Dorset, Ontario, Canada - Muskoka Region

Ah.... Dorset what a beauty.

If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been adventuring in Muskoka, mainly in Dorset, Canada this summer as it is my second home I have been living/visiting for 25+ years.

Thought you could appreciate this small, quaint, beautifully dense forest town.

[This is a perfect shot from the Dorset Business Directory]

So this is the overview of the town. Straight ahead it opens up to a small bay. Directly behind it opens up to Lake of Bays, quite a big lake. To the right you have the Marina where the famous SS Bigwin is docked. Also to the right on the other side of the bridge is the Trading Bay restaurant. To the left is a ice cream spot, restaurant, Robinson's general store, further down the fire hall and other buildings.

On the map above you can see how the lake opens up and keeps going on surrounded by greenery everywhere.

Dorset is a small community located between Lake of Bays in Muskoka and Algonquin Highlands in Haliburton, Ontario.
Francis Harvey was the first European settler here in 1859 . Zachariah Cole mapped out the area for the government around 1860. The community name was chosen by some of the settlers that came from Dorset, England.

The population is approximately 400 permanent residents but the numbers increase more than tenfold in summer months from cottagers,vacationers and people like me! I have had a place here for for many years but just come up in summer months as I do not winterize my place. I am planning to come up in the winter this year, as it has been many years since I have. Just need to be prepared to be a bit cold, run heaters all day, and take it the winter views!

This shot was taken just last week in front of Robinson's general store.

Dorset is located within the Canadian Shield ecological region of Canada. The area has many lakes with forests of mainly Sugar Maple, Red Oak, White Ash, and Yellow Birch Trees. Also some White Pine, Black Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, and Balsam Fir. Spruce bogs, wetlands, large granite rock outcroppings are also common in the local area.

Right across from Robinson's is the complex with the Ice Cream, Restaurant, and a couple other small boutiques.

No one knows who the first travelers were here but someone carved 1675 into a rock in one spot found in the early 1800s by Tom Salmon, one of the first settlers on Lake of Bays.

Back on the other side of the bridge... Here we have the Trading Bay restaurant.
Below another shot from the bridge looking at there patio.

Directly across from the photo above is the marina, SS Bigwin docked and the big opening to the lake.

Below is the opposite direction again looking into the smaller bay and end of the lake.

OK let's head back over the bridge and back into the main town center.

Now this is just a bit further down from Robinson's... away from the bridge.
The Fire Hall.

In behind here is there skating rink, baseball diamond, and winter carnival is done here yearly.

The recreational building. They have a small library here and do little community events.

Also this cool little place opened up just the past year. It is just around the corner on another block by itself.
Pizza & Bagels! Who would of thought of having to bread meals as your main dishes.

Everything is cooked on a wood oven. I just tried the bagels and they were super delicious!! Makes a difference.
I will be trying the pizza next because it smelled so good in there! It was 11am though, so no pizza that day.