The Parry Sound District is a well known area of Ontario’s Cottage Country. Parry Sound is located North of Port Carling, bordering Georgian Bay to the west, and Highway 11 to the east, and going all the way up to the French River Provincial Park. Here you’ll find the largest town in the District, Parry Sound (famous for being the birthplace of Bobby Orr), Killbear Provincial Park, the shoreline of Georgian Bay, and many tree-lined lakes offering a variety of year-round recreational activities. It’s known for the rugged exposed rock formations in the area, beautifully showcasing the rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield. Many Ontario cottage rentals are located here, so there’s no need to own a cottage of your own. You can stay in an Ontario cottage rental and experience this amazing location!
If you can tear yourself away from your Parry Sound cottage rental on the lake or river of your choosing, you’ll find lots to see and do in the area. There are many great things to do in Downtown Parry Sound and many popular restaurants in Parry Sound to enjoy a delicious meal.
But of course your main consideration is the lake, so we’ve come up with a list of the top 5 lakes in Parry Sound:
Top Lakes For Your Parry Sound Cottage Rental
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is actually part of Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes, and not a separate lake, but it’s worth including here anyway, since it’s such an important water body in the Parry Sound area. Known for clear, blue waters and rugged beauty, Georgian Bay inspired landscapes by Canada’s famous Group of Seven artists. One of the first areas of Ontario’s Cottage Country to be discovered by vacationers, the area is rich in history as well as amazing scenery. The Georgian Bay Coastal Route encircles the entire circumference of Georgian Bay from Tobermory to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island. To complete the circle, take the ferry back to your starting point.
Ahmic Lake
Ahmic Lake, pronounced “Ahhhhmic”, is well-known for the two swimming camps on its shores – Camp Chikopi for boys and Camp Ak-O-Mak for girls. Camp Chikopi was the world’s first competitive swim camp. The camps continue to be very important to the local economy, providing employment for local residents, and attracting visitors to the area. The lake provides a perfect setting for competitive swimming, with its size and clarity of water. Besides swimming, the lake is excellent for boating and fishing too, with many popular fish species found there, including Walleye, Pike, Bass, Pickerel, and Whitefish.
Whitestone Lake
This large, very irregularly shaped lake is just north of Dunchurch, northeast of Parry Sound and McKellar. Deadman’s Drop, with its 30’ cliff, appeals to thrill seekers looking for rock jumping opportunities, and you’ll see many other locals there enjoying the deep plunge too! Whitestone Lake is good for all watersports, and the irregular shape is especially fun to explore in a boat. Rentals of motorized boats are available at the Whitestone Marina if you don’t have your own, and perhaps there are canoes or kayaks included with your Parry Sound cottage rental that you can use to explore at a more leisurely pace.
Manitouwabing Lake
Manitouwabing Lake got its name from the Ojibway Indian family group who formerly frequented the area. The lake was first dammed at Hurdville over a century ago for the lumber business in the area, and is now used for hydro generation. Today, Lake Manitouwabing is one of cottage country’s most popular lakes, and is one of the larger lakes in Parry Sound, with 100 kilometres of shoreline. With McKellar Village at the north end of the lake and Hurdville at the south, and two marinas on the lake, it’s a great lake for boating, as well as swimming and fishing.
Lake Joseph
Lake Joseph, affectionately known as “Lake Joe”, has been a magnet for celebrities starting in the 1950’s, and now has some of the most prestigious homes and cottages on it, including the famous “Billionaire’s Row”. The lake is huge, very deep, and has exceptional clarity. It’s shared by two popular regions of Ontario’s cottage country – Muskoka and Parry Sound, with part of the lake in each region. The calm nature of the lake makes it ideal for water sports like swimming, wakeboarding, water skiing, and tubing. It’s also well-known for fishing, especially for lake trout, walleye, whitefish, pike and bass. There are several marinas and boat rentals available nearby too, as well as golf courses and hiking trails. In the winter, the lake has a limited season for ice fishing as well as some exceptional cross country ski trails.
Honourable Mentions
Just because a lake didn’t crack our top 5 list doesn’t mean it’s not praiseworthy. There are literally hundreds of lakes in the area and many are absolute gems. Crane Lake has a wonderful collection of islands and bays and is a treat to explore in a canoe or kayak. Similar accolades may be given to Blackstone and Otter Lakes. Oastler Lake boasts a provincial park and enjoys popularity due to its ease of access to the town of Parry Sound. Go Home Lake, lesser known, is one of the more interesting lakes in the province – a boating excursion will take you to both a waterfall where the Musquash River enters the lake, and a “Haunted Narrows”.
Parry Sound – The Perfect Spot to Enjoy an Ontario Cottage Rental
In conclusion, Parry Sound is home to many beautiful lakes, and they’re all worth visiting. Whether you are interested in boating, fishing, swimming, snowmobiling, or just enjoying the natural beauty of the area, there is a lake in Parry Sound that is perfect for you, and chances are you’ll find a Parry Sound cottage rental on that lake!
