The Best Day-Trips on the Huntsville Chain of Lakes: A Boater’s Guide

The Best Day Trips on Huntsville Lakes: A Boater’s Guide

What makes boating is Huntsville so special is our interconnected chain of four major lakes: Lake Vernon, Fairy Lake, Peninsula Lake, and Mary Lake. Together, they offer over 64km of water, with features such as winding rivers, historic locks, beaches and more. 

Whether you are out for a fish in your Lund, or cruising on your Bennington pontoon, here are three "Must-Do" day-trips for your next Muskoka adventure.

1. Downtown Huntsville - Fairy Lake to Town Dock

Start your morning on Fairy Lake and cruise the shoreline to see some stunning cottages and cliffs, then head west toward the historic Huntsville Swing Bridge. Once downtown, you can dock your boat at the town docks, check out some of our local restaurants with great patios, and stretch your legs with a stroll down main street.

Insider Tip! Huntsville has some great festivals and events throught the summer, and cruising in on your boat is a great way to expereince them. Check out the link here for upcoming events in downtown Huntsville!  

2. The River Ride to Port Sydney 

For those looking for a full day of boating, head south from Fairy Lake through the Brunel Lift Locks. These locks take you down the Muskoka River and bring you to Mary Lake. 

Insider Tip! At the south end of Mary Lake, You will come to the village of Port Sydney. Here, you will find the  Port Sydney Beach where there is a public dock. From here, you can enjoy the beach or take a stroll down the main street of the village. From here, you can grab ice cream at the general store, or walk down to see the Port Sydney Dam.

3. Pen Lake Tour

Pen Lake offers over 27 km of natural shoreline and is a perfect lake to go and do some tubing or sightseeing. Cruise past Deerhurst Resort or stop in for lunch. There are quiet bays where you can drop the anchor and go for a swim! 

Things to do before you boat:

• While the routes are reliatively marked out, you should always have a current map to identify shoals and safe boating channels. We stock maps at Mobile Marine in case you need one! You can also download the i-Boating app on your phone.

• Ensure you have a debit or credit card for the Brunel Lock passage fees. They no longer accept cash.

• Make sure your boat is full of fuel before a day on the water. If you need to fill up, stop by Mobile Marine at 235 Main Street West, Huntsville, before launching. We have marine grade fuel on site.

There are Public Boat Launches in Huntsville that are easy to acces. The addresses are below:

• Avery Beach (near downtown Huntsville) - 2 Yonge St N, Huntsville, ON P1H 1W6

• Hutcheson Beach ( Lake Vernon) - 9 Hutcheson Beach Rd, Huntsville, ON P1H 1N4

• Penn Lake Beach and Boat Launch - 1415 Muskoka District Road 9, Dwight, ON P0A 1H0

​​​​​​​Happy Boating!