Discover Camp Haliburton, a luxury cottage stay with lake access, panoramic views, and a forest-view sauna. The perfect Ontario getaway for all seasons.
The road curved through the trees, gravel crunching under my tires, and I knew I was almost there. A few more turns, and the forest suddenly opened up to reveal it: Camp Haliburton. Perched above the lake with its clean lines and big windows, the cottage looked like it had been waiting just for me.
Stepping inside, the world outside felt instantly far away. The kind of far where emails don’t matter, and time slows down to match the rhythm of the woods. Coffee on the deck tasted richer, the view stretching endlessly over the water. At night, the crackle of the fire replaced any need for background noise.
It wasn’t long before I realized Camp Haliburton isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a place to pause, to breathe, and to remember how good it feels to really disconnect.
Don’t forget to check out all of my Ontario blog posts to make the most of your adventures!
About Camp Haliburton
Camp Haliburton is more than just a cottage, it’s an escape carved out of the Haliburton Highlands, where modern design meets the rugged beauty of Ontario’s lake country. Built to feel both stylish and welcoming, it’s the kind of place that looks as good in your photos as it feels in person.
The cottage is designed with simplicity in mind: clean lines, natural wood, and wide windows that pull the forest and lake views right into the living space. It sleeps four comfortably with two queen bedrooms and has everything you need for a cozy stay : a fully stocked kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and plenty of space to unwind indoors or out.
What sets Camp apart is the balance it strikes between rustic charm and modern comfort. A propane stove and electric heating keep it warm through the colder months, while in summer the airy design invites you to live as much outdoors as in. Step outside and you’ll find decks that catch the morning sun, a BBQ and firepit perfect for slow evenings, and private lake access just down the hill.
It’s not an over-the-top luxury resort, it’s something better. A place that feels intentional, personal, and perfectly in tune with its surroundings.
The Stay: What Makes Camp Haliburton Special
Inside the Cottage
Step through the door and you’re greeted by a space that’s both modern and cozy. The open layout, high ceilings, and big windows let the forest spill right into the living room, making you feel connected to nature even when you’re indoors. Clean lines, natural wood, and thoughtful details create a calming atmosphere, the kind of place where you can curl up with a book, linger over dinner, or simply enjoy the quiet.
With two queen bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen, the cottage has everything you need for an easy and comfortable stay. It’s not flashy luxury, it’s intentional design that makes you feel at home while still offering a touch of retreat-like elegance.
Outside the Cottage
Outside is where Camp Haliburton really shines. From the cottage deck, all you see are tall trees, their colors shifting with every season. Just beyond, one of the most photogenic stairways in Ontario winds its way downhill through the forest. Perfectly framed for photos, it leads you straight to the lake, a calm spot for swims in summer or a quiet backdrop for winter walks.
The outdoor spaces make it easy to slow down: decks for lounging, a BBQ and firepit for gathering, and the highlight, a forest-view sauna. Tucked among the trees with wide windows looking out into the woods, it’s the kind of spot where you lose track of time as the outside world fades away.
My Experience at Camp Haliburton
The moment I arrived, I felt the shift. The forest wrapped around the cottage like a blanket, and for a weekend, it felt like I had stepped into a quieter world. Mornings were my favorite, waking up with the soft light pouring in through the windows, coffee in hand, and nothing but the sound of the wind in the trees. It was the kind of slow start you don’t realize you’ve been craving until you finally have it.
The forest views made the cottage feel tucked away and private, but it was the journey down to the lake that became a ritual. Every time I walked the long staircase framed by the trees, I had to pause to take it in. It’s not just a way to get to the water, it’s an experience on its own, and honestly, one of the most photogenic spots I’ve come across in Ontario.
Afternoons were spent outside, wrapped in the stillness of the woods. The sauna quickly became my happy place, sitting in the warm, cedar-scented air, watching the light shift through the branches. By the time I stepped back out into the cool forest air, it felt like a full reset.
Evenings at Camp Haliburton were all about slowing down. Lighting the firepit, cooking simple meals, and watching the stars come out one by one. It was the kind of stay where time didn’t feel measured in hours, but in moments, and each one left me with a sense of calm I didn’t want to leave behind.
THE DETAILS
Price | Starting at 450$ a night (2 nights minimum)
Reservation | Book your stay here.
Things to Do Around Haliburton
As much as I loved cozying up in the cottage, part of the magic of Camp Haliburton is how close it is to everything the Highlands have to offer. The area is known for its trails, lakes, and charming little town spots that make it easy to blend adventure with relaxation.
You can head out for a hike through the rolling forests, rent a kayak or paddleboard to spend more time on the water, or explore Haliburton Village with its coffee shops, local restaurants, and art studios. No matter the season, there’s always something nearby that makes the trip feel even more complete.
Read more // Don’t forget to check out my post on what to do in Haliburton. It’ll has all the details to help you plan the perfect add-ons to your Camp Haliburton stay.
What to Know Before You Go
Before you pack your bags for Camp Haliburton, here are a few things that will make your stay even smoother:
- Booking & Availability
Camp Haliburton is a popular spot, especially during peak summer and fall weekends. If you’re planning a getaway during those seasons, it’s best to book well in advance. Winter stays are just as magical, with the added bonus of snow-covered trails and a cozy atmosphere indoors. - Best Time of Year
Every season here has its charm. In summer, the lake becomes your playground with swimming and paddleboarding. Fall brings some of the most beautiful colors in Ontario right outside your window. Winter transforms the cottage into a snowy retreat, perfect for fireside evenings and sauna sessions. Spring is quiet, with fresh greenery and fewer crowds. - What to Pack
Bring layers, no matter the season, the Highlands can surprise you with cool mornings and evenings. Don’t forget swimsuits for summer lake dips, warm gear for winter walks, and of course, a good camera (you’ll want photos of that staircase down to the lake). - Who It’s For
Camp Haliburton is perfect for couples looking for a romantic escape, friends planning a weekend away, or even families who want a mix of comfort and outdoor adventure. It’s also a dream for anyone who loves photography, the forest views, the stairs, the sauna, and the lake are endlessly inspiring.
Final Thoughts : My stay at Camp Haliburton
Staying at Camp Haliburton felt like pressing pause on the noise of everyday life. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t try too hard, it simply invites you to slow down, to notice the small details, and to enjoy the quiet beauty of the forest around you. From mornings spent with coffee and stillness, to afternoons wandering down the staircase to the lake, to evenings in the sauna or by the firepit, every moment here felt intentional.
Camp Haliburton isn’t just a cottage stay, it’s an experience. One that leaves you rested, inspired, and already planning your next visit before you’ve even packed up the car.
If you’re searching for a retreat that blends nature, comfort, and a little bit of magic, you’ll find it here.
* P.S. I was invited by Camp Haliburton for this stay but all opinions (and obsessions) are 100% mine!
READ ABOUT MORE OF MY FAVORITE ONTARIO STAYS HERE!
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I almost made a very different version of this reel.
Last time I posted about Smiths Falls, the comments surprised me and a lot of them seemed to come from people who actually live there. There’s nothing to do here. It’s boring. My first instinct was to make a whole clap-back video, screenshots and all.
But honestly? I get it. Nobody is a tourist in their own town. The canal is just the thing you cross on your way to work. The museum is where you went once on a school trip in grade four. When you see a place every single day, it goes invisible.
I grew up near the Bay of Fundy – home of the highest tides on the planet – and as a kid I thought it was the most boring place on earth. It took moving away to realize people cross oceans to see what was in my backyard.
So this reel is me being a tourist in your town for you. The 1912 bridge you’d paddle under if you hadn’t stopped noticing it. The museum where you can climb into the trains, and even sleep in one. The thrift trail. The mural. All of it.
To everyone who’s never been: this is your sign for an easy day trip from Ottawa or Kingston.
And to Smiths Falls locals: I dare you to do one thing from this list this weekend. Report back. 😌
What’s the thing in YOUR town that you’ve stopped noticing? I want to hear it.
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#SmithsFalls #RideauCanal #OntarioDayTrip #ExploreOntario #smalltownontario
I have a confession: half my road trips are reverse-engineered.
I don’t pick a destination and find a coffee shop nearby. I pick the coffee shop, then build a whole day around justifying the drive. A hike here, a beach there, some antiquing, all very respectable cover stories for the fact that I drove two hours for an iced latte.
Because here’s what I’ve figured out after years of crisscrossing Ontario: the best coffee shops are never just coffee shops. They’re the unofficial welcome centre of every small town. The barista knows which trail is muddy this week. The regulars will tell you where to park for free. The bulletin board has better local intel than any travel blog, mine included.
So this list isn’t really about coffee. It’s about the 12 places I use as an excuse to keep exploring this province. Swipe through, every single one comes with what to pair it with so you can build your own cover story.
From Thunder Bay to the County, consider this your permission slip to drive unreasonably far for caffeine.
Which one’s closest to you? And more importantly, what’s YOUR coffee shop worth driving for? I’m always taking notes. ☕
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#OntarioCoffeeShops #OntarioRoadTrip #DiscoverOntario #OntarioTravel #SmallTownOntario
For over a hundred years, the men who lived in this house woke up, looked at the lake, and went to work captaining the Wolfe Island ferry. Three generations of them. Same water, same crossing, every day.
I thought about that a lot during my stay at @themullinhouse_ (mainly from the bathtub, because the tub faces the lake and once you’re in it there’s no reason to be anywhere else.)
The Mullin House just opened as a stay, and those who brought it back to life did it in the best way that possible. Keeping the soul of the place.Places with an actual story make my job as a photographer easy. I just have to pay attention.
And if you want to stay here too: It’s a free 20-minute ferry from Kingston, 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10. So this is your sign to plan the group trip you keep talking about.
Save this for when you book it, and be honest, would you make it out of that bathtub by checkout?
Thank you to @themullinhouse_ for having me!
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#wolfeisland #kingstonontario #thousandislands #exploreontario #ontariotravel
I grew up an hour from the Bay of Fundy. And every few years, my school would pile us onto a bus and take us to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park. And every single time, as a kid, I thought : ‘okay, cool. Rocks. Trees. Can we go home now?’
I had absolutely no idea what I was standing next to.
It took me leaving New Brunswick, travelling across the country before I came back to the Bay of Fundy as an adult and genuinely had my breath taken away. I grew up next to one of the most extraordinary places on the planet and completely took it for granted. And I think a lot of Maritimers probably feel the same way.
This carousel is my attempt to fix that, for myself, and for anyone who’s never made the trip. Scroll through and I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan a road trip along the New Brunswick side, from the tidal flats to the coastal cliffs to the little fishing towns that feel completely frozen in time.
And if you have extra days to spare, Saint John is absolutely worth a stop, underrated city, great food scene, and it sits right on the bay.
I’m also heading back this summer to try a stay I’ve had my eye on for a while, I genuinely cannot wait to tell you all about it. 👀
Save this for your New Brunswick road trip. 🙌
👇 Have you ever been to the Bay of Fundy? Were you as underwhelmed as I was at 10 years old? 😄
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#BayOfFundy #NewBrunswick #ExploreCanada #CanadaTravel #FundyNationalPark
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up to @whispering_springs I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the photos, I’d read the website, but nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk into your safari tent and realize this might actually be nicer than your apartment.
We’re talking a king bed, more space than I expected, and an actual bathtub, in a tent. I took a bath. In the woods. And I would do it again without hesitation.
Oh and the s’mores bar? Someone thought really hard about what would make people unreasonably happy at the end of a summer night and they nailed it.
Save this for your summer planning because at 90 minutes from Toronto there is really no reason to wait.
Now tell me have you ever gone glamping? If not, what are you waiting for!
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#OntarioGetaway #GlampingOntario #OntarioTravel #WeekendGetawayOntario
ExploreOntario
