45°00′N 79°35′W · Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph
Ontario · Launch May, haul-out September–October
Boat storage in Muskoka Lakes
Winter storage, haul-out and the work around it on Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph. Send your boat details and we come back with spots that fit your LOA, budget and season.
Muskoka Lakes at a glance
- Waters
- Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, Muskoka River, Indian River and Moon River
- Towns and harbours
- Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Port Carling, Port Sandfield, Rosseau, Windermere, Bala and Huntsville
- Season
- Launch May · haul-out September–October
- Typical boats
- Classic wooden runabouts, pontoon boats, cruisers, sport boats and fishing boats, plus boats owned by seasonal cottagers who store them off-site.
- Storage from
- from $30/ft per winter outdoor · compare prices
Region summary from public sources. Each yard sets its own dates and rates.
The boating year here
Many cottage boats are lifted out or stored on boat lifts and in boathouses; confirm timing with your marina or storage provider each year.
- Launch
- Boating season
- Haul-out
- On the hard / in storage
What storage looks like here
Muskoka has three big lakes joined by locks and cuts, so a boat can reach a lot of water from one base, but cottagers often live a few hours from the lake and need a place for the boat when the family is away.
Muskoka is dominated by cottage boating, so demand includes indoor storage and boathouses for high-value and wooden boats, outdoor winter yard storage on stands or cradles, and trailer storage for fishing and runabout boats.
Muskoka Lakes storage prices
| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Outdoor winter storage | from $30/ft per winter |
| Indoor winter storage (cold) | from $60/ft per winter |
| Shrink-wrap | from $20/ft |
| Haul-out or launch | from $12/ft each way |
| Seasonal slip | from $85/ft per season |
Starting prices in CAD before tax, from published marina and port rates and market estimates, October 2026. Your boat, the yard and the dates set the final price.
Local knowledge
- Lake Muskoka connects to Lake Rosseau through the Indian River and the Port Carling lock system, built by the government in 1871. source
- Lake Joseph links to Lake Rosseau through a cut at Port Sandfield, not directly to Lake Muskoka. source
- The Moon River, which starts at Bala, carries water out of the lake system toward Georgian Bay. source
- Lake Muskoka covers about 120 km2 at an elevation of 225 m. source
- Lake Rosseau is up to 18 km long and 8.5 km wide, with Tobin Island and more than 60 smaller islands. source
- The Muskoka River is described as the third largest river draining the southern Ontario land mass by average annual flow, and Bracebridge and Huntsville are on it. source
- Port Carling is the municipal office location for the Township of Muskoka Lakes, which also includes Bala, Baysville, Windermere and Port Sandfield. source
- Ontario asks boaters to clean, drain and dry boats, motors and trailers before moving between water bodies. source
Muskoka Lakes boat storage questions
How do boats get between Lake Muskoka and Lake Rosseau?
Lake Muskoka connects to Lake Rosseau through the Indian River and the Port Carling lock system, which the government built in 1871. Lake Joseph connects to Lake Rosseau through a cut at Port Sandfield, not directly to Lake Muskoka. Check lock hours and conditions before you travel.
How big are the Muskoka lakes?
Lake Muskoka covers about 120 km2. Lake Rosseau is up to 18 km long and 8.5 km wide, with more than 60 smaller islands. The lakes sit at about 225 to 227 m elevation. Size and shoreline vary by lake, so use a current chart for any trip.
Do I need to clean my boat before launching in Muskoka?
Ontario asks boaters to clean aquatic plants and mud from the boat, motor and trailer, drain standing water, and dry the boat for five sunny days or wash it with hot water over 50 C or pressurized water over 250 PSI before moving between water bodies. It is illegal to introduce a plant or animal to water where it is not native.
Elsewhere in Ontario
- Toronto Waterfront Lake Ontario, Toronto Harbour
- Mississauga and Oakville Waterfront Lake Ontario, Credit River
- Hamilton and Burlington Hamilton Harbour (Burlington Bay), Burlington Canal
- Niagara and Lake Erie Lake Ontario (Niagara shore), Niagara River
- Lake Simcoe and Couchiching Lake Simcoe, Kempenfelt Bay
- Georgian Bay Georgian Bay, Nottawasaga Bay
- Kawarthas and Trent-Severn Waterway Trent-Severn Waterway, Pigeon Lake
- Kingston and Thousand Islands Eastern Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River
- Ottawa River and Rideau Canal Ottawa River, Rideau Canal
- Bay of Quinte and Prince Edward County Bay of Quinte, Adolphus Reach
Tell us about your boat. We find the spot.
Storage type, LOA, region and season. We check what is open near you and reply by email with options and prices.