Family Matters
Finding Connection at Blue Water Acres Resort
As Bill Van Gelder sat on the shores of his family cottage on Lake of Bays in beautiful Muskoka many years ago, he had a perfect view of a small cottage rental property across the water.
Like many who work in the city but vacation in Ontario’s cottage country, Bill dreamt of spending even more time on the lake’s idyllic shoreline.
"He used to sit there and think, 'Oh it would be nice to own a resort,'" his daughter, Yvonne Stephenson recalls.
That was back in 1979, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bill and his wife Annette purchased the property just four doors down from their family cottage and the Van Gelder family became the proud stewards of Blue Water Acres Resort.
What began as a modest property with just four cottages soon grew into a thriving and beloved resort on 50 lush acres on the shores of Lake of Bays. Over the ensuing decades, the Van Gelders created a space where generations of families could gather and make lifelong memories.
"This is a very special place," Yvonne says. "It holds a lot of memories for my family but also for so many other families who have come to enjoy it over the years."
The property houses a clubhouse with an indoor pool, games room and gym, and shared outdoor spaces including the 400 feet of sandy beach. It is open year round, with family-friendly amenities in each season.
The Van Gelders never built an inn or motel on the property, always maintaining that each family or group should have their own detached cottage for that quintessential Muskoka experience.
Inside one of the luxury rental cottages, with gorgeous views of Lake of Bays.
Inside one of the luxury rental cottages, with gorgeous views of Lake of Bays.
Today, ownership of Blue Water Acres is available through Fractional Ownership opportunities in addition to the rental cottages. The Van Gelder family remains deeply committed to the resort and Yvonne, who owns the property management company that oversees Blue Water Acres, is devoted to continuing the property's legacy.
Her father's early dream — of creating a place where families and friends could connect with nature and with each other — remains unchanged.
The Magic of Lake of Bays
Lake of Bays is a sprawling body of water in the heart of Muskoka that also lends its name to the surrounding municipality. As its name suggests, the lake is made up of numerous bays around which sits the type of beautiful scenery that has made Muskoka the choice of cottagers for generations: forested ridges, sandy beaches, and rocky outcrops — as well as killer sunrises and sunsets.
Fed by the Oxtongue River, the lake is also a popular fishing destination, offering ample opportunities to catch Lake Trout and Smallmouth Bass.
Blue Water Acres sits in Portage Bay, near South Portage. From here it is a quick trip to the town of Huntsville and about 20 minutes to the west gate of Algonquin Provincial Park.
For Yvonne and her family, the lake is a familiar friend. She fondly remembers spending entire summers on the water, exploring some of the 350 miles of shoreline, waterskiing and going to Dorset for ice cream by boat.
These are traditions that had been part of her mother’s side of the family for generations. Yvonne's kids shared in those traditions as they grew up and she now continues it with her young grandson.
"My great-grandfather actually built the cottage that was four properties over from the resort," she says. "My mother's family all had cottages on Lake of Bays and so I spent all my summers here. It is certainly a very beautiful lake."
Families, many of whom return year after year to Blue Water Acres, share in that same joy.
"We have a great beach at the resort, it is a sand bottom and a really great family beach," Yvonne says. "The whole property is really great for kids."
Summers at Blue Water Acres bring families together to enjoy classic cottage activities. Canoeing and kayaking across the glassy waters at sunrise, jumping off the dock into the refreshing lake, and spending afternoons on the sandy beach are just a few of the cherished pastimes. Kids build sandcastles and chase minnows in the shallows, while adults bask in the sun or read a book on the shoreline. The area is also perfect for hiking, with nearby trails that wind through towering pines and reveal breathtaking vistas.
Barbecues, bonfires, and social gatherings make summer evenings magical. Whether it’s a spontaneous game of beach volleyball or a peaceful paddle under the golden hues of the setting sun, every moment on the lake is filled with the joy of connection and nature’s beauty.
Looking around the resort, it is easy to see that the dream of the Van Gelder family to provide a place where families and friends can relax together and enjoy the beauty of Muskoka has come true.
Visit Blue Water Acres to experience the magic with your family this summer.
Blue Water Acres Resort is located at 1052 Rat Bay Road, Huntsville. The fully detached cottages are available to rent year round and include a host of amenities for an easy vacation with family or friends.
Great Escapes Magazine is a publication of Resorts of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for resorts, lodges and inns of Ontario's tourism industry.
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