Many people dream of heading to the cottage for summer fun when the warm weather arrives. But, if you’re in the market for a cottage in Ontario, you’ve likely noticed the high price tags that come with them, especially in high-demand areas like cottage country. The good news is that Ontario’s cottage market has cooled, so finding a vacation property within your budget may be easier than in years past. With that in mind, we’ve dug up some real estate gems to find your perfect summer getaway. So grab your bathing suit and s’mores kit and check out our list of cheap cottages for sale in Ontario.
Key Takeaways
- Before you buy a vacation home, consider your finances, goals, and ability to look after the property
- Resort cottages can be a low-maintenance option for cottage ownership and offer great amenities
- Fractional ownership cottages offer a lower upfront cost and often include access to the property for four to five weeks per year
Cottages For Sale in Ontario Under $50,000
Muskoka Cottage in Lake of Bays, Ontario – 105-8 – 1052 Rat Bay Road
Asking Price: $10,000
- Size: 600–699 square feet
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Rat Bay Road Listing details
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage is located within Blue Water Acres, which is open year-round. The cottage features a three-season Muskoka room, a full kitchen, a propane fireplace, and air conditioning. In addition, Blue Water Acres’ facilities include an indoor pool, a games room, a fitness room, and a sandy beach with shallow water. Moreover, kayaks, canoes, a skating rink, a tennis court, and a playground are available.
With fractional ownership, you can use the cottage for five weeks per year: one core summer week, plus four floating weeks in other seasons.
Main Lodge Condo in Muskoka Lakes – 1869 Muskoka Road 118 Highway W – L215-C2
Asking Price: $20,000
- Size: 0-499 square feet
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- Muskoka Road listing details
This studio suite is an excellent option for those seeking an affordable, maintenance-free getaway on Lake Muskoka. As part of Touchstone Resort, you’ll have access to all of the resort amenities, including dining options, fitness facilities, a spa, and tennis courts. Plus, you’ll be able to spend summer days relaxing at the beach or infinity pool, and cooler evenings in the hot tub.
Fractional ownership allows you to stay for six weeks per year. With the weekly Friday-to-Friday schedule, you can make the most of your vacation time.
Waterview Townhouse in Westport, Ontario – 2-10 – 532 10th Concession Road
Asking Price: $49,900
- Size: 1,800–1,999 square feet
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 3
- Concession Road listing details
This two-bedroom townhouse villa offers luxury and comfort, with modern amenities such as a propane fireplace and a bright kitchen with ample cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. In addition, you’ll love the beautiful views of Wolfe Lake from your sunken living room. A covered porch awaits off the primary bedroom, perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or an evening nightcap.
Wolfe Springs Resort is fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy a summer day on the lake, including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, and a fire pit area. On rainy or chilly days, you can spend time in the recreation room and theatre room. This fractional ownership includes five weeks per year, with fixed and floating weeks.
Cottages For Sale in Ontario Under $100,000
Couple’s Getaway in Kawartha Lakes – 60 – 2151 County Road 36
Asking Price: $69,999
- Size: <700 square feet
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- County Road listing details
Small but mighty, this mobile home cottage is perfect for a couple’s getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of life. The star of this cottage is the sunroom, which features a propane fireplace to warm you on cooler spring and fall evenings. Additionally, the covered deck offers shade on those hot summer days.
Nestle In Resort on Emily Creek boasts plenty of amenities, including heated pools, a beach, fishing, and boat docks. For those wanting to keep active, spend time on the basketball court, at the playgrounds, in the horseshoe pit, and at the recreation hall. Plus, if you’re travelling with your dog, the off-leash dog walk is perfect for letting them play.
Beachfront Cottage in Prince Edward County – 486 Cty Rd 18 – 3 Beachview Lane
Asking Price: $98,611
- Size: 700–1,100 square feet
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Beachview Lane listing details
With just steps from your door to the beach, you’re sure to spend summer days playing in the sand and evenings on your deck or around the firepit. The cottage is move-in ready and features two bedrooms, but can sleep up to seven people thanks to double bunk beds in the second bedroom and a pull-out couch. Moreover, you’ll be comfortable in any weather with central air conditioning and propane heat.
Located inside Cherry Beach Resort in Prince Edward County, the park is open May 1st to October 31st and offers amenities such as a heated pool, splash pad, boat docks, a sandy beach, playground, tennis and basketball courts and a recreation centre. Plus, you’ll have access to a convenience store and laundry facilities, while your park fees cover grass cutting, hydro, land lease, and taxes.
Beachfront Cottage in Ennismore, Ontario – 7 Walter Street
Asking Price: Starting from $99,900 + HST
- Size: Unknown
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Walter Street listing details
This waterfront lot at Theona Park Resort is ready for you to select your cottage and start enjoying the summer weather. The Weekender cottage is $99,900 plus HST and includes everything you need to spend time at the lake, such as furnishings, appliances, and a large deck.
Theona Park Resort is open from May 1st to October 15th, giving you plenty of time to enjoy all the amenities this resort offers. For instance, features include a sandy beach, a boat launch, a recreation centre, sports courts, a playground, and an on-site store.
Cottages For Sale in Ontario Over $100,000
Fishing Camp near Pickle Lake, Ontario
Asking Price: $150,000 USD
- Size: Unknown
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 1
- Pickle Lake listing details
Fishing enthusiasts, this could be the perfect summer getaway! Located on Kapkichi Lake, offering fantastic walleye and northern fishing, this property has everything you need for cottage life. For example, the main cabin boasts two bedrooms, a kitchen with a propane stove, and a screened-in porch. The guest bunkhouse offers additional sleeping space and features an attached deck.
You’ll love the spacious fish cleaning house, complete with a gas grill. Additionally, the recently rebuilt dock is suitable for boats or floatplanes.
Boat Access Retreat in Muskoka Lakes – 1 SR407 Severn River Shores
Asking Price: $370,000
- Size: <700 square feet
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: n/a (outhouse)
- Severn River Shores listing details
This cottage is a truly private retreat surrounded by tall pine trees on the shores of the Severn River. Perfect for those looking for a rustic getaway to enjoy days on the water and nights by the campfire. Inside the cottage, you’ll find three good-sized bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living area. The wood-burning stove lets you extend the cottage season.
A short boat ride away, you’ll find the Waubic Restaurant, which has been serving meals on the river since 1913.
Lakeside Bungalow in Faraday, Ontario – 292 Caroline Court
Asking Price: $550,000
- Size: 700–1,100 square feet
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 1
- Caroline Court listing details
Imagine sipping your morning coffee on your deck, enjoying the amazing lake views, and then swimming from the shoreline, canoeing or paddleboarding. On rainy days, you can cozy up in the spacious living area and read by the wood stove.
With three bedrooms, one of which includes two built-in bunk beds, you can host plenty of friends and family. Once you see this idyllic Canadian cottage, you won’t want to leave.
Outright Ownership vs. Fractional Ownership vs. Resort Ownership
There are several different ownership options when you are buying a cottage, all of which affect the price, your responsibilities, and your access to the cottage.
Outright ownership provides the most flexibility. However, it comes with the responsibility of yearly maintenance. In the long run, a cottage that you own can help create fun family memories that can be passed down through generations.
If outright ownership is outside your budget, consider resort or land lease ownership. When you purchase a cottage in a resort, you typically own the cottage outright and can enjoy your vacation home as often as you like during the season when the resort is open. Generally, seasonal fees will include most maintenance costs, including utilities, garbage disposal, and lawn care, so all you have to do is enjoy the cottage lifestyle.
Finally, purchasing fractional ownership is an affordable way to own a cottage. With fractional ownership, you own a share in the cottage and usage rights for a certain number of weeks each year. Property maintenance is typically included in the annual maintenance fees with fractional ownership, so you can spend your vacation relaxing instead of repairing and renovating your cottage! Fractional ownership differs from a timeshare in that you buy equity in the property rather than the rights to use it during designated periods.
What to Consider Before You Buy a Cottage
Before putting in an offer on your dream cottage, there are a few things to consider, including your goals, finances, and your ability to take care of the property. Here are some questions to consider before you buy a cottage:
- Your goals – Are you looking for a cottage to visit on weekends and vacations, a place to retire, or a place to rent out on Airbnb?
- The location – Is it close to the amenities you want or need? Is it accessible year-round?
- General maintenance – Are you ready to manage the property’s overall maintenance, including winterizing, yardwork, and general upkeep?
- Finances – The minimum down payment on a second home ranges from 5% to 20%, depending on the price and use of the home. Are you financially ready to handle the closing and yearly maintenance costs?
- Cottage insurance – According to ThinkInsure, cottage insurance can range from $800 to $3,000 annually. You’ll need short-term rental insurance if you plan to turn your cottage into an Airbnb.
- Selling your cottage – If you plan to invest in a cottage, you must pay capital gains tax when you sell
Consider working with a real estate agent who specializes in vacation homes. They can help you decide which type of cottage is right for you.
Where to Find Cheap Cottages for Sale in Ontario
Cottage prices in Ontario remain high in classic cottage country areas like Muskoka. For example, the median price for a waterfront property in Muskoka and Simcoe County was $869,500 in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association. However, many areas offer cheaper options. For instance, in Southern Ontario, look for cottages in Prince Edward County, where you can enjoy all that wine country has to offer. Georgian Bay and Kawartha Lakes could be the ultimate getaway for outdoor enthusiasts, offering access to great parks and lakes. Finally, in Northern Ontario, you’ll find plenty of cabin options near Thunder Bay that are excellent for fishing.
If you discover that cottage ownership is not for you, there are plenty of Ontario cottage rentals where you can plan the perfect getaway, without the high upfront costs.
Bottom Line
There’s nothing better than a cottage vacation in the summer. If you’ve always wanted a waterfront property, now might be the perfect time to find the affordable cottage of your dreams. However, finding the ideal property involves more than just a casual search; it requires careful preparation and strategic research. By researching prices and considering your goals, you’ll certainly be on your way to enjoying lakeside living.
Search Zolo’s comprehensive Ontario real estate listings today, filter by waterfront properties, and take the first exciting step toward embracing the serenity and joy of cottage life!
Cottages in Ontario FAQ
Where are the best locations to buy a cottage?
In Ontario, Muskoka is known as “cottage country” and is considered one of the best areas to own a cottage. However, Prince Edward County, the Kawarthas, Haliburton County, and Georgian Bay also offer stunning natural beauty.
What’s considered a cottage in Canada?
A cottage is a second property used for recreational purposes. Typically, a cottage is smaller than your primary residence and is used seasonally. While waterfront properties are common, you can also find cottages nestled in the woods or the mountains.
Where is it the cheapest to live in Ontario?
According to Zolo’s report Most Affordable Cities in Ontario to Buy a Home, Arnprior is one of the most affordable cities to buy a home when considering average home prices and the average household income.
What’s the difference between a cottage and a cabin?
Cottages are typically small homes equipped with modern conveniences like electricity and running water, and may or may not be insulated. Cabins are typically more rustic and without utilities. Additionally, cabins are sometimes used as places to stay during hunting season.
Can you still find waterfront property under $50,000 in Ontario?
Finding waterfront property under $50,000 is possible in Ontario; however, the most common ownership types in that price range are fractional or resort-style cottage ownership. Additionally, older cottages that need refurbishment can significantly lower the purchase price.
