ESCAPE to your own 9 acre private island. Explore’s Adventure Island is an exclusive haven in Canada’s Cottage Country. Located at the head waters of Lake of the Woods, on gorgeous Shoal Lake, Ontario, this vast nine-acre island offers plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors with the serenity of home inside a spacious Timber Frame cottage.

The space
Equal parts inspiration and dedication set the stage for Explore, Canada’s source on outdoor adventurers since 1981. The greatest Canadian destinations combined with current gear reviews gives you everything you need to start or continue your family’s adventures. Explore has teamed up with Timber Ridge Homes to help you create the ultimate family experience within the true splendor of the Canadian Shield.

There is over 3,000 sq. ft. of living space for your perfect family experience! The 1,640-sq.-ft. cottage features an open-concept living area with full size kitchen and a grand stone fireplace alongside the living quarters consisting of four bedrooms that comfortably sleep 12 people. Outdoors, time seems to slow down, conversations grow livelier, and families draw closer when everyone gathers together on your spacious 1100-sq.-ft open deck with outdoor kitchen, bar and dining area including 440-sq.-ft timber frame pergola with an inspiring Barkman Concrete fireplace and 400-sq-ft of covered deck.

Spend quality time off-the-grid and take advantage of everything the island has to offer with world-class views of the breathtaking landscapes of Lake of the Woods/Shoal Lake, an outdoor experience you deserve...can’t forget about the world-class fishing!

Enjoy your day re-energizing yourself on the water or hiking the 1.2 km nature trail around the island, or the countless trails on the mainland. Endless hours of swimming, kayaking, boating and snorkelling are there to behold at your new home away from home. In winter, experience snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling to appreciate the region’s snowy season. You’ll have plenty of bird sightings with an eagle’s nest high above the property. At the end of the day take a short hike to the sunset side where there is 2 chairs perfectly situated to watch the sunset.

To Us, the Cottage is Family! While we’re most well-known for building incredible timber frame homes, we do have opportunities for families that would prefer to rent a cottage for their escape from the stresses of life.

So, your ultimate FAMILY experience is NOW accessible! Cherished family memories will be made with the time spent together in the mystic setting of Explore’s Adventure Island! GO EXPLORE!

Guest access
1,640-sq.-ft newly adventure-enhanced cottage
Comfortably house 12 guests in 4 bedrooms
Plenty of additional camping options
2 bathrooms
An 1100-sq.-ft open deck including 440-sq.-ft timber frame pergola with masonry fireplace and outdoor kitchen
520sqft of swim dock/sun lounging area at the water’s edge with a 40ft mooring dock
8ft x 24ft dock is safely positioned for overnight boat parking in what we call “Bass Bay”.
1.2km hiking trail around the island
2 Kayaks
Canoe
20+ Life jackets for XXXL to toddler
Adventure gear for outside:
4 mosquito net hammocks
hiking sticks
adventure backpack
roasting sticks
water bottle carrying fanny pack
outdoor blankets
2 tubes for floating on the water
Firewood at firepit and outside fireplace
Fully stocked cottage with all the supplies you need, just bring food and clothes
Kitchen:
Foil wrap
Plastic wrap
Paper towel
4 slice toaster
Cutlery for 12 place setting
Bbq tools
Citrus press
Can opener
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Wine opener
Mixing bowls
Serving bowls 3 medium, 2 large
Cheese grater
Salad bowl
Colanders
Food storage containers
28 place setting dishes
Knife block set
5 Steak knives
Kitchen utensils
Serving utensils
Garbage bags
Kettle
Dish clothes
Tea towels
Apron
Ninja blender
5 qt slow cooker
Handheld mixer
Oven mitts
Hot pads
Pot set
Cookie sheets
Roasting pan
Cutting boards
2 fry pans
Large deep fry pan
6 plastic wine glasses
6 glasses wine glasses
Juice jug
16 drinking glasses
22 coffee mugs
Coffee maker
Keurig
10 plastic cups
Coffee filters
Flour
Sugar
Baking powder
Cornstarch
Salt & pepper
Garlic powder
Toilet paper
Dish soap
Water cooler for large water jugs
Bathrooms:
12 bath towels
6 hand towels
6 face clothes
Bedrooms:
Bed linens for all beds

Other things to note
Our cleaning fee insures that the cottage and property is clean and stocked so you can begin your adventure right away. The cottage will be cleaned and sanitized with bedding changed and cleaned between each guest, basic supplies such as soaps and toilet paper restocked. When you leave you only need to clean the dishes and garbage and take your things.
Check out: 11:00 am
● Please have the cottage clean and furniture (indoor and outdoor) in its place.
● Make sure all the dishes are cleaned and put away
● Wipe counter tops and stove
● Put all towels, bed sheets (fitted and flat sheet, not mattress protector) and pillowcases that were used into the laundry room (NOT DUVET COVERS)
● Make sure the BBQ is turned off
● Empty fridge, freezer and cupboards of all your food to bring home with you
● Pick up any garbage on the property
● Take all garbage and recyclables with you
● Have all your belongings ready on the dock to load in the boat