Lake of Bays gets its name from the 100 lakes in the area and the actual Lake of Bays is the main feature. Its main population is just over 3000 but swells to over 11 thousand seasonally. The township is made up of many smaller communities like Dwight, Baysville, Bigwin, Dorset, and Hillside.
Lake of Bays is a four-season destination and tourism is its main industry, along with forestry and aggregate mining. Residents and visitors enjoy a balanced quality of life, natural environment, and economic opportunities the town offers.
Baysville is one of the smaller communities that makes up the town and is known for its charm. As you drive through the community you will see spectacular views of various lakes and be surrounded by forests that provide beautiful colors during Fall. Over the years it has remained a popular destination for vacationers, and you will see that seasonal properties make up the main property type as well as detached homes. Additionally, Baysville is a desirable location for lakefront cottages and living being surrounded by various lakes.
There are not many schools in the town, but elementary school Irwin Memorial Public School is local to Baysville, while students in high school must be bussed to nearby town Huntsville to attend Huntsville High School.
For those who enjoy walking or hiking the Oxtongue Rapids hiking trail is a popular trail that follows the fast-moving river with rocky slopes. It’s a challenging hike due to the rocky slopes and uneven terrain, but it provides a nice view of the Oxtongue Rapids as you walk along. A second trail, the Baysville Heritage Walking Tour is another popular trail and is just over two kilometers long, giving a nice view of the east side of Baysville.
As mentioned, Lake of Bays is a four-season destination. In the summer the Baysville Dock is enjoyed by kids, families, and adults alike for swimming. It also has a gazebo with Muskoka chairs and a small green space making for the perfect location to enjoy a day outside. Additionally in the winter, the Baysville Oval Skating Loop is a popular attraction for those who love skating, while cross country skiers and snowshoers have over 22 kilometers of trails to enjoy in and around the community.
The Town of Lake of Bays is known for its festivals. One of their more notable festivals is hosted in Baysville and is known as the Walkabout Festival and will be celebrating its 32nd year in 2022. The streets will be lined with more than 100 local vendors showcasing their unique products. The day will start off with the Lion’s Club pancake breakfast, in addition, there will be a kid’s fun zone that will have a variety of activities to entertain the kids and live music provided by local talent.
Baysville has a variety of unique and amazing artisan shops, that are very popular among visitors and residents. The Baysville General Store will have just about everything you need from small grocery items to unique gifts. Yummies in a Jar offers high-end preserves and you can even have a taste of what they offer while you’re there. Lastly, the Lake of Bays Brewing Company is their local craft brewery that has a variety of delicious beverages to enjoy on the patio.
Additionally, Baysville is home to popular restaurant, the Cast Iron. You will find a huge selection of high-end, homemade dishes and they also cater to a variety of diets with vegetarian, vegan, and keto dish options. Their best-sellers are their fajitas and keto chicken.
The Town of Lake of Bays and Baysville is a great place to live and spend time whether you want to permanently relocate or enjoy a seasonal property because of its quality of life. You will be surrounded by an abundance of natural environments and while it may be small, it has everything you need.
– The BDAR Team