Muskoka Cranberry Route: The Cranberry Capital of Ontario
A fun-filled (and tasty) trail inspired by Muskoka’s love for cranberries!
September 26th, 2025 – October 19th, 2025
This fall the annualMuskoka Cranberry Routeis back for another season! Join us at more than 30 stops across Muskoka, giving you the opportunity to enjoy cranberries in a plethora of different ways.
Bala is the cranberry capital of Ontario and has been hosting one of the largest cranberry celebrations, theBala Cranberry Festival for the last 41 years. This year the festival is on October 17- 19, 2025. This cranberry capital is also home to the oldest cranberry farm in Ontario, and the only cranberry farm in the world with its own on-site winery!
The cranberry love doesn’t stop in Bala; in fact Muskoka has long been crazy for cranberries! Across the region talented chefs, bakers, creators and brewers have been incorporating local cranberries into their craft for years. The Muskoka Cranberry Route pulls this collection together to showcase local food, talent and culinary creativity.
Tour the cranberry marsh, sip cranberry craft beer and cider, indulge in cranberry baked goods, taste cranberry inspired cuisine, and so much more! Your cranberry adventure will take you down some of Muskoka’s most historic main streets, scenic back roads and along iconic lake side views.
Plan your #CRANROUTE culinary adventure today. This is one crantastic experience you won’t want to miss!
Visit the Cranberry Marsh
It is only natural to start the Muskoka Cranberry Route culinary adventure with a visit to Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery. Here, you can gain a true appreciation and understanding of how versatile cranberries really are before journeying on to the next stops.
Take the Bog to Bottle Discovery Tour, an experience so special it has been designated a Canadian Signature Experience. This one-of-a-kind experience includes a tour of the farm followed by a guided wine tasting of their delicious wines. The Bog to Bottle tour runs all year and, during the fall harvest, the tour is a guided wagon ride around the South Marsh.
Take theCranberry Plunge, one of Muskoka’s most exciting fall experiences. Don a pair of hip waders and venture into the cranberries for that iconic candid photo of raining cranberries that will surely liven up any photo album or Instagram feed! There have even been marriage proposals in the berries (they said yes)!
Shop the Cranberry Store for some amazing goodies to take home like fresh cranberries, wines, Mrs. J’s famous preserves, cranberry honey, cranberry teas and so much more cranberry inspired delicacies. A must-take-home treat is one of their Cranberry Ciders or Cranberry Splash Wine Spritzers! Learn more
Since 1984, they’ve had an estimated attendance of over half million people in the small town of Bala. The Bala Cranberry Festival is a Festivals and Events Ontario Top 100 Event!
Always the weekend after Thanksgiving, the festival celebrates the cranberry harvest season and improves the quality of life in our community, by providing financial assistance to organizations and individuals in need. Featuring local vendors and artisans, buskers, musicians and more; this is a crantastic event you WON’T want to miss!
Can’t wait to see you there!
Dining & Culinary
Blue Willow Tea Shop
Muskoka is home to many hidden culinary gems and deemed a worthy foodie destination by food enthusiasts. With exceptionally talented chefs committed to fresh, local ingredients (like Bala cranberries), it’s no wonder Muskoka is starting to gain a reputation for fantastic food!
Discover the amazing tastes of cranberry-inspired cuisine at these great eateries and restaurants:
Blue Willow Tea Shop: The current high tea menu features an assortment of cranberry filled favourites. Enjoy their cranberry chicken salad canapé on the bottom tier. Move to the second tier to indulge in a cranberry lemon scone with clotted cream and preserves. Save room for the cranberry apple parfait on the top! Pair this high tea experience with their cranberry apple tea available hot and iced.
Well – Fed Sandwich Shop: Make a stop at Well Fed – Sandwich Shop along the Muskoka Cranberry Route to enjoy some delicious treats! Try their Lemon Cranberry Muffins, a Roasted Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Mayo and Swiss Cheese, and don’t miss the broccoli-cauliflower salad topped with dried cranberries. Take your tasty cranberry delights and savor them while enjoying the beautiful views at Muskoka Wharf or Gull Lake Rotary Park.
Affogato Café + Gelato: Hot Cranberry Apple Cider – Their house-made blend of crisp apples and tart cranberries, simmered with just the right touch of spice, then steamed to cozy perfection. It’s sweet, with a little tangy sass, and basically Autumn in a mug. Stop by the café to sip, smile, and warm up with a cup this Fall.
The Griffin Pub: Visit The Griffin Pub in Bracebridge along the Muskoka Cranberry Route for an entrée and cocktail to celebrate the incredible cranberry growers in the area!
Cast Iron Restaurant: While traveling along the Muskoka Cranberry Route, be sure to stop at the Cast Iron Restaurant. Enjoy their signature red cranberry Sangria, which is made to order and perfectly balanced—not too sweet. It’s one of the top-selling cocktails on their menu, available by the glass or in a half-litre.
Hotels/Resorts Dining Options
Check out the collection of hotels and resorts offering specialty food and drink for cranberry season. Available for overnight guests or public access. Reservations recommended.
Touchstone Resort:Enjoy the cranberry specials at the Touchstone Grill. Cranberry Touchstone Salad: Spring mix, fresh apple, pear, cranberries, and candied pecans tossed in our house-made green goddess dressing. Try a Cranberry Grand Muskokan Martini: Vodka & Cointreau, topped with cranberry and lime juice. A stop you don’t want to miss.
The Bala Bay Inn will be celebrating with cranberry-inspired menu specials, including: Cranberry Buffalo Wings, Deep-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Dried Cranberries Cranberry Sangria & Cranberry Mimosas Their kitchen isn’t the only thing buzzing — enjoy live music all Cranberry Festival weekend long: Duo Sonic | Friday,October 18, 7–10 PM Cache Creek Trio | Saturday, October 19, 8–11 PM
Sherwood Inn will be featuring their Cranberry Turkey Melt Sandwich. This delicious sandwich features smoked fresh turkey, grilled on artisan walnut cranberry bread, topped with Swiss cheese and arugula. It is served with sweet yam fries and chipotle cranberry aioli. Additionally, don’t miss out on the Cranberry Smash, which combines Lot No. 40 Canadian Whisky, maple cranberry simple syrup, cranberry juice, and soda, all garnished with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Taboo Muskoka Resort: Fall is here, and they’re embracing the flavours of the season with a collection of cranberry-inspired dishes and drinks you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re dining at the Golf Course, sipping cocktails at the Boathouse, or cozying up with something sweet, there’s a taste of cranberry waiting for you. On the Golf Course: Enjoy a hearty Cranberry Turkey Club layered with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cranberry & mayo on multigrain bread. Pair it with our refreshing Cranberry Fizz, a blend of cranberry syrup, lemon juice, gin, ginger ale and a fresh mint garnish. At the Boathouse: Sip on seasonal creations like the Cranberry Cider Margarita with tequila, Cointreau, apple cider & lime, finished with a brown sugar rim, or a sparkling Cranberry Spritz with Aperol, prosecco and soda. Looking for something lighter? Try the Cranberry Cider Mocktail or a sparkling Cranberry Spritz with Aperol, prosecco and soda. Seasonal Features: • Turkey & Brie Pizza – Creamy white sauce, topped with turkey, brie and a drizzle of cranberry sauce. • Baked Cranberry & Goat Cheese Dip – Finished with pistachios and served with warm sourdough crostini. • White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake – A decadent finish topped with whipped cream. Come taste the season — cranberry never looked (or tasted) so good!
Rawley Resort will be featuring a cranberry inspired menu on the weekend of October 17-20. The Cranberry Festival menu will feature Baked Brie – Served with cranberry compote, sliced apples & warmed pita points, Cranberry Mesclun Salad – Tossed in a champagne vinaigrette, mixed with apple slices, candied pecans & goat cheese, 10oz AAA Striploin – Served with a cranberry peppercorn jus with garlic mashed potatoes and harvest vegetables and Cranberry Mojito -White rum, lime juice, cranberry juice,mint, soda & cranberries and a mocktail version.
Christie’s Mill Inn & Spa:Enjoy a unique dining experience at their Waterfron Restaurant in Port Severn. Stay and dine at their hotel’s very own restaurant in Port Severn! After a long day of enjoying the Muskoka Cranberry Route, stop by their restaurant for a delicious Cranberry inspired meal.
Local Craft
Crack a pint, stop in for samples and discover great local craft breweries. Be sure to bring some craft pints home to enjoy throughout the harvest, taking a bit of Muskoka home with you!
Try these delicious cranberry-inspired craft brews:
Canvas Brewing:Canvas Brewing Company is Huntsville’s hometown craft brewery, born out of a love for the local landscape and a passion for fresh, well-made craft beer. En route during the cranberry harvest season stop in for a thirst quenching cranberry inspired cocktail.
Muskoka Brewery: Savour the bold taste of our Winter Beard Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout—only at Muskoka Brewery, a must-stop destination on the Muskoka Cranberry Route
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery: We start with quality, local fruit to craft wines that reflect this region. The French call it ‘terroir’ – or taste of place. We make wines from dry to dessert that have won awards at national and international competitions. They’re delicious, fruit forward and perfect for every occasion! Enjoy ciders, wines and seltzers!
Copperhead Distillery: Will be offering Muskoka Gourmet’sCranberry chutney, Cranberry Orange Sauce, and Wild Muskoka Cranberry Juniper Bitters in our retail store. They will also be featuring Cranberry Cocktail Ideas throughout the month of the Muskoka Cranberry Route and sampling warm Cranberry Apple Pie Moonshine. Must be 19+
Cranned Goods
Visit these route stops and bring the cranberry harvest home with you to enjoy year round!
Bala Freshmart: Don’t forget to pick up some of their famous pure pork Cranberry Sausages, the perfect hearty fall BBQ headliner. The sweet and savoury combination is a match made in heaven. Pair with fresh-baked buns for a delicious cranberry dinner you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Available fresh or frozen.
Cacao Boys: While traveling around Muskoka and enjoying the Cranberry Route, make sure to visit Cacao Boys in Bala to sample their Cranberry bonbons and cranberry chocolate bars
Mrs. H’s Fish & Chips/Wahta Station: Features home made cranberry-based spreads from Laura’s Kitchen, an indigenous-owned company. All of the food products are produced on the Reserve and only available at the Wahta Station store.
The Shipyards Muskoka Marketplace:Traveling the Muskoka Cranberry Route. Stop at the Starbucks Coffee at The Shipyards Muskoka Marketplace. Enjoy the locally made Cranberry Muffins and/or Award Winning Cranberry Tarts.
Humble Pie Butter Tart Factory & Pizzeria: Follow the Cranberry Route to Humble Pie. They will be baking many cranberry goodies. • Cranberry Pumpkin Buttermilk Scones • Cranberry & Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Scones • Lemon Cranberry Buttermilk Scones • Cran-Apple Pies and Cranberry Jelly Linzer Cookies. Open: Wednesday – Sunday
Erika’s Bakery offers a selection of items made with fresh Bala cranberries, including: – Lemon Cranberry Muffins – White Chocolate Cranberry Scones – Lemon Cranberry Loaves – Cranberry Pecan Pies – Cranberry Butter Tarts They also serve their Turkey with a Twist Sandwich, which features their delicious handmade cranberry mayo, as well as Erika’s Club Sandwich, which includes the same tasty mayo. Stop by to enjoy these sandwiches and delightful treats!
The Artisan Trading Post is the ideal destination for all your cranberry needs. They’re featuring a number of cranberry products in their store, including a number of cranberry coloured products, new bala cranberry stickers, garlands, Johnson’s mulling spices, blankets and more. Their store will be closed Oct 17-19 because they’re going to be vendors at the Cranberry Festival inside the arena this year! Stop by and say hello!
Rich Hill Candles: Visit Rich Hill Candles on the Muskoka Cranberry Route in Bracebridge for a variety of cranberry and cranberry blended candles such as jars, pillars, votives, tealights, and wax melts.
Muskoka Brand Gourmet Foods Ltd: visit the retail store in beautiful Huntsville! Experience the flavors of the season with their spiced Cranberry Chutney, tangy and tart Cranberry Orange Sauce, and a variety of garlic sauces, hot sauces, jams, and jellies. These products are the perfect additions to your Thanksgiving feast!
Experiences
Floathaus-Muskoka’s Floating Spa is a must as you travel along the Muskoka Cranberry Route! Elevate your fall sauna experience with cozy cranberry tea and a crisp, arctic berry steam infusion for the sauna stones.
Sunset Cruises: Come aboard the Peerless II on the Muskoka Cranberry Route!Enjoy deliciouscranberry muffins and hot drinksavailable for purchase onboard while Captain Potts shareslive commentary on the rich history and stunning scenery of the Muskoka Lakes.Perfect for a cozy fall adventure!
Rawley Resort: You can enjoy a Cranberry cream foot ritual $99. A detoxifying foot soak followed by nail health (cutting, shaping and buffing), cuticle nourishment, hard skin removal, exfoliating & detoxifying cranberry scrub, an application of cranberry coconut nourishing foot mask to deeply hydrate and moisturize followed by a holistic and grounding hot stone foot and leg massage to ease aches and pains and lock in moisture. Your treatment is complete with your choice of polish.
HydroSpa Rosseau: Visit the spa at the JW Marriott and enjoy a Harvest Glow Body Scrub – 60 minutes | $245 Immerse yourself in unparalleled luxury with Harvest Glow Body Scrub. This indulgent treatment features a cranberry-infused scrub that gently exfoliates, revealing a luminous and smooth complexion. Complemented by a light, relaxing massage, it enhances circulation and alleviates tension. Infused with the essence of the cranberry harvest, this experience leaves your skin velvety soft and exquisitely polished, radiating the warmth and vitality of the season. Experience the epitome of luxury by booking your appointment at (705) 765 – 7000 or hydrospamuskoka@marriott.com. Embrace the seasonal splendor and elevate your well-being.
Trillium Resort & Spa: Enjoy one of the cranberry spa packages until October 19th. Cranberry Spa Facial This is an anti-aging, antioxident rich faicial includes hot towels and foot massage therapy, scalp, neck and shoulder massage. Resulting in glowing, hydrated skin, minimizing fine lines and stimulating collagen production. $130 50min. Cranberry Body Polish Full Body dry brushing, followed by cranberry sugar scrub, warm shower and full body moisture application with effleurage. This skin smoothing full body treatment uses lymphatic drainage, increasing your circulation and detoxifying your body while boosting hydration. $115 40min. Cranberry Spa Special Enjoy the benefits of both the cranberry spa facial and the cranberry body polish for full body glow with hydrating. $235 90min.
Silver Gull Outdoors:Colours, Kayaks, & Cranberries! Take a guided fall kayak tour to learn about the natural history and importance of wild cranberries and other edible plants in Muskoka. Meet at Gull Lake Rotary Park Gravenhurst, get set up to paddle, and join a local naturalist guide exploring lily bay wetland on Gull Lake. Beginners are welcome! Tours include all equipment, instruction, great stories and a cranberry inspired treat or picnic! Weekends or with prior booking.
Driverseat Muskoka & District is excited to announce our Cranberry Festival Shuttle and Charter Experiences, available from September 26th to October 19th. Private Shuttles to the Bala Cranberry Festival and Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh Guests can book safe and reliable round-trip transportation for groups of 4 to 24 passengers directly to the heart of the festival and surrounding cranberry attractions. Cranberry Tasting and Tour Packages We offer customized charters that include stops at Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Winery for wine tastings, as well as visits to local markets and other autumn experiences, ensuring convenient transport for your group. Fall Colour and Cranberry Tours Enjoy scenic drives through Muskoka to take in the beautiful fall colors, accompanied by visits to various cranberry-themed activities. Their cranberry route service is designed for stress-free travel and group convenience, allowing guests to fully enjoy Muskoka’s cranberry celebrations without the concerns of driving or parking.
Overnight Packages
Muskoka is brilliant during the fall season, and a Muskoka Cranberry Route culinary adventure is the perfect excuse for a fall getaway. Stay at one of these great Muskoka Cranberry Route accommodation partners:
Unique Stays in Muskoka, Aux Box:Sip & Soak Experience – Celebrate Cranberry season with a luxury wellness twist. Guests can sip a handcrafted cranberry Cosmo cocktail while flowing through a private Nordic spa- hot tub, sauna and cold plunge – surrounded by Muskoka’s breathtaking fall colours. Finish the night cozied up by the fire in this modern boutique cabin, the perfect way to sip, soak and savor cranberry season in style.
Touchstone Resort: Plan your stay for two nights or more and use the promo code OHCANADA to receive 25% off your visit to the Muskoka Cranberry Route.
The Chalets on Lake Muskoka: Enjoy the Muskoka Cranberry Route with a relaxing stay on the shores of Lake Muskoka. Book your waterfront chalet from Sep 26 – Oct 19 and receive a cranberry-themed gift basket upon arrival.
Bayview Wildwood Resort: Stay Sweet on the Cranberry Route – Bed & Breakfast at Bayview Wildwood Resort. Enjoy lakeside accommodations, a hearty country breakfast, resort amenities, and activities, and savour a special take-home treat: our homemade cranberry jelly. Call 705-689-2338 to reserve your Sweet Bed & Breakfast today.
Trillium Resort: Cranberry Trail Cottage Getaway-Enjoy a 2-night cottage getaway for 2 adults for $629.00, plus taxes. The resort service charge is included. This package includes breakfast and a 3-course dinner daily, featuring our delicious CRASIAN delights! Their menu offers a selection of cranberry-themed dishes for breakfast, dinner, and dessert. Be sure to try a Crown Cranberry Cocktail from our bar. Additionally, take a day trip to Bala to experience the Cranberry Bog and learn how these little gems grow. Call 705-385-1212 to make your reservation today. This offer is valid until October 19, 2025.
Bala Bay Inn: As you travel on the MuskokaCranberry Route relax with an overnight stay at the Bala Bay Inn from Sept 26 through Oct 19 guests can receive a Complimentary Cranberry foot scrub, soak and massage. $60 value. Appointments requested – promotional code given at time of booking.-
