Visiting the best small town in Muskoka: 15 fun things to do in Dorset, Ontario
Guide to the town of Dorset in Muskoka
Dorset is a small town of several hundred people in Muskoka, located on the shores of Lake of Bays. A channel runs through the middle of town and the two sides are connected by a bridge, so you can arrive by car or boat! The community gets very busy in the summer as the area is popular with cottagers and fall is also a recommended time to visit to see the colours of the fall foliage. For such a small town, there are lots of fun things to do, even if you are just passing through town on the way to Algonquin Park, it is worth a stop.
I have been driving through Dorset for many years to get to a nearby family cottage and in the summer of 2021, I stopped by for an entire afternoon to re-visit some of my favourite places and also to see what was new in town.
This article will outline fifteen fun things to do in Dorset to help you get inspired and plan your own day trip or weekend visit to one of the best small towns in Muskoka.
Where is Dorset, Ontario
Dorset is a small town on Lake of Bays which is actually right on the border between Haliburton and Muskoka. From downtown Toronto, it is a about a 250 km or 2.5 hour drive going north on Highway 11 through Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. From Ottawa, it is about 340 km or a 3 hour and 45 minute drive going east on Highway 60 and passing through Algonquin Park. The nearest major town is Huntsville, Ontario which is about 40 km or a 30 minute drive away.
While you could plan a day trip from Toronto, there is enough to do around Dorset to plan at least a weekend visit to enjoy all the area has to offer. There is also lots of free parking in the centre of town and you can easily get around by walking as most attractions and businesses are quite close together.
Keep reading to learn about some of the attractions and activities you can enjoy on a visit to Dorset!
1. Centennial Park
Centennial Park is located on Main Street, barely 100 metres from the main parking lot in town and it is on the way to the Dorset Heritage Museum so you really can’t miss it ! There is a very short walking loop path through the forest, and a selection of outdoor exercise equipment along with some nice flower gardens and a giant Muskoka chair. We like to have a walk around here when we stop in town to get supplies before going to the cottage, it is definitely a nice place to visit after you have been driving in the car for a few hours.
2. Scenic Lookout Fire Tower Trail
This historic tower and area landmark was built in 1967 and offers 360 degree views of the surrounding area above the Lake of Bays. You can either drive or hike to the top and it is a particularly popular activity in the fall to see the colours of the autumn foliage.
The fee to access the tower ranges from 5.00$-70.00$ depending on the size of your group and if you are bringing a vehicle. The site has some amenities like picnic sites, washrooms and a small gift shop.
Be sure to check the Algonquin Highlands website here to ensure that it will be open when you visit, as it had to be shut down for safety from 2020-2021.
3. Dorset Heritage Museum
Located just a few minute’s walk from the main parking lot in town, the Dorset Heritage Museum presents the history of the town and surrounding region through displays, stories and artifacts, with a focus on pioneer life and logging history. The side of the building features some art murals and a few larger artifacts are on display around the property. There is also a path and information signpost to the Scenic Lookout Tower Trail located directly behind the museum. Visit the official Dorset Heritage Museum website here for current opening hours.
4. Dorset Bridge on Main Street
The Dorset Bridge connects the two sides Main Street over the Dorset Narrows channel. It is open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic so make sure you take a walk over to the opposite side if you are exploring the town to get the full experience. If you are arriving into town by boat, there is also a dock area right next to the bridge, beside Robinson’s General Store.
5. Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream
Anyone with a cottage in the area will tell you that it is a tradition to stop for ice cream if you are in town to do some shopping. There is Kawartha Dairy ice cream available in the small indoor shopping centre directly across from Robinson’s General Store, just look for the big ice cream signs in the window. Recommended flavours to try are Black Raspberry Thunder with white chocolate pieces or Blue Buried Treasure with cream cheese icing and blueberry-pomegranate white chocolate cups. Frozen yogurt is typically in stock as well. Ice cream is usually available here during the summer season from June to September.
6. Shopping in Dorset
The main destination for shopping in Dorset is Robinson’s General Store, which is covered in more detail below. Besides that, if you are looking to browse for souvenirs and gifts, there is a clothing store, a gift shop just over the bridge, and a pottery store called Love Pottery which sometimes holds classes and events. For practical needs, Dorset has a marina and boating supply store, a hardware store, an LCBO and a pharmacy.
7. Cedar Narrows Heritage Park
If you are looking for a place to enjoy your ice cream next to the water, stop by the Cedar Narrows Heritage Park, a small park right next to the bridge, which has a covered gazebo seating area, picnic table and benches. It also features some minor historical displays and information about the traditional inhabitants of the area along with vintage photos in the gazebo. It’s a nice place to sit on a summer day and watch the boats pass by.
8. Lake of Bays Marine Museum
This local museum features displays, photographs, artifacts and other information about Lake of Bays and the SS Bigwin steamship, which served as a ferry boat for Muskoka vacationers for many years in the 20th century. There is also an art gallery upstairs and a small selection of gift shop items and merchandise available for purchase.
9. SS Bigwin Cruise
The actual SS Bigwin steamship is moored next to the Marine Museum and you can’t miss it if you walk over the bridge. This historic vessel has been heavily restored and regularly scheduled public cruises around Lake of Bays are offered in the summer months. For up to date schedules, be sure to visit the SS Bigwin website here before your visit.
10. Robinson's General Store
Robinson’s General Store is located right in the centre of town next to the bridge and offers different sections for hardware and groceries, along with gifts, clothing, art and decorative items. It still has some elements of traditional old fashioned general stores like a well-stocked candy section and is a good place to pick up gifts or souvenirs if you are visiting Muskoka. It has even been voted ‘Canada’s Best Country Store’ and they have recently opened a marina just across the bridge from the main store. There is lots of parking available out front and you can check the Robinson’s General Store website here for current opening hours.
11. Restaurants in Dorset
If you are looking for somewhere to eat in Dorset, there are a few options in town. Try the Trading Bay Dining Company for waterfront views and pub style food like burgers, fish and chips and wings, you can even arrive by boat at the dock out front. If you are a fan of wood fired gourmet pizza, stop by Pizza on Earth, which is open seasonally in the summer and offers thin crust pizzas with a variety of toppings.
12. See the fall colours in Dorset
Dorset is a great place to visit in Muskoka to see the colours of the fall leaves. You can enjoy seeing the red, orange and gold autumn foliage on a drive through the area or a boat ride on Lake of Bays. Dorset also offers the unique experience of viewing the trees and lake from the elevation of the Dorset Lookout Tower, which gives a panoramic view over the area. Don’t forget your camera and be sure to check opening hours before planning a trip to the tower in the fall. The colourful fall foliage is usually best viewed between mid-September and mid to late October, depending on the weather in a particular year. You can check out this fall colour report from Discover Muskoka for updated viewing times.
13. Haliburton Highlands Water Trails
The Haliburton Highlands Water Trails system covers more than 28000 hectares of lakes and forests and offers backcountry camping sites and trails which connect different lakes by portage walking paths through the forest. This is a great option if you enjoy canoeing!
The trail system had two main areas, first the Frost Centre area, which is just south of Dorset and has road and boat access campsites, and is perfect for a two or three day camping trip. The other option is the Poker Lakes area, just south-west of Dorset, which is good for families and has backcountry sites as well.
We like to walk along these trails near our cottage for exercise, expect that it may be a bit noisy and busy in the summer season and consider booking a more isolated site if peace and quiet is important to you. Reservations are required, and can be made through the official Haliburton Highlands Water Trails website here.
14. Day trip to Bracebridge
If you would like to explore a slightly larger town in Muskoka on a day trip from Dorset, consider a visit to Bracebridge, which is only 50 km or about a 40 minute drive away. Take a walk through the historic Manitoba Street downtown area which is home to several gift and specialty stores, galleries, cafes, restaurants and of course the Silver Bridge over the Bracebridge waterfalls. There are also several golf courses nearby and the holiday themed Santa’s Village, which is popular with young children. Bracebridge also hosts a number of festivals and special events throughout the year, start planning your visit on the official Bracebridge Tourism website here.
15. Day trip to Algonquin Park
Depending on which direction you are coming from, you may pass through Algonquin Park on your way to Dorset, and it is also a great place for a day trip since it is only about a 30 minute drive from town to the West Gate entrance of the park. Algonquin Park offers a variety of trails, many are only a few kilometres long and can be completed in a few hours. You can also rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard for the day from one of the outdoor outfitters or stop by one of several public beaches for a swim. Consider a visit to the Algonquin Park Logging Museum which features historic cabins and a short walking trail or learn about the history of the park at the Algonquin Visitor Centre which has a small museum, gift shop and viewing deck. Be aware that you will require a day use pass, available from the entrance gates, and you can get the latest updates on the official Algonquin Park website here.
For such a small town, there are lots of interesting things to do in the town of Dorset and in the surrounding Muskoka region. I visit the town several times a year in the summer and I still find new and fun things to do, so I hope this guide has inspired you to start planning your own trip to explore this part of Muskoka. Have you ever visited Muskoka before? Let me know in the comments below!
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Get inspired to plan a visit to the best small town in Muskoka with this list of 15 fun things to do in Dorset, Ontario on Lake of Bays.