Meet Me At The Cottage
A Guide to Blue Water Acres Resort
As the snow melts and the ice recedes from the water, Ontario's cottage country beings to prepare for the joy and delight that is summer in a province full of lakes.
Blue Water Acres Resort, on the shores of Muskoka's spectacular Lake of Bays, is a year-round resort, welcoming visitors for everything from winter fun to summer joy.
Accommodations are designed around the comfort and independence of a classic Muskoka cottage stay. Guests can choose from a range of traditional and luxury cottages suited to different group sizes and budgets, each offering the privacy of a standalone cottage with the convenience of resort amenities.
How does the resort change month to month? Here’s a guide to life on the shores of Lake of Bays, starting with spring.
April: Ice-Out, Wildlife in
Most years, the ice on Lake of Bays begins to break apart and drift toward the shoreline in April. Days grow noticeably longer, and the forest air carries that unmistakable spring scent of damp earth, pine needles, and melting snow. Birds chirp overhead.
Days at the cottage are simple. Morning coffee overlooking the lake. Long walks through the woods while the ground is still soft from the thaw. Watching the water for the first sign of open shoreline. Almost immediately at ice-out (the disappearance of ice from lake), loons will return to reclaim their territory and delight cottagers with their soulful sounds.
This is a great time of year to visit for quiet hikes and wildlife watching, and gives you one of the best chances to spot moose.
May: Return to the Lake
By May, Muskoka feels fully awake again.
Trilliums begin to bloom along forest trails, and the trees fill in with early green leaves. Docks start to reappear along the shoreline, signalling the true start of summer cottage season.
The lake is still cold, but it draws people outdoors. Spring, just after ice-out, is the best time of year to catch lake trout, as they are hungry and come up to the surface of the water to bite at anything that moves.
Evenings often end with a fire by the lake as the sun dips below the treeline.
The long weekend in May is the traditional start of cottage season in Ontario and, as the days continue to warm up, many summer activities begin at Blue Water Acres.
June: Long Days Begin
June brings longer daylight and warmer afternoons.
By now the forests around Lake of Bays are fully green, and the water becomes calm and inviting for paddling. Kayaks glide along the shoreline, paddleboards drift across the bay, and fishing boats head out early in the morning.
Life at the cottage naturally moves outdoors.
Meals happen on decks overlooking the water and afternoons stretch across the dock. Sunsets linger well into the evening.
The pace is still relaxed, but the lake has begun to feel alive again.
July: The Height of Summer
July is what most people picture when they think about cottage country.
The lake is warm enough for long swims. Boats cross the water throughout the day. The docks fill with people reading, sunbathing, or simply watching the afternoon unfold.
Activities are in full swing at Blue Water Acres and the lake is the main attraction. A floating water park beckons kids and teens, while the 400 feet of sandy beach — with its gentle sloped entry into shallow lake water — is a haven for sunbathers and sand-castle-builders of all ages.
August: Hot days, Darker evenings
August carries the fullness of summer.
The lake is at its warmest, making it ideal for long swims and afternoons spent floating in the water. Families gather along the shoreline while paddleboards and kayaks move quietly across the bay.
Evenings bring a softer light to the lake. Sunsets stretch across the water in long gold reflections, and the air stays warm well after dark.
These are the days people try to stretch out as long as possible.
September: A Quiet Return
By September, the pace begins to slow again.
The lake still holds the warmth of summer, but the air feels slightly cooler in the mornings. Early hints of fall appear in the forest — a few yellow leaves among the green.
For many cottage regulars, this is one of the most beautiful times of year. The crowds thin out, pesky mosquitos lessen, and longer evenings return for stargazing.
October: Golden Glory
October brings one of the most beautiful transitions of the year in Muskoka.
The forests surrounding Lake of Bays shift into deep reds, oranges, and golds, creating a striking backdrop along the shoreline. Cool, clear days are perfect for long walks along forest trails or scenic drives through the surrounding countryside. Blue Water Acres is located within easy drive of some of the region's most spectacular hikes.
Aerial view of Blue Water Acres
Aerial view of Blue Water Acres
At the cottage, enjoy time in the morning on the deck wrapped in a sweater, watching the mist rise from the lake as the sun climbs higher in the sky.
Afternoons are ideal for paddling along the shoreline, where the reflections of autumn colour ripple across the water.
Evenings arrive earlier now, often ending with a warm fire and the quiet stillness that settles over the lake once the sun slips behind the trees.
November: The Quiet Season
November is one of Muskoka’s quietest months.
The brilliant colours of fall have faded, and the forests settle into the muted tones of late autumn. The lake grows still and reflective, and cool air carries the scent of pine and fallen leaves.
At the cottage, the pace becomes slower and more reflective.
Guests walk along the shoreline or through nearby forest trails and spent time indoors with a good book beside the fireplace. The shorter days make the cottage feel especially cozy, with warm lights glowing inside while the landscape outside prepares for winter.
It’s a peaceful time at the lake — calm, quiet, and deeply restorative.
December: The First Snowfall
Winter arrives gently in Muskoka.
Snow begins to settle across the forest and along the shoreline of Lake of Bays, transforming the landscape into a quiet winter scene. Trees collect soft layers of white, and the lake gradually begins to freeze along the edges.
At the cottage, the focus shifts indoors and outdoors in equal measure.
Days may include snowshoe walks through the woods, watching snow fall quietly over the lake, or warming up inside with a cup of tea by the fire. The shorter days and early sunsets bring a sense of stillness to the season.
By evening, the cottage glows warmly against the snowy landscape — a welcoming retreat during the first stretch of winter.
January: Deep Winter
January brings the heart of winter to cottage country.
The lake is now frozen, and snow blankets the forests surrounding Lake of Bays. The landscape feels peaceful and expansive, with crisp air and bright winter skies.
Outdoor activities take centre stage. Snowshoeing through quiet forest trails offers a chance to explore the snowy landscape, while the frozen lake becomes a wide-open winter playground.
After time outside, returning to the warmth of the cottage feels especially comforting — boots drying by the door, the fireplace crackling, and the quiet hush of winter settling in outside.
February: Winter Adventures
By February, winter is fully embraced in Muskoka.
Snow conditions are often ideal for outdoor activities, and the region’s trails and open landscapes invite exploration. Snowshoeing, tubing, skating, and winter walks become part of the daily rhythm.
Classic Ontario winter activities are all available nearby, including downhill skiing, crosscountry trails, dogsledding, sleigh rides and snowmobiling.
At the cottage, mornings often begin slowly with warm drinks and views of the snow-covered lake. Later in the day, guests head outdoors to enjoy the crisp winter air before returning inside to relax.
March: Winter’s Final Stretch
March brings a subtle shift toward spring. Sunlight lingers across the frozen lake well into the afternoon. While winter activities are still part of the experience, there’s often a sense that the season is beginning to soften.
At the cottage, afternoons might include a snowshoe along the trails or a walk along the shoreline as the sun warms the air.
Inside, the cottage remains a comfortable retreat — a place to relax, watch the changing light on the lake, and enjoy the final quiet weeks before the landscape begins its gradual return to spring.
And so the cycle begins again. As winter slowly loosens its grip and the first signs of spring return to Muskoka, the lake prepares for another season of cottage life at Blue Water Acres — one shaped by the changing months, the rhythm of the water, and the simple pleasures of time spent by the lake.
Which month would you choose?
Great Escapes Magazine is a publication of Resorts of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for resorts, lodges and inns of Ontario's tourism industry.
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