Sparkling waters draw visitors every summer to Cottage Country. One of the top summer destinations in Canada for locals and celebrities alike is Muskoka! Known for its lakes, the Muskoka coastline is dotted with pristine sandy beaches. Each welcoming beach enthusiasts to dive in. Plus, with easy access from two main highways in Ontario, many are within a couple of hours drive from Toronto. With over 30 public beaches across the Muskoka District to choose from, how do you know where to go? As a frequent visitor, I’ve rounded up the best Muskoka beaches. Some are ideal for families with kids and others are quiet little hidden gems.
With endless scenic lakes, one of the top things to do in Muskoka in the summer is hit the beach! So, put on your cutest swimsuit, pack the sunscreen, and visit one of the best beaches in Muskoka.
10 Best Muskoka Beaches
Kirby’s Beach
Off of one of the most scenic roads in Muskoka lies one of the best places in Bracebridge to visit in the summer. Kirby’s Beach is set on the shores of Lake Muskoka and is one of the best beaches for families.
Along with being close to Santa’s Village, Kirby’s Beach features an epic playground that’s tucked in the shade. There’s also a number of picnic tables, many also in the shade, and seasonal public washrooms.
With two large parking lots, there’s plenty of space when it gets busy in the heat of the summer. While it’s a popular spot, Kirby’s beach is one of the biggest beaches in Muskoka. Thanks to its size, you’ll find plenty of room to find a patch of sand for yourself.
At Kirby’s Beach you’ll find a long shallow sandbank reaching out into the crystal clear water. This makes it ideal for young kids splashing in the water. Plus, the soft sandy shore is a comfortable spot to relax and soak in the sun.
Another great highlight is that it’s wheelchair accessible, with a ramp leading from the parking lot into the water.
Gull Lake Rotary Park
Minutes from downtown is one of the best beaches in Gravenhurst. The beach at Gull Lake Rotary Park is a favourite among locals. Gull Lake covers 100 hectares and is very shallow, with a maximum depth of 8 metres.
The Gull Lake beach is the largest beach in Gravenhurst. It’s also the only beach in town that has lifeguards as well as swim docks. Other beach amenities include washrooms, a beach volleyball court, and a large parking area. Plus, there are covered and open picnic tables.
Gull Lake Rotary Park is noted as one of the top places to visit in Gravenhurst for many reasons. In addition to the beach, the park is home to Frisbee golf, a playground, and shaded trails. It’s also a great spot to go kayaking.
Another big attraction of the park is Music on the Barge. Sitting just off the shore, close to the beach, is a barge that hosts concerts and shows throughout the summer. Plus, the shows are free!
With so much to offer, a beach, live shows, and so much more, Gull Lake Rotary Park is the perfect spot to spend a summer day in Muskoka!
Insider Tip: A great spot to grab some food near Gull Lake Rotary Park is Shelby’s Chipwagon! The food truck is a five-minute walk from the park and serves the best poutine in town!
MacTier Public Beach
Set along the shores of Stewart Lake is MacTier Public Beach. This lovely spot in Georgian Bay Township is close to downtown and often much quieter than other beaches in Muskoka.
Also known as Stewart Lake Beach, it is a great spot for families wanting to dip their toes or whole body in the water. The beach is small but also has a floating dock. You can bring your kayak or stand-up paddle board and launch them here. There’s also a mobimat, making the beach accessible.
The surrounding park area at MacTier Beach is home to a playground, a covered picnic shelter, and tables. Just a few steps south of the beach is a change room too. One thing to note is that parking is limited and there is no lifeguard on site.
Insider Tip: While not as popular as some other small towns in Muskoka, there’s still a number of things to do in MacTier. There’s a rail museum, restaurants, hiking, and golfing.
Dwight Beach
A great stop on the way to Algonquin Park is Dwight Beach! Located just off of Highway 60, Dwight Beach is perched along the northern shore of Lake of Bays.
Lake of Bays is best known for being home to one of the best boat cruises in Muskoka, aboard the SS Bigwin. Along with being the largest lake in the region, the beautiful and calm lake is a fun spot in the summer thanks to its awesome beach.
Dwight Beach stretches for 150 metres with a wide area in the middle. The sand is soft and perfect for making sandcastles! Amenities at the beach include picnic tables, Muskoka chairs, and a boat launch. Be sure to wander out to the end of the pier to take in the sweeping view of the lake!
A few things to keep in mind are that there is no lifeguard on duty and the public washrooms are at nearby Gouldie Park.
If you’re looking for parking at Dwight Beach, there are limited spaces at the beach as well as designated spots along Dwight Beach Road and at Gouldie Park.
Insider Tip: A great place to grab food nearby is Erika’s! This fabulous bakery and café is a short 5 minute walk from Dwight Beach and has plenty of goodies for the perfect picnic.
Muskoka Beach Park
In the south bay of Lake Muskoka is another great beach in Gravenhurst. Muskoka Beach Park is located a short drive north from downtown Gravenhurst. It’s a quiet place to swim and enjoy some beach time.
As one of the best lakes in Muskoka, I’m always surprised when I visit Muskoka Beach Park and there’s no one there. The beach is a decent size and boasts soft white sand. There’s ample parking with spaces on the same side of the road as the beach and across the street.
The beach also has washrooms, picnic tables, and a little library. Plus, it’s one of the best places in the region to enjoy the sunset!
Views from the beach are dreamy, whether its during the day or when the sun is setting. Out front, you’ll see a number of islands, one of which is called Treasure Island. And off to the right is one of the best waterfront patio restaurants in Muskoka. Taboo Resort features accommodation, golfing, and The Boathouse Restaurant that offers epic views of Lake Muskoka.
Six Mile Lake Provincial Park
Conveniently located just off Highway 400, in Severn, an hour north of Barrie is Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. Best known for being a popular park for camping, the park also features three hiking trails and three beaches.
The beaches in Six Mile Lake Provincial Park are sandy and get busy on summer weekends. However, there’s plenty of room to spread out. Thanks to the shelter bay the beaches are in, the waters are quiet. There are a number of picnic tables and washrooms are a short walk away. Plus, those travelling with their pup will be delighted to know that one of the beaches is pet friendly.
Beyond swimming, if you’d like to get out on the water, the park has kayaks, paddle boats, and canoes available to rent. The facility is just south of the main beach.
Insider Tip: Between beach visits, I highly recommend hiking the park’s Living Edge Trail. Even on a busy weekend it’s quiet and offers a wealth of wildlife viewing, boardwalks, and a diverse range of scenery.
Hanna Park Beach
In one of the best small towns in Muskoka, Port Carling, is also one of the top beaches in Muskoka Lakes. Hanna Park Beach is a great place to soak in the sun and enjoy a refreshing dip in the water. The beach is a popular one with families thanks to the sandy and shallow waters.
Plus, Hanna Park has a ton of fun things to do for families with young children. Highlights include a creative wooden playground that looks like a castle as well as a story trail along the paved pathway that circles the park.
Hanna Park is great for more than just the littles! There’s a basketball court and volleyball net. Other amenities include a large parking lot, bike repair station, and washrooms.
Visitors will find a long list of great places to eat in Port Carling! Downtown is a short drive or a 15-minute walk from the beach. You can grab lunch in town at one of the waterfront patios like Tulo’s Taqueria or Turtle Jack’s. Or pop into York & Mason to pick up some sandwiches and iced coffees to go.
Insider Tip: I highly recommend walking into town and leaving your car at the beach if you’re grabbing food. Parking downtown in the summer is always difficult to find.
Rosseau Waterfront Park
One of the best places to swim in Muskoka is at Rosseau Waterfront Park! In the picturesque village of Rosseau, the park boasts a beautiful stretch of soft sandy beach. The waters of Lake Rosseau are a favourite to many because of its clear and mostly weed and algae free.
The beach at Rosseau Waterfront Park has a long list of features. A big one being the presence of lifeguards. In addition, there’s a diving platform, dock and boat launch. The park is also home to a big red Muskoka chair that you’ll want to grab a selfie in. There are also washrooms with showers, changerooms, a playground, and scenic gazebo.
You can also take part in their swim program for children. Along with this program, the park is the home of the Rosseau Farmers Market, which takes place on Fridays.
Insider Tip: If you’re looking for places to stay, you’ll find one of the best cottages to rent in Muskoka nearby.
The Beaches at Arrowhead Provincial Park
One of the best provincial parks in Muskoka is Arrowhead! Home to a few different beaches, Arrowhead Provincial Park is a great place to go swimming in Muskoka. A perfect activity after a hot summer hike!
Situated along southern shore of Arrowhead Lake, visitors will find three sandy beaches that are interconnected. You can drive to them or walk from each of the four campgrounds. Running for 1km with the Little East River forking through it, the main beach offers plenty of room to spread out on a beach towel.
Swimming at Arrowhead is great because of a few factors. It’s a shallow walkout, which is great for kids. Plus, there are little to no weeds. In addition, there are no motorized boats allowed on the lake, making the waters calm.
The park is home to another beach that’s located along Mayflower Lake. However, there is no swimming permitted in the lake. But it offers a quiet spot to relax in the summer.
Port Sydney Beach
Best known for being home to one of the top attractions in Huntsville, the iconic Port Sydney tree, there’s more to this small town. Beyond the Indian Landing tree and the falls, it’s home to one of the best beaches in Muskoka.
Port Sydney Beach sits on the southern shore of Mary Lake. This popular sandy beach is protected and shallow, making it great for young children. If you’re looking for a deeper dip, head to the end of the pier where you’ll find a swimming dock with ladder.
The beach is a dreamy spot to relax during the summer. It offers scenic views of the lake with nearby Rocky Island and sailboats. Along picnic tables and grassy areas, there are benches to sit and soak in the sun.
This is another accessible beach, featuring a 50-metre ramp that traverses the park and into the water. In addition, there are restrooms, a public boat launch, covered pavilion, and ample parking.
More Amazing Beaches in Muskoka to Visit
Windermere Park – On the shores of Lake Rosseau is Windermere Park, which is also home to a beach. It shares its name with the famous Windermere House, an iconic historic resort in Muskoka. You’ll find sandy and shallow waters at Windermere Beach. The park also features a dock.
Christian Beach – On the western shores of Beausoleil Island is one of the best Muskoka beaches, Christian Beach. As part of the Georgian Bay Islands National Park, you can access the Island via the Day Tripper boat from Honey Harbour. On the Island, you can access the beach from the Georgian Trail or Christian Trail from Cedar Spring Campground. It also offers epic sunsets!
Avery Beach – One of the best beaches in Huntsville is Avery Beach, which is set on Hunters Bay. It’s conveniently located minutes from downtown Plus, it’s along the Trans Canada Trail through town, continues into one of my favourite boardwalk trails. Avery Beach has a large covered pavilion, volleyball net, Muskoka chairs, and signage about the area’s wildlife.
Hutcheson Beach – Set on the eastern shore of Lake Vernon is Hutcheson Beach. This is another top Huntsville beach, especially for families. Hutcheson Beach stretches 100 metres and offers views of Centreview Island. The park around the beach also boasts a playground, picnic tables, and a wheelchair accessible ramp. One thing to note, is that no dogs are allowed on the beach.
Muskoka Falls Beach – Close to Muskoka Falls is a small beach. The beach is located on the south branch of the Muskoka River. There’s a small dock, a couple of picnic tables in the shade, and a seasonal portable toilet. It’s easy to access, just off Highway 11, with on street parking available. However, it’s beside a hydroelectric dam.
5 Tips for Visiting the Beach in Muskoka
There are a few things to keep in mind when visiting beaches. Below are a few key things to think about, including is it safe to swim, what to eat, and leaving the beach trash free.
- Check Swimming Advisories – During the peek of the summer season many beaches issue water advisories due to high levels of bacteria. I check for up-to-date information via Swim Guide.
- Plan Ahead – I also recommend planning ahead. Check the weather in the town you’re planning to visit for rain or thunderstorms. Another factor to consider is traffic conditions, as well as local events happening that can cause for an increase in people.
- Pack Beach Essentials – Ensuring you have everything you need leads to successful beach visit. A few key things to pack for the beach include sunscreen, a hat, towel, and water bottle. Another thing to pack is water shoes as some beaches in Muskoka are full of pebbles.
- Eat Local – As a big supporter of local businesses, I highly recommend eating local when visiting one of these beaches. Grab picnic goodies from local bakeries or farmers markets. Or visit a local restaurant or café for lunch.
- Pack Out Your Trash – While many beaches have garbage receptacles, some do not. So, be sure to pack out your trash to bring home with you.
Final Thoughts on Muskoka Beaches
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly places to swim or relaxing sandy spots, one of these Muskoka beaches will fit what you’re after! With an endless list of things to do, charming small towns, and amazing beaches, Muskoka is the perfect summer destination.
Frequently Asked Questions about Beaches in Muskoka
One of the biggest beaches in Muskoka is Kirby’s Beach in Bracebridge.
The nicest lake in Muskoka is Lake Joseph because of its clear waters.
LIKE IT? PIN IMAGE FOR LATER REFERENCE!
