Rhya Cabin

Rhya Cabin sits on Rideau Valley Conservation land in Tay Valley, Eastern Ontario, tucked into its own inlet on Mills Lake. It shares the lake with a second cabin, Mica, about 400 meters away, but trees and the shape of the shoreline keep both spots private. A deck faces the water for sunset views, and a canoe with lifejackets is included for paddling the quiet lake.

Inside there's a queen bed for up to four guests, a stovetop, cookware, a sink, mini fridge, and a small library. An indoor compost toilet and outdoor shower cover the basics, and a fan and heater handle temperature. Running water is available mid-May through mid-October; outside that window, guests rely on provided drinking water. There's no wifi or grid power, so expect the cabin to run off-grid with the included amenities and your own planning for connectivity-free days.

Access changes with the season: in summer you can drive in with 4WD or hike the 900-meter trail, while winter requires hiking in. Snowshoes are supplied for that stretch. The surrounding land backs onto trails used for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, gravel and road biking, fishing, and birdwatching, so the cabin works as a base for most of the year.

Rates shift by season and day: summer runs $209 on weeknights up to $249 on holidays, winter drops to $189 up to $229. Check-in is at 4 pm and check-out at noon, and pets are welcome. Booking goes through Cabinscape, the platform that manages the property.