Muldrew Lakes Real Estate, Gravenhurst Waterfront

Muldrew Lakes Real Estate

The District of Muskoka lists North Muldrew and South Muldrew lakes in the Town of Gravenhurst, in the Severn River watershed (District Municipality of Muskoka, 2025). A consultant’s report prepared for the lake association describes the Muldrew Lakes as North, Middle and South Muldrew, with a total surface area of about 420 hectares (EcoVue Consulting Services, 2025).

This guide covers what is for sale on the lakes right now and what to check before you buy waterfront here: the lake-specific planning policies, shore road allowances, dock and shoreline rules, septic systems and access. Kimberly lives in Orillia and owns waterfront herself.

Homes for sale on Muldrew Lakes

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Listings in Gravenhurst where the MLS® System records a Muldrew lake as the water body, updated as listings change. A listing entered without a water body will not appear here, so search all waterfront in Gravenhurst as well. Registered clients also see sold prices and more listing details.

The lake and its shorelines

Gravenhurst’s Official Plan has lake-specific policies for Muldrew Lake in Section D17.3, and waterfront lands there are designated Waterfront Area (Town of Gravenhurst, 2025a). The Muldrew Lakes Cottagers’ Association has applied to amend those policies and the zoning by-law for all properties with frontage on Muldrew Lake, and the Town held a public meeting on November 25, 2025 (Town of Gravenhurst, 2025a).

The District scheduled both North Muldrew and South Muldrew for water quality monitoring in 2025 (District Municipality of Muskoka, 2025), and the association samples the lakes for the province’s Lake Partner Program (Muldrew Lakes Cottagers’ Association, n.d.-b). None of the 36 conservation authorities in Conservation Ontario’s directory is named for Muskoka (Conservation Ontario, n.d.); the District monitors lake water quality through its Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program, part of its Lake System Health program (District Municipality of Muskoka, n.d.).

Which municipality a property sits in also matters day to day: it sets the zoning, issues building permits, and sets the municipal share of property tax. On the Muldrew Lakes that is the Town of Gravenhurst.

What to check before you buy on Muldrew Lakes

Muskoka waterfront comes with provincial, District and town rules that an inland home rarely raises. These are the ones Kimberly works through with every Muldrew Lakes buyer, early, before conditions run out.

Lake-specific planning rules

Muldrew Lake has its own Official Plan policies, and a proposed amendment from the lake association would change the rules for every property with frontage on the lake, including a maximum building size, limits on rebuilding or enlarging, boathouse rules and lot creation (Town of Gravenhurst, 2025a). Ask the Town where that application stands and which rules apply to the lot before you firm up.

Where the lot ends and shore road allowances

In Ontario, the beds of most lakes and rivers are Crown land (Government of Ontario, 2026). Gravenhurst accepts applications to close original shore road allowances; a closing by-law goes to Council for consideration and then to the province for approval. Under its 2025 procedures, the purchase price on lakes other than Lake Muskoka is $67.00 per running foot plus HST, with a $974.00 application fee per lot, a solicitor retainer, advertising and survey costs on top (Town of Gravenhurst, 2025b). Your lawyer, and a surveyor where needed, should confirm what the title includes before you firm up.

Docks, boathouses and shoreline work

A provincial work permit may be needed for a structure in physical contact with more than 15 square metres of shore lands that are Crown land or close to Crown land; a floating structure does not count as being in contact (Government of Ontario, 2026). Gravenhurst requires a building permit to construct or demolish a dock connected to the shoreline (Town of Gravenhurst, n.d.). Town zoning generally limits a dock to 15.0 metres of projection from the optimal summer water level, with exceptions such as lots fronting a narrow waterway, and caps total shoreline development by frontage, at 232.0 square metres on a lot with 60.0 metres or more of shoreline (Town of Gravenhurst, 2026). Muldrew Lake also has lake-specific zoning provisions, now under review, so confirm the limits that apply to the lot with the Town (Town of Gravenhurst, 2025a).

Septic systems

Gravenhurst requires a building permit to install, repair or replace a private sewage system, and runs a summer septic re-inspection program (Town of Gravenhurst, n.d.). Ask for permit and inspection records, and make inspection and water testing part of your conditions.

Water quality

The association’s planning report says the lakes were added to the Muskoka Official Plan’s list of vulnerable waterbodies in 2023 after an algal bloom (EcoVue Consulting Services, 2025). Ask about the water source and include water testing in your conditions.

Kimberly is a REALTOR®, not a lawyer, surveyor or permitting authority. This checklist is a starting point for your own due diligence with those professionals and agencies.

On and around the lake

Public access

Gravenhurst’s dock by-law lists Indian Landing, 1030 Indian Landing Road, on Muldrew Lake (Town of Gravenhurst, 2024), and the association’s planning report describes one public boat launch, reached from North Muldrew Lake Road (EcoVue Consulting Services, 2025). At Town docks and landings, boats may not stay more than 6 hours, or overnight, without a Town permit (Town of Gravenhurst, 2024).

Speed near shore

On Ontario waters, power-driven and electric boats are limited to 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, with set exceptions (Government of Canada, n.d.).

Services nearby

South Muskoka Memorial Hospital is at 75 Ann Street in Bracebridge (Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, n.d.), and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is at 170 Colborne Street West in Orillia (Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, n.d.).

Thinking about Muldrew Lakes?

Kimberly helps buyers compare frontage, exposure, water depth, access and shoreline permits, and helps owners price Muldrew Lakes waterfront using recent sales. She owns waterfront herself, so she knows the questions from both sides.

Based in Orillia · Serving Simcoe County, Georgian Bay & Muskoka · Gravenhurst community guide

Questions people ask about Muldrew Lakes

Where are the Muldrew Lakes?

The District of Muskoka lists North Muldrew and South Muldrew lakes in the Town of Gravenhurst, in the Severn River watershed.

Are there special planning rules on the Muldrew Lakes?

Yes. Gravenhurst’s Official Plan has lake-specific policies for Muldrew Lake in Section D17.3, and the lake association has applied to amend them and the zoning for all properties with frontage on the lake. Ask the Town where that application stands.

What is the water quality like?

The Muskoka Watershed Council’s 2023 report card gives average total phosphorus for 2001 to 2022 of 9.3 µg/L on North Muldrew and 7.8 µg/L on South Muldrew, both with phosphorus trends graded “Not Stressed”.

Can I buy the shore road allowance in front of a lot?

Possibly. Gravenhurst accepts applications to close original shore road allowances, subject to Council consideration and provincial approval. Under its 2025 procedures the price on lakes other than Lake Muskoka is $67.00 per running foot plus HST, plus an application fee, legal, advertising and survey costs.

How far can a dock extend?

Town zoning generally limits a dock to 15.0 metres of projection from the optimal summer water level, with some exceptions, and a dock connected to the shoreline needs a building permit.