Unleash Adventure at These Stunning Ontario Dog-Friendly Cabin Rentals (Cabinscape)
Are you looking for the perfect location for your next getaway with your furry best friend?
It should come as no surprise that we love discovering new pet-friendly travel locations around the province. From luxury cabins to rustic backcountry campsites, the options are endless.
With this in mind, we were excited to partner with Cabinscape and visit one of their off-grid, dog-friendly cabin rentals.
Let’s take a deep dive into Cabinscape and our experience…
We were gifted a stay at the Cabinscape Mica Cabin in exchange for content creation, but the opinions shared about these locations are all our own. See my full disclosure policy for more details.
What is Cabinscape?
Before we dig into the details of the unique off-grid rentals offered by Cabinscape, let’s start at the beginning – What is Cabinscape anyway?
If you haven’t heard of the company before, let’s do a quick introduction…
Cabinscape is a Canadian-owned company providing nature-focused, off-grid cabin rentals in Ontario.
This includes a variety of cabins of different sizes and locations.
Not interested in a cabin stay? They also offer a few canvas tent rentals if that’s more your style.
There are also several cabin rentals that allow dogs, making it possible to enjoy the experience with your best friend.
Each of their cabins is off-grid, but they are carefully designed and equipped with all the amenities needed for a luxury “glamping” experience while embracing nature.
Where Can You Find Cabinscape’s Off-Grid Cabin Rentals?
The first decision you will need to make when planning your next big outdoor getaway is the location.
Cabinscape offers dog-friendly cabin rentals in several different locations, including:
- Calabogie Peaks Resort
- Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve Ltd (Learn more about the location HERE)
- Kirkfield, Ontario
- Lanark County
- Maberly, Ontario
- Mountain Grove, Ontario
- Pakenham, Ontario
- Rideau Valley Conservation land (near Perth, Ontario)
Start by asking yourself what type of getaway you are looking for. This includes the level of remoteness, nearby attractions, and what activities you plan to enjoy.
Many of the cabins are located directly on the water, allowing easy access for those who enjoy paddling or swimming.
The level of remoteness of the cabins will vary from location to location.
Some cabins, like the Mica Cabin in Lanark County, are highly remote and accessible only by hiking or snowmobiles during the off-season.
These locations are ideal for dog parents looking for a private spot for adventures with their reactive dog, as they are far less likely to encounter potential triggers.
Others are in less remote locations for easy vehicle access.
With so many options available, there is no “best” choice. Instead, focus on finding the best dog-friendly cabin for you and your pup!
What Are the Pet-Specific Rules?
Not all of Cabinscape’s Ontario cabins are pet-friendly. Make sure to carefully read the description of the locations you are considering on their website.
The cabins that allow dogs are clearly labelled to make this easy, and you can filter locations to show only pet-friendly options.
Visitors to the pet-friendly cabins are allowed to bring up to 2 dogs.
During your visit, ensure your dogs are respectful and under control. Clean up any messes both inside the cabin and around the property.
This includes disposing properly of all dog poop during your stay.
Are Cats Also Allowed at Cabinscape Locations?
No, at this time, only dogs are permitted at Cabinscape and only in designated dog-friendly cabin rentals.
This rule is similar to that shared by Ontario Park’s pet-friendly roofed accommodations.
While we would love to see more locations accepting adventure cats, cat-friendly travel is still growing and evolving.
For cat-friendly getaways, we recommend exploring options through private rentals, such as cabins available through platforms like HipCamp or Airbnb.
Our Experience: The Mica Cabin
Last month (March 2024), we partnered with Cabinscape to share their unique dog-friendly cabin rentals with our pet-loving community.
To do this, we were gifted a stay at their Mica Cabin in Lanark County.
Considered one of their most remote cabins, the Mica Cabin was set back in the wilderness on Rideau Valley Conservation land.
We had to hike approximately 900 metres to the cabin. This included a flooded patch of the trail due to beavers in the local waterways – but this isn’t the typical expected experience.
The website says the cabin is accessible by 4WD, but only in the summer.
Cabin Amenities
The off-grid tiny cabin may not look like much when you’re approaching, but this cute cabin contains everything you’ll need for an incredible getaway.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find two beds (a queen and a double), a private indoor bathroom, and a kitchenette with a mini fridge, stovetop, and sink.
They also provide many kitchen basics, including dishes, cookware, utensils, salt, pepper, olive oil, sugar, and coffee.
Running water is available during the summer. However, it is shut off from October 15 to mid-May.
During the off-season, drinking water is supplied for your stay in plastic water jugs. They were ready and waiting for us in the kitchen.
While the cabin is off-grid, it has been outfitted with solar-powered electricity and a backup generator if power runs low.
We didn’t have to run the generator once during our stay.
Across the front of the cabin, you will find many windows, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful waterfront views even when you’re inside.
Picture waking up to that stunning view… it was incredible!
The window in front of the kitchen is a rolling garage door, which opens up to create a pass-through to the bench seating outside.
A propane BBQ is also available on the front deck for cooking, complete with the propane needed for your stay.
All you need to bring is your clothing, bedding, food, drinks, and firewood.
Activities On-Site
The on-site activities will vary depending on which cabin you are staying at.
We had access to on-site hiking trails to explore.
If you plan on winter camping, these trails are accessible for snowshoeing. The company provides two pairs of snowshoes to use during your stay.
Due to the location, we highly recommend ensuring you have a plan for protection against ticks, whether that’s a conventional flea and tick repellent or a natural alternative.
If you are visiting during peak season, you can purchase an “Adventure Pup Kit” from the company, which includes the Tickless Ultrasonic Flea & Tick Repeller.
A canoe was sitting near the dock, ready to use.
Human life jackets were inside the cabin, but if you plan on canoeing with your pup, you will need to bring your own dog lifejacket.
They also provide a selection of books and board games if you are stuck inside due to less-than-ideal weather.
Nearby Activities and Attractions
During our stay, we also took advantage of the nearby pet-friendly attractions and activities.
We took a quick trip to Perth one afternoon for dinner and to grab some local craft beer from Perth Brewery and Bridge Master Brewing Company.
For a sweet treat, we also enjoyed donuts from Blackfly Grubhub.
It’s a cute little town, only 15 minutes away from the cabin, with many fun places to stop.
We also took a trip to Murphy’s Point Provincial Park, which is only 8 minutes away. I took Lucifer out to explore the trails.
Final Thoughts: Our Dog-Friendly Getaway at Cabinscape’s Mica Cabin
If you are looking for an off-grid cabin for rent, locating a pet-friendly option can sometimes be challenging.
Often, we make sacrifices just to include our pups in our travel plans.
Luckily, Cabinscape offers several beautiful dog-friendly cabin rentals in different locations across the province.
While this was our first adventure with Cabinscape, it certainly won’t be our last!
We are already eyeing up several other cabins to explore, and a return to the Mica Cabin is being planned for a future date.
Check out their pet-friendly cabins on the Cabinscape website. You won’t regret it!
