Eco-friendly cottage on a crystal-clear lake

Unwind in this cozy cottage, located in the scenic Northern Ontario whose landscapes had inspired the Group of Seven! Away from madding crowds, you will find everything needed for a comfortable stay. You can enjoy indoor relaxation and outdoor activities on the quiet lake accessed from a private lakeshore; explore the nearby hiking trails & provincial parks; visit neighbouring berry-picking and alpaca farms, or support local craftsmen, artists and antiques stores. We look forward to hosting you!

A small eat-in kitchen on the open-concept ground floor is fully equipped with anything needed to prepare and serve most meals. The large glass doors lead from the kitchen to an outdoor deck, furnished with a propane BBQ, a small patio table and chair set, all surrounded by lush trees. The kitchen is joined with a comfortable living room space that has floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood burning stove and a TV. On the second floor, there are two private bedrooms (one with a queen size bed; another with two twin size beds), and a semi-private space (with a twin-size bed). Clean linens (100% cotton) are provided in each bedroom, as well as oversized cotton towels for indoor use.

Water in the building is supplied from the lake and it is treated with UV. Although safe for consumption, to avoid any mishaps, we encourage drinking bottled water and provide for our guests a 15L jug, mounted on a ceramic dispenser.

For those who need to stay connected, or work while away with family or friends, there is an office desk in the semi-private loft. The cottage has good cell reception and internet service (Starlink).

There is a selection of books, DVDs, VHSs and board games for all ages, and a second TV in one of the bedrooms, for indoor fun.

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 during the day and over the seasons, inspiring awe at its beauty. Awe has been identified as a feeling of witnessing something vast and marvellous that cannot be rationally comprehended. It has been associated with an overall sense of well-being, resulting from the calming of the nervous system.

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 on the stove, 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 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).

Please note that you are engaging at your own risk in any of the activities on the property. We ask that our guests acknowledge that they read the cottage etiquette and the guest manual and that they are accepting the rental agreement before proceeding with the reservation.

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.

The cottage is located ca. 1 hour away from Sault Ste. Marie; two and a half 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!

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.

*** 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. ***

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