The Upper Deck: a private off-grid cabin looking out over picturesque Gull Lake

With stunning views from the highest point on the lake, a wrap-around deck, wood-fired sauna with outdoor shower and 4+ acres of privacy, the Upper Deck is the perfect off-grid getaway for those who are looking slow down, relax, and unwind. If you're looking for a modern drywall-and-tile Muskoka party house, this isn't it. This is a place where you come to watch the smooth waters of the lake and listen to the sounds of the forest. If you're lucky, you'll see our local wildlife, which includes deer, foxes, porcupines, owls, eagles and more!

The master bedroom upstairs has a queen bed, half-bath, and breathtaking views of the lake from a built-in desk (if you absolutely have to answer that one email, but we really recommend you don't). Downstairs is a full bath (shower only, no tub), but we highly recommend using the private and screened outdoor shower by the sauna (only occasionally will you get an audience of squirrels).

If you're inclined to share this beautiful hideaway with your friends, adjacent to the main cabin are a pair of bunkies with their own shared deck. Each bunkie contains a built-in queen bed and sitting area with a loveseat, and has large windows that you can open to catch the night-time breeze up the cliff from the lake. For those times when you've got last-minute additions to your group, there is a queen-size pull-out couch in the main cabin.

The highlight of this property isn't what's inside, though, it's what's outside. Nearly 1,000sq ft of deck wrap around three sides of the main cabin and give panoramic views down the length of Gull Lake, one of the largest lakes in the area. A picnic table, sun umbrella and outdoor seating (including two hand-finished wooden Muskoka chairs) mean you'll want to spend every spare minute you've got soaking up the sun and enjoying a cold drink (Coleman cooler provided, we recommend picking up ice and ice cream at Kawartha Dairy).

For those days when the weather won't co-operate, there is a gorgeous screened-in porch with a day bed (which is amazing for afternoon naps even on sunny days). When the weather is a bit cooler, hidden under the deck is a cedar-panelled wood-fired sauna (firewood provided), and the previously-mentioned outdoor shower.

The Upper Deck is off-grid and powered by solar. There is a backup generator in the event the sun suddenly takes an extended vacation, but you've got enough battery power for the general living. High-draw and high-use appliances (hotplates, heaters, air-conditioners or big stereos) may draw down the batteries quickly and leave you in the dark. Our experience has been that if you're just using normal amounts of power (this includes high-draw items that are only used occasionally, like an electric kettle or an air fryer), the system will run indefinitely. Phone chargers, laptops, TVs, etc aren't going to cause a problem, even if it's been cloudy for a few days.

Heat is propane or wood. Both are provided, more details will be given once your booking is confirmed. We cut and split our own wood from the property, please do not bring in firewood from off-site (this can transport invasive species and diseases to our beautiful forest). We provide sparkless fire logs for the fireplace on the deck since there's no hearth to catch sparks from real wood.

The property includes private waterfront on Gull River, with easy access to Gull Lake. The waterfront is about a 5min walk down a walking trail, a map will be provided once booking is confirmed. Please bring your own life jackets and water toys. For those of you bringing boats, there are several launches on the lake, or you can launch at Rotary Park in Minden and boat down the river to the lake. There are no dock facilities at the Upper Deck, however we have a place on the lake nearby (a 10 minute walk to the cabin) and we can generally arrange moorings for most types of boats. The lake has excellent fishing and is great for water sports or simply cruising around.

We want you to enjoy your time at the Upper Deck as much as we do when we stay there, please treat it with love and respect and come back often. If you have any questions, special requests, or compliments, send us a message!