An eco-friendly Northern camp on a lake, ideal for family-style gatherings

The United Nations (UN) defines environmental sustainability as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Our family appreciates the opportunity to share the experience of a sustainable retreat in this Northern camp, situated deep in the Mississagi River Valley. We promote quiet vacationing and safe use of non-motorized water toys and recreational equipment as our small contribution to the environmentally responsible living. We harvest sun energy with solar panels and encourage our guests to recycle and support local economy.

The unassuming timber-frame cottage on this property was hand-crafted by a master timber-frame builder to provide a calming interior space, with the exterior causing minimal disruption to the surrounding nature. The space is suitable for family groups (and similar configurations of travellers, 8-10 persons maximum) that are searching for a quiet get-away from their busy lives to reconnect with each other, undisturbed by hordes of tourists and away from the madding crowds.

The open-concept ground floor consists of a spacious kitchen, a dining area encased with glass sliding doors, and a living room area with large picture windows for full views of the lake, the mountain, and the surrounding trees. The kitchen is fully equipped with anything needed to prepare and serve most meals. The deck, accessible from the dining area by large glass sliding doors, is furnished with an excellent propane BBQ, and two patio furniture sets. There are three bedrooms on the ground level (two with queen size beds and one with two double beds), and another bedroom (with queen size bed) in the loft area. The two bathrooms, a smaller ensuite and a larger shared one, are likewise on the ground floor. High quality (100% cotton) linens and oversized fluffy towels are provided for indoor use.

For those who need to stay connected, or work while away with the family or friends, the cottage has an excellent internet service, good cell reception for most carriers, and three working spaces with desks.

There is a selection of books, DVDs, toys and board games for all ages, a digital piano keyboard, a TV-area in the ground-floor living room and another TV in the loft, for indoor fun.

The cottage sits atop a grassy slope that gently inclines towards the lakeshore. An imposing cliff, rising ca. 300 feet from the rugged Canadian Shield on the East side of the lake, provides a nesting haven for falcons. Under the sunrays that reflect off the rocks, the cliff changes colours from moment to moment during the day, and over the seasons, inspiring awe at its beauty. (“Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world… Dr. [Dacher] Keltner writes that awe is critical to our well-being ... it has tremendous health benefits that include calming down our nervous system and triggering the release of oxytocin, the “love” hormone that promotes trust and bonding.” In NYT, January 3, 2023)

We make available for our guests a good, stable canoe, a tandem and a single recreational kayak, and two SUPs. There are also two metal boats that can be propelled by oars and fuelled by the power of your own muscles, for a quiet fishing venture. Guests can use any of the selection of paddles, oars and a few additional beach and lawn toys that are stored in the blue beach shed and in the sauna. The traditional wood-fired cedar sauna (with volcanic rocks) is located next to the woodshed, a short walk from the lake.

A visit in May and early June is ideal to welcome Spring. In the Summer, one can engage in a variety of water recreational activities, stroll on the hiking trails, and shop for fresh organic produce and locally made products from area farms, including a couple of nearby berry-picking or alpaca farms. There are countless lakes and waterfalls throughout the wider Algoma region to be discovered, including the Aubrey Falls Provincial Park with its hiking trails (50 minute drive from the cottage). In the early Fall, breath-taking views of rolling hills, lakes and rivers amid the changing foliage make it worthwhile visiting this gorgeous region that had inspired the Group of Seven. Given the right conditions, you might be able to spot the Northern Lights! (https://www.northernontario.travel/algoma-country/auroras-in-algoma).

The closest store is Tunnel Lake Trading Post (10 minute walk from the cottage): it has emergency cooking supplies, and a superior stock of camping, fishing, and hunting supplies; a small LCBO, and a gas station. You may be able to arrange a boat rental with the trading post for fishing on the Tunnel Lake, mere minutes away from the cottage.

The nearby towns - Iron Bridge, Thessalon, Bruce Mines and Little Rapids - offer essential services and conveniences such as grocery stores, LCBOs, pharmacies and health services, cafes, or restaurants, and, for antiquing enthusiasts, several antiques stores that may hold a hidden treasure for you.

Please note that the cottage is located ca. 1 hour away from Sault Ste. Marie; 3 hours from Sudbury; six hours from Toronto, and seven from Ottawa. Well-worth the trip - saves you from the urge to get on the plane and globe-trot!

There is also a smaller, guest cabin (accommodates 4-5 people) available for rental on the same property. Each cabin (guest or main) can be rented separately, or together for larger family groups (see the listing for "An eco-friendly cozy cottage (the Guest cabin) on a crystal-clear lake). Please contact the owners for any of these options.

Please note that this place is not ideal for smokers or those travelling with pets, as we do not allow smoking or pets on the property.

Emergency room, hospital:
North Shore Health Network - Thessalon Site
135 Dawson St, Thessalon, ON P0R 1L0
(705) 842-2014

Main Street Pharmacy
156 Main St, Thessalon, ON P0R 1L0
(705) 842-2322

Pharmasave central Algoma Pharmacy
9242 Highway 17 East, Bruce Mines, ON
(705) 785-3555

Gas stations: Tunnel Lake Trading Post, Thessalon, Iron Bridge, Bruce Mines