The list of amazing cabins just gets better and better by Wild Kabin and this year we visited one of their newest, The Skelwood Kabin. It took me a little while to pull this post together, partly because life with a one-year-old means my camera roll is overflowing, and partly because this trip was packed with so many little moments worth revisiting. There’s something special about packing up and heading to a cozy cabin with friends. It’s the shift in scenery, the shared meals, the late-night laughs, and maybe the lack of to-do lists that make it feel like such a reset. I’m also loving going on adventures with the big kiddos and our youngest, this age gap truly makes my heart swell!
Tucked quietly beneath the canopy of the forest, this newly built log cottage feels like something out of a dream, a retreat where rustic charm meets quiet luxury. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by soaring vaulted ceilings (with an epic net loft area) and a full wall of windows that frame the woods like living art. As we expected, it was gorgeous and it was also such a fun experience to get away with the kiddos and stay right on the water. This brand of cabins is growing and each time they do another project, it gets better. From the gorgeous stone work and wood detailing, the beautiful cozy spaces and property – you are awe struck the entire time.
The heart of the home is its grand stone fireplace, the kind that instantly draws everyone in, inviting long, slow mornings with coffee or cozy evenings playing board games or watching a movie by the glow of the fire. The cottage comfortably sleeps up to eight guests across four beautifully appointed bedrooms, with 5 beds, a perfect setup for families, couples, or a small group of friends looking to escape into nature without sacrificing comfort.
This blog took me a little while to get to, partly because life with a one-year-old has its own beautiful chaos, and partly because my camera roll is overflowing with photos and videos from our stay. This trip truly reawakened my creative spark. As always, you’ll find a direct link to book this rental at the end of the post, but first, let me tell you why it was so special. I’ve always loved sneaking away to a cozy cottage up north, no matter the season. There’s something grounding about trading the noise of daily life for the quiet rhythm of the forest, whether we’re there as a family or with friends and their kiddos in tow.
Each day had its own little rituals: catching up in the kitchen while cooking together, fishing off the dock, evening bonfires with sticky-fingered s’mores made of homemade marshmallows & graham crackers, long sauna sessions, and slow hot tub soaks under the stars. Evenings often ended with movies and our favourite snacks, the living room glowing softly beside that incredible stone fireplace. The open living and dining space makes it easy for everyone to sprawl out, play a few board games, or just cozy up with blankets and tea.
One of our favourite little corners of the cottage was the net loft above the living room, a dreamy spot for reading, knitting, or just watching the fire flicker below. Baby Rose loved watching the big kids hang out above her while we caught up with friends by the fire, tea in hand, completely relaxed. It’s the kind of space that invites you to slow down and truly be in the moment.
The kitchen is a dream for anyone who loves to cook (or just loves to gather). It’s fully equipped for slow mornings and hearty dinners alike, with thoughtful touches like coffee, tea, olive oil, and a few favourite spices waiting when you arrive. For something extra special, guests can even book a private chef, a service that comes highly recommended!
I like to think of myself as a pretty great home chef, and the mama friends who joined me are equally at home in the kitchen, so naturally, we turned every meal into a little culinary adventure. Each day we cooked up something delicious together, the kind of simple but elevated dishes that somehow taste even better in a cozy cabin kitchen. The kids were thrilled with the endless snacks (and so was I, I mean, I’m still technically eating for two while nursing, right?).
One evening, we all came together for the kind of cozy feast that just feels right in a cabin setting, spaghetti and homemade meatballs, and another night Craig’s famous crispy French fries, and perfectly grilled steak from the BBQ. Our friend who made the meatballs also brought along fresh sourdough, it filled the whole kitchen with that warm, homey smell. The kids even got in on the baking action one afternoon making sourdough bagels, flour everywhere, giggles everywhere.
I went with two girlfriends, one I’ve travelled with countless times over the years, and another who I hadn’t spent proper time with for years. Nearly a decade later, we picked up right where we left off. Watching our kids get to know one another while we caught up over tea and late-night chats by the fire felt like such a full-circle moment. Everyone got along so effortlessly; it was the kind of easy, soul-filling weekend that reminds you how good it feels to slow down and just be together.
As the days unfolded, we fell into that effortless rhythm that only happens when you’re truly away from it all. Afternoons drifted into golden evenings on the dock, the sun glimmering across the water while the kids fished or kayaked, their laughter echoing across the lake…literally! I found myself sitting back more often than not, soaking in the view from the 20×24 covered porch, tea in hand and baby in my lap, nursing contently while watching everyone down at the dock. From that spot, you can see it all, the shimmer of the lake, the laughter, the chaos, and those fleeting, perfect moments that make up a great trip.
Evenings were their own kind of magic. We’d rotate between the sauna, the hot tub, and the hammock, chasing sunsets that painted the sky in honey and rose. The loons would start their calls as the fire crackled and the stars above felt close enough to touch. And yes… the bugs were relentless. Mosquitos, black flies, the whole welcoming committee. But we laughed our way through it, armed with every natural remedy we had and questionable dance moves, and left with great stories (and a few bites) as souvenirs.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you how good it feels to unplug, where joy lives in the messy, beautiful mix of nature, friendship, and slowing down. We drove away feeling refreshed, reconnected, and already planning our return.
One of the things I love most about cottage getaways is how the simplest days end up being the most memorable. If you’re craving a reset — days on the lake, meals that stretch into laughter, sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, and a great spot to fish am to pm, you’ll find more about Skelwood Kabin {here}.
See all of the WILD KABIN properties {here}!
