Just ninety-minutes from Ontario is the District of Muskoka which boasts of
their wonderful and breathtaking lakes that have enthralled both locals and
tourists from all over the world. One of the more famous and most visited places
here is the Georgia Bay, located at the heart of the District of Muskoka. The
largest towns in the region are Parry Sound, Huntsville, Bracebridge,
Gravenhurst, Honey Harbour and Port Carling. Although Parry Sound and Huntsville
aren't formally included as Muskoka towns, most people consider them part of
Muskoka cottage country.
The natural beauty of Muskoka comes from the fact that land is covered with
Canadian shield rock. The Canadian Shield is a layer of rock granite that covers
a good portion of Canada, but is most noticeable in the Northern Ontario
region.There are several Canadian artists including Tom Thompson and JEH
McDonald
that brought awareness of Muskoka and the north to mainstream
populations near Toronto. The unbelievable features of the land, lakes and
waterways of the area were the inspiration of these and many others famous
Canadian artists.
There are three major lakes in Muskoka region, which includes Muskoka,
Joseph, and Rosseau. Muskoka's three largest towns, Bracebridge, Gravehurst, and
Huntsville, give visitors many options for activities in the summer season.
Bracebridge, located in the heart of the Muskoka region, is the waterfall
capital of Canada, and home to 22 waterfalls. The town overlooks a number of
waterfalls in addition to both of the Muskoka River's estuaries. The town itself
was built up around a waterfall, with the Muskoka River at the town's
center.
Gravenhurst is a town in the Muskoka Region of Ontario, Canada. It is located
approximately 15 kilometres south of Bracebridge, Ontario. The Town of
Gravenhurst includes a large area of the District of Muskoka, known to Ontarians
as "cottage country." The town centre borders on two lakes: Lake Muskoka, which
is the largest lake in the Region, and Gull Lake, a smaller cottage-bordered
lake. Another lake, Kahshe Lake, is situated ten kilometres south of the town.
Gravenhurst was originally named McCabes Bay and later as Sawdust City.
Gravenhurst was named after a village in England which is mentioned in
Washington Irving's Bracebridge Hall.
The town of Huntsville is another common tourist spot in the region. The area
was first settled, and founded in 1869 by Captain George Hunt, who built a small
agricultural centre there. In 1870, a post office was built and the area was
named Huntsville after Hunt, who became the first postmaster. In the following
year, the Muskoka Colonization Road reached this area. A water route north from
Port Sydney to Huntsville opened in 1877 and a railway route was built by the
Northern and Pacific Junction Railway in 1885, which encouraged development and
resulted in Huntsville becoming officially incorporated in 1886.
Muskoka is one of the most visited tourist regions in Canada and although
most visitors are from Southern Ontario. Muskoka is very beautiful and peaceful
place to visit.
