teems with lake trout.

Manitoulin has a vibrant Anishnabe culture. Its six First Nations, which host powwows and art exhibits in the summer, account for nearly half the permanent population of 13,000. Whitetailed deer are nearly twice as numerous as people on Manitoulin. There are two hospitals and exactly one stoplight, which can be found at the swing bridge linking the island to the mainland at Little Current. The other way to reach Manitoulin in the summer is via the M.S. Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which sails between Tobermory and South Baymouth.

Compared with neighbouring areas of the north, blackflies and mosquitoes are scarce on Manitoulin, and its limestone base neutralizes the impact of acid rain. There are numerous hiking trails, and an excellent sand beach at Providence Bay, but virtually no Crown land. Unless you're coming from points north, the commute can be long (from the Toronto area, for example, count on six hours, whether you take the ferry or drive around through Sudbury). Patience may also be required if you want to buy a place on one of the "big three" lakes of Manitou, Mindemoya, and Kagawong where cottages don't come on the market as often.

There are other cottaging opportunities off the Island itself: St. Joseph Island, near Sault Ste. Marie, is like a mini-Manitoulin — all limestone bedrock, largely clad in sugar bush, and accessible by bridge from the mainland.  -J.M.

Next:

Part 2 - Regions 14 - 26

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