Ontario's cottage country, particularly the Muskoka region and its many picturesque lakes, is one of the hottest summer destinations for celebrities.
The next time you head up to Muskoka, you might bump into A-list celebs enjoying Ontario's summer delights: bonfires, swimming, boating, beautiful beaches, and serene nature. In fact, Forbes reports that Muskoka has become a sought-after retreat for stars seeking privacy away from the flashing cameras and paparazzi of the U.S. and tropical getaways.
With warm lakes, lush forests, stunning cliffs, and luxurious waterfront homes, Ontario's cottage country has long attracted celebrities. In 2005, The New York Times dubbed Muskoka the "Malibu of the North," noting that big-name celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg either own properties or frequently visit the area.
More recently, Barbie and Marvel star Simu Liu took his girlfriend Allison Hsu to Muskoka last summer. In 2022, David Beckham and Mark Wahlberg were spotted in Muskoka, along with Victoria Beckham.
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have also been vocal about their obsession with Muskoka, and their daughter Kaia Gerber has even joined them at the cottage in summers gone by.
Here are 15 celebrities who have visited or own property in Ontario's cottage country.
Mark Wahlberg
In 2022, Mark Wahlberg shared a photo in Muskoka with David Beckham and former Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi.
The actor was snapped boating and singing in Domi's Instagram story last year and even managed to squeeze in an F45 workout in Collingwood, Ontario, according to an Instagram post from Wahlberg.
It seems that this famous actor has gotten a taste of Muskoka life with a little help from his friends, the Beckhams.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is one of the world's most famous directors, known for his universal hits E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Schindler's List, and Jurassic Park, among others, and according to several sources, he frequently vacations in Muskoka.
Spielberg reportedly owns a cottage in the area, according to Hello!, so the next time you're up in Muskoka, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for the famous director.
David and Victoria Beckham
In July 2022, the Beckham family was also seen vacationing in Canada. Victoria posted pictures of their children, Harper and Cruz, on her Instagram story, showing that they were enjoying life at a Muskoka cottage.
Simu Liu
Last summer, Simu Liu shared pictures from his cottage getaway with his girlfriend, Allison Hsu, on Goshulak Island in Muskoka. In a now-deleted Instagram post, he described the region as his "safe haven" for over a decade.
In the post, the Canadian actor expressed his deep connection to the area, saying, "I've lived a lot of life and seen many things in those years, but nothing quite compares to the majesty of the lake, slicing through the smooth water at golden hour, stifled laughs amidst board game arguments past midnight. This is the cottage that raised me, made me curious, and gave me the gift of the water."
So, if you have spent time on Goshulak Island, you may have spotted Liu over the years!
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber
Supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber have been vacationing in Ontario's cottage country with their family for years on a private island retreat, according to Vogue.
Crawford told Vogue that cottage life makes it easy to be yourself: "You’re the real you up here,” she said. “You never have your game face on, your party face. When you’re getting dragged behind a boat on an inner tube, it’s hard to have much of a facade.”
Crawford regularly shares photos of her family's cottage adventures on Instagram. Although she doesn't tag the location, it appears that her daughter, Kaia Gerber, and son, Presley Gerber, frequently visit as well.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks owns a stunning cottage on Lake Muskoka, according to Forbes, and given how expensive cottages can be on the flashy lake, it's more than a fitting area for a movie star.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
Actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell own a cottage on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, according to Forbes.
You might spot this famous couple paddling down the lake in a canoe on your next trip to this Northern getaway.
Hawn's daughter, Kate Hudson, has also expressed her love for Muskoka over the years. In a red-carpet interview with Etalk, she even shared her favorite spots to stop and grab a bite while heading to the secluded paradise.
"You've got to go to Tim Hortons, and I usually just get coffee,” Hudson said in the clip.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ontario, so it's no surprise that this iconic actor knows a thing or two about the province's flourishing cottage life.
Hello! reports that Carrey owns a cottage on Baptiste Lake which is just 15 minutes away from Bancroft, Ontario, so if you live in the area, you could be just a skip and jump away from the iconic actor.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber
Justin and Hailey Bieber may not own a property in Muskoka, but they're not strangers to lake life.
According to CBC, the Biebers own a home in Puslinch, which is just over an hour outside of Toronto.
The married couple reportedly bought the home in 2018 and quarantined there during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Hello! also reports that Justin frequently rents properties in Muskoka, specifically on Lake Rosseau and Old Woman Island.
Martin Short
Martin Short is an avid lover of Ontario's cottage country and even created a $3 silver coin featuring his cottage on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, according to Muskoka Region.
The comedian called Muskoka "staggeringly beautiful" and said it was the most beautiful part of Canada, according to a 2013 press release.
"As much as I adore the excitement of cities, it’s rural Canada that has always had my heart," said Short. "When I’m there, I feel like I'm in heaven. More than anything, that’s what Canada means to me."
This article has been updated since it was originally published in July 2023.
