Year-Round Fun: Cottages in Haliburton for Every Season
Haliburton is a county of Ontario, Canada, known as a tourist and cottage area in Central Ontario for its scenery and for its resident artists. It has three main regions: Algonquin Highlands, Highlands East, and Minden Hills. The county borders Algonquin Provincial Park on the north. With an abundance of beautiful lakes, dense forests, and charming small-town allure, it’s an idyllic destination for cottage getaway. There are many different activities to enjoy, such as fishing, water sports, hiking, and lounging on one of the many beautiful lakeside beaches. Check out one of our beautiful cottages to rent for your Haliburton vacation.
1/10.
Serenity on Kawagama
Escape to Serenity Shores, a stunning waterfront cottage on Kawagama Lake, Ontario’s largest lake in Haliburton. This spacious retreat offers breathtaking lake views, modern amenities, and a private dock—perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. This True North Home located on 7 acres has 8 bedrooms to host up to 16 guests. Enjoy peaceful mornings on the deck, cozy evenings by the fire pit, and endless outdoor adventures. Located near Dorset, this four-season getaway is ideal for family vacations or a tranquil nature retreat. Book your dream cottage escape today!
2/10.
Princess Margaret Lottery Cottage
This 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom Princess Margaret Lottery cottage is on the shores of Horseshoe Lake near Minden and 20 minutes from the town of Haliburton, with walk out access to the water and a large yard. There’s a gas fireplace on the main level, an electric fireplace on the lower level, a 3 season Muskoka Room, a propane barbeque, outdoor fire pit, and a canoe and kayak.
3/10.
Sunny Pines Cottage on Beech Lake
The Sunny Pines Cottage on Beech Lake, 5 minutes from Carnarvon, 15 minutes to Minden or Haliburton, and 30 minutes to Dorset, is a comfortable 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1500 square foot lakefront retreat with 100 feet of waterfront. Amenities include a gas fireplace, board games, croquet, a barbeque, an outdoor dining table and fire pit, and on the water there’s a dock, lily pad, canoe, two kayaks, and two paddle boards.
4/10.
Kawagama Lake
This 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1350 square feet Viceroy on Kawagama Lake, 10 minutes from the Dorset and a half hour from Huntsville and Bracebridge, has an indoor fireplace, a wall of windows, Muskoka room, and two decks, an upper and lower, overlooking the lake. There’s a wood fireplace, a barbeque and dining table on the deck, outdoor fire pit, and, on the water, an L-shaped dock with a swim ladder, two kayaks and a stand up paddle board.
5/10.
Glamor Lake
This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, is a 10 minute drive to the town of Gooderham and 20 minutes to Kinmount and Haliburton. It was completed in 2023, and, with a cozy atmosphere created from stone finishes, open concept gathering and outside spaces, overlooks Glamor Lake from its wall of windows. Some amenities include a gas fireplace, barbeque, patio dining table, outdoor fire pit, lawn games, a private dock, a canoe, and two kayaks. There’s a public boat launch on the north side of the lake.
6/10.
Little Boshkung Lake
Discover a charming lakeside retreat on Little Boshkung Lake in Haliburton. This cozy yet spacious cottage features stunning water views, a private dock for swimming and paddling, and a serene setting perfect for relaxation. Enjoy sunny days on the deck, evenings by the fire pit, and nearby hiking and outdoor adventures. Located close to Minden and Haliburton, it’s an ideal getaway for families, couples, or nature lovers.
7/10.
Colbourne Lake
Built in 2005, this gorgeous 4-season, 2,600 square foot, 4 bedroom “True North Log Homes” cottage overlooks Colbourne Lake in the Haliburton Highlands. Located about 15 minutes from the village of Cardiff and 30 minutes from the town of Haliburton, to get to the house, you take a long private driveway through the middle of the property’s 26 acres. It is centrally located for day trips to Muskoka, Algonquin Park, and Peterborough.The interior main level of the cottage is a spacious open concept kitchen/dining/living area finished with wood clad walls and wood clad ceilings with rustic wood beams, rich engineered hardwood floorings and comfortable furnishings throughout. Three walls of large picture windows and glass doors fill the entire space with soft natural lighting and the glass doors enable direct walk-out to the cottage’s large covered wrap-around deck and open side deck. There are four fireplaces: a wood fireplace in the main level living room, and 3 propane fireplaces in bedrooms. Outside, there’s a covered deck, patio dining table with 4 chairs and umbrella on deck, and a fire bowl with four Muskoka chairs. By the water, there’s a private boat launch on property, two ramps to the dock with a swim ladder, two Muskoka chairs, a 16 ft. canoe, a 10 ft. kayak, a stand up paddle board and a 5 person pedal boat. The beach consists of shallow hard packed sand and gravel with 300 feet of natural shoreline. Fishing is excellent with bass and trout being your most likely catch. Nearby, there are private hiking trails and an original century old log cabin to check out not too far from the current cottage. In the winter, there is snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and an E-trail for ATV riding and snowmobiling at the end of the long private driveway.
8/10.
Kushog Lake
Escape to a beautiful waterfront retreat on Kushog Lake in Haliburton. This charming cottage offers stunning lake views, a private dock for swimming and boating, and a peaceful setting surrounded by nature. The flat 2 acre property is grassed to the water making it ideal for young and old alike. The 200 feet of shoreline is also the perfect waterfront playground for all ages as, depending on the water levels, you may have a large sandy beach, otherwise the water is shallow with easy access down a few steps into the lake. Relax on the spacious deck, gather around the fire pit, or explore nearby trails and attractions. Perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts, this four-season getaway provides the ultimate cottage experience.
9/10.
The Forest Castle
The Forest Castle is the name of this custom built, 5 bedroom, 3 storey lake house on 67+ acre property along Otter Lake, 20 minutes to the town of Minden, 25 minutes to Rosedale, and a half hour to Haliburton. Inside, the wall of windows stretching to the peak of the vaulted ceiling in the great room face south, allowing tons of natural light. There is a wood burning fireplace in the living room, and the kitchen even has a built-in espresso machine. The lower level has a pool table, electric fireplace, and walk out access to the hot tub overlooking the lake. The large wrap around deck overlooks the grounds, and has a barbeque and outdoor dining area. Outside, there’s an outdoor fire pit, lawn games, a long dock with four Muskoka chairs, a kayak and a paddle boat. Nearby, the Haliburton Highlands has much to offer nature lovers and adventurers, including the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre and Haliburton Skyline Park. For the avid paddlers, check out the Minden Whitewater Preserve with 100 acres of park to walk near some of Canada’s best rapids. There are also 3 km of biking trails available in summer.
10/10.
Halls Lake Retreat
Experience a peaceful lakeside escape at Halls Lake Retreat, a cozy retreat on Halls Lake in Haliburton. This charming, well-appointed cottage offers stunning water views, a private dock for swimming, paddling, and fishing, plus a spacious deck with seating to soak in the scenery. Inside, enjoy a warm and inviting open-concept living space with large windows, comfortable furnishings, and a fully equipped kitchen for home-cooked meals. The cottage also features modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, a smart TV, and a wood-burning fireplace for cozy evenings. Outside, relax by the fire pit, explore nearby hiking trails, or take advantage of the property’s canoe and kayaks for an unforgettable adventure on the lake. Perfect for families and couples, this four-season getaway provides the ultimate balance of relaxation and outdoor fun.
Booking a cottage is the first step in planning your Haliburton vacation. Next is your itinerary and activities. With so much to do, see, and experience, Halibrton has something for everyone. Explore cottage country with ease, and we have lots of information that can help you plan your perfect cottage vacation. If we can help in any way, please send us an email or give us a call.
More Reading on Cottage Vacation Planning:
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What to Do When it’s Raining on Vacation at the Cottage
Dog Safety Tips for Cottage Country
Cottage vs Cabin: Differences Between Vacation Homes
Alex Laframboise
Alex is a champion of Ontario’s cottage lifestyle, leveraging her love for nature and years of management expertise to create unforgettable rental experiences. Cottaging near Lake Nipissing, Alex developed a deep connection to cottage country, which inspires her storytelling and marketing work at Cottage Vacations.
