Summer Getaways: 7 Ontario Cottage Vacation Rentals Near Canoe & Kayak Hotspots

If your dream summer getaway includes enjoying a private waterfront retreat while experiencing Ontario’s most beautiful canoeing, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding destinations, check out these well-appointed vacation properties. Each of these cozy cottages pampers paddlers with rustic comfort on the shores of the province’s finest paddling rivers and lakes.

Details of the properties are provided from the vacation rental listing sites.

Island Cabin, Lake of the Woods

Details: Nestled amid grassy lawns and towering pines on a very private, three-acre island surrounded by one of the finer parts of beautiful Lake of the Woods, this rustic two-bedroom cabin is powered by solar and a small generator when needed. Nine miles south of Kenora, the island is secluded yet accessible to town. This cottage is perfect for a family or couple’s getaway for those who appreciate living off the grid. There is a screened porch, BBQ, basic kitchen with propane fridge/freezer, bathroom with shower and composting toilet, and wood cookstove. This private island is boat access only and guests require their own transportation—plan to paddle in, or rent a motorboat from one of Kenora’s local outfitters. Visit Familycabins.ca for more detailed cottage information.

Location: Kenora
Cost: $200 per night
Space: Two bedrooms, one bathroom, sleeps six

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: Sprawling south from Kenora, Lake of the Woods’ maze of pine-topped islands (14,542 by last count!), rocky shores, and secluded passages are ideally suited to exploration by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Wildlife sightings can include dazzling flocks of white pelicans—seldom spotted outside Northwest Ontario. Green Adventures rents motorboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Lakefront Cottage in Minaki

Details: Located on Pistol Lake on the spectacular Winnipeg River system, which boasts one of the greatest fisheries in Canada. This beautiful, open-concept, 1,900-square-foot home on the water has an abundance of windows allowing for lots of natural light and spectacular views of the lake. Guests enjoy the 2,000-square-foot wraparound deck with comfortable seating and views of the forest and water. Down by the private dock and boat launch, the natural rock shoreline features a sand beach for swimming and easy launching.

Location: Minaki
Cost: $298 average per night
Space: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps eight

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: Explore the scenic lakes, channels, and Precambrian Shield islands of the Winnipeg River system right from the cottage door. In Kenora, Green Adventures offers route suggestions, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, and guided trips ranging from one day to four nights.

Loon's Nest on Superior

Details: Indulge in the splendour of majestic Lake Superior in this very private, tastefully decorated two-bedroom lakefront getaway. The spacious, modern, open-concept design and large windows provide gorgeous views of Mink Bay and its islands and striking cliffs. Enjoy the convenience of a well-appointed kitchen and a washer & dryer for longer stays. Pamper yourself in the outdoor hot tub after a day of paddling or hiking the scenic trails just steps away. Relax around a campfire on the grassy lawn and experience superb stargazing.

Location: Neebing
Cost: $240 average per night
Space: Two bedrooms, one bathroom, sleeps six

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: Experienced kayakers can head offshore to a chain of pristine boreal islands known locally as the “Sauna Islands.” The closest is Spar Island, home to the Top of the World lookout hike. From here, paddle northeast to Thompson Island’s cobble beach and lakeside sauna, and Pie Island’s imposing tableland mesas. Alternatively, explore the mainland shoreline, touring west to the cliffs of Little Trout Bay Conservation Area. Contact Such a Nice Day Adventures in Thunder Bay for guided trips to the islands.

Historical Silver Islet Beauty

Details: Enjoy privacy, quiet and beach access from this three-bedroom home situated on a two-acre peninsula at Silver Islet, an off-grid cottage community adjacent to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. This property is known as President's Point—where the president of Silver Islet’s 1800s silver mine chose to locate his summer home.

Once the locale of soirées hosting European royalty, today guests can enjoy the tranquility, sandy beach, sauna, and the historic Silver Islet community. This modern bungalow features two decks for full enjoyment of the surrounding stunning views, propane stove and fridge, great room, four-piece bathroom, propane lighting, and wood stove for heating. Frequent wildlife visitors include deer, eagles, herons, loons, fox, pileated woodpeckers and cedar waxwings that feast on the Saskatoon berries.

Location: Silver Islet
Cost: $165 average per night
Space: Three bedrooms, one bathroom, sleeps six

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: Paddle the world’s greatest lake beneath the soaring cliffs of the Sleeping Giant, see the famed “sea lion” arch, or make the crossing east into the vast archipelago of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area on a multi-day sea kayaking journey with Naturally Superior Adventures, Superior Outfitters, or Such A Nice Day Adventures.

Sand Bar Beach Retreat

Details: Feel the sand between your toes, enjoy breathtaking sunsets, steam in the wood-fired sauna, and play in the largest freshwater lake in the world while relaxing at this private, cozy, and luxurious beach house. This three-bedroom Lake Superior retreat is located on the southeast shore of Goulais Bay, 25 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie. The 1,200-square-foot A-frame home is bright, warm, and functional, and features panoramic views of Lake Superior. The airy space leans into a rustic feel, but the quality furnishings are distinctly modern. Two kayaks and a canoe are included with the rental.

Location: Goulais River
Cost: $208 average per night
Space: Three bedrooms, one bathroom, sleeps seven

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: When the wind is blowing onshore, enjoy safe kayak or paddleboard surfing in the shore break at this shallow sand beach in Goulais Bay. The meandering Goulais River cuts through the dense forests of the Canadian Shield as it flows towards Lake Superior. Paddlers who are comfortable in moving water and rapids up to class II can enjoy a couple of terrific day trips on the Goulais. Contact Mountainview Lodge in nearby Searchmont for canoe rentals, shuttle, and route suggestions.

North Channel Lakefront Cabin

Details: Away from everything in the middle of unspoiled nature, this modern cabin perches directly on the North Channel of Lake Huron. This luxurious cabin features two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, fireplace, 42” satellite TV, full kitchen with custom cabinetry and walnut live-edge countertops, laundry, bathrooms with steam shower and wooden tub, wrap-around cedar decks, and a screen porch with amazing views of the lake and Benjamin Islands. A large sand beach with shallow water is great for kids or launching the included aluminum fishing boat and tandem kayak.

Location: Spanish/Massey
Cost: $225 average per night
Space: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps six

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: Located on McBean Channel across from the Fox and Benjamin islands, access to the beautiful island clusters of the North Channel of Lake Huron doesn’t get any easier than this. Day trip among the wave-polished granite inner islands, or plan a multi-day kayak tour east towards La Cloche Provincial Park and the Bay of Islands, or west into the Whalesback Channel. For guided paddling trips, contact Blackfeather or Wild Women Expeditions.

Byng Inlet Georgian Bay Cottage

Details: Stay in a beautiful two-bedroom cottage overlooking Georgian Bay, nestled in the protected waters of Byng Inlet. The cottage is modern and spacious, with cathedral ceilings, large windows, an open balcony and a beautiful view of Georgian Bay. Guests can swim off the smooth-rock shores of this private, two-acre island—accessed by a short boardwalk footbridge—and relax comfortably in the outdoor hot tub on the lower deck.

Location: Britt
Cost: $310 average per night
Space: Two bedrooms, one bathroom, sleeps eight

Canoeing & Kayaking Opportunities: Explore the island-choked mouth of Byng Inlet on a leisurely day trip looping out to the scenic lighthouse on Geraux Island, or venture further into the beautiful Cunningham Islands. The stunning Bustard Islands and French River Delta invite multi-day adventures up the Georgian Bay coast, or plan to use Byng Inlet to anchor a weeklong expedition across the top of the Bay to Killarney. Check out guided trip options with Blackfeather.

STAY AND PADDLE

These cozy rental cottages and cabins are perfectly situated for your next Ontario paddling holiday.

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.