Two of Lake Rosseau's oldest communities sit on its shores. The village of Rosseau is at the lake's northern tip. Windermere, home to the resort hotel Windermere House, is also on the lake; the hotel's own list of local attractions puts the Rosseau Farmers' Market about 21 km away.
One point that surprises visitors: Rosseau is not technically in Muskoka. The village is part of the Township of Seguin, in the District of Parry Sound. Windermere is part of the Township of Muskoka Lakes. In practice the two share a lake, a summer economy and a lot of history, and most visitors treat them as one stretch of shoreline.
This guide covers both, and is honest about the fact that this is mainly a summer place. From November to April a good deal is closed, and we say so below.
Rosseau village
The waterfront and the farmers' market
The Township of Seguin lists Rosseau Waterfront Park at 2 Jim Swift Drive, with a dock, swim raft, sandy beach, playground, picnic tables, washrooms and a paved boat launch. It is the village's front porch and the obvious place to start.
On summer Fridays the park hosts the Rosseau Farmers' Market. Seguin lists it as every Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., all summer. Check the 2027 dates in late spring.
Rosseau General Store
The Rosseau General Store has been operating since 1874; Cottage Life reported that it marked 150 years of continuous operation in August 2024. Cottage Life describes its stock as food and cottage essentials. Call ahead for winter hours.
Crossroads Restaurant
For a sit-down dinner in the village, Crossroads Restaurant is on Cardwell Road. Reservations are wise in summer; confirm off-season hours directly, as they change through the year.
The Rosseau-Nipissing Road
Rosseau was the starting point of one of the province's colonization roads, and a provincial plaque tells its story. According to the plaque text, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized in 1864 to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District. Construction began in 1866, starting about 1.6 km northwest of Rosseau, and the road ran 108 km north to the South River, where the village of Nipissing grew up at its end. It was open for winter traffic by 1873. The road lost its importance after the railway between Gravenhurst and Callander was built in 1886, but most of it is still used by local traffic.
Windermere
Windermere House
Windermere House at 2508 Windermere Road has welcomed guests since 1870, according to the hotel. A Muskoka Lakes Museum history of fire in the region records that the original building burned in February 1996, a fire blamed on a high-intensity light used during film shooting. The hotel was rebuilt and reopened the following summer.
Winter note: Windermere House runs a reduced schedule in the cold months, and some outlets close for weeks at a time. Winter 2026-27 hours had not been posted in early November 2026, so call before you drive.
Golf
Windermere House lists the semi-private Windermere Golf & Country Club, established in 1919, about 0.25 km from the hotel. A little south at Minett, The Rock Golf Club at 1185 Juddhaven Road is another Lake Rosseau course. Both are summer-and-fall outings, not winter ones.
Beyond the two villages
Lake Rosseau connects to Lake Muskoka through the locks at Port Carling and to Lake Joseph through the narrows at Port Sandfield.
- Port Carling is the nearest larger village. Our Port Carling guide covers the village, and the Port Carling locks are worth a stop in any season.
- The Muskoka Lakes Museum sits on James Bartleman Island between the locks. It is open from the Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend, Wednesday to Sunday, and closed all winter.
- Port Sandfield Marina at 1327 Peninsula Road rents boats for exploring the lakes in the open-water season.
- For the lake's steamboat era, read our history of Muskoka's steamships.
What is open November to April
Be realistic about a cold-season visit. The farmers' market, the museum, golf and boating are summer and fall activities. Restaurants and the hotel run reduced or holiday-only hours, and some close for weeks at a time.
What remains is quiet: snowy shoreline, a working general store, and Windermere House when it is open. Snowmobilers use the area too. The Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails Association grooms trail around Port Carling and Bala, and anyone riding needs an OFSC permit and should check the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide before going out. Do not walk or ride on Lake Rosseau's ice unless you have local knowledge of conditions that day.
Planning notes for November
- Windermere House had not posted winter 2026-27 hours as of November 2. Phone before planning a meal or a stay.
- Confirm hours for Crossroads and the General Store directly; online listings may not reflect off-season changes.
- The Muskoka Lakes Museum is closed until the Victoria Day weekend in May 2027.
- Spring visitors should look for the 2027 farmers' market dates from late spring onward.
