Originally published October 2019. Updated August 2026.
Going to the cottage has always been one of my favourite ways to get away. Give me a quiet cabin, somewhere to read, a good view and absolutely nothing that I have to do, and I’m happy. So when I was gifted a two-night stay at Cabinscape’s Mica Cabin for my birthday, an off-grid microcabin tucked into conservation land near Perth, Ontario sounded pretty close to perfect.
We spent three days and two nights there with our two dogs in mid-October, and for the most part, it was exactly the kind of escape I wanted. It was incredibly private, surprisingly comfortable for such a small space and dark enough at night that we could lie in bed and look up at the stars through the cabin’s huge window. We cooked, read, napped, explored a little and generally did very little which was really the point.
Would I book Cabinscape again? Yes. I probably wouldn’t choose Mica again only because I’d want to try another one of their cabins, but I would absolutely book the experience again. There are, however, a few things I wish I’d known before going, particularly if you’re visiting late in the season or bringing dogs.
Getting to Mica Cabin
Our arrival was probably the least relaxing part of the weekend. We got there fairly late, and by the time we reached the trail to the cabin it was almost completely dark. On our first trip in, we followed the recommendation to hike our belongings to the cabin, which meant carrying bags and managing two dogs for roughly a kilometre through the woods. Then we realized we still had another load.
At the time, we took our chances and drove the second load in with our hatchback. We made it, but I would not recommend doing that today. Cabinscape’s current instructions for Mica say summer and fall drive-in access requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle; otherwise, guests should plan to hike approximately 900 metres from the parking area. If I were going again, I would either arrive well before dark with the right vehicle or pack knowing that everything might need to be carried in.
Arriving during daylight also would have made that first night much easier. Off-grid and private sounds romantic until you’re carrying bags through a completely dark forest wondering how much farther you have to go.
What the Mica Cabin Was Like
Once we were settled in, though, the cabin itself exceeded my expectations. For two people and two dogs, it actually felt quite spacious. There is a main bed, loft, kitchen, dining/counter area and bathroom, but we never used the loft because we didn’t need the extra sleeping space. The main mattress was comfortable, the heater kept the cabin warm despite the October temperatures and the kitchen had everything we needed for simple meals.
Our first night was ramen, which felt particularly good after hauling everything into the cabin. The next morning we made coffee with the French press, cooked bacon, eggs and toast on the gas stove and opened the enormous window beside the kitchen. That was probably my favourite feature of Mica. When it’s open, the indoor counter essentially connects to the outdoor one and makes the whole cabin feel much larger.
It was cool outside, but still comfortable enough in mid-October to leave the window open while we had breakfast. Sitting there with nowhere to be was exactly what I wanted from the weekend.
The Composting Toilet and Outdoor Shower
Before we went, I definitely wondered what the bathroom setup would be like. Mica has an indoor composting toilet, which sounds like it could be one of the less appealing parts of staying off-grid, but it was surprisingly fine.
The outdoor shower was another story, although that had more to do with our timing than the shower itself. I waited until later in the day to shower, the temperature dropped and the water line froze while I still had shampoo in my hair. I ended up finishing with some of the drinking water provided in the cabin.
If you’re staying in October or anytime temperatures are getting close to freezing, shower earlier in the day. Cabinscape currently notes that Mica’s running water is seasonal and is shut off once temperatures become cold enough for freezing, typically around mid-October. It’s exactly the kind of small practical detail that can make a big difference when you’re planning an off-grid stay.
Bringing Dogs: Do a Tick Check
The other thing I would take much more seriously next time is ticks. We visited in cool late-October weather, so I assumed we were far enough into fall that they wouldn’t be much of an issue.
I was very wrong.
Both of our dogs came home with a lot of ticks. Cabinscape now specifically warns guests about ticks, and the Ontario government recommends checking yourself and pets after spending time outdoors. If you’re bringing a dog, I would make sure they’re protected appropriately, check them throughout the stay and do another very thorough check before heading home. You can also review Ontario’s current tick prevention guidance.
Don’t assume cooler October weather means tick season is over. That was probably the biggest lesson we brought home from the trip — literally.
What We Actually Did for Two Days
Not much, and that was exactly what made the weekend so good.
We cooked breakfast, read, napped, walked around the conservation area, collected firewood and had a campfire. There was no itinerary and nowhere we needed to be. I’m usually someone who likes to make the most of a trip, but sometimes making the most of it means accepting that you don’t need to fill every hour.
By our second evening, the clouds had cleared and the sky was completely dark. There was almost no light pollution around us, and we could lie in bed and look through the huge window at the stars. Years later, that’s still one of the strongest memories I have from the trip.
The privacy was also better than I expected. Although Mica is on public conservation land and there is another Cabinscape cabin on the same lake, we didn’t see anyone during our stay. No other guests, no hikers, no neighbours. For those two nights, it really did feel like we had the place to ourselves.
Is Mica Cabin Good for Families?
Cabinscape currently lists Mica as accommodating up to four guests, but personally, I think it is much better suited to a couple.
For two adults and our dogs, the cabin worked really well. We had enough room for our things, never needed the loft and didn’t feel cramped. Add young kids, luggage, outdoor gear and everything else that comes with travelling as a family, though, and I think the space would start to feel very different.
Could you bring children? Yes. Would I choose Mica for a family getaway with young kids? Probably not. The appeal for us was the quiet, reading for hours, sleeping in and having absolutely nothing to do. I would choose a larger cottage or cabin for a family trip and save Mica for a couples getaway.
What I’d Bring
Cabinscape provides a lot of what you need, but you’re still going somewhere off-grid, so I’d pack with that in mind. Food and drinks, seasonal layers, proper footwear, a flashlight or headlamp and insect/tick protection would all be high on my list. If you’re bringing a dog, bring everything they need as well.
And if there’s any possibility you’ll be hiking your belongings in, pack lighter than we did.
Bring whatever you actually enjoy doing when there is no television, schedule or list of attractions competing for your attention — a book, cards, a game, downloaded music or simply nothing at all. Before going, I’d also check the current Mica Cabin listing because access, water availability and amenities can change with the season.
The Drive Home
We weren’t quite ready for the weekend to end when we checked out, so we made the drive back toward Toronto part of the trip. We stopped near the Rideau Canal National Historic Site to enjoy some of the fall scenery before continuing west.
We also found a bakery in Belleville where what was supposed to be a quick stop progressively turned into pizza buns, a giant almond croissant, coconut cream pie and, after we had already paid, a sausage roll. Most of it didn’t survive the drive home.
That’s usually how you know you’ve found a worthwhile road-trip stop.
Is Cabinscape Worth It?
For us, yes.
I wouldn’t compare Cabinscape directly with renting a full cottage because they’re very different experiences. You’re paying for a tiny, thoughtfully designed cabin in a secluded location and the feeling of being genuinely removed from everyday life. There are compromises: you may have to hike your belongings in, the shower is outdoors, the toilet composts, bugs and ticks exist and seasonal water can be affected by the weather.
But those things are also part of why the experience feels different.
We went because we wanted somewhere quiet where nothing was expected of us, and Mica gave us exactly that. I would absolutely book Cabinscape again, although next time I’d probably choose another cabin simply to experience a different location.
Years later, I don’t remember every meal we cooked or everything we did. I remember opening that huge window in the morning, how quiet it was and lying in bed looking up at a completely dark sky full of stars.
For a two-night escape from Toronto, that was more than enough.
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