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Cabin Fever
Back to Superior Country BlogHead out to experience beauty so close to Thunder Bay, from urban delights to wilderness seemingly untouched by time.
As residents, you already know what makes the Thunder Bay area so special. It offers the best of both worlds. The city has fantastic restaurants with specialties like Finnish pancakes and Persians, breweries, delis, and bakeries, and famous landmarks like Fort William Historical Park. Further afield, there’s so much pristine wilderness you may not get to often enough. It’s an ideal for staycations that focus on fully immersive outdoor pursuits.
Within driving distance of Thunder Bay, you’ll find picturesque bays and lakes, ideal for fishing and water sports, wide-open landscapes, and abundant wildlife, from moose to eagles. It represents iconic scenery of the Canadian Shield the deserve to be enjoyed to the max. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from, including cabin rentals ideal for families and couples, nature lovers and anglers. Whether you’re looking for a place for just a few nights or longer, here is a look at some great cabin options worth consideration when booking your close-to-home holiday.
Bowman Island Lodge
Truly get away from it all at this remote island where sunsets and serenity rule. Located in the middle of the Lake Superior Marine Conservation Area, it has a lodge and a cabin where you can just chill, spot an abundance of wildlife, swim, fish for speckled or lake trout, and wake up to the sounds of birds chirping. It’s accessible only by boat.
The Quebec Lodge
The Quebec Lodge is a bed & breakfast in a beautiful 4,000 square foot log cabin that was built in 1937 in Red Rock Ontario. It originally served as the corporate retreat for the pulp and paper mill. The lodge has six cozy guest rooms, a great room that is 2 ½ floors high with cantilevered log beams, second floor walkway, a massive stone fireplace and a bar – perfect for evening relaxing. The dining room overlooks Lake Superior and the large kitchen is well equipped for preparing delicious meals for guests.
Browns’ Clearwater West Lodge
This property is a hit with families. There is fishing nearby and you can easily rent a boat so you can head out onto Clearwater West. If you got lucky and caught your supper, you can cook it on the barbecues that come with the cabins, or on the stove in your well-stocked kitchen. No luck? There’s a diner on-site for grabbing burgers, hot dogs and fries, or you can nibble on s’mores by the campfire and watch the stars in the clear skies.
Jackfish Lake Cottages
Enjoy breakfast in bed, thanks to the fully equipped kitchenettes in the eight units available on this property. Each is designed for comfort and relaxation. Wireless internet and satellite TV will keep you connected to the outside world, if you wish. Make sure you spend some time in the authentic Finnish sauna on-site.
Dog Lake Resort
Since 1947, guests have come to this family-run property. There are 9 cabins available, including those suited to couples and families. Rent a canoe for the day or something a bit speedier with a motor. If fishing is high up on your to-do list, keep in mind that Dog Lake is legendary for its smallmouth bass, thanks to its plentiful reefs and shallow bays where they thrive in large numbers.
Porphyry Island
On Black Bay, this bucolic stretch features stunning beauty worthy of discovery. It has a historic 1873 Point Porphyry Lighthouse and stunning views of the Sleeping Giant. Spend the night in a three-bedroom guesthouse with electricity and running water. You’ll have to bring sleeping bags and also get your way to the island via boat, canoe, floatplane or helicopter.
Wilderness Discovery Centre
In Shebandowan, experiencing the natural beauty of Ontario’s North has no boundaries. This popular destination has made every effort to ensure everyone can enjoy it. It features fully-accessible, barrier-free cabins, suited to those with mobility issues. A comprehensive ramp system allows easy access to fishing boats, the beach, swimming in the lake and bonfires. The goal of the owners is to provide an opportunity to experience “life without limits.”
Spruce Forrest Lakeside B&B
Just 35 minutes from Thunder Bay, this new B&B puts you close to all the things you’d expect from a lakeside property, including access to beaches, swimming, fishing and kayaking. In the evenings, take advantage of the property’s extensive collection of DVDs and CDs. Come morning, enjoy a home-cooked breakfast prepared by your hosts.
Ole’s Adventure Resort
A variety of comfy cabins means everyone can find one to suit their needs and budget, from couples to larger family groups. Fry up your catch of the day in your accommodations, or host an evening cocktail hour for your travel group. Wherever you stay, you can soak in the scenery of Whitefish Lake. Have a picnic on its shores or head out for a day of fishing in search of walleye, pickerel and jumbo perch. Daily and weekly boat rentals are available on-site.
Kashabowie River Resort
It’s all about fun at this resort. Cabin renters can indulge their adventurous spirits on land (hiking, birdwatching, badminton and horseshoes) and on water (canoes, swimming, and sightseeing by boat). Fishing, of course, is a popular pursuit since Shebandowan Lake has some of the best conditions in northwestern Ontario. Cabins are well-equipped with everything you need for a relaxing stay and range from 480 to 900 square feet.
Wilderness North
A luxurious opportunity awaits. Packages that include one of four well-equipped wilderness cabins, including kitchens, on a secluded lake make it easy to head north. They include flights by bush plane from the McKenzie Lake Seaplane Base, four nights of accommodation and use a motorboat, ideal for small family groups. Paddlers, swimmers, hikers, wildlife spotters and stargazers have plenty of ways to spend their days.
That’s just a sampling of the accommodations ready for booking just outside of Thunder Bay. You’ll find plenty of unique options to suit your interest and budget. Each property is unique, not cookie cutter. The perfect stay beckons in this beautiful region. This is the year to experience all that it offers in natural settings.
Posted by Michele Sponagle
Michele is an editor, project manager and writer whose clients include LCBO’s Food & Drink, WestJet inflight magazine, and The Globe and Mail. She is the digital content manager for YouAreUNLTD …
