The allure of Lake of the Woods as a vacation destination is written right into its name. This playground of water and wild boreal forest, located in northwestern Ontario’s Sunset Country, less than a day’s drive from Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Minneapolis, is perfect for those looking for a secluded destination with countless options for all levels of adventurers.
You’ll find plenty of Lake of the Woods cottage rentals, ranging from family-friend accommodations to private islands and romantic cabins. Lake of the Woods houseboat rentals are also available for a unique aquatic vacation.
We’ve pared down a list of Lake of the Woods rentals that includes something for everyone, including rustic cabins, lodge accommodations, houseboats and lavish chalets. What are you waiting for? This is your time to plan your dream vacation in Sunset Country.
[This article is part of the The Ultimate Lake Of The Woods Outdoor Adventure Guide. Find all the resources you need to plan an adventure-filled trip to the Kenora area.]
Glamping Bunkie
Enjoy a Lake of the Woods glamping vacation at this peaceful homestead. This new, rustic bunkie sleeps four and includes a barbecue, mini fridge and a small heater. The outhouse is just down the trail and there’s an outdoor shower available May through September. This storybook cabin is surrounded by boreal forest trails, and Rabbit Lake is a three-minute hike away. Kids love to visit the goats and horses. This vacation rental would be best for small families or couples looking for a unique tiny home retreat.
The cabin is walking distance from downtown Kenora, where you’ll find restaurants and grocery stores. Lake of the Woods is an angler’s paradise, located less than 2 km away. It’s only a 20-minute hike to Garrow Park, which features a playground, pickleball and a large beach.
Lake Life Houseboat Rental
Experience your own Lake of the Woods houseboat adventure with this fully equipped rental, complete with bedding, kitchen utensils, barbecue, stove and oven. There’s space for 10 guests on board with a bathroom.
Journey up to three hours from Kenora and tie up at a secluded beach. Your houseboat rental provides a comfortable base camp for fishing, swimming and sunbathing—and of course connecting with your family and friends, and sharing moments you’ll never forget.
Ash Rapids Lodge
More than just a world-class fishing lodge, Ash Rapids Lodge provides Lake of the Woods cabin rentals in the heart of Sunset Country. Anglers will find outstanding fishing for bass, walleye, northern pike and muskie. But that’s not all—there’s also great swimming and serenity to discover on the deck, surrounded by nature.
Housekeeping cabins are available July through October, complete with fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, linens and sun decks, with various sizes to accommodate two to 10 guests. Bring your own food or enjoy gourmet meals in the lodge restaurant.
Bring Your Own Boat Private Island
This summer cottage rental on Lake of the Woods is located a short 10- to 15-minute boat ride from downtown Kenora. You are required to provide your own boat to access this private island. The bright, well-appointed cabin has space for four, making it perfect for a small family. There’s a boathouse, dock and deck at the waterfront. Spend your days swimming, gazing out across the lake and just generally enjoying the solitude.
Bright And Cozy Cabin On The Winnipeg River
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin will accommodate four people. It comes fully equipped for your stay. There’s plenty of natural light indoors with large windows and bright wood siding for an authentic cottage experience in northwestern Ontario. Outdoors you’ll find a large deck and steps leading to a private dock on the Winnipeg River.
The cabin is close and convenient to the city of Kenora, but with rocky shores and evergreen forest you’ll get an intimate glimpse of life in the Canadian wilderness.
Trailer On An Urban Farm
This unique urban homestead is only a mile from downtown Kenora—with farm animals and a sand beach waterfront only a two-minute walk away. Your Kenora vacation rental is a 39-foot fifth-wheel trailer, with two bedrooms, one bathroom and space for four. A perfect retreat for the eco-conscious and animal lovers, you’ll be able to interact with horses, goats and chickens. Have a campfire and dine outdoors, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Sun Valley Resort
This resort includes nine cabins for rent on Spruce Lake, near Lake of the Woods. Options range from four-bedroom cabins to cozy studio cabins to a four-bedroom lodge for larger groups. There are also two trailer options and a duplex. There’s a sand beach and great fishing right off the dock, or you can hire a guide for a custom trip.
Sun Valley is located a short drive from Kenora, with access to nature trails and free use of canoes, kayaks and standup paddleboards.
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Minaki Yurt Adventures
These unique vacation rentals are located 45 km north of Kenora. Four yurts and a tipi are available for small group rentals; there’s a shared outdoor kitchen space, complete with an outdoor pizza oven, barbecue and a screened dining area. Accommodations are available year-round. Guests have access to a solar shower and wood-fired sauna in the summer months. Larger groups can book the 2,800-square-foot Mee-nah-kee yurt, which features a kitchen, several bathrooms and space for up to 11.
Guests have access to 20 km of trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing, and a waterfront area for boating and swimming.
Houseboat Adventures
Discover your own secluded cove with a Lake of the Woods houseboat rental from Houseboat Adventures. Five fully equipped floating cottages are available, ranging in size from 44 to 68 feet and space for eight to 16 guests.
Pick up your houseboat in Kenora and set sail on Lake of the Woods, seeking sand beaches and remote shores. Rentals come with a 16-foot fishing boat, generator, fridge/freezer and large ice cooler.
Lake Of The Woods Fishing Heritage
Experience Lake of the Woods’ commercial fishing heritage at this unique vacation rental on Clearwater Bay. The ghosts of four generations of commercial fishermen inhabit this reclaimed homestead. The cottage rental has room for eight guests with three bedrooms, one bath, a full kitchen and comfortable living area. The property features plenty of outdoor space and a secluded waterfront.
Year-Round Waterfront Chalet
This six-bedroom Lake of the Woods cottage rental has plenty of room for a large family or group, and is located only 10 minutes from Kenora. There’s a sauna and great outdoor space on large decks and a scenic waterfront. This chalet has all the comforts of your own home, including a fireplace and a large kitchen with granite countertops.
Romantic Island Retreat
Here’s a cozy Lake of the Woods cabin rental on a secluded island with boat access only. The cabin features an open-concept living area with a woodstove. There are two screened areas to bring the outdoors in, along with a sauna.
Small families will appreciate the bunkbeds and loft sleeping area. The island is located only a 10-minute boat ride from Kenora.
Wilderness Houseboat Rentals
Explore the little-known eastern shore of Lake of the Woods in your own houseboat. Pick up your houseboat in Morson, Ontario, located a short drive from the Minnesota border. Eight sizes are available to cater to various group sizes. Your rental comes equipped with a full kitchen, barbecue and generator. You’ll also receive local knowledge of the best places to spend the night and catch trophy walleye and northern pike, and a GPS unit for easy navigation.
Chalet With Plenty Of Space
Looking for some space? This Lake of the Woods cabin rental comes with 2 acres of waterfront property. The 2,200-square-foot executive chalet sleeps 10 and features a great room with cathedral ceilings. Outdoors there’s expansive greenspace with a play area for kids and a deck. A stunning 1,500-square-foot dock is the centrepiece of a perfect waterfront area. Make this your starting point for watersports, boating and world-class angling.
The air-conditioned cabin is equipped with WiFi, satellite TV and a home theater. A cabana on the waterfront provides additional sleeping space.
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Lakewood Park Cabins
Choose one of nine newly built rental cabins on Lake of the Woods, located only minutes by road from Kenora. You’ll find seclusion on the 8.5-acre property with great water access, making this the perfect location to embark on a Lake of the Woods fishing trip. Well-appointed cabins are available for small and large groups.
Blue Lake And Rocky Shore
Enjoy stunning waterfront views from this Lake of the Woods rental chalet on Locke Bay, located a short drive from Kenora. With four bedrooms there’s room for eight guests. The vaulted ceilings of the great room expose a wall of windows facing the lakeshore. A woodstove and plenty of wood siding imparts a rustic feel. Outdoors, you’ll find a large deck, dock, picnic area and firepit.
Lakefront Family Paddling Retreat
This large cottage and bunkhouse will sleep eight, with plenty of indoor and outdoor space for your family’s great Lake of the Woods vacation. The property is located on the sheltered waters of Black Sturgeon Lake, only 15 minutes north of Kenora. There’s a dock and a small beach for swimming. Paddlers will love exploring the forested shoreline on misty mornings, before returning to the cottage for a cup of coffee on the deck.
Outdoors you’ll find an 80-foot dock and screened gazebo on the shoreline. Canoes are provided for exploring the shoreline.
Family-Friendly
This road-access Lake of the Woods cottage rental is ready for your family to enjoy. The cottage sleeps up to 10 with four bedrooms and one bathroom. The interior is spacious, including a well-appointed kitchen. Of course, the focus of your vacation should be the outdoors; you’ll find a firepit and a large dock, with great swimming.
Waterfront In Minaki
This four-bedroom cottage is located on Pistol Lake, part of the Winnipeg River system in Minaki. The bright, 1,900-square-foot cottage has two bathrooms and open-concept layout, with plenty of natural light. A wrap-around deck is your gateway to the outdoors. There’s a dock and sitting space by the water.
Pistol Lake provides outstanding fishing for bass, walleye and northern pike; guests are encouraged to bring their own boat.
On The Water In Kenora
This cozy 900-square-foot cabin is located three minutes from Kenora, on the Winnipeg River. You’ll enjoy great boating, swimming and hiking—and relaxing on the deck by the water. Rental comes with two small kayaks and you can choose to rent a fishing boat as well. With two bedrooms and one bathroom this cottage rental will accommodate up to six guests.
Lake of the Woods cottage rentals make a perfect home base for paddlers. | Photo courtesy of: Destination Ontario
