This winter, explore the beauty of Ontario with these five Indigenous-owned getaways. Not only will you be supporting some amazing Indigenous businesses, but you’ll have the opportunity to learn from the First Nations communities hosting these incredible getaways.
Stay in a luxury log cabin on the historic Grand River
Situated in southern Ontario’s Brant County, Chiefswood Park offers exceptional year-round getaways. Explore over 20 acres of nature along the shores of the historic Grand River and learn about Haudenosaunee culture. Snowshoe through the Carolinian forest, visit the Chiefswood National Historic site or enjoy some R and R amid peaceful snow-covered scenery. Cultural workshops are offered throughout the year: take part in plant and tree identification hikes, get your adrenaline going with Six Nations games or learn the art of basket making. For further cultural experiences, visit the nearby Grand River community for great dining and local shopping. Accommodations include luxury log cabins designed in regional 19th-century style. The cabins range in size and each one offers a private firepit, a kitchenette and a bathroom — some with accessibility options. chiefswoodpark.ca
Go yurt glamping in an evergreen forest
For a memorable experience, visit Minaki Yurt Adventures in the wilderness of western Ontario. Enjoy glass-like lakes and snow-dusted boreal forests as far as the eye can see. Cross-country ski through 20 kilometres of hinterland trails, spot winter wildlife or skate atop Camp Lake. De-stress in the wood-burning sauna, try the outdoor pizza oven and spend evenings by the campfire. Welcoming adventurers, nature enthusiasts and those seeking a unique glamping holiday, this whimsical getaway offers five delightful yurts and a winterized tipi — each with cosy furnishings and a pellet stove. For an elevated experience, book the Mee-nah-kee Yurt, which offers 2,800 square feet of glamping luxuries, including a full kitchen and a TV room. minaki.ca
Explore Manitoulin Island and sleep in a modern log cabin
Wikwemikong Tourism welcomes visitors to Manitoulin Island to experience its spectacular scenery and learn from the people of the Three Fires Confederacy, an alliance of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi nations. Rent an ice fishing hut for the day, explore idyllic winter scenery at Bebamikawe Memorial Hiking Trail or skate at Thunderbird “Nimkii Bineshii” Park in the heart of the Wikwemikong community. Later in the year, opt for guided nature excursions and a clay baked Georgian Bay trout and tea culinary package, or learn about the Indigenous history of Manitoulin Island through the Unceded Journey. At Bayside Resort, stay in one of several luxury log cabins with spectacular waterfront views and picturesque surroundings. wikytours.com
Find inspiration at Bay of Quinte’s Lil Crow Cabin
At the water’s edge on the stunning Bay of Quinte, Lil Crow Cabin and Pods offers adult holiday-makers a relaxed and creative space year-round. Choose from four custom-built cabins and glamping pods designed and owned by Mohawk artist and musician David R. Maracle. Each accommodation features fabulously unique interiors with a cosy ambience and all you need to feel at home. Try ice fishing, skating or soaking in the HydroSpa hot tub. When the sun sets, get toasty by the firepit and admire the star-filled sky. Located within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, local culinary options, Indigenous art galleries and shops offer an opportunity to appreciate Mohawk culture. lilcrowcabin.com
Enjoy a cedar lodge in Temagami Mountains
Close to Temagami River Provincial Park in northeastern Ontario, Lodge on the Point provides a spectacular getaway nestled within the Temagami mountain range. The property — which rests on the shores of Manitou Lake, a spring-fed 6,000-year-old Indigenous canoe route — was once a private healing lodge. Built in 1946, the main (Cedar) lodge can host more than 20 people, and several smaller pine cabins offer guests a cosy stay along the scenic peninsula. Visitors can adventure through nature, take guided fishing trips and enjoy fabulous bonfires. During winter, the lodge specializes in group bookings, with chef and entertainment add-ons available. lodgeonthepoint.com
