Looking for a unique place to stay in Muskoka? This Aux Box review covers everything you need to know about this sleek, modern cabin retreat, what it looks like inside, what to do nearby, and why it’s perfect for a cozy nature escape.
I’ve stayed in a lot of cabins. But this one was different.
Tucked in the forest near Huntsville, Aux Box isn’t your typical rustic retreat, it’s a modern, beautifully designed cabin built from a refurbished shipping container. Minimalist, warm, and perfectly thought-out. The kind of space that makes you pause the second you step in, because somehow it feels like it was made just for you.
I booked this stay in early spring, craving a bit of quiet and something that felt a little special. And Aux Box delivered. Mornings started with a coffee in hand, curled up by the floor-to-ceiling windows watching the forest slowly wake up. Afternoons meant alternating between cold plunges in the private barrel tub and warming up in the cedar sauna, yes, there’s a full private Nordic spa setup right outside your door.
I’ve been dreaming of going back ever since.
In this blog post, I’m sharing everything you need to know about staying at Aux Box: what to expect inside and out, what makes this place stand out from other cabin stays, and why it might just be your next go-to Ontario escape.
Don’t forget to check out all of my Ontario blog posts to make the most of your adventures!
Why choose Aux Box for your next stay in Muskoka
Inside the Cabin: Small Space, Big Vibes
Stepping into Aux Box feels like walking into a design magazine, but one that just so happens to be tucked away in the woods.
The cabin may be small (just 215 square feet), but it’s incredibly well thought-out. Every inch serves a purpose, and nothing feels cramped or cluttered. The layout is open and fluid, with clean lines and a warm, modern aesthetic. Natural light floods the space thanks to the large floor-to-ceiling windows that face the forest, so even when you’re indoors, you still feel connected to the outdoors.
The main living space includes a comfy queen-sized bed with soft linens and a built-in shelf nook, perfect for your morning coffee or late-night read. There’s a small but functional kitchenette equipped with the essentials—mini fridge, hot plate, kettle, and a French press for your slow mornings. And the heated floors? A cozy bonus, especially on cool Muskoka mornings.
The bathroom is sleek and surprisingly spacious for a tiny home setup. You’ve got a full walk-in shower, warm wood accents, and thoughtfully placed lighting that makes the whole space feel calming and spa-like.
But maybe the best part? There’s nothing extra. It’s minimalist without being cold, everything you need, nothing you don’t. It invites you to slow down, unplug (if you want to), and just enjoy being there.
Outdoors at Aux Box: Your Own Private Spa in the Woods
What makes Aux Box truly unforgettable isn’t just what’s inside, it’s what’s waiting for you just outside the door.
Step onto the spacious private deck and you’ll immediately feel the shift. The quiet hush of the forest, the scent of pine, the sunlight dancing through the trees: it’s the kind of setting that makes you exhale without even realizing you were holding your breath.
The highlight? Your own private Nordic spa experience.
Set just a few steps from the cabin, you’ll find a wood-fired hot tub and cedar barrel sauna nestled into the trees. It’s beautifully simple and entirely yours. In the morning, you can sip coffee in the sauna with the forest waking up around you. In the evening, hop between the hot tub and cold plunge while the stars start to peek through the canopy. There’s something wildly luxurious about having this entire setup all to yourself, no other guests, no schedule, no shared change rooms.
There’s also a small fire pit area where you can roast marshmallows or just sit back and let the flames crackle while you listen to the wind through the trees. And because the Aux Box is set on a larger forested property, you still get that feeling of space and privacy while knowing town isn’t too far away if you need anything.
It’s the kind of place where time slows down. Where you don’t feel the need to scroll or check your email. Where your biggest decision of the day might be: sauna first, or hot tub?
THE DETAILS
Price | Starting at 588$ a night
Reservation | Book your stay here.
What to Do Nearby
One of the best parts about staying at Aux Box is how easy it is to explore some of Muskoka’s best spots without sacrificing that peaceful, off-grid feeling. Located between Huntsville and Bracebridge, this cozy retreat is right in the heart of cottage country and there’s plenty to do if you feel like venturing out.
If you head north, Huntsville is a charming town known for its artsy vibe, local boutiques, and waterfront views. You’ll find great coffee shops, scenic walks, and access to outdoor adventures. I shared all my favourite spots in this blog post: What to Do in Huntsville, Muskoka.
To the south, Bracebridge offers a mix of history, waterfalls, and cozy small-town charm. Think local markets, cute cafés, and views of the iconic Bracebridge Falls. My full guide is here: What to Do in Bracebridge, Ontario.
Whether you want to spend your day hiking, shopping, grabbing lunch by the water, or just driving scenic roads, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of a weekend here. And at the end of the day, you get to return to your private spa in the woods : win-win.
Final Thoughts : Why stay at Aux Box?
Staying at Aux Box felt like pressing pause on the chaos of everyday life. There’s something about waking up in the woods, making coffee in a beautifully designed space, and slipping into your own private Nordic spa that just hits differently.
This stay is proof that you don’t need to drive hours off the grid or sacrifice comfort for quiet. With Huntsville and Bracebridge just a short drive away, you can enjoy the best of Muskoka – outdoor adventures, cozy cafés, and small-town charm – while retreating to your own modern hideaway in the forest.
If you’re looking for a weekend escape that feels both grounding and elevated, Aux Box delivers.
* P.S. I was invited by Aux Box for this stay but all opinions (and obsessions) are 100% mine!
READ ABOUT MORE OF MY FAVORITE ONTARIO STAYS HERE!
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Some places you visit and forget about a week later. And then there are the ones that stay with you.
I had never heard of the Phantom Piper before I went to Kincardine. Someone mentioned it in passing – « there’s this thing with a piper and a lighthouse at sunset » – and I filed it away as something to maybe check out if I had time.
I had time. And I am so glad I did.
I’m not going to tell you too much because I think this is one of those experiences that deserves to be felt rather than described. What I will say is that I stood there on the shore of Lake Huron as the sun went down and the pipes started playing and something about the whole thing – the water, the light, the sound carrying across the harbour – just got me.
This summer marks a milestone anniversary of a tradition that has been happening in this small Ontario town since the 1990s. And if you ask me, that’s reason enough to finally make the trip.
This year the Phantom Piper will run every day of the week (except for Saturdays) from 1 July to 31 August.
Have you ever witnessed the Phantom Piper?
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#kincardine #phantompiper #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariobucketlist
If someone asked you to name an Ontario weekend getaway right now, Lanark County probably wouldn’t be the first thing that came to mind. Maybe not even the fifth. And honestly, that’s exactly why I want to talk about it.
It sits right between Ottawa and Kingston. About hour from either city. And somehow, most people drive right past it without ever stopping. I did too, for years.
Then I actually went. And I’ve been recommending it to everyone since.
Because what’s here is the kind of thing you don’t expect to find so close to home. A thermal spa tucked into the forest. A restaurant with one of the best patios in Ontario. A town that looks like it was designed for a Hallmark movie. Rivers and lakes that beg to be paddled. A treehouse on a peninsula with water on every side. And enough charm per square kilometre to make you feel like you’ve properly gotten away, even if you were home by Sunday night.
Lanark County is the weekend getaway that’s been right there the whole time. Swipe through for everything you need to plan it.
Have you been to Lanark County before? Is it going on your list this summer 👇
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#lanarkcounty #ontariogetaway #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ottawaweekend
When I walk into a space for the first time, I’m not really looking at the room. I’m looking at the light.
Where it comes in. How it moves through the curtains. What it does at 7am versus 4pm. That’s what tells me what kind of story I’m going to be able to tell.
Closs Crossing gave me a lot to work with.
The morning light through the treehouse windows. The deck faced east so the sunrise came in early and golden, through the trees, catching the string lights just right. By late afternoon the whole property turned amber. The hot tub at sunset, the hammock in the trees, the still water reflecting everything back, I was basically chasing light from one corner of this property to the other and I didn’t want to stop.
The interiors were just as beautiful. Every room had its own personality: the wallpaper, the vintage furniture, the carefully chosen details that tell you the people behind this place genuinely care about how it feels to be here. That kind of intentionality shows up in photos. You can’t fake it.
This is the kind of property that makes my job feel less like work.
If you own a cottage, a rental property or a stay and you’re looking for someone to capture it, this is what I do. Feel free to reach out. 🌿
Which shot is your favourite? 👇
A huge thank you to my friend @melina.e.l.i.a.s for helping me capture this one, some shots just need a second set of hands and she was the best person to have behind the lens. 🤍
Thank you to @closscrossing for hosting me.
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#closscrossing #lanarkcounty #ontariophotographer #travelphotography
Ontario is big. Like, really big. And most of us end up visiting the same handful of cities on repeat, which honestly makes sense because they’re great.
But this province has so many towns and cities that fly completely under the radar and I have been on a mission to find them.
Some of these I stumbled across by accident. Some were recommended by people who clearly had very good taste. And a few of them genuinely surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.
Swipe through and tell me how many you’ve actually been to. I have a feeling most of you will surprise yourselves.
Drop a number below : how many have you visited? 👇
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#exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariotowns #ontariocities #canadatravel
Muskoka. Algonquin. Haliburton.
Three of Ontario’s most beautiful regions, and most people visit them separately, on different trips, in different summers. But do them together as one loop and something clicks. It just makes sense. And it is so good.
363 kilometres of waterfalls, lakes, hikes with, wildlife encounters you’ll be talking about for years. And some of the most beautiful stays in Ontario tucked right along the route.
Save this, summer fills up fast and this loop deserves a spot on your calendar.
Have you done this loop before? What was you favourite stop?
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#muskoka #algonquin #haliburton #ontarioroadtrip #exploreontario
