Category: Kawarthas

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Our Kawarthas Winter Adventure Guide

Kawartha Quarry Winter Header

Our Guide to Winter in the Kawarthas


Ever thought of visiting another planet? Our Kawartha cabins live on a stunning 230-acre property overlooking a quarry with a setting that feels like you’re in another world!

These cabins are less than 2 hours from Toronto and drive-in accessible all year round. Cozy and heated, they are ideal for a quick getaway to relax and unwind.


GET OUTSIDE & ADVENTURE

Hike/snowshoe 4 km of lanes and trails that meander through this expansive re-naturalized property and experience a rich variety of ecosystems, vistas and quarry relics from the past. Two pairs of snowshoes are included with your Cabinscape booking.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park is just 10 minutes from your cabin. The main park is closed for the season but Lookout Trail and Woodland Trail are open and available for winter exploration at no cost!

GET OUTSIDE & ADVENTURE

Hike/snowshoe 4 km of lanes and trails that meander through this expansive re-naturalized property and experience a rich variety of ecosystems, vistas and quarry relics from the past. Two pairs of snowshoes are included with your Cabinscape booking.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park is just 10 minutes from your cabin. The main park is closed for the season but Lookout Trail and Woodland Trail are open and available for winter exploration at no cost!

ICE-SKATING

Grab your skates and hit the ice! Kawartha Lakes is the place to be for ice skating fans and those who are eager to learn. The quarry can get thick enough for ice-skating in the winter months. Experience epic sunsets and fantastic views as you glide through the area. Or sit with a cup of hot cocoa by the private campfire and watch the skaters pass by down below.

The ice is not maintained and skating will depend on conditions. We recommend caution when walking on the ice. Use the provided shovel to clear a path for your skate!


SNOWMOBILING

For snowmobile enthusiasts, Kawartha Lakes offers 166 km of groomed trails through breathtaking snow-brushed pines and beautiful forested routes. While there is no snowmobiling permitted on-site at our cabins, finding an available route is just a click away. Check out this Interactive Snowmobile Trail Map, where you can find all snowmobile trails in Ontario. Trail users must have a valid permit, license and insurance.


There are too many trails in the area to be explored in just one day, so set aside a good amount of time at our cabins to be able to explore them all! 


VISIT FENELON FALLS, ON

A short 25-minute drive from our cabins sits the beautiful, historical waterfront town of Fenelon Falls. Known as the “jewel of the Kawarthas”, there is something for everyone including entertainment, dining, outdoor activities, and shopping. There is also the opportunity to explore arts, culture and heritage as this town has a rich history as an established route for the fur trade and settled by the first pioneers in the early 1800s.

Foodies will relish in the town’s varied food and drink offerings. The Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. is proudly Canadian with hand-crafted premium beer made in small batches in their very own brewhouse. Little Pie Shack is a local favourite that sells homemade pies, tarts, brownies, squares, ice cream, and more! The Locker at The Falls is a family-style restaurant with year-round fall side views while you are dining. They feature seasonal menus and gluten-friendly options. Ziraldo’s Italian Restaurant is a personal favourite with an incredible selection of authentic Italian food and divine cocktails with a side of amazing service.

There are so many more food options we aren’t able to list them all – be sure to visit on an empty stomach!

ICE FISHING

If you are feeling adventurous and want to spend time in the crisp air and cool sun, drop a line in one of the numerous easy-access ice fishing options around the Kawarthas. Be sure to overdress and bring lots of layers with you on any ice fishing trip. Try and visit with someone that knows the area and respects ice safety – always check ice thickness before beginning. Good equipment is necessary to make the trip a success. Our quarry lake is not available for ice fishing at this time.

Our Kawarthas Cabins

Photo Credits:

Get Outside – mountain-hiking.com

Snowmobiling Header -explorekawarthalakes.com

Fenelon Falls – explorefenelonfalls.com | fenelonfallsbrewing.com

Ice Fishing thekawarthas.ca

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Our Kawartha Summer Adventure Guide

Best Activities at CABINSCAPE Camp: Kawarthas

CABINSCAPE Camp: Kawarthas is a magnificent 230-acre property encompassing a 55-acre crystal clear spring-fed quarry lake. This site rests in the middle of an other-worldly landscape surrounded by forested meadows. This pristine lake is currently home to 5 off-grid lakeside cabins, 4 meadow cabins, and 6 tent sites. Located just 2 hours outside of Toronto this adventure getaway has all you need!


GET ON THE WATER

What makes our Kawarthas location so special is the sparkling blue lake – the result of a former limestone quarry. The lake is now sustained by 3 underground freshwater springs. The water is clean and crystal clear with a colour seldom seen anywhere in Ontario. The lake has an average depth of 10+ meters so dive in and enjoy a cool, clean, refreshing swim.

Bring your own snorkels for some underwater excitement which will take you up close and personal to some geologically significant rock formations and fossils, along with plenty of fish species.

Our lakefront cabins also come with a complimentary paddleboard to take advantage of the perfect lake temperament for a great paddle! The tent and meadow sites have the option of renting a paddleboard for the duration of their stay.

GO FOR A HIKE

Pack walking shoes to hike, cycle or stroll 4 km of lanes and trails that meander through this expansive re-naturalized property and experience a rich variety of ecosystems, vistas and relics from the past. You’ll even find remnants of an old rail line from the 1800s on our property!

To explore nearby trails, check out Balsam Lake Provincial Park, located just 10 minutes from your cabin. You’ll find numerous nature trails to hike and cycle for all skill levels. The park also offers canoe and kayak rentals to explore its spectacular portaging routes and provides an excellent location to access the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Located 25 minutes from our property, the Victoria Recreation Corridor is a 55km trail used year-round for hiking, horseback riding, cycling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. 

UNWIND & CHILLOUT

Take the opportunity to disconnect and relax in nature! Turn off electronics and enjoy a good book out on the deck overlooking the lake. Stargazing is a personal favourite at this location as there aren’t any trees getting in the way of your view of the milky way at the cabin sites. Meander through the wildflower meadows on our “Forest Stroll” trail. Recreate one of our delicious campfire recipes at your private fire pit.  Relax and enjoy! 

HAVE AN ANIMAL ADVENTURE

Have you ever dreamt of getting up close and personal with some of the cutest creatures on earth? Make some furry friends at Windmill Point Alpaca Farm! The farm is currently home to 8 alpacas who are cool and curious animals the whole family can enjoy. Their farm store also carries a selection of handmade seasonal products including alpaca wool dryer balls and felt insoles.

Tours are available on weekends for pre-booking only and can be done at https://windmillpointalpacas.com/

A short 20-minute drive from our cabins is Carden Alvar Provincial Park – also known as a birder’s paradise. This important biodiversity area is recognized worldwide as a premiere destination for bird watching. It is host to more than 230 bird species, 450 plants, and 140 butterfly/dragonfly species. Hike their extensive boardwalk through grassland, wetland and forest and enjoy the sounds and sights of unique and rare bird species.

NEARBY FUN

Explore what the nearby towns have to offer by taking a day trip to Fenelon Falls. This beautiful, historical waterfront town is known as the “jewel of the Kawarthas”! Enjoy year-round shopping, brewery, great restaurants, patios, cafes and local events.

Head over to the historic Kirkfield Lift Lock just 2 minutes from our site and watch boats navigate the Trent-Severn Waterway. It is the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres!

Stop by the Balsam Lake Provincial Park Farmers Market held at the beach on select Sunday’s throughout the summer for farm fresh veggies, baked goods, handmade artistic items, soaps, candles, jewellery, and so much more!

BOOK YOUR ESCAPE

Our Kawarthas Cabins

Our Kawarthas Tents

Photo Credits:
Header – IG @vanhallawild  
Unwind image – IG @joanna.crichton
Animal image -IG @windmillpointalpacas
Fenelon Falls image – explorefenelonfalls.com