Free
Bala Falls
Lake Muskoka drains over two falls into the Moon River in the middle of Bala.
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Muskoka Lakes, Ontario
Port Carling and Bala
The 'Hub of the Lakes': Port Carling's locks join Lake Rosseau to Lake Muskoka, and down the shore Bala's falls spill into the Moon River beside a working cranberry marsh.
Photo: Port Carling Main Locks, WookieInHeat at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Port Carling grew up around the locks that join Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka, and boats still squeeze through them all summer. Grab a bench, because classic wooden launches, cottage runabouts and kayaks all pass through the same gates.
Twenty minutes south, Bala sits where Lake Muskoka pours over two falls into the Moon River. Lucy Maud Montgomery holidayed here in 1922, and Johnston's cranberry marsh has been farmed on the edge of the village for decades.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve
Open granite barrens with wide night skies, between Bala and Gravenhurst.
Free
Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph
The two big lakes above the locks, lined with granite shores and old cottages.
Cheap
Hardy Lake Provincial Park
Trails around a quiet lake on the Lake Muskoka shore. No facilities.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Port Carling Locks
Locks joining Lake Rosseau to Lake Muskoka in the middle of the village.
Free
Windermere House
A landmark resort hotel on Lake Rosseau, rebuilt after a 1996 fire.
Cheap
Muskoka Lakes Museum
Local history, boats and a pioneer house on the island by the locks.
Season Open roughly Victoria Day–Thanksgiving (check before you go).
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Bala Cranberry Festival
A fall festival in Bala celebrating the cranberry harvest.
Free
Port Carling village
Shops, cafés and the locks wall in the 'Hub of the Lakes'.
Cheap
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
Johnston's cranberry marsh in Bala, with marsh tours and fruit wines.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery marsh tours
Cranberry marsh tours and tastings in Bala.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Muskoka Lakes Museum
Museum admission.
Season Open roughly Victoria Day–Thanksgiving (check before you go).
Part of our Muskoka guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Muskoka sunsets over the water are the whole point, and you can't catch them on a day trip.
- Torrance Barrens is a dark-sky preserve, so stay up for the stars.
- Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and the steamships are all within half an hour.
Nearby and worth the drive
Gravenhurstabout 25 min · Guide ↗
Muskoka Wharf and the steamships.
Bracebridgeabout 25 min · Guide ↗Waterfalls beside the main street.
Dorset and Lake of Baysabout 60 min · Guide ↗A lookout tower over Lake of Bays.
Ready-made trips with Port Carling and Bala
Good to know
- Season: Many shops and the museum keep summer hours; check before you go.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Port Carling Main Locks, WookieInHeat at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Torrance Barrens, John Vetterli, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Lake Rosseau, User:P199, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Windermere House, Bbadgett, Public domain