Canada

The 11 Best Wilderness Retreats in Canada

Lindsay MacNevin

Via wcwl.com

If there is one thing Canada does well, it is Wilderness resorts. From the west coast to the east, and everything in between, this country is overflowing with incredible log cabins, luxury glamping resorts and scores of activities centering around nature. Discover one of the most expensive lodges in the country, hike through the Great Bear Rainforest, come eye to eye with an Orca Whale and embrace the beautiful country at these 11 incredible wilderness retreats.

11. Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Bella Coola, BC

Nestled in a beautiful and secluded area of British Columbia is this breathtaking wilderness lodge, with a specialty in grizzly bear viewing. The lodge was originally built in the 1920’s as a hunting and fishing lodge but today serves visitors as an eco-friendly, wilderness retreat. Placed in the middle of one of the healthiest bear habitats in the world, bears can often be seen wandering past the lodge or even napping on the lawn.

Springtime brings something special as the bears come down to the Atnarko River to feast on spawning salmon. The beautiful open lodge is welcoming with its amazing fireplaces, outdoor hot tub, and large dining rooms. Guests will spend the night in one of 11 private chalets that sleep anywhere from 2-4 people. With helpful guides on site, you can choose to do as little or as much as you want here at this incredible wilderness retreat.

Via Bella Coola Heli Sports

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10. Siwash Lake Ranch, Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia

This remote resort is small, personal and sophisticated, beckoning travelers who are looking for an authentic adventure and life-enriching experiences. This genuine family-owned ranch is located in cowboy country and legendary for providing guests with the ultimate wilderness experience. Guests here have the choice of suites in the ranch house or private luxury tent suites overlooking the Siwash Lake. Dine on food that has been grown on-site or foraged from the nearby forests in the authentic dining room or outside on the sun deck or fireside.

Besides the signature horseback riding program that is offered to all guests, this ranch offers other exceptional activities and experiences including but not limited to archery, wilderness survival, kayaking, yoga, mountain biking, swimming and more. This off-grid ranch is determined to offer an authentic wilderness retreat to guests of all ages, including families that tend to head here in the summer months.

Via Nation Geographic Lodges

9. Trout Point Lodge, Tobeatic Wilderness Area, Nova Scotia

It boasts itself as luxury accommodations in unspoiled wilderness, an intimate secluded resort that caters to anyone looking to escape the ordinary. This wilderness lodge and nature retreat offers guests locally-inspired cuisine and copious amount of nature activities. Picture a massive lodge created out of log walls and beam ceilings, furnished with Tiffany lamps and handmade furniture. Crackling fireplaces, incredible views, and a welcoming atmosphere complete the picture.

With two dining venues, every guest is taken care of and served the freshest of Canadian seafood along with fresh veggies and organic ingredients. The real draw to this wilderness retreat though is the experience, from hiking through the Acadian Forest ecosystem to trout fishing in the lakes to star gazing at night to soaking in the cedar hot tub; there is no shortage of amazing experiences to be had.

Via Booking.com

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8. Wilderness Resort, Sunshine Coast, BC

Located in one of BC’s best-kept secrets, this resort offers over 124 acres of pristine wilderness at your fingertips. Wilderness Resort is located within the Sechelt Inlet Provincial Marine Park on the Sunshine Coast and you can expect to share your space with bald eagles, black bears, bobcats, deer and more. Getting here is just the beginning of your wilderness experience as it’s either a 20 minute float plane ride or 40 minute ferry ride. Accommodations here range from cabins to platform tent cabins and all come beautifully furnished, ready to enjoy.

Guests here take advantage of the incredible kayaking, hiking, yoga, bird watching expeditions, sailing and seaplane tours. There is no dining room on-site here, instead fresh food is brought in daily and guests can cook it themselves, with the hosts, other guests or hire a personal chef to do it all for them. With one of the most beautiful landscapes surrounding you, the urge to go out and explore will keep you busy all day here.

Via My Trips Canada

7. Esnagami Lodge, Nakina, ON

This premier fly-in fishing lodge is for those who are looking to get serious in nature and catch the fish of their lifetime. Fully furnished cabins complete with beautiful lake views are the source of accommodation here, along with a lodge that houses a beautiful dining room, comfortable couches and other modern amenities you may need. Esnagami Lake is known for its bountiful waters, majestic wildlife, and trophy fishing.

This pristine lake offers over 120 miles of shoreline and over 200 islands, along with 18,000 acres of clear cool water. What awaits you after a full day of fishing, either guided or self-guided, is warm delicious home cooked meals in the main lodge’s dining room, a crackling fire and great company.

Via Scottmillsfishing.com

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6. Cathedral Mountain Lodge, Canadian Rockies, British Columbia

Sitting in the very heart of the Canadian Rockies, it is hard to imagine how one could not fall in love with this incredible wilderness lodge. This stunning timber lodge is combined with 31 luxury lodge cabins offering the ultimate in accommodations to visitors. Activities here are endless, from 310 miles of hiking to kayaking, white water rafting, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding and more. Guests will wake up surrounded by majestically mountains, the smell of pines and the sound of the river.

Meals are served in the incredible dining room that looks out onto the Kicking Horse River and is accompanied by fine wines. The on-hand adventure specialist has the inside scoop on wildlife sightings, the best hikes and all the activities guests can participate in here. With no televisions or phones, the Cathedral Mountain Lodge encourages you to shut down from your normal life and get outside and explore the beauty that surrounds you.

Via Cathedralmountainlodge.com

5. West Coast Wilderness Lodge, Egmont, BC

It is one of the most accessible wilderness retreats in British Columbia, just a three hour drive or 20 minute float plane ride from downtown Vancouver. Guests will feel as though they are miles away from reality though as they stare out at the calm waters that surround this lodge. This lodge offers superior marine and wildlife tours by zodiac, the only ones of its kind on the Sunshine Coast and this comfortable and exciting journey are one of the best ways to learn about the ecology and geography of the west coast.

Guided tours are the specialty here and include ocean kayaking, canoeing, fly-fishing and nature hikes, just to name a few. Nature is behind the design of the accommodations and guests here should expect spectacular views, private decks, outdoor hot tub, and communal fireplace lounge. This lodge also boasts one of the most incredible water-front restaurants in the country and watch as eagles soar high above and sea lions laze on by while indulging in incredible gourmet meals.

Via wcwl.com

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4. Tincup Wilderness Lodge, Yukon

This breathtaking wilderness lodge is set right on the shore of Tincup Lake, surrounded by miles and miles of the untouched and raw beauty of the Yukon. The lodge can only be reached by floatplane and sets a maximum of 10 guests per week, making this an incredibly personal and unique experience. Accommodations echo the true idea of Canadian comfort, log cabins that are comfortably furnished and a large welcoming lodge with woodstove, kitchen and dining room.

The lodge here prides itself on delivering fresh authentic Northern cuisine and provides all three meals to guests. Activities here range from fly-fishing in the crystal clear lake teeming with fish to hiking one of many trails that start at the lodge to canoeing and kayaking through the calm waters. If relaxing in nature is more your style, you will love the lakeside sauna and hot tub.

Via Tincup-lodge.com

3. Nimmo Bay Resort, Port McNeil, BC

This all-inclusive luxury resort is reached only by helicopter, float plane or boat and has been listed as one of National Geographic’s most unique lodges worldwide. This intimate family owned and operated resort promises to deliver the ultimate wilderness retreat to its guests through a variety of activities, luxury cabins, and an incredible dining experience. The nine wooden cabins include awesome extras including BC wine, luxury linens, organic bath and beauty products and more.

Dining is done in the cozy lounge or outdoors on the gorgeous floating dock where local, homemade meals are served alongside local wines and beer. Included in your stay here are activities such as bear watching, canoeing, hiking, snorkeling, sunset cruises, yoga, whale watching, windsurfing and more.

Via Outside GO

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2. Tagish Wilderness Lodge, Tagish, Yukon

Offering intimate and memorable experiences, Tagish Wilderness Lodge is located in the middle of the Yukon’s pristine wilderness, accessible only by boat, floatplane, skiplane or dogsled. The lodge is made up of 4 private log cabins, with a maximum of eight guests in total at one time, along with the main lodge which features a wood-fired sauna and large dining table. All meals are included and served around a family-style dining table using only the freshest of ingredients.

The lodge operates in both the winter and summer and different activities are available depending on when you visit. During the summertime, guests should expect plenty of canoeing and kayaking, fishing trips, boat tours, and hiking. In the winter guests enjoy snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing and staring in wonder at the Northern Lights. Any time of the year you will be sure to observe local wildlife like moose, bears or caribou in their natural habitat.

Via Charlote Travel

1. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Tofino, BC

This five-star wilderness retreat is seriously one of a kind and from the moment guests step off the float plane they know they are in for something special. Visitors to the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort will experience world-class dining, luxury tent accommodations and countless activities to choose from. This resort is only open from Mid May to September and is one of the most costly resorts per night in the country.

Accommodations are safari-style tents decorated with antiques, king-size beds, remote-controlled propane wood stoves, and ensuite bathrooms. Gourmet meals are served and often include wild salmon, scallops, and vegetables from the organic garden. Because of its location in the 350,000-hectare Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, guests are invited to can catch salmon and halibut, ride horses into the old-grown rainforest, kayak in the Bedwell River and hike along numerous trails. This once in a lifetime wilderness retreat should not be missed, as long as you have the money to spend.