Muskoka Lakes

Muskoka Lakes is a township municipality in Ontario that encompasses three major lakes: Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph. The waters are ringed by rocky granite shorelines and thick evergreen forests that cover the surrounding terrain.

The municipality was formed in 1971 through the merger of several townships including Watt, Cardwell, Humphrey, Christie, Medora, and Wood. This consolidation brought the scattered lake communities under one administrative framework.

The name comes from Chief Mesqua Ukie, an Ojibwa leader whose people hunted and trapped across these lands before European arrival. The communities around the lakes still honor this heritage through their connection to the water and forest.

Port Carling serves as the main administrative hub with libraries, community centers, and public services accessible to visitors. The region is best explored by car, with roads becoming more challenging during the snowy winter months.

The region experiences dramatic swings in temperature between seasons, creating vastly different experiences depending on when you visit. Summer brings warm days suitable for water activities, while winter demands preparation for heavy snow and freezing conditions.

Location: Ontario

Location: Muskoka District Municipality

Inception: 1971

Shares border with: The Archipelago, Severn

Website: http://muskokalakes.ca

GPS coordinates: 45.10500,-79.58444

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:41