With towering pines, jagged, exposed rock and about 1,600 lakes of all shapes and sizes, the Muskoka region of Ontario has lured those trying to escape big-city life since the 1880s, after the opening of rail service to Gravenhurst. By the early 20th century, there were more than 50 resort hotels in the region, though most of these regal beauties no longer exist—nor does the train. You need your own set of wheels to do the place justice.
These days, Muskoka is the definition of Cottage Country—if you don’t know someone with a lakeside property, you figure out a way to rent one—just a couple of hours’ drive north of Toronto. Celebrities like Tom Hanks, Justin Bieber, Lisa Rinna, Cindy Crawford and the Beckhams have spent time there.
Though Muskoka is known for its rugged natural beauty, its history as a monied recreational retreat makes it a surprisingly cosmopolitan place—and a relaxed and open-minded one. The first-ever Muskoka Pride picnic took place in 2009, on the sandy shore of Gull Lake in Gravenhurst, an artsy town of about 13,000. Over the last decade, Muskoka’s LGBTQ2S+ community events have spread throughout the region. There are drag nights, queer-friendly gaming events, and trans community socials year-round. This year’s Muskoka Pride Week takes place July 19 to 27, with the parade taking place in Bracebridge on July 27.
But there’s more queer in the Muskokas than just Pride events. Away We Go Trips is a locally owned and operated tourism company that creates prepackaged road trip itineraries. They’ve recently teamed up with Muskoka Pride to offer a road trip itinerary for travellers to use while journeying through the LGBTQ2S+ history of the Muskokas, including some hidden gem destinations. All proceeds from the purchase of the Muskoka Pride road trip itinerary are donated back to Muskoka Pride, to support their programming and outreach in the community.
As a resident of Minden Hills, I have always heard that the Muskokas were a must-see destination. Living only an hour away, I am ashamed to say that I had never before ventured west. I knew that I had to try this tour. As someone who has only attended Toronto’s Pride, I was very curious to learn about queer-friendly businesses and events, and Muskoka Pride’s history. So, one day in May, I hopped in my car solo, packed my cooler with carbonated waters, and got started on the Pride tour of Ontario’s Muskoka region. In total, the tour took about four hours.
A cute beach and bangin’ bandshell
I began my tour at the site of the first Muskoka Pride, held at Gull Lake Rotary Park (405 Brock St., Gravenhurst). Gargantuan pine trees and peeling white birch trees line the branching paths through the park. Walking down to the lake, I spotted a floating yellow-and-white bandshell out on the water—a round raft-like structure used for live performances, signalling that this is as much a place for community gatherings as it is for encounters with nature. In the past, the bandshell has been taken over by TimberBeast Productions, for Muskoka Pride’s Broadway on the Barge event. Imagine hundreds of Broadway aficionados like yourself belting out tunes along with the singers on the barge. Next, I descended granite steps toward the edge of the lake and took a look out at its expanse as water lapped against the shore. I saw a couple of paddlers near the rocky outcrop across the lake. Although it was quiet, it’s clear this is a community hub. Gravenhurst hosts free Music on the Barge events throughout the summer, and in mid-July the Muskoka Tall Pines Musical & Arts Festival (July 18 and 19, 2025) takes over the park. This quiet day at the park offered serenity, but I can imagine the loud and proud Pride season with music blasting.
A brew for you
I drove three minutes from Gull Lake Rotary Park to arrive at Sawdust City Brewing Co. (397 Muskoka Rd. N., Gravenhurst), spotting the giant Muskoka chair out front before I noticed the Pride flag flying above their main sign. The owners claim the chair is one of the most photographed spots in Muskoka, but the brewery is probably on this itinerary because of its commitment to diversity. They host drag shows and drag bingo throughout the year and annually brew their Q amber lager in collaboration with Muskoka Pride—a brew that is equally crisp and refreshing, with nutty notes and balancing, spicy hops. While I normally reach for the easy drinking pilsners, I decided to give their Twin Pines West Coast–style IPA a shot. The beer smacked my mouth with the taste of pine, followed by a delightful twist of citrus and spice. I simply could not put it down.
A beach with a view
Back in the car, I drove six minutes to Muskoka Beach Park (1141 Muskoka Beach Rd., Gravenhurst). The pretty waterfront is a tucked-away beach, off from the main drag of Gravenhurst. I spotted the steamship Segwun, which offers a two-hour cruise out of Gravenhurst Wharf, along the way. The Segwun, launched in 1887, is older than Canada itself and was re-launched by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau in 1974. (Trudeau was, of course, also responsible for Bill C-150, which decriminalized homosexuality between adults in private.) The Segwun, Canada Post’s only remaining mail ship and the oldest hand-fired steamship, can also be booked for private events.
The views from Muskoka Beach Park across the tranquil waters are pristine, but I could also see luxurious cottages dotting the horizon. Despite its alluring name, the nearby Taboo Muskoka Resort and Golf (1209 Muskoka Beach Rd., Gravenhurst) is not a sex club. The resort does offer beautiful rooms with views of Lake Muskoka, a restaurant and an 18-hole golf course. I walked into the water barefoot, with no one else around. It was still chilly in early May, but I know I will be back this summer. Unlike nearby Kirby’s Beach, which can get crowded, this beach remains a gem for the locals.
A beach for a dip
It’s time to leave Gravenhurst. Making a 30-minute jaunt north, I found another don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it beach called Baycliffe Park (1130 Milford Bay Rd., Bracebridge). The pink granite lining the road there is stunning. The adorable sandy beach has two massive pine trees that provide shade and a floating dock I was tempted to swim out to, but the weather was too chilly. This beach is included in the itinerary as it is less busy than Muskoka Beach Park.
Windermere House, a historic gem
My next stop was the four-star Windermere House Hotel (2508 Windermere Rd., Windermere), which is another 20 minutes’ drive farther north. Standing proudly on the hillside overlooking Paton Bay of Lake Rosseau, the white-clad resort was established in 1870 and is one of the few remaining resorts of its age. I took a walk down to the Windermere dock to look back at the resort over the stone wall around the property. This wall, sadly, is the only surviving piece of the original resort after a fire that broke out during the filming of The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996). Make sure you do not end up at the golf course I did. Obeying my GPS got me lost, despite the Windermere House property taking up most of the town. I didn’t spend the night, but guests at the Windermere House get to enjoy the heated outdoor saunas, a heated outdoor pool and, in the winter, snowshoeing experiences. The two restaurants and spa might also make for a fun romantic weekend. In between Gravenhurst and Huntsville, it seems like an excellent option for visiting during Muskoka Pride.
Hatchery Falls, Muskoka’s hidden waterfall
My final stop was Hatchery Falls (Skeleton Lake Fish Hatchery Trail, 1115 Fish Hatchery Rd., Utterson), which is in a secluded wooded area. After a 20-minute hike down a trail, I heard the gushing of the waterfall. Then I rounded the bend and shuddered at the water cascading over boulders into limpid pools perfect for wading. I had brought my bathing suit, so I took a plunge. Walking on the slick rocks, I almost took a tumble. While most of the stops on this tour have been easily accessible, this hike is hilly and not paved. The water’s rejuvenating spray makes it worth it, though.
Jacki Mcpherson, creator of the itinerary, says that the falls are full of rainbow trout, evoking the colours of the Pride flag. All I can find, though, are minnows. Sizeable waterfalls are rare throughout Ontario. In my travels, I have never found a waterfall of its size and volume where I could sit in and swim in the pools with no crowd or entry fee.
The Muskokas have become an accepting and welcoming area for all LGBTQ2S+ visitors. Towns like Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Georgia Bay and Huntsville provide eateries, shopping, drinking establishments and other opportunities to take in the local culture, yet it’s so easy for a visitor to be out in nature all on their own, as secluded as they want to be. I enjoyed the Pride itinerary enough that I’ll try some of the other Away We Go road trips.
After four hours of touring, I needed something cold and sweet. On my way home, I stopped at the Ice Cream Shoppe (3 Manitoba St., Bracebridge), got two scoops of Central Smith’s Algonquin Canoe ice cream (maple with chocolate ripple and caramel canoes) and enjoyed it while standing on Silver Bridge overlooking the Muskoka River.
