Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis- Glorious Forest Retreat w/ Private Lake and Trails

An enchanted retreat - 200 acres of pristine Canadian nature. Dark sky reveals the milky way draped over rivers and a goregous private lake. Explore trails through forest groves amongst billions year old rock and crystal. Breathe forest pure air. Dive into deep spring fed water and warm by the fire. Enjoy ease of a 4 bedroom comfortable cottage with all amenities, plus the peace and seclusion of 2 off-grid lakeside cabins. A perfect gathering place for friends and big families. A rare gem.
The space
The land at Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis is gorgeous. If you love Boreal Forests where cedars grow at waters edge out of seemingly nothing and towering pines drop their needles in a carpet of fragrance, a forest that invites you to wander the tails and get lost in the countless shades of green, you will love it here. You might become enthralled by geology. We are in the heart of the Mineral Capitial of Canada where quartz just seems to sprout out of the ground, and every stone has a story to tell.

As for the accommodations, there is everything that anyone needs; with the powered up house and the quiet breezy cabins. It is a nice walk, or bike ride if you bring bikes - or even gentle car ride if you need a bit of assistance- from the main cottage to the lake. Depending how fast you walk, it could take 10 minutes or so; it's around 900m if you go by the road, a bit less if you take the trails. When you stay with more than one family at Starry Lake it offers loads of space & privacy giving ease of hanging out and sharing time without being on top of each other. Also fun when the older kids can be in once place while the parents are in another. :-) Close by but giving the feeling of independence.

The main cottage has 2 floors and a cozy loft. There are three bedrooms that each currently have queen beds, one bedroom also has single bunks, and the loft has a double bed and space for more if kids want to make it their space. On the main floor of the house there is an extra sleeping space on a futon sofa in the front room that can easily be made private with a Japanese screen. There is big 4 piece bathroom on the main floor and another bathroom on the 2nd floor. Downstairs has two living room spaces and a kitchen with a big table looking out sliding doors to the garden and fire pit.

The Hummingbird cabin got it's name because the hummingbirds regularly visit the flowers right by your door. This cabin is like a big living room with a screened porch. Sleeping is on 3 pull out futons and a day bed. In summer everyone wants the sofa on the screen porch- it is the most coveted spot. The cabin has dishes and a glamping kitchen set up with a small propane stove and water from jugs and a BBQ.
The Sun Ray cabin also has a beautiful fanning screened porch and two rooms, one with a double bed and the other with a pull out futon. The Sun Ray also has a small glamping kitchen set up.
Both cabins have wood burning stoves that keep them toasty all winter.
There is a cute clean outhouse by the lake for everyone. Several fire pits are around the lake.

The water off the dock is 16 feet deep, no rocks or weeds to worry about. Also there is a lovely hidden river with a step waterfall on the other side of the lake for those who like adventuring out. The whole lake is our wrapped by our property, and you can explore for miles.

And of course- the night sky!! If you haven't gazed at the Milky Way, or Orion's belt or the Pleiades, if you just long to stare up into the wondrous expansiveness of the heavens, or if you are an avid astrophotographer or astronomer, you are in luck. We are in the "Grey zone" on the dark sky finder map ( Bortle 2!) which means the sky here is almost as dark as it gets on this earth... So definitely the stars are truly out of this world!

By the cabins at the lake there is a big open area fondly called The Star Dome. This open space is a great spot to set up a telescope or astrophotography equipment since it faces south to the milky way and has a flat area on the road and on rock looking up into the star dome. If you turn around you'll see Polaris too... And of course the docks or the middle of the lake is an incredible spot to look up! There is nothing quite like lying on the dock and staring up to catch a shooting star, or seeing the Milky Way and countless stars reflecting off the glassy lake on a still night. We deliberately keep the bright lights off so you can see.

Guest access
When you rent the cottage and cabins at Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis, you will have access to it all- the main cottage and cabins, the forest trails, the rivers and lake. Depending when you visit, the owners are sometimes around, but there is a good chance you won't even see us. It is easy to disappear on 200 acres! :-)

Other things to note
Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis is a truly natural environment which means if you pay close attention you can definitely spot wild animal tracks. You will hear the coyotes singing at night, you'll see small wildlife like bunnies and chipmunks, and hear the songs of so many different birds- in addition to the small singing birds, you'll likely hear and see the loons, geese and herons, and beavers and otters swimming and slapping the water. You are unlikely to see the big beautiful moose, bears or even deer, because they are all pretty shy really. We consider it a very lucky day if you spot a moose, but it could happen! Our first spotting was a by a renter - so it might just be lucky you next. Usually they are more likely to be seen on the side of the highway if you head to Bancroft or Coe Hill. Good to drive carefully for more than one reason!

Since Canada is such a cool (or freezing?) place most of the year, there isn't air conditioning here. The version of air-con we use is the open up the windows, turn on a hose or jump in the lake if we are hot. There is usually only about a week a year when it's smoking hot- and that week is a great week to MELT and enjoy the heat. :-) Anyways, if you are Canadian you will be frozen again very soon! A favourite spot to sleep on summer nights is the screened in porches at the cabins... The wind travels up the river in a most marvellous way to offer lovely breeze.

The property is operational year round- and every season is incredible in a different way. Sept is a beautiful time to enjoy the extended summer. Fall colours are stunning in October, Winter boasts the bluest of blue sky and crystal clear nights with endless snow fun if you want to cross country ski and snowshoe around, or skate on the lake. And spring is less traditional time to visit the forest but just as amazing as the snow and ice melts before your eyes and suddenly everything bursts to life. Truly every season is a delight at Starry Lake.

The cottage has Wifi and decent cell service - and many cell networks get reception at the cabins or even in the forest trails. Because it is a rural area it can get spotty depending weather and other factors, but for the most part it is reliable internet and cell service. We managed fine with 4 people on different zooms during covid!