Quiet Off-the-Grid Cabin in Algonquin
We all need a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. What better way to do this than an off-the-grid cabin experience on the lake. For those who like to experience nature but are not big on sleeping in tents, this is a great no-tent alternative! This cabin is located at the edge of Algonquin park, on Kawawaymog Lake.
Voyageur Quest is an outdoor company that specializes in Algonquin canoe trips, lodge-based adventure trips, and private cottage/cabin rentals. We actually came across and booked the cabin on Airbnb (linked below), but it is ran by the company; you can also book their cabins through their website (also linked below).
Features and Experience:
We stayed at the ‘Lakeside Cabin.’ Here are the details:
The cabin contains 4 single beds (2 bunk beds), a couch, coffee table, some shelving, jacket hooks, a garbage bin, a couple of deck chairs … and that is about it. There are no other amenities, and you need to bring your own bed sheets, blankets, and pillows. It is very rustic, in the best way! They do have cabins with many more amenities nearby, if that is what you are looking for!
The washrooms and showers are located a short walk away, in their own little cabins. The washrooms are outhouses.
There is a communal area with one shared fire pit.
There is a floating sauna available for communal use. It was not open when we went due to the pandemic though. If you are interested in using it, I would call in advance to check on its status.
This is a great location to paddle out to Algonquin Park to fish for trout and bass.
The cabin appeared to be thoroughly cleaned prior to our arrival, and there was hand sanitizer available for us to use.
In terms of add-ons, you can book breakfast and dinner with Voyageur Quest up to 72 hours in advance (which will come from the ‘Broken Paddle Patio’ at the visitor centre), and you can pre-book paddleboards, kayaks, and/or canoes. If you decide while there, you can rent them onsite, as long as there is availability. We ended up booking a kayak and paddleboard when we arrived, and they even delivered them straight to our dock! You can also rent firewood at the centre.
Below are the prices for rentals:
Kayaks: $45+HST/day
SUPs: $38+HST/day
Canoes: $38+HST/day
It is a quiet lake and the area is designed for disconnecting from the city life and reconnecting with nature. It is not a location for parties or loud music. Noise does travel across the lake quite a lot here. This particular cabin is often used as a one-night stay prior to big canoe trips beginning in the early morning. I highly recommend bringing some extra blankets to lay on the deck in the evening to watch the sunset and at night to watch the stars; the views are incredible! Wake up for sunrise if you are able as well, the calmness and serenity is unmatched!
We had booked the cabin to celebrate my birthday, as I wanted to be surrounded by trees and the healing nature of Ontario’s lakes. We camped at Restoule Provincial Park for one night and stayed here on the second night. It was about 1 hour and 15 minutes from one to another, and it made for an exciting little adventure. The drive was quite scenic, as we passed beautiful stretches of lush forests, wetlands, and hilly escarpment. If you are curious about beautiful Restoule Provincial Park, I actually wrote a blog post about our entire experience, which you can check out here!
Once we arrived, our activities consisted of lounging on the deck with snacks (with our new duck friends) and paddling and kayaking on the lake, surrounded by picture-perfect blue skies and fluffy clouds. It was the best kind of summer day, and the energy of the sun provided the best endorphins. In the evening, we grilled some fish over the fire and set up a romantic dinner on the little coffee table, which we placed on the deck, along with some cushions that we brought with us. Good food, wine, soothing sounds of gently moving water beside us, and a dreamy sunset; true bliss. We then spent most of the night watching the stars and observing the constellations. The most awe-inspiring moment was the sunrise the next morning though. I took the paddleboard out on the lake as the condensation rose from the water and the sky slowly engulfed the entire lake in the vibrant golden hues. It was a mystical paradise beyond words.
Things to Note:
The cabin is only available for 1-night stays.
Once you arrive, head to the main Voyageur Quest visitor centre to check-in. It is about a 1-minute drive from the cabins. Make sure you have the directions, and download your maps in advance, as service is spotty in the area.
The parking confused us a little at first. As you are driving down the main road from the visitor centre to the cabin (Chemical Road), be sure to look out for the ‘Voyageur Quest Outpost’ sign. There is a little gravel area in front of it and that is where you park. It seems as though it is a random groove on the side of the road, but that is indeed where you leave your car. We ended up completely passing it on our first try.
There are a series of trails leading to the cabin and there are a few stairs to climb up to the cabin itself. I would not consider this spot accessibility-friendly.
There is no electricity in the cabin. Be sure to pack some flashlights - especially necessary if nature calls at night and you need to walk down the path to the outhouse in the dark. I do recommend doing your business before bed because the path gets really dark and ominous at night.
There is no cell service - a great place to put the phone aside and be present.
You can cook food over the fire in the fire pit, but there is nowhere else to do so. I recommend storing your leftover food in your car, as the cabin is in a forest and there are wild animals. It should be fine to leave your food in the cabin, but it’s better to be safe.
The lake water close to the cabin is quite marshy and wasn’t ideal for swimming. I would recommend paddling out a bit if you want to hop in the water.
They do not allow pets here.
There is no smoking allowed near the cabin.
Make sure to keep the cabin doors closed at all times, as mosquitoes do get in easily. We left the door open a few times, as we were bringing things in and out, and I had to live with the consequences of a mosquito buzzing in my ear all night, which was very unpleasant.
As a note, if you want to visit the cabin from Toronto but do not have a vehicle, Voyageur Quest does offer round trip transportation to and from Toronto for an additional fee!
Cabin Links and Free Packing List:
As mentioned, you can book the cabin through Airbnb or directly through the company website. The links are below:
I also saved you the time and hassle of creating your own packing list. You can find my detailed cabin packing list below!
I would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to the ancestral lands in the traditional territory of the Algonquins. I wish to recognize the long history of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Ontario, and show respect to them today, with the understanding that they will always belong to them. Two guiding principles in all my adventures are “leave no trace” and “treat the environment with utmost respect.” Voyageur Quest actually has a detailed Land Acknowledgement, which you can read here.
Stay tuned for the next adventure.