Ever wondered what lies beyond those “No Road Access” signs? If you’re looking for a really remote getaway, here are some spots that offer a motorboat-free mecca. We’re blessed with a province knitted together by lakes and rivers, and Ontario offers plenty of paddle-in getaways that reward your effort with something more than just a view: silence and a sense of solitude that so many seek.
Grab your gear and paddle on down to these magical paddle-in-only destinations.
1) O.S.A. Lake, Killarney Provincial Park, Ont.
Scenery: You’ll dip your paddle into brilliant the blue water—formerly known as Trout Lake—framed by the La Cloche Mountains.
Wildlife: Expect to see beavers, moose, and maybe even a black bear.
Paddling Distance: Roughly three to four hours from George Lake with a couple of short portages.
Vibe: It’s a bit of a Zen painter’s paradise combined with Group of Seven nostalgia.
Tip: Paddle early in the morning for water that’s like glass. Book early—it’s a favourite destination.
2) Paddle-In Ranger Cabins, Algonquin Park Interior, Ont.
Scenery: Dense pines, glassy lakes, plus a really good dose of rusticity and history within the cabins.
Wildlife: Loons, otters, snapping turtles… and wolves howling, if you’re lucky.
Best Cabins: Go for Birchcliffe on Burntroot Lake, and Rain Lake’s cabin (moderate paddle, plus a portage).
Vibe: Rustic, nostalgic, and intensely quiet. You’re off the grid here: no power or cell service.
Tip: Bring a lantern. You don’t want to go stumbling around these cabins at night.
3) Backcountry Camping, Kesagami Provincial Park, Ont.
Scenery: Windswept spruce, endless muskeg, an occasional eerie mist rising off blackwater rivers.
Wildlife: Woodland caribou, black bears, moose, and bald eagles.
Best Spots: Camp along the Kesagami River for dramatic solitude or try the upper Harricana River corridor if you want to combine whitewater paddling with remote island campsites.
Vibe: Wild, remote, and absolutely untamed.
Tip: It’s a “non-operating” park, so there’s no facilities and no staff.
4) Backcountry Camping, Solace Provincial Park, Sudbury District, Ont.
Scenery: Wind-shaped jack pines, glassy lakes, and the crazy-quiet ridgelines of the Temagami highlands. Buns? The sunsets here linger.
Wildlife: Moose, wolves, loons, and the occasional floatplane.
Best Spots: Paddle into Selkirk or Solace Lake for tucked-away (permit only) campsites with ridge views, or make the full loop through the Yorston River system for real solitude. Consider an outpost stay.
Vibe: Meditative, remote, and soul cleansing.
Tip: Bring ultralight gear: the portages are plentiful.
5) Catfish Lakefront Cabins, Wawa, Ont.
Scenery: Sparkling lake views framed by birch and pine, with meditative morning mist.
Wildlife: Loons, foxes, the occasional moose near the shoreline, and plenty of fish at the docks.
Best Cabins: Any of the lakefront ones. Two bedrooms, kitchenette, and a dock just steps away.
Vibe: Quaint, quiet, and comfort without the Wi-Fi.
Tip: Bring your own food supplies. Wawa is close, but you won’t want to leave once you settle in.
6) Water-Accessible Cabins & Yurts, Charleston Lake Provincial Park, Ont.
Scenery: Craggy granite shorelines, windswept pines, and clear, deep water.
Wildlife: Turtles, great blue herons, barred owls, and the occasional raccoon.
Best Cabins/Yurts: Paddle to Cluster 501 or 502 for privacy with a view—rustic cabins with solar lighting and lakefront decks.
Vibe: Serene, but lightly adventurous yet family-friendly backcountry. You get that remote feeling, with the comfort of knowing your car is (fairly) nearby.
Tip: Bring a canoe or rent one—it’s the only way in. And don’t forget your headlamp for those late-night nature calls.
7) Lake Temagami, Northeastern Ontario
Scenery: More than 1,200 islands, mirror-smooth bays, and eerie morning mist.
Wildlife: Otters, bald eagles, and the haunting call of loons echoing across the bays.
Stay: Camp, or book a paddle-in outpost cabin or platform tent.
Vibe: Soulful and elemental, and perfectly Canadian.
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