Vacation rentals in Oxtongue Lake

Oxtongue Lake in Ontario offers year-round outdoor adventure in a landscape that reveals new layers of beauty with each season. Located at the northern point of the Township of Algonquin Highlands, the in-stream lake has 13 miles of sandy shores lined with pine trees and lakefront properties.

In the warmer months, you can take to the lake for swimming, boating, and paddling. Anglers spend their days fishing for yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and rainbow trout. In the winter, opportunities for cross-country skiing, tubing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are all nearby, while downhill skiing and snowboarding are less than 30 minutes away.

The surrounding woodlands offer tree-top trekking with zip lines and high swings. You’ll also find numerous hiking trails, including the 0.6-mile Ragged Falls Oxtongue River Trail and the three-mile Beetle Lake Trail, which passes an active beaver pond. Only eight miles away, Algonquin Provincial Park is a protected wilderness of about 3,000 square miles, with more walking and mountain biking trails to explore.

You’ll discover a thriving cottage community around Oxtongue Lake. The nearest towns of Dwight, Dorset, and Huntsville are all within 30 minutes’ drive and have plenty of amenities, from craft breweries to farmers’ markets.

The climate of this part of Ontario is marked by four dramatically different seasons, but Oxtongue Lake cottages are popular year-round because there’s always something to do in the area. If you’re visiting in December through February, when the ice and snow cover are at their thickest and the temperatures stay below freezing, you can enjoy the snow sports and visit winter festivals in various villages nearby. As spring emerges, so does the local wildlife, including moose. A drive along Highway 60 will give you the best chance to see them. Summer brings comfortably warm temperatures — nothing extreme — making it an ideal time to spend your days on the water. If you time your visit for Canada Day celebrations on July 1, you can enjoy music, all-ages entertainment, and plenty of hot dogs. One of the best times to visit is autumn; the changing tones of the landscapes make for picture-perfect scenes.

Dorset Heritage Museum

Just 18 miles from Oxtongue Lake, the Dorset Heritage Museum is a tribute to early pioneer life in the area. Exhibitions detail the settlers’ daily activities, from logging practices to bread and butter making, with interactive displays and seasonal workshops suitable for all ages.

Ragged Falls

Just north of the lake is Ragged Falls, one of the province’s most beautiful waterfalls. The 0.7-mile Oxtongue River Trail leads to an overlook with incredible views. For a different perspective, you can hop in a boat up the Oxtongue River to arrive at the base of the cascades. It’s fun to pack a picnic and take a dip in the refreshing waters.

Cross-Country Skiing

In the winter months, Oxtongue Lake and the nearby Algonquin Provincial Park become a snowy wilderness. You can get equipment at several rental stores and then choose a marked trail, ranked from easy to advanced. Keep an eye open for pine martens and blue herons. For a more leisurely experience, hire a snowmobile and explore the snowy wonderland.