Big Rock Cabin

Big Rock Cabin sits on Kendra Lake in the Haliburton Highlands, part of Cabinscape's roster of wilderness cabins. The property moved to this lakefront site and now requires a 300-meter hike from the parking area, though drive-in access with a 4WD vehicle is permitted in May; in winter the approach is hike-in only. A private dock gives open views east and west across the water, good for watching sunrise and sunset or launching the included canoe.

Inside there's a single bed, with room for pets (two max) and no Wi-Fi. Running water is available mid-May through mid-October only, and heat comes from a fan heater rather than a grid hookup — this is an unplugged stay built around the lake and the surrounding Haliburton Forest, which grants access to 100,000 acres of protected land, more than 400 kilometers of hiking and mountain-biking trail from spring through fall, and a complimentary snowmobile pass once snow arrives. Fishing, swimming, snowshoeing, and ice fishing round out the seasonal activity list.

The cabin comes stocked with cookware, a stovetop, mini fridge, sink, drinking water, BBQ, campfire setup, patio furniture, and a small library, along with basics like salt, pepper, olive oil, sugar, and coffee. An indoor compost toilet and both indoor and outdoor showers cover the essentials without full plumbing.

Rates run by season: summer (May through October) is $231 on weeknights, $246 on weekends, and $271 on holidays; winter (November through April) drops to $189, $204, and $229 respectively. Check-in is 3 p.m., checkout 11 a.m., and booking goes through Cabinscape.