Muskoka Ontario Resorts - Waterfront Family Lodge & Conference Resort With Fine Dining

Muskoka Ontario Waterfront All Inclusive Beach Resort
Port Carling lodge accommodations with casual fine dining
Family vacations & weekend getaways
Conferences, Weddings and Group Retreats
Year round traditional Muskoka style resort

Our Muskoka Resort has it all! Shamrock Lodge is a full-service all inclusive four-season resort and conference facility located on the pristine shores of Lake Rosseau in Port Carling just 2 hours north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Owned and operated by the Bryant Family for the past 30 years, Shamrock Lodge offers unrivalled personal service, spectacular lakeside dining, meeting and wedding facilities, and traditional Muskoka waterfront style accommodations.

Our all-inclusive packages include: 3 meals daily, deluxe lakeside accommodations and all on-site activities. Shamrock Lodge has an oasis of activity. In summer our all-inclusive packages include scenic boat tours, fully supervised children's program, safe sandy beach, daily waterskiing and tubing, water trampoline, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboats, tennis, indoor pool, nightly entertainment, wild life shows and much more. We have access to Muskoka’s finest championship golf courses too! In winter, you will enjoy a snow lover's paradise including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skating on our Lake Rosseau rink. Unwind by a cozy fire or relax in our indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.

At Shamrock Lodge, we have been careful to retain all the old-time charm of our traditional Muskoka lodge's storied past. Yet, keeping up with the times, we offer our resort guests all the contemporary amenities that they would expect to find at a premier Ontario lakefront resort offering the latest in upscale resort living. We pride ourselves in extending to our guests the kind of warm, old-fashioned hospitality that is not commonly found. Combining the best of the past with the best of the present, our Muskoka Lodge is the ideal Ontario family resort for a fabulous Ontario resort vacation, couples retreat or a relaxing Muskoka getaway.

Enjoy cozy lakeside accommodation, full country breakfast and delectable candlelight dinners. Whether you are planning a family getaway, a corporate retreat or a wedding, give us a call! We'll make your stay as action packed or relaxed as you like it.

Shamrock has it all.

A Muskoka Legend
Shamrock Lodge has one of the oldest histories in the long tradition of Muskoka Resorts. Legend claims the original owner, Benjamin Hardcastle Johnston left Ireland and secured his holdings by giving a beautiful white steed to the proud Anishnabi Natives and paying the government $25.00.

Like many Muskoka resorts, the main lodge began as a farmhouse in the late 1800's and to this day remains at the heart of Shamrock activities. Recognizing the potential for tourism development in this age of steam navigation, grandson Alfred Johnston took over in 1934 and turned the farmhouse into a lodge. Guests were met at the train stations of Gravenhurst and Bala and invited to step aboard the Shamrock launch for the final leg of their journey to Shamrock Lodge. In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Clinch further enhanced the property and eventually Muriel and Dennis Bryant took over continuing to modernize and update the resort.

The Bryants now work together to make your stay very special and memorable. Sons Tim and Gary have families of their own and all have joined Muriel and Dennis continuing a long, proud tradition of family ownership. Each year new services are added and the facilities are upgraded to ensure that every guest leaves with fond memories.

For a traditional Muskoka family vacation, choose Shamrock Lodge on beautiful Lake Rosseau. Our American Plan resort offers everything for vacationing families, and for romantic couples and seniors getaways. Making vacations fun is what we do. We also make it affordable too because most everything during your summer resort stay is included with the cost of your accommodations, including three delicious meals a day, a wide range of recreational activities and amenities, our extensive kid’s Fun Club, as well as entertainment for the whole family. We have been hosting memorable Muskoka family vacations for decades and we are proud that many of our customers think of Shamrock Lodge as their Ontario cottage country resort and return year after year again.

At Shamrock Lodge, guests can choose the style of Ontario resort accommodations that is just for them. We offer a wide selection of resort accommodations to suit every taste and every budget. Most of our Muskoka resort’s rooms and cottages offer spectacular views of Lake Rosseau and have either a deck or balcony sitting area. From traditional Muskoka lodge accommodations, such as the rooms in our historic lodge or our cozy one room cabins, to four-star resort accommodations, like our spacious and luxurious premier cabins and units with Jacuzzis, Shamrock Lodge has the ideal Muskoka lodgings for your next cottage country getaway, Muskoka vacation or Ontario conference.

A four-season Muskoka resort, Shamrock Lodge has many terrific value-added Ontario vacation and Muskoka getaway rates and corporate retreat packages available throughout the year. For family fun in Muskoka, Ontario fall colour tours, spring Muskoka golf getaways or Muskoka winter escapes, Shamrock Lodge has the accommodations, the facilities and the service, along with special seasonal rates to suit most anyone's Muskoka accommodation requirements. As well, all of our lodge rates include either two or three delicious meals daily, depending on the time of year. Consult the Shamrock Specials and Rates page for full details on our Muskoka lodge rates, or you are invited to call or email us your inquiries.

While summer time in Muskoka is just about as close to paradise as you can get, a Muskoka winter getaway has a charm all its own. Crisp clean air, fresh fallen snow and ice covered lakes create a world that is almost magical. A winter resort getaway at Shamrock Lodge offers guests the chance to experience Canadian winter at its best, away from the gray slush, noise and hustle of the city. Winter sports, winter based activities, winter festivals and events abound in Muskoka. At our four-season Muskoka resort, guests have been enjoying all that winter has to offer for generations. For many, it is their favorite time of year to vacation in Muskoka.

There is no end to the things you can do this winter in Muskoka. Ice fishing, skating, tobogganing, dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides are just some of the fun wintertime activities available. Shamrock Lodge is close to great downhill skiing, and if snowmobiling or cross country skiing are what you like to do, Shamrock Lodge is the Muskoka winter resort you. Shamrock offers easy access to hundreds of kilometres of O.F.S.C. snowmobile trails and has snowmobile rentals available. For the Nordic skiing enthusiast, our Ontario winter resort has 15 km of groomed and track set woodland trails. As well, Lake Rosseau provides miles of shoreline for cross country skiers and lake trails for snowmobilers. Let us help you plan your Muskoka winter escape at Shamrock Lodge. Be sure to enquire about our affordable Winter Getaway Weekend Packages, as well as our Corporate Winter Packages.

Ontario's premier resort and cottage country area, Muskoka is officially known as The District Municipality of Muskoka, but is also sometimes called the District of Muskoka. It is a regional municipality located in central Ontario. The Muskoka area extends all the way from Georgian Bay in the west, to the northern tip of Lake Couchiching in the south, and to the western border of Algonquin Provincial Park in the east. Muskoka covers approximately 2,500 square miles (6,475 km²) and is home to more than 1,600 lakes. Muskoka is an extremely popular resort destination due to its stunning scenery and its close proximity to the major urban centres of Ontario's southern Golden Horseshoe region. Muskoka is just two hours north of Metropolitan Toronto, via major highways, Highway 400 and Highway 11.

Muskoka, Ontario, with its towering pines, crystal-clear lakes and rivers, and wealth of recreational opportunities, will instantly have you under its spell. Here in Canada's most prestigious tourist area and best known cottage country destination, you will be enthralled with the natural beauty of the Muskoka landscape, with its abundant forests, parks and wetlands, and the predominance of pink granite rock of the Canadian Shield. As well, the Muskoka region has a thriving arts community, offering many arts and cultural activities and attractions. Home to vibrant towns and many charming villages, including Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Port Carling, Bala, Dorset, Bayville, Rosseau and Port Sydney, visitors to Muskoka have the best of both town and country.

Shamrock Lodge is located, conveniently, right next door to the village of Port Carling, Ontario. Known as the Hub of the Muskoka Lakes, due to the abundant boat traffic that flows through town, Port Carling is located on Indian River and joins Lake Muskoka to Lake Rosseau by way of a system of locks. Both Mirror Lake and Silver Lake border Port Carling as well. Watching boats navigating through the locks, and the drawbridge that frequently rises to allow larger boats access, attracts spectators to the water's edge and the adjacent park. This picturesque little Muskoka town has so much to offer, including gift shops, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, lovely parkland and so much more. Port Carling is a bustling place, especially during July and August when cottagers and tourist arrive in full force.

The Muskoka Lakes Museum, open from Victoria Day until Thanksgiving, is a popular Port Carling attraction that has been in operation for over 40 years. Presenting the history of the Muskoka Lakes, the Muskoka Lakes Museum focuses on Muskoka's past, with emphasis on the area's aboriginal peoples and early settlers. The museum also highlights the major factors that contributed to the growth and development of Muskoka Lakes region, including the lumber industry, boat building, water transportation and the development of the tourist industry. The design, construction and use of the wide variety of wooden pleasure boats that are synonymous Muskoka is also given great prominence at the Muskoka Museum. A major Muskoka attraction and cultural centre, the museum has many fine pioneer and marine displays that include an 1875 log cabin, old wooden boats, early gas engines and early native artifacts. It is a terrific place for families on a Muskoka vacation to bring their children to learn about the fascinating past of this beautiful region. The Muskoka Lakes Museum offers something of interest for every member of the family, including permanent and seasonal exhibits, school programs, children's summer activities and programs, adult workshops, informative lectures and many special events. Each month there is a new exhibit on display and a new art show is presented in the adjoining Catto art gallery. The Port Carling Historical Society started the Museum in 1961, and as of 1963, it was housed in the dining room of the old Algonquin Hotel on Joseph Street in Port Carling, with James Thompson as the first curator. The Museum was incorporated in October 1964 and in July of 1967, museum founder Marion Catto cut the ribbon and declared the museum officially open. Donations and loans of artifacts from descendants of the pioneers were soon pouring in and it was obvious that more space was needed to house the growing collection. Over the year, the museum has undergone several expansions and additions, bringing it to its present size and state, but still serving to preserve the region's history.

During your stay at our Muskoka family resort on Lake Rosseau, why not book a fabulous Muskoka Lakes boat tour aboard a historic Muskoka steamship. Based in Gravenhurst Ontario, the Muskoka Steamship Lines operates from mid May until Thanksgiving. It runs two authentic and historically significant steamships; the RMS Segwun, North America's oldest operating steamship, and the beautiful Wenonah II. With several different sightseeing tours available including sunset cruises and lunch and dinner cruises, you can book tours that run from a couple of hours to full day cruises that explore Muskoka's three major lakes; Lake Rosseau, Lake Muskoka and Lake Joseph. There is even a Muskoka boat cruise called “Millionaires Row” that takes passengers on a boat cruise that passes by many of the spectacular cottage mansions that Muskoka is famous for. This outstanding Muskoka attraction, along with the adjacent Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, is less than 40 minutes from Shamrock Lodge.

Whether you come to the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst for a Muskoka boat tour on a historic steamship or to simply have a look at these beautifully preserved pieces of Canadian history, plan to spend some time at this vibrant Muskoka attraction. Here you will discover a day's worth of activities. While at the Muskoka Wharf, visitors can stroll the boardwalks of this “$170 million, 89 acre celebration of the unique and colourful history of Ontario's premier all-season vacation playground” Fun and educational, the new, interactive Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre is a terrific place for families on vacation with children. Nature paths, picnic areas and scenic views make the Muskoka Wharf a lovely spot to enjoy the great outdoors. Many exciting events are hosted here, like the Antique & Classic Boat Show and the Dockside Festival of the Arts. As well, the wharf has an interesting selection of shops and restaurants to explore.

When visiting the Muskoka Wharf, plan to send some time in the town of Gravenhurst, the “Gateway to Muskoka.” Referred to as “the cultural centre of Muskoka,” Gravenhurst prides itself on its historical attractions, live theatre and music. The Gravenhurst Opera House is home to theatre productions during the summer and a host of other events throughout the year. While on a Muskoka family vacation with children, often parents like to find a Muskoka tourist attraction that is educational and one that the entire family can enjoy. The Bethune Memorial House, which has been restored to the time of 1890, celebrates the life of Dr. Norman Bethune, a Canadian legend and hero in China. This Muskoka attraction offers impressive displays of Bethune's contributions to medicine and a glimpse of times past.

Scenically situated on the Muskoka River, the popular Ontario resort town of Bracebridge, Ontario is a bustling community that is well worth visiting. A short drive from Shamrock Lodge, Bracebridge has something to offer Muskoka visitors every month of the year. A pretty little town that has retained its old time charm, visitors will discover a well preserved main street with many interesting shops, restaurants and visitors attractions. Bracebridge also has an abundance of green space, with parks, walking trails and many scenic views, especially of the waterfalls and the Muskoka River which runs through town. Bracebridge offers a wide array of tourist attractions, art galleries and other places of interest. As well, this Muskoka town has many annual events and festivals throughout the year, including studio tours, fairs, cars shows, fall festivals, to name just a few.

Bracebridge is home to one of cottage country's most famous family friendly Muskoka tourist attractions, Santa's Village. For over 50 years, Santa's Village Bracebridge has been delighting families on vacation in Muskoka. At 45 degrees latitude, half way between the Equator and the North Pole, it was decided that Bracebridge would be the perfect summer home for Santa and his Christmas theme park. This popular family amusement park is open seasonally, from mid June to mid September. Here you can take the kids for a ride on Santa's train, see Santa's deer, paddleboat around the Lemonade Lagoon, take a cruise down the Muskoka River, enjoy Rudolf's Roller coaster, and of course, visit Santa Claus. In the pay-as-you-go Sportsland area of Santa's Village, sports buffs can enjoy go-carts, mini-golf, batting cages, laser tag and an arcade.

An old Ontario town with a great deal of history, Bracebridge has a number of historic sites that are available to Muskoka visitors. Located on Wharf Road, the Bird Mill Power Station was built in 1892 to supply Bracebridge with electricity, making Bracebridge the first municipality to own and operate a hydro-electric generating station. At 94 Manitoba Street, the Bracebridge Public library has been serving the town for over a century. The library with built after American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie promised a grant of $10,000 in 1906. Today it remains a reminder of the importance the Carnegie libraries played in public education. On King Street, the Woodchester Villa, built in 1882 by Henry Bird, is one of the finest octagonal homes in Ontario. Known locally as the “Bird Cage,” the villa has been restored and is open to the public.

Shamrock Lodge is an Ontario family resort that is open for your enjoyment all year round. People often ask us what time of year is the best time to visit Muskoka. Our answer is – anytime is the right time for a fabulous Muskoka resort vacation. We thoroughly enjoy all four seasons in this scenic Ontario destination area and you will too. In beautiful Muskoka, every month has much to offer for family vacations, reunions, romantic escapes and mid week getaways. No matter when you arrive in Muskoka, you will be amazed with the variety of activities and events going on in the area and will be impressed with the beauty of the landscape.