Frequently Asked Questions

  • Seasonally, the cabin can sleep four comfortably, 2 in the Queen bed in the main cabin and 2 in the Queen bed in the Bunk House. The bunk house is only available from May - October. There is a couch in the living room for overflow though the cabin can get quite full and we only recommend this for kids.

  • Yes! We are connected to the Starlink network which offers reliable Wifi. That said, we live in a rural area and there are always cases where access to the satellite signal is disrupted, please be patient if the Wifi signal is temporarily unavailable, it usually self-corrects.

  • Yes! As long as we know in advance you are welcome to bring one well-behaved dog to the cottage. Due to the small size of our space, only one pet is permitted. Please make sure your dog has good recall as the property is open. Ensure you are picking up after your pet! At this time, only dogs are permitted.

  • We provide a water cooler for drinking water and cooking. While the water is clean on Muldrew, most Muskoka Lakes are tea-coloured and include dissolved sediments from the natural shoreline. While perfectly clean to swim, we recommend using the water cooler for consumption.

  • Yes. Haleway Drive is a private road that is maintained throughout the year. We recommend driving slowly as the road can be narrow in parts. Be wary of oncoming traffic and animals darting across the road. In the winter months the road is plowed however winter tires are necessary and take it slow in case of slippery sections.

  • Yes. A firepit is located next to the main cottage and can be used, weather permitting. We have dried wood available for use by cottagers. Please verify the status of any current fire bans in the area (we provide this inside the cabin ahead of your stay). If there is a current fire ban you are not permitted to have an outdoor fire and can be fined.

  • Yes, you can launch your boat at Peck’s Landing on Middle Muldrew. From here it is a short boat ride to Hemlock Lake House in Pigeon Bay. Verify with Peck’s Landing for fees.

  • Yes! Muskoka has retained a lot of natural forest and with that comes the natural inhabitants. Bugs are a part of the cottage experience and Hemlock Lake House is not immune. Bring your bug spray for evenings and cool days. May/June sees the initial influx and the bugs begin to drop off slightly as the summer progresses. Mosquitos are out from thaw through to frost, so be ready. Winter cottaging certainly has the added appeal of no bugs!

  • Power outages are very common in Muskoka and are exacerbated by extreme weather. We have provided a handy ‘power outage kit’, stored in the bedroom, for use during extended power outages. Remember, water is pumped to the cottage using electricity, so you will need to rely on the water cooler and avoid use of the toilet during outages. Manual flushing is possible when the toilet tank is filled with a bucket.

  • In short, you can experience all four seasons at Hemlock, sometimes in one day. Generally speaking, our year is divided quite nicely into distinct seasonal climates:

    SPRING

    Weather is usually cooler with warming trends as the season progresses. Early spring can bring snow, but usually by late April the weather starts to turn. Ice retreats from the lake by the end of April, though any ice on the lake March and onward should be avoided. Bugs can be particularly heavy in Spring. Early spring days average around 5 degrees with April and May brining more stable readings of 10-20 degrees Celsius.

    SUMMER

    A Muskoka summer can be tricky to predict but usually warm to hot days are expected. The summer season can bring summer storms that, at times, are severe, though these are usually short-lived. Temperatures average 22 degrees Celsius, with days exceeding 30 degrees on occasion. This is the best time for lake oriented pursuits!

    AUTUMN

    Crisp days and beautiful colours. Early Autumn, September and early October, are the best times for higher temperatures and a warmer lake. You can expect averages of 15-20 degrees. As October closes and November hits, snow flurries and colder temperatures prevail, but the lake is quiet. Bugs are generally very low this time of year and the quiet solitude sets in.

    WINTER

    Often maligned for the harsh conditions, winter is our favourite season, particularly January through early March. This time of year the snow is fresh and plentiful and the lake is usually frozen. Temperatures fluctuate a lot, with an average of around -5 degrees Celsius. Expect cold nights and snow, but warmer days and sunshine are excellent chances for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

  • Yes! While seasonally dependent of course, wildlife is all over Muskoka. From hummingbirds in the summer, to raccoons, squirrels, foxes, hares and even larger animals like deer, moose and black bears. Given the development around the lake, bears and moose are very rare, if ever seen. Bears are not likely to wander anywhere near cottages unless there is a strong temptation (keep food locked up), and even then, Black Bears are skittish and avoid humans. Try not to feed the wildlife (the chipmunks being the exception), as this disrupts their natural instincts to find food.

  • Yes! The cottage is outfitted with a propane barbecue. The tank is attached to the unit and a secondary tank is stored next to it should you require additional propane.

  • We do have two lifejackets available for use (M/L and L/XL) however guests are encouraged to bring their own, properly fitted life jacket for us while on the lake. As a reminder, paddle boarders, canoeists and other watercraft require a life jacket be accessible while out on the water.

  • When firewood is left over or left behind by other guests, we will stack this near the fire pit for your use, though we cannot gurantee there will be a full supply. We ask guests to verify local fire bans before burning and avoid collecting wood from the nearby woods as we wants to maintain the natural environment. Firewood should be purchased locally to prevent spread of disease and there is plenty available in Gravenhurst, at the Shell gas station on South Kahshe Lake Road and a box on Southwood Road (as you approach the cottage) that sells bags for $10 (cash only).

  • Yes, the TV is an LG Standby Me 2 Smart TV and can be moved from the living room to the bedroom as needed. Guests are welcome to log in to their preferred streaming services on the TV (don’t forget to log out when done)!

  • Yes, Muldrew Lake and all of Muskoka has rattlesnakes. The Massassauga Rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in Ontario and can be found from Georgian Bay through Muskoka. That said, rattlesnakes do NOT like people and will avoid humans whenever possible. If, in the unlikely event you come across a rattlesnake, it will give you fair warning with the namesake rattle of its tail, or otherwise try to flee into the undergrowth for safety. Given their distaste for humans, rattlesnakes are more likely to flee than bite. Be conscious of sticking to open areas and avoiding dense wooded sections. Know how to identify a rattlesnake and, if you are hiking, wear long pants if possible and boots. These are endangered so their presence is exceedingly rare, however if seen, leave it alone.

    Parry Sound Hospital is the premier location to treat rattlesnake bites and Bracebridge also carries a stockpile of antivenin for rare cases of snake bites.

  • All windows at Hemlock Lake House have screens and the sliding patio door has a screen. The main entrance door and the bunkie door do not have screens as they are larger, metal doors. When loading and unloading, especially at dusk or night, limit the time the door is open to prevent bugs getting inside. During the day, always use the screen.