Muskoka in Winter: A 2-Day Cottage Itinerary and Snow Day Plan
Muskoka is worth a winter trip if you plan around three things: Arrowhead Provincial Park's 1.3 km forest skating trail (skating usually starts in January, weather permitting), a festival weekend such as the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival (February 12 to 14, 2027), and a four-season cottage with a sauna, hot tub or fireplace for the evenings. Here is a 2-day plan, plus what to do if snow keeps you in.
Winter cottage rentals Long weekends planner Call 705-996-6799
Pick a winter-ready base
In winter, the cottage is half the trip. These are the rentals our listings describe as four-season or that have a sauna, hot tub or fireplace for cold nights:
| Cottage | Sleeps · pets | Winter features |
|---|---|---|
| Muskoka Elements, near Bala | 6 · pets by approval | Four-season, cedar barrel sauna, single-level |
| Over the Moon, Bala | 7 · pets by approval | Renovated four-season, barrel sauna, stone fireplace |
| The Mara, Huntsville | 8 · pets by approval | Finnish sauna, hot tub, private theatre, game room |
| Hemlock Retreat, Parry Sound | 10 · pets by approval | Four-season home and bunkie, lake-view hot tub, arcade |
| Bayside, Midland | 12 · pets by approval | Gas fireplace, giant indoor games, covered year-round patio |
| Good Times, Gravenhurst | 12 · pets by approval | Hot tub, arcade, two kitchens |
| Crescent Bay condo, Huntsville | 9 · no pets | Fireplace, 12 km to Arrowhead |
| The Menominee, Lake of Bays | 6 · pets by approval | Woodstove; listing mentions skiing at Hidden Valley |
| Sunrise Lakehouse, Innisfil | 10 · pets by approval | 2.2 km to Friday Harbour; dock and beach closed in winter; bring firewood |
Facts from our live listings, October 5, 2026. The Joseph is listed as a summer retreat. Ask us about winter road access for any cottage before you book.
Day 1 (Saturday): skate the forest, then sauna
- Morning: Arrowhead Provincial Park. The park is 7 km north of Huntsville off Highway 11. Its 1.3 km ice trail winds through the forest, and there are also cross-country ski trails and more than 8 km of snowshoe trails. Reserve a daily vehicle permit online up to five days ahead (from 7 a.m.); on busy weekend days permits sell out, and without one you cannot get in. Skates, skis and snowshoes can be rented at the Pavilion beside the Visitor Centre. Source: Ontario Parks Arrowhead winter guide; check the Arrowhead snow report the morning you go.
- Drive times. From Crescent Bay it is about 12 km by road; from The Menominee about 29 km; from The Mara about 34 km.
- Lunch. Ontario Parks says food at the park is limited to snacks and drinks, so pack a lunch or head into Huntsville.
- Afternoon: downtown Huntsville. Walk the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery murals (Discover Muskoka) and warm up in a café.
- Evening: sauna, hot tub or Fire and Ice. Back at the cottage, it is sauna and fireplace time. Or stay for an Arrowhead Fire and Ice night: evening skates run Friday and Saturday nights from late January, weather permitting, and need the "Day Use + Fire and Ice Evening Skate" permit.
Day 2 (Sunday): a festival or a quiet snowshoe
Option A: time it with a festival weekend.
| Event | Dates | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sandhill Nursery Winter Forest of Lights, Huntsville area | November 13, 2026 into March 2027 | Sandhill Nursery |
| Arrowhead Fire and Ice evening skates | Friday and Saturday nights from late January, weather permitting | Ontario Parks |
| Gravenhurst Winter Carnival | Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14, 2027 | Town of Gravenhurst |
| Parry Sound Snowfest | Friday, February 12 to Monday, February 15, 2027 (details TBA, check before you go) | Town of Parry Sound |
Last checked: October 5, 2026. Dates come from each organiser's own page; confirm before you go.
Option B: snowshoe and a slow brunch. Snowshoe the marked trails at Arrowhead or walk your cottage property, then a big brunch before the 10 a.m. check-out. Plan any town stop for the drive home.
Snow day plan: when the roads say stay put
Check Ontario 511 before any drive. If the plows are still out, make it a cottage day:
- Morning: pancakes, coffee by the fireplace or woodstove, and a board game marathon.
- Midday: build a snow fort or a snow family, then a short walk on the property.
- Afternoon: sauna, then a roll in the snow if you are brave. Saunas at Muskoka Elements, Over the Moon and The Mara; hot tubs at The Mara, Hemlock Hideaway and Good Times.
- Kids' indoor time: arcade games at Good Times and Hemlock, giant indoor games at Bayside, the game room at The Mara.
- Night: movie night (The Mara has a private theatre) or a hot tub under falling snow.
Winter car kit: winter tires, a snow brush and shovel, washer fluid, a blanket, snacks and a charged phone. Arrive before dark if you can.
Cottages for a winter weekend
Muskoka Elements Pets by approval
3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 6 · Hesners Lake, near Bala · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval
A four-season, single-level cottage on Hesners Lake with a cedar barrel sauna, a Muskoka room and a shallow sandy beach for summer. Pets stay leashed on the property.
Over the Moon Pets by approval
3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 7 · Bala, Muskoka · about 2 hours from Toronto · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval
A renovated four-season cottage in Bala with an electric barrel sauna among the pines and a stone fireplace for after the skate.
The Mara Pets by approval
3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 8 · Balsam Chutes, Huntsville · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval
Described in its listing as a four-season wellness retreat: a Finnish sauna, hot tub and hanging hammock behind glass doors to the water, a private theatre with a 75 inch screen and a game room. About 34 km by road to Arrowhead.
Hemlock Hideaway Pets by approval
3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 7 · Parry Sound · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval
Hot tub, games room, pool table, arcade and a wood-burning fireplace, about 4.5 km by road from downtown Parry Sound for Snowfest weekend.
Bayside Pets by approval
4 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 12 · Georgian Bay, Midland · about 1.5 hours from Toronto · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval
A gas fireplace, giant indoor games, a coffee and cocktail bar and a covered lakeview BBQ patio for year-round use. The winter listing mentions snowshoe trails and downtown Midland dining.
Crescent Bay
Condo · 3 bedrooms · 3.5 bathrooms · sleeps 9 · Fairy Lake, Huntsville · about 2.5 hours from Toronto · no pets
A condo, not a cottage: big balcony, lake views, a fireplace and an elevator. About 3 km from downtown Huntsville and 12 km by road to Arrowhead, the closest of these cottages to the skating trail.
Good Times Pets by approval
6 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · sleeps 12 · Morrison Lake, Gravenhurst · about 1.5 hours from Toronto · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets by approval
Hot tub, arcade, PS5, foosball, air hockey and two kitchens for 12 guests. The listing describes it as a cottage for any season.
Pet policy: pets are allowed only at the rentals marked "Pets by approval": small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets, and larger dogs once you share weight and breed for approval. A pet fee applies, shown at checkout. Every other property is no pets. Always confirm your pet with us before booking: call 705-996-6799. See the full list on our pet-friendly cottage rentals page.
Winter with a dog
- Arrowhead rule: pets are not allowed on the skating trail or ski trails; they are welcome by the firepit area at the start of the skating trail (Ontario Parks).
- Ice: keep your dog leashed near the shore and never assume lake ice is safe.
- Paws: wipe or rinse paws after walks on salted roads and driveways.
- Confirm first: pets are allowed only at the rentals marked "Pets by approval". Call 705-996-6799 about your pet and a specific cottage before you book. More tips in our dog-friendly cottages guide.
Plan around the winter long weekends
Christmas and New Year's both fall on Fridays this season, Family Day is Monday, February 15, 2027 (with a TDSB PA day on Friday, February 12), and TDSB March Break runs March 15 to 19, 2027. Dates, school breaks and what's on are in our Ontario long weekends cottage planner. Minimum stays vary by property and holiday; call to check.
More winter guides
- Top winter activities in Muskoka
- Winter and ski cottage rentals
- March Break in Muskoka
- Ontario long weekends 2026-2027 cottage planner
- Muskoka cottage rentals: the trip hub
- Pet-friendly cottage rentals
Frequently asked questions
Is Muskoka worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you plan around a few anchors: the Arrowhead Provincial Park skating trail, a winter festival weekend such as the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival (February 12 to 14, 2027), and a cottage with a sauna, hot tub or fireplace for the evenings.
When does the Arrowhead skating trail open?
Ontario Parks says skating usually begins in January, depending on the weather and ice. Check the Arrowhead snow report before you drive.
Can dogs go on the Arrowhead ice trail?
No. Pets are not allowed on the skating trail or the ski trails. Ontario Parks says they are welcome by the firepit area at the start of the skating trail.
Do I need a reservation for Arrowhead in winter?
To guarantee entry, yes. Ontario Parks sells daily vehicle permits online up to five days ahead, starting at 7 a.m., and busy weekend days can sell out. Fire and Ice nights need the "Day Use + Fire and Ice Evening Skate" permit.
When is the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival 2027?
Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, according to the Town of Gravenhurst. That is Family Day weekend.
Which Muskoka cottages are good in winter?
Look for four-season cottages with a sauna, hot tub or fireplace: Muskoka Elements and Over the Moon near Bala, The Mara near Huntsville, Hemlock Retreat in Parry Sound, Bayside in Midland and Good Times in Gravenhurst. Ask us about winter access for any cottage before you book.
What do you do at a cottage on a snow day?
Check Ontario 511 first. If the roads say stay put: a slow breakfast, board games, a snow fort, a sauna or hot tub session, and a movie night. Cottages with games rooms, a theatre or a sauna make the day easy.
Is Parry Sound Snowfest on Family Day weekend?
Yes. The Town of Parry Sound has posted Friday, February 12 to Monday, February 15, 2027. Full details are TBA, so check before you go.
Plan your winter weekend
Tell us your dates, your group and whether a pet is coming. We'll match you to a winter-ready cottage.
Own a cottage in Muskoka, Parry Sound, Georgian Bay or Lake Simcoe?
Winter weekends like these are when guests look for four-season cottages. Homeseeker manages 4+ bedroom waterfront cottages: Airbnb and VRBO listings, daily dynamic pricing, cleaning and inspections, guest communication and STR licensing.
