Porter Lake Wilderness Retreat, your natural getaway in the quiet calm of an off-grid cabin on an undisturbed private lake. Located in the unorganized Patterson township 3 1/2 hours North of Toronto.
Your turn could be next.
Stretch out in front of the wood stove or on the screened-in porch to enjoy the view across the lake at windswept pines, hemlocks, and cedars. Better yet, jump in or wet a paddle in Porter Lake, a spring-fed back-country jewel on the outer edge of the French River water basin.
Access to the cabin is via a floating corduroy road, viable for a four-by-four vehicle three months of the year, but we recommend walking the mile back through long-abandoned homesteads and the farm fields of your host Peter Learn, a seasoned traveller who takes pride in his guests’ enjoyment.
Book now with Airbnb to spend some time on Porter Lake’s two miles of secluded shoreline.
Book Porter Lake on AirBNB
This place is truly tucked away. If you are looking to unplug and enjoy some quiet this is the place. The loudest thing we heard were the wolves.
Maegan9/30/2019
A charming, rustic cabin that you would see in the movies. Lots of cool vintage knick knacks and a very beautiful vintage propane stove to cook on. Having an entire lake to yourself is a bonus, and there is a rowboat and canoe that you can use. Peter is a great host who also happens to be a pig farmer, so be sure to ask him for some ham steaks and bacon to get the full experience. Make your stay more comfortable by bringing your own bedding, plenty of water and lots of candles to create a relaxing atmosphere. It's a bit of a trek from the car to the cabin, but you're here to take in the country air and get some exercise anyway (to work of the pork you fried, haha). A fun and memorable trip.
Ryan10/12/2016
Such a special place to disconnect! Beautiful surroundings, and well set-up for a special off-grid experience. Well equipped kitchen and serious BBQ for pulling together a great meal, and gorgeous lake to swim, boat, or just sit and contemplate.
Benjamin8/13/2020
Having the opportunity to enjoy such solitude and disconnect from the electronic buzz of today’s life to simply embrace the beauty of nature seems like a rare thing nowadays and this cabin offers just exactly this. Although basic to some, there are enough things around to make your stay very comfortable. As avid campers, we did enjoy the benefit of having a roof, a comfy place to stay warm and a deluxe outhouse. Our two little kids (3 years and 9 months old) had a lot of fun playing outside on the big meadow in front of the cabin, in the surrounding woods and at the lakefront! If you‘ll stay with little kids at the cabin, there is a steep staircase going up to the bed room on the top floor.
The road to the cabin is an adventure by itself. Peter was amazing in guiding us over some tricky spots on our way in and David was so nice to escort us out again after a couple of days of rainfall which transformed the road to a series of little ponds. A 4WD and high clearance as well as some experience in driving on log roads is recommended.
Sonja10/01/2020
About Porter Lake
Location
- Restoule, Ontario, Patterson Township, Parry Sound District
- Latitude: 45° 59′ 52.7″ (45.998°) north
- Longitude: 79° 47′ 15.4″ (79.7876°) west
- Elevation: 260 metres (853 feet)
History
It was 1988 when a red Forerunner bounced Greg Cromwell’s heart into this remote corner of Northern Ontario bush and left it there. At the time there was no cabin, barely a clearing and a road carved through the gravel banks of the granite ridge.
Through fast friendships, rugby bulldog determination, focus from his bride Alison and inspiration from Porter herself, the cabin and trails took hold on the old homestead parcel of land. Coming in the road the remains of the original homestead log barn can clearly be seen atop a hill overlooking the sawmill site where only the pond to power it remains.
Today Alison and Greg call Australia home allowing others to retreat to Porter Lake where their friend of nearly 30 years, Peter Learn greets them at the neighbouring family farm.
Born and raised on a farm with thousands of acres of bush for a backyard, a more seasoned guide than Pete won’t be found in the area.
Amenities
We are proud to offer new mattresses and box springs to make sure you don’t miss a wink of sleep in the off-grid cabin. The washroom is outside but it’s civilized, we promise.
A wood heating stove compliments the propane cooking stove in the kitchen with gravity-fed water and propane lights. Or try baking a pie on the screened-in front porch barbecue. Better yet do it on the campfire, we dare you.
Activities
Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, fishing, hiking, bird watching, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, trail riding, snowmobiling, yoga and of course just relaxing. If there’s something specific you’d like a hand with, give us some notice and we’d be happy to see what we can do.
