Welcome to my Big 3 Guide for Muskoka's most popular lakes: Lake Joseph, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Muskoka.

In this article, we'll explore all you need to know — from technical specs to lodgings to fun things to do — when it comes to Lake Joe.

For those in the know, Lake Joseph is Muskoka’s most prestigious and aspirational of the Big 3 Lakes.

Indeed, Lake Joseph cottage owners often attribute Lake Joe’s crystal clear waters by tracing them up to Algonquin Park's pure waters which, after Lake Joseph, “[flow] down through Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka".

Generally speaking, Lake Joseph residents (and its historic Lake Joseph Cottage Association membership) pride themselves on more subdued cottages, which feature longer and more private shorelines and acreages. And, given it has the fewest number of developed cottages among the Big 3 lakes — approximately 1,250 cottages dot the shoreline — Lake Joseph claims to offer more untouched natural beauty.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford a waterfront property on Lake Joe (AKA: "Billionaires Row"), advocates will tell you that owning on this lake — with its whispering pines and Canadian Shield outcroppings — is “like living in a Group of Seven painting."

The Tech Specs

Where Is Lake Joseph?

Lake Joseph sits west of Lake Rosseau, in central Muskoka, and extends into Seguin Township in Parry Sound District. Lake Joe can be accessed via Highways 69 and 632, and Muskoka Roads 7 and 169.

Maximum Depth

93 metres

Surface Area

5,460 hectares

Public Access

Public launches in Cox Bay, Foot's Bay, and numerous marinas.

The Fun Stuff

Restaurants

These are the must-visit eateries in the region.


  • Bala Falls Pub
    Address: 1010 Bala Falls Rd, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-762-3035
  • Beveragino
    Address: 81 Joseph St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 905-616-0525
  • Castle Blue
    Address: 3063 Muskoka District Road 169, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-331-2328
  • Coop Wicked Chicken Port Carling
    Address: 119 Medora St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-0429
  • Crossroads
    Address: 2 Cardwell Rd, Rosseau, ON P0C 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-732-4343
  • Don's Bakery
    Address: 3119 Muskoka District Road 169 #2, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-762-3937
  • Em's Cafe
    Address: 16 Coldwater Rd, Coldwater, ON L0K 1E0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-826-9967
  • Knead Pizza Co
    Address: 1 Lock St E, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 647-204-4019
  • Nicolas Restaurant
    Address: Honey Harbour Rd, Georgian Bay, ON L0K, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-756-9092
  • Pie Wood Fired Pizza Joint
    Address: 114 Medora St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-1518
  • Pizzaville
    Address: 295 Wellington St Unit 10, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1P3, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-645-5557
  • Tulo's Taqueria Muskoka
    Address: 2 James Bartleman Way, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-6538
  • Turtle Jack's Port Carling
    Address: 123 Medora St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-1753
  • Waters Edge Restaurant
    Address: 1072 Elgin House Rd, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-2040
  • York & Mason
    Address: 105 Maple St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-0770
  • Boathouse Eatery
    Address: 177 King St, Midland, ON L4R 3L9, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-527-7480
  • Jack and Stella
    Address: 1004 Bala Falls Rd, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
  • Lakeside Bala Restaurant
    Address: 3068 Muskoka District Road 169, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-641-9589
  • Moon River Lookout Restaurant & Catering
    Address: 1002 Walker St, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-762-2393
  • Portside Fusion Restaurant
    Address: 98 Joseph St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-0003
  • Riverwalk
    Address: 3 Ecclestone Dr, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1S4, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-646-0711
  • The Hook & Ladder Bar and Grill
    Address: 3119 Muskoka District Road 169, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-762-0707
  • The Old Station Restaurant
    Address: 88 Manitoba St, Bracebridge, ON P1L 2B5, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-645-9776
  • Wabora
    Address: 295 Wellington St N, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1B8, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-646-9500
  • Waters Edge Restaurant
    Address: 1147 Elgin House Rd, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    Phone: +1 705-765-2040

*Image: Bala Falls Pub, Instagram

Local Activities

Day trip? Don't miss the chance to enjoy these local activities.


  • Diamond in the Ruff Golf & Vacation Resort
    • Address: 1137 Old Parry Sound Rd, Utterson, ON P0B 1M0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 877-385-3222
  • Muskoka BeerSpa
    • Address: 1006 Clear Lake Rd, Torrance, ON P0C 1M0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-571-1814
  • Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club
    • Address: 1072 Shamrock Rd, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-3166
  • Muskoka Steamships
    • Address: 185 Cherokee Ln, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1G7, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-687-6667
  • Muskoka Zip Lines & Aerial Park
    • Address: 1624 Golden Beach Rd, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1W8, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-645-2512
  • Port Carling Wall
    • Address: 2-7 James Bartleman Way, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
  • Santa's Village: Muskoka's Theme Park
    • Address: 1624 Golden Beach Rd, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1W8, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-645-2512
  • Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm
    • Address: 2389 Muskoka District Road 10, Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-787-9787
  • Taboo Muskoka Golf Course
    • Address: 1209 Muskoka Beach Rd, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1R1, Canada
    • Phone: +1 800-461-0236
  • The Boathouse Yoga Co.
    • Address: 1112 Juddhaven Rd, Minett, ON P0B 1G0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-394-8279
  • The Fairways at Kirrie Glen
    • Address: 1838 Kirrie Glen Road, Muskoka District Road 118 West, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1W8, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-645-4520


*Image: Muskoka BeerSpa, Instagram

Grocery Shopping

It's not the cottage without s'mores. Stock up here.


  • Bala Freshmart
    • Address: 1003 Mill St, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-762-1254
  • Canoe Fresh Food Market
    • Address: 3384 Muskoka St, Washago, ON L0K 2B0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-514-5000
  • Cottage Butcher
    • Address: 3173 Muskoka District Road 169, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
  • Country Produce
    • Address: 301 Westmount Dr N, Orillia, ON L3V 6Y4, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-325-9902
  • Field Of Greens
    • Address: 1 Bruce Wilson Dr, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-1895
  • Foodland - Port Carling
    • Address: 10 Bruce Wilson Dr, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-3121
  • Gravenhurst Farmers' Market
    • Address: 861 Bay St, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1G7, Canada
  • Morley Stephen Ltd - Stephen's Butcher Shop
    • Address: 8 Harris St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-3936
  • Port Carling Farmers' Market
    • Address: 40 Bailey St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
  • Rosseau General Store
    • Address: 1 Rice St, Rosseau, ON P0C 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-732-4479
  • Rosseau Market
    • Address: 1175 ON-141, Rosseau, ON P0C 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-767-3914
  • Silver Stream Farms
    • Address: 1316 Peninsula Rd, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-3361
  • The Farm Store
    • Address: 101 Entrance Dr, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1H3, Canada

*Image: Unsplash

Parks & Nature

Take a hike! No, literally.


  • Algonquin Park
    • Address: Algonquin Park, ON K0J 2M0, Canada
  • Arrowhead Provincial Park
    • Address: 451 Arrowhead Park Rd, Huntsville, ON P1H 2J4, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-789-5105
  • Hardy Lake Provincial Park
    • Address: Highway 169, Torrance, ON P0C 1M0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-756-2746
  • Hatchery Falls
    • Address: Muskoka Lakes, ON P0B 1M0, Canada
  • Humphrey Barn & Nature Trails
    • Address: 115 ON-141, Parry Sound, ON P2A 2W8, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-732-4313
  • Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve
    • Address: Southwood Rd, Gravenhurst, ON P0C 1M0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 800-267-9700
  • Windsor Park
    • Address: 3070 Muskoka District Road 169, Torrance, ON P0C 1M0, Canada

*Image: Friends of Algonquin Park, Instagram

Sightseeing & Museums

Set your sights on these must-visit destinations.


  • Algonquin Outfitters - Bracebridge
    • Address: 60 Manitoba St, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1S1, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-645-9262
  • Island Queen Cruise
    • Address: 9 Bay St, Parry Sound, ON P2A 1S4, Canada
    • Phone: +1 800-506-2628
  • Muskoka Lakes Museum
    • Address: 100 Joseph St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-5367
  • Muskoka Steamships
    • Address: 185 Cherokee Ln, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1Z9, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-687-6667
  • SWS Boatworks Minett
    • Address: 1112 Juddhaven Rd, Minett, ON P0B 1G0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-0424
  • SWS Boatworks Port Carling (Lake Rosseau)
    • Address: 3 Lock St E, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-3833
  • SWS Boatworks Port Carling (Muskoka Side)
    • Address: 9 Lee Valley Dr, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-3833

*Image: Muskoka Lakes Museum, Instagram

Bars & Nightlife

For when you're craving a night on the town.


  • Bass Lake RoadHouse
    • Address: 4700 Muskoka District Road 169, MacTier, ON P0C 1H0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-375-5440
  • Beveragino
    • Address: 81 Joseph St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-5252
  • Crossroads
    • Address: 2 Cardwell Rd, Rosseau, ON P0C 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-732-4343
  • Jack and Stella
    • Address: 1004 Bala Falls Rd, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
  • Lakeside Bala Restaurant
    • Address: 3068 Muskoka District Road 169, Bala, ON P0C 1A0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-641-9589
  • Mooskoka's Ice Cream
    • Address: 98 Maple St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
  • Pie Wood Fired Pizza Joint
    • Address: 114 Medora St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-1518
  • Portside Fusion Restaurant
    • Address: 98 Joseph St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-0003
  • Riverwalk
    • Address: 3 Ecclestone Dr, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1S4, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-646-0711
  • Terry's BBQ and Grill
    • Address: 3142 Muskoka District Road 118 West, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
  • Tulo's Taqueria Muskoka
    • Address: 2 James Bartleman Way, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-6538
  • Turtle Jack's Port Carling
    • Address: 123 Medora St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-1753
  • Windermere House
    • Address: 2508 Windermere Rd, Windermere, ON P0B 1P0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-769-3611
  • York & Mason
    • Address: 105 Maple St, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-0770

*Image: Beveragino, Instagram

Concierge Services

Sit back, relax, and get your summer tan on.


*Image: Unsplash

Golf

There's nothing like practicing your swing in Muskoka.


  • Lake Joseph Golf Club
    • Address: 1072 Elgin House Rd, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-765-2000
  • Rocky Crest Golf Club
    • Address: Hamer Bay Rd RR 1, MacTier, ON P0C 1H0, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-375-4688
  • The Fairways at Kirrie Glen
    • Address: 1838 Kirrie Glen Road, Muskoka District Road 118 West, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1W8, Canada
    • Phone: +1 705-645-4520

*Image: Lake Joseph Golf Club, Instagram

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This article was produced in partnership with STOREYS Custom Studio.

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