Welcome to Iron Mountain Cabins – Exclusive Trailside Off-Grid Wilderness Cabins, located in the Southern Cape Breton Highlands in the heart of Cape Breton Island.
Escape the crowds at our mountaintop location in the hardwood forests!
Search for accommodations availability below. If you experience any difficulties please call us to book a cabin: (902) 932-7137. For same day bookings please call to book before 5pm.
What is a camping cabin?
A camping cabin is an alternative accommodation offered by a camping establishment, licensed in the Province of Nova Scotia. Our camping cabins were built in 2019. They are insulated and heated, offering year-round comfort. We have four, open-concept, one-room cabins available currently for short-term rental. Each private cabin has a queen size pillow-top bed, one set of single bunk beds, a table and 4 chairs, a stainless steel food prep table, and solar lighting and a radio. You can cook outdoors on the Pro-Series Weber Grill with side burner (dishes and cookware are not provided – we have a set available for rent if needed). Our off-grid cabins are not serviced with electricity or water. Full service accessible male and female washrooms and showers are located in the main lodge, a short walk from your cabin site. You can wash your dishes and get drinking water at the main lodge. As we have limits on our water and electricity consumption, we encourage guests to bring their own sleeping bags/bedding and towels – or you can add these services to your booking if you prefer us to provide them for you. Make us your comfortable basecamp for outdoor adventure!
Owner operated, family business – “Where the sun keeps our beer cold!”
We are a 100% off-grid sustainable tourism accommodations and lodge in the Southern Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia. Our trailside mountain location is a haven for snowmobilers, ATV riders, hikers, campers and locals alike. Nestled in the hills in the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve we embrace the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere challenge to balance human needs and benefits with the ecological systems that sustain us and the Bras d’Or Lakes watershed. We invite outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life to unplug and reconnect in nature from our comfortable and unique eco-friendly facility. Jess and Grant are your friendly hosts.
Our location is pretty much in the centre of the island – from here you can take day trips to anywhere on the island; drive the Cabot Trail; play a round of golf on world class courses; check out heritage museums and interpretive centres; or spend the day exploring the Cape Breton Highlands by ATV, snowmobile, mountain bike or on foot right from your cabin door. We are located half way between the sailing haven of Baddeck, home to Alexander Graham Bell, and the coastal golf mecca of Inverness.
Leave your car parked and hike, bike, or ride your way into the wilderness on two multi-use trails that connect on our mountain property. We are part of the worlds longest recreational trail, The TransCanada Trail, on which you can travel from the sparkling shores of the Bras d’Or, to the warm waters of Nova Scotia’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Ainslie, or down to the unparalleled ocean beaches of Inverness or Mabou.
Whatever your plans for the day, your quiet off-grid cabin is waiting for you at your return to Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins. Head for the hills when you are ready to leave the crowds behind and relax in nature.
We are located at 901 Whycocomagh Mountain Rd., Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia. 4.5km north off the TransCanada Highway 105. 40 min from the Canso Causeway near the village of Whycocomagh. When coming from Inverness/Margaree, Google Directions may try to send you up Lewis Mountain Road – Do Not Use This Road – it is impassable for most vehicles.
Getting here by car
We are 4.25 km off of the TransCanada Hwy 105 in the village of Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia. The mountain road is very much a “back road” – gravel road with some rough areas and a steep incline. Small cars need to travel the road with caution and at low speeds in sections. In winter, we recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle and/or good snow tires. Cars can make it up the road in fair conditions, but will struggle in icy or heavy snow conditions.
From the Canso Causeway
Whycocomagh is approximately 35 minutes by car from the Canso Causeway via the TransCanada Highway 105 heading East towards Baddeck.
Continue on the 105 around the Bay in Whycocomagh, past the Irving/Tim Hortons and Firehall. Turn left on the paved road just before Charlene’s Cafe/The Bayside Garden Centre, across from the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre.
We are located at civic #901, on the west side of the road past the first blueberry fields (on your left).
From North Sydney
From the Marine Atlantic North Sydney Terminal we are 95km or just over an hours drive; about 30 minutes past Baddeck via Highway 105 West. On entering Whycocomagh, be on the lookout for the Whycocomagh Mountain Road once you have passed the Provincial Park. Turn right onto the paved road just past Charlene’s Cafe/The Bayside Garden Centre, across from the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, to head up the mountain.
We are located at civic #901, on the west side of the road past the first blueberry fields (on your left).
About our Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins
The Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins are our own custom designed steel cabins with an integrated porch. We had them prefabricated for us here in Nova Scotia from 60% recycled steel and used a plant based spray foam to insulate them. We are proud of our unique 100% off -grid steel cabins. They have been built to serve our guests for a long time to come in all four seasons and to withstand our backcountry mountain environment while being comfortable, practical and cozy to spend time and rest in. Guests use washroom and shower facilities available close by in the lodge.
We built our cabins with the outdoor lover in mind. Sit back and enjoy the peace found only in the woods. At night, enjoy the night sky and sounds of the forest – free from background noise. Sit out on the covered porch or around a campfire (firewood is available for purchase) and enjoy the serenity of the mountainside. Bring along your hiking boots, mountain bike, snowshoes or other outdoor adventure equipment and head out into the wilderness on the TransCanada Trail.
The cabins have solar lighting and a propane off-grid heater. You can cook on the BBQ outside (propane and BBQ utensils are provided). Drinking water and a dish wash up area is available to guests in the main lodge. The cabins are not serviced with water or electricity. Our spacious male and female washrooms and showers are a short walk from your cabin (40-85 meters).
If you are planning on enjoying the on-site snowmobile or ATV trails, they are accessible right from our facility. We have ample parking available for your trailers.
We also have cookware, bedding and towels available for rent, as well as snowshoes.
We recommend that you bring:
- Lantern, headlamp or flashlight
- Camp cookware and dishes
- A cooler for food and drink (do not leave any food outside!) and water jug
- Folding chairs for fireside lounging
- Sturdy shoes, layers of clothing, rain gear, sunscreen & bug deterrent
- A sense of adventure!
Off-Grid Camping Cabins
Retreat to the mountainside and spend the night off-grid, in a heated, four-season camping cabin. Pillow-top queen bed, one set of single bunk beds, with a fire pit and picnic table. We are dog friendly too. This is a perfect place to unwind.
- Guests: 4
- View: Mountainside
- Bed Type: Queen + 2 single bunk beds
- Categories: Cabins
- Amenities: Deck Chairs, Dining Table for Four, Fire Pit, Off-grid Propane Heater, Picnic Table, Pro Series Weber BBQ with Side Burner, Shared Washrooms and Showers (in Main Lodge), Solar Lights and Radio, Stainless Steel Food Prep Table
Prices start at: $167 per night
