Muskoka Bay Club
Doug Carrick blasted Muskoka Bay out of the granite above Gravenhurst in 2006, and the result is one of the most dramatic courses in Canada. A par 72 of 7,367 yards with sheer rock cuts, big elevation changes and a celebrated modernist clubhouse, it sits inside the country's top 10 in Golf Digest and is open for visitors to play.
Photo: Muskoka Bay Resort via Google.
The verdict
Muskoka Bay is Doug Carrick at his boldest. Opened in 2006 on rugged land above Gravenhurst, it uses the granite and the topography that define this part of Ontario to deliver a course of real theater: fairways carved between rock faces, tee shots that drop dozens of feet, and greens set against a backdrop of pine and exposed Canadian Shield. It has been ranked inside the top 10 in Golf Digest's Best Courses in Canada and is a fixture on the national lists.
The good news for the traveling golfer is that Muskoka Bay is a resort course, so you can play it. The combination of championship pedigree, scenery and a striking contemporary clubhouse makes it one of the highlight rounds of any Muskoka trip. It is a genuine test from the back tees at 7,367 yards, with a slope to match, but multiple tees keep it enjoyable, and the views alone justify the drive north.
Muskoka Bay at a glance
- Opened
- 2006
- Designer
- Doug Carrick
- Type
- Rock and pine (resort)
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,367 yds
- Green fee
- Premium (2026)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases. Muskoka Bay is a par 72 of about 7,367 yards, designed by Doug Carrick and opened in 2006, with a course rating and slope around 76.1 and 146. It is a resort course open to visitors; green fees are premium and vary by season, often booked as a stay and play package. Always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
What sets Muskoka Bay apart is the scale of the land. Carrick worked with the natural rock of the Canadian Shield rather than flattening it, so the round is full of vertical drama: elevated tees that launch the ball out over the treetops, fairways that thread between granite outcrops, and greens benched into the hillside. Distances play short downhill and long uphill, and reading the terrain is half the challenge.
It is a demanding course from the championship markers, with a rating and slope that signal a strong test, but the variety of tees means mid handicappers can play their own game and still soak up the spectacle. The risk and reward comes from how aggressively you take on the rock, the carries and the contoured greens, all of which are framed by some of the best scenery on any Ontario course.
Pair the golf with the architecture. The contemporary clubhouse and pavilion are part of the experience here, and the resort setting means a relaxed lunch with a view is part of the day. Take a cart for the elevation, give yourself time, and treat Muskoka Bay as the showpiece round of a northern Ontario week.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visitors; many golfers play on a stay and play package |
| Green fee | Premium Muskoka resort rate, indicative for 2026; varies by season and tee time |
| Cart and caddie | Carts recommended given the elevation changes; walking is permitted |
| Booking | Through the resort or a package; book ahead for summer weekends |
| On the day | Golf attire and soft spikes; strong practice facilities and a modernist clubhouse |
| Getting there | Gravenhurst at the gateway to Muskoka, roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours north of Toronto |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the resort and public sources. Green fees vary by season, day and time, so always confirm current pricing and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Muskoka Bay has its own resort accommodation and suites at the club, which is the most seamless way to play, but Gravenhurst and the surrounding Muskoka towns also offer lakeside lodges and hotels within easy reach. As the southern gateway to cottage country, Gravenhurst is an easy first or last stop on a trip up from Toronto.
For a complete Muskoka golf week, combine Muskoka Bay with the region's other Doug Carrick standout, the island setting of Bigwin Island on Lake of Bays, and the rugged Deerhurst Highlands at Huntsville. Three courses, three very different characters, all within an hour or so of each other.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts in Muskoka.
Play Muskoka Bay on a Muskoka golf trip
We book the Muskoka Bay tee times and suites, route the best of cottage country around it, and sort the transfers from Toronto. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Muskoka Bay questions
Who designed Muskoka Bay Club?
Muskoka Bay Club was designed by Canadian architect Doug Carrick and opened in 2006 in Gravenhurst, Ontario, part of the Muskoka Bay Resort.
What is the par and length of Muskoka Bay?
Muskoka Bay plays to par 72 and measures about 7,367 yards from the back tees, with a course rating and slope around 76.1 and 146, so it is a serious test from the tips.
Is Muskoka Bay one of the best courses in Canada?
Yes. Muskoka Bay has been ranked inside the top 10 in Golf Digest's Best Courses in Canada and is regularly listed among the country's top courses by ScoreGolf.
Can the public play Muskoka Bay Club?
Yes. Muskoka Bay is part of a resort and welcomes visitors, often through stay and play packages. Green fees are premium and vary by season, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.