While many vacationers are drawn by the skyline and modern attractions of Toronto, they’re totally missing out on the stunning natural beauty and picturesque lakes less than 2 hours drive from the city!
Particularly popular during the summertime, these lakes are the perfect place for a fun family vacation, romantic getaways for couples, or peaceful spots for a solo retreat. With lots of cabins and lodges in Toronto, it’s guaranteed to be a trip you’ll never forget.
Read on to learn about the best Toronto cabins, and what makes staying at one of these cozy properties so amazing!
In a Hurry? Here’s Where to Stay Close to Toronto for One Night
Muskoka Lakeside Cottage
With great home-style amenities like a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom essentials, you can stay comfortable while also being close to nature! Perfectly located to enjoy the lakes and hiking trails of the area, as well as canoes and kayaks included in the room price.
- Bala Cove Marina
- Torrance Dark-Sky Preserve
- Bala Cranberry Festival
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Unique Accommodation Close to Toronto
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There is so much more to visiting Canada and Toronto than modern condos and hotels. While the city is a highly developed and bustling area, just a two hour drive can take you into the beautiful lake-filled landscape of northern Ontario.
Hotels aren’t so easy to find here, and the ones you do find will probably either be super expensive or stuffy and uninteresting. It’s much better to find a cute cottage or cozy lodge to stay. There are plenty of options for unique accommodation near Toronto, from super luxury properties to quiet and secluded woodland cabins.
If you’re worried about missing modern comforts, put your mind at ease since the best cabins and lodges in Toronto have modern amenities – full kitchens, TVs, Wifi, and full heating and cooling. However, if you want to go fully off the grid – you’ll easily find that as well.
Cabins and lodges are very similar, although cabins tend to be a bit smaller and more rustic in style, while lodges can accommodate a larger number of guests and often have more luxury amenities like canoes, BBQ pits, living rooms, and extra beds.
Staying at a Cabin Near Toronto
If a peaceful retreat in the woods appeals to you, but you’re not entirely sure about camping in Ontario, then cabins are the next best thing!
Most Toronto cabins offer free parking onsite and many are waterfront properties so you can go swimming or canoeing without needing to travel! Depending on how well insulated and equipped cabins are, some are only open during the peak summer season while others are available for rent year-round.
They tend to be on the smaller side, but cottages will often have room for groups of ten or more.
Some cabins near Toronto have indoor bathrooms, while others use outhouse-style facilities, which is something to check if it is important to you.
If you do end up staying during the winter, you can count on having indoor heating, and probably a fireplace to keep you nice and cozy. Since road conditions can be more difficult during the wintertime, many cabin owners will help arrange transportation or even sleigh rides to bring you safely to your holiday home!
Staying at a Lodge Near Toronto
The best lodges close to Toronto are a great combination of hotel convenience and an outdoor adventure. The properties often have the facilities of an all-inclusive, with a more rustic feel.
Since lodges are usually bigger, they are better suited for families and groups of travelers coming to the wilderness of Ontario for a fun vacation and break from the daily grind! You can count on endless opportunities for fun and outdoor adventures.
Even the budget lodges in Toronto are usually right next to Lake Ontario or one of the other waterways, and some even have private docks. This is one of the best places to stay in Toronto. You can bring your own boat, or check to see where boat rentals are available nearby to spend afternoons out on the water. Some places even include the use of canoes, paddleboats, or stand-up-paddle boards in the price!
While summer is the most popular time of year to rent a lodge in Toronto, many properties are also open during the fall and winter. Indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire grates are common, as well as indoor heating for colder months.
Usually, lodges will have free parking onsite, allowing you to easily drive to the nearest town to pick up groceries or supplies. It’s also possible to find one within walking distance of towns if you prefer to be a bit more centrally located.
While you will probably end up spending most of your time outside and enjoying nature, lodges will have Wi-fi to stay connected to all your friends and a TV if you want to watch your favorite shows, or you’re traveling with young kids who need distractions sometimes! Lodges make for a great family getaway.
If you’re big on helping the environment, you will find many eco-lodges in Toronto that give something back.
Muskoka Lakeside Cottage
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Equipped kitchen
- > Great local suggestions
Private Room on Lake Ontario
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > On Lake Ontario
- > Close to public transport
Quiet Scandinavian-Style Tiny Cabin
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Canoe and SUP board
- > Right on the lake
Enchanted Log Cabin
- > $$$
- > 8 Guests
- > Equipped kitchen
- > In a private forest
Lake Muskoka Luxury Retreat
- > $$$$
- > 8 Guests
- > Onsite gym
- > Two fire pits
Family Retreat in the Kawarthas
- > $$$
- > 8 Guests
- > Equipped kitchen
- > Nearby boat launch
The Log Cabin B&B
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Breakfast included
- > Air conditioning and heating
The Top 10 Cabins and Lodges Close to Toronto
Now that you have an idea what to expect when staying at a cabin or lodge in Toronto, check out this list of super cool properties where you can enjoy a quiet woodland retreat, and also keep the comforts and conveniences of home!
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Overall Best Value Cabin Close to Toronto – Muskoka Lakeside Cottage
Close to the town of Bala (home of the Cranberry Festival, if you’re into that kind of thing) and right next to Lake Muskoka, this picture-perfect cottage is the ideal retreat for solo travelers and couples. There is a sliding rate for prices depending on whether you’re booking during the high or off-season!
Fill your days with swimming or canoeing in the lake (canoe provided!) or check out the suggestion binder full of fun and interesting things to do in Toronto. Every evening you can relax and enjoy a stunning view of the sunset over the lake from the large cabin windows or outdoor seating area.
Best Budget Cottage Near Toronto – Private Room on Lake Ontario
For those who don’t have big bucks to drop on an entire cabin, this sweet private room in a lakeside cottage is a beautiful property. Just 20 minutes from downtown Toronto, the cottage has easy access to the town as well as magnificent nature. Wander the stunning gardens, relax on the dock and overlook the lake. This is the perfect escape from the city.
Budget Tip: Hostels in Toronto are a great way to travel on a budget. Dorms close to Toronto start from $10USD per bed. They’re the cheapest accommodation in the city.
Best Cabin for Couples – Quiet Scandinavian-Style Tiny Cabin
Take a break from social media and the daily stresses of life at this charming waterside cabin in Minden Hills, Ontario. There is TV and Wifi, but you’ll probably be too busy swimming, hiking, and simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings to use them much.
Local stores and restaurants are within 15-30 minutes drive away, and there’s free parking onsite. Outdoor adventurers will love all the options for exploring and hiking nearby, or you can simply relax on the porch, with a board game or a good book. Ontario cabins don’t get more picturesque than this!
Best Cabin for Couples Near Toronto – The Trails Retreat
This private hilltop cabin is a stunning family getaway or peaceful retreat for 2. In the quaint area of Mono, this incredible home is surrounded by nature with magnificent views over the rolling forest.
Close to walking trails, a yoga center, and popular ski areas, everything you need is just moment’s away. You can enjoy the shared pool during the summertime, or hide away next to the fire during the winter months. This cozy cabin has everything you could need!
Best Cabin for a Group of Friends – Enchanted Log Cabin
Like something out of a movie, this stunning cabin is located on 25 acres of private land for the ultimate serene and tranquil retreat. Grab your friends and spend a magnificent stay gathering around the fireplace, exploring the grounds, and visiting the nearby town.
With 3 bedrooms, everyone will have their own space to lounge and unwind after a day of adventures. Of all the Ontario cabins, this is by far the best for a friends getaway.
Over-the-Top Luxury Lodge – Lake Muskoka Luxury Retreat
This spacious property has a boathouse with water sports equipment, outdoor fire pits, huge windows to take in the view, a kitchen, an onsite gym, and six bedrooms! Wowza!
The beautiful property is just a two-hour drive from Toronto, and a two-minute drive from the nearest town of Bracebridge where you can buy any supplies or groceries you might need for BBQ nights, and smore roasts on the outdoor fire pits after a day of water sports and hiking.
Best Toronto Lodge for Families – Family Retreat in the Kawarthas
Open year-round, this cool private lodge is great for family vacations full of outdoor adventure! The property has a private waterfront as well as a nearby boat dock for all sorts of fun water activities, and there are plenty of hiking trails nearby for nature enthusiasts.
The four-bedroom lodge can accommodate up to 8 guests, and there is a fully equipped kitchen as well as an outdoor BBQ and fire pit with dining area for cookouts. Swim, hike, and play all day, then sit back for a front-row seat of the stunning Kawartha sunset!
Best Toronto Cabin for Families – Cabin Medora Lake
A cozy woodland retreat for you and your family, this cabin located on Medora Lake offers a great escape for the summer! Whether you’re just getting out of the city for the weekend, or staying for a longer period, you can count on the comforts of home like a kitchen, Wi-fi, and TV to keep kids occupied when needed.
The cabin is on 6 acres of private forested land, and offers a great opportunity for outdoor adventures and fun. Stroll down the expansive lawn to the lakefront and dock where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, and canoeing all day long!
Most Beautiful Cabin Close to Toronto – Rustic Cabin near Muskoka
No matter the time of year you want to explore the wilderness of Ontario, this beautiful stone cabin near Muskoka is a perfect place to stay! It’s one of the best budget cabins near Toronto, with great amenities and location for a reasonable price.
You can walk to the Muskoka Lake beach in five minutes, plus there are lots of hiking trails in the area! The cabin has a spot for campfires during the summer, and an equipped kitchen and indoor fireplace to accommodate for colder seasons.
Best Cabin for Backpackers – The Log Cabin B&B
A cool combination of a cabin and a bed and breakfast, you can have your own private room on a cozy woodland property! Just 1 hour from Toronto, it’s a great place for a budget-friendly weekend out of the city.
Right on the Pefferlaw River, there’s a boat dock for you to enjoy water sports, plus a sauna and Jacuzzi in the guest bathroom! Enjoy a delicious breakfast, and use the communal kitchen to prepare other meals to save extra cash.
FAQs about Cabins and Lodges Close to Toronto
Here’s what people usually ask us when they look for vacation homes in Toronto.
Don’t Forget Your Toronto Travel Insurance
It always pays to be prepared. That’s why good travel insurance is an absolute essential, for every trip.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Cabins and Lodges Close to Toronto
Whether you’re a Toronto local hoping to escape the city, or you’re an international traveler in search of the perfect wilderness retreat, renting a cottage or lodge close to Toronto is your best bet.
Hopefully, with this list you’ve found a property that fits your needs, be that a lavish private lodge or the best budget cabins. Enjoying a summer vacation on the shores of one of Ontario’s picture-perfect lakes is an amazing experience.
Make sure you take out some travel insurance; especially if you’re going to be doing activities like swimming, hiking, and boating.
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