Into The Wild
There’s something unforgettable about stepping into the wilderness and experiencing nature up close. Across Ontario, Cabinscape guests are surrounded by forests, lakes, wildlife, and scenic landscapes that invite adventure in every season. Whether it’s spotting loons on a quiet morning paddle, casting a line into a trout-filled lake, hiking to panoramic lookouts, or visiting local farms and wildlife attractions, every region offers its own unique connection to the outdoors.
Here’s your guide to discovering the wild side of Cabinscape.
Haliburton
Haliburton Forest is one of Ontario’s most iconic wilderness destinations, offering endless opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventure. Moose, deer, foxes, beavers, and black bears all call this region home, while birdwatchers can often spot loons, owls, hawks, and bald eagles throughout the forest. Our cabins are located right within Haliburton Forest itself, placing you in the heart of this wilderness experience, with direct access to its trails, lakes, and surrounding nature.
The region is also home to unique wildlife experiences. The Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre (approx. 10 minutes from our cabins) gives guests the chance to learn about and observe Ontario’s majestic wolves in a natural setting, while Turtle Guardians Tours (approx. 10 minutes from our cabins) offers interactive educational experiences focused on local turtle conservation.
Fishing enthusiasts will also find no shortage of pristine lakes stocked with lake trout, smallmouth bass, brook trout, and northern pike, making Haliburton Forest a true escape for outdoor lovers year-round.
Algonquin Provincial Park makes for an unforgettable day trip. The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower (approx. 1 hour from our cabins) offers sweeping views over rolling forests and lakes, while Barnum Creek Nature Reserve (approx. 20 minutes from our cabins) features peaceful trails where visitors may encounter deer, foxes, moose, beavers, and a variety of birds.
Calabogie
Calabogie is wild, scenic, and full of life, with forests and lakes that support a wide range of wildlife. Deer, foxes, beavers, wild turkeys, and birds of prey are commonly seen, while loons, eagles, and herons are frequent along the water.
Nature lovers can explore the trails and lookout points at Calabogie Peaks or spend the day paddling and hiking through the peaceful wilderness of Bonnechere Provincial Park. Eagle’s Nest Lookout (approx. 5 minutes from our cabins) offers breathtaking views over the Ottawa Valley and the chance to spot soaring birds of prey. Fishing is also a major draw, with Golden and Calabogie Lakes offering great fishing for bass, northern pike, and panfish, while Muskrat Lake is known for lake trout and walleye.
For unique animal experiences, visitors can tour Forest Cove Alpacas and Country Market (approx. 10 minutes from our cabins), where guided alpaca experiences offer the chance to feed, interact with, and learn more about these gentle animals. Guests can also enjoy Goat Yoga at Greenlaw Farm (approx. 25 minutes from our cabins), combining outdoor relaxation with playful farm animals for a memorable countryside experience.
Kawarthas
Kawartha Lakes is known for its interconnected waterways, rolling farmland, and thriving wildlife. Loons, herons, turtles, otters, and beavers are common sights along the lakes, while forests and conservation areas provide habitat for deer, foxes, and countless bird species.
A visit to Balsam Lake Provincial Park (approx. 25 minutes from our cabins) offers excellent hiking, paddling, and birdwatching opportunities, while the marsh trails at Ken Reid Conservation Area (approx. 25 minute drive from cabins) are perfect for spotting waterfowl and migratory birds. Nearby, the Carden Alvar (approx. 10 minutes from our cabins) is a world-renowned birding hotspot, known for its rare grassland and wetland species and excellent opportunities to see meadowlarks, sandhill cranes, and a wide variety of migratory birds.
Fishing is another major draw in the Kawarthas, with anglers finding muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, perch, and crappie throughout the region’s lakes and waterways.
Beyond the lakes and forests, Kawartha Lakes is home to a variety of hands-on animal and farm experiences. At The Pearly Acre (approx. 45 minutes from our cabins), guests can meet rescued pot belly pigs, learn each pig’s unique story, step inside the pens, and even feed them fresh veggies. Hunnabees Honey & Co. (approx. 30 minutes from our cabins) invites visitors to explore a pollinator paradise complete with a hive observation deck, pollinator trails, and immersive beekeeping experiences led by third-generation beekeepers. In nearby Coboconk, Windmill Point Alpaca Farm (approx. 10 minutes from our cabins) offers scenic Woodland Alpaca Walks through forested trails, giving guests the chance to connect with these gentle animals while enjoying the outdoors.
Lanark County
Lanark County offers a blend of rugged wilderness and charming rural experiences. The region’s forests and wetlands are home to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, foxes, and countless bird species, making it a peaceful destination for wildlife lovers.
Murphys Point Provincial Park (approx. 50 minutes from cabins) is a favourite for hiking, canoeing, and spotting wildlife along its scenic shoreline trails. Birdwatchers will also love exploring the nearby Perth Wildlife Reserve (approx. 20 minutes from cabins), where wetlands and wooded trails attract herons, osprey, waterfowl, songbirds, and migratory species throughout the year.
Lanark County is also a premier fishing destination in Eastern Ontario, with lakes and rivers known for largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and lake trout. Big Rideau Lake (approx. 45 minutes from cabins) is famous for trophy bass fishing, Mississippi Lake and the Mississippi River are popular for walleye and pike, and White Lake is known for its excellent bass and northern pike fishing.
For unique countryside experiences, visitors can book an appointment at Serendipity Farm and Sanctuary (approx. 10 minutes from cabins) to meet alpacas and llamas or enjoy guided llama trekking along rural highland trails. Willow Creek Stables (approx. 15 minutes from cabins) also offers memorable farm visits focused on protecting the critically endangered Newfoundland Pony, giving guests the chance to meet the herd and learn more about this rare Canadian species.
From quiet mornings spent listening to loons on the lake to afternoons hiking scenic trails, casting a line, visiting local farms, or spotting wildlife from a scenic lookout, every stay offers a chance to reconnect with nature.
Into the wild with Cabinscape isn’t just about where you stay — it’s about the unforgettable experiences waiting just beyond your cabin door and the feeling of being fully immersed in the outdoors.
Photo credits
Header @voyageurquest
Haliburton: @turtleguardians, @voyageurquest, @haliburtonforestwolfcentre
Calabogie: @ontarioaway
Kawarthas: @thepearlyacre, @hunnabees, @windmillpointalpacas
Lanark: @rideauvalleyca
