# Natural Joy! Cosy Canoe Cottage

See photos, check availability, and book on Hipcamp: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-CA/land/ontario-natural-joy-cosy-canoe-cottage-7rvh06yo

- **Location:** Bancroft, Ontario, Canada
- **Price:** from CA$180.00/night
- **Rating:** 100% recommend (94 reviews)
- **Sites:** 1
- **Size:** 20 acres
- **Host:** Paul W.

## Overview

The cottage is at the edge of a large wilderness area. We supply an ultra-safe large canoe with paddles and lifejackets. It's an easy and fun 15 minute paddle to reach the cottage. 

The cottage is an artistic gem on a safe and quiet lake with beavers and loons and numerous bird species -- owls, herons, hawks, ospreys, and many migratory songbirds. In over 20 years of experience on the lake, we've seen no bears. It's a cosy three-room place with a small bedroom (8x12) with an antique double bed; a main room (16 x12) with a single bed; and a kitchen (8X12). Sleeps 3, max.

Access to the cottage is up a short set of irregular stone stairs from the lake. This could be an impediment for elderly or frail people. The lake is not a private lake. There are other cottages. But it's a very quiet lake and often there's no one else there. 

The landscape is very similar to Algonquin Park's. North Kawartha is famous as the birthplace of the canoe. This is a thinly-populated landscape of rugged granite bluffs, thickly-forested hills and valleys, and gorgeous lakes that remain quiet and peaceful even during the hottest summer weeks.

This place was made by and for lovers, artists, poets, musicians, dreamers, writers, environmentalists, ecologists, escapists...and their children.

Enjoy!

## Highlights

- **Best cabins: Finalist:** Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
- **Romantic:** Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
- **All to yourself:** 100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.
- **Boat-in:** This Hipcamp is accessible by boat.

## Amenities

- **Amenities:** Pets, Potable water, Toilets, Campfires, Trash, Cooking equipment, Picnic table
- **Activities:** Biking, Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Paddling, Wind sports, Climbing, Swimming, Wildlife watching
- **Terrain:** Lake

## Sites

- **Canoe Cottage Summer & Fall Joy!** (cabin, up to 4 guests, CA$180.00/night)

## Policies

- **Check-in:** 14:00
- **Check-out:** 14:00
- **Minimum nights:** 2
- **Cancellation:** Strict (21 days) (Full refund 21 days before check in time starts)
- **Pets:** allowed
- **Children:** allowed

**House rules:**

- Canoe experience is a necessity. We provide safe canoes and paddles and lifejackets. The cottage is only accessible by boat

## Recent reviews

> Amazing 3 nights at the cabin! The vibe of the cabin is even better in person, such a nice place to come to relax and unwind. The views, the dock, the cozy cabin, everything was perfect. Highly recommend
>
> - Emily S., October 7, 2026

> We had a great stay at Paul’s place! Paul is a great host and it’s clear he has put a lot of love into the cottage. Paul provided clear instructions and was great to communicate with. We would definitely stay here again!
>
> - Jenny K., September 19, 2026

> It is an amazing spot! Beautiful spot to swim, listen to the loons, amazing sunset views. And the cabin is crazy fun game if eye spy with so many things to see - and books! We had a great stay. You do need to be fairly agile as the steps are uneven and some are pretty high. But the set up is great with enough kitchen tools too host a chef.
>
> - Suzanne O., September 14, 2026

> Paul and Rosa have built something truly special at Ragged Lake. Every corner of the cottage has been thoughtfully curated and cared for — a soft landing place for anyone looking to swim, hike, cook, read, and recharge. Grateful for the chance to stay, and hope to visit again soon.
>
> - Cam W., August 23, 2026

> Paul's cabin in the woods is a lovely call to simpler times. The short hike up the hill is a bit of challenge with a heavy cooler, but once you arrive, the space is mesmerizing. Everywhere you look there is a story to be told. The kitchen has everything you need and then some, the beds are comfy and the outhouse is very welcoming. When we were not sleeping we were sitting on the dock or swimming in the beautiful waters of the lake. While we were there we felt like we were staying at a friends cottage, we were filled with gratitude and wanted to leave the place a little better then it was when…
>
> - Christopher L., August 19, 2026