
Life in too short to miss seeing the beautiful fall colours of Cape Breton Island
Have you come to realize, as we have, that we spend too little time enjoying our lives with the people we cherish? Too quickly, another year slips by and we haven't dunked ourselves in the ocean nearly enough, haven't been out fishing on the river, haven't crossed those hikes off our bucket-list. Caught up in all that life demands, we don't take enough time off to get away and experience the joys we were meant to! But we can, and we should change that. Don't you think?
This Fall Find Yourself on Cape Breton Island!
But, off-the-grid, I'm not sure that's for me...
You may be thinking, yes, I want to spend some time in the mountains of Cape Breton this fall, but off-the-grid? That sounds a little "rougher" than I am used to.
Well, you are not alone! Many first time guests to Iron Mountain are unsure what to expect from this backcountry experience. What is awaiting you at our 100% off-grid sustainable facility, you may be pondering, as you wind up the gravel road to the top of the mountain. Not to worry though, any trepidations you had will leave when you are warmly welcomed at our very comfortable, wilderness-based cabins and lodge. Check out some of the reviews from our guests below to feel much more assured that this will be a GOOD, and perhaps even among the very best of times that you have spent in the woods!
Guest Reviews
Amazing! We booked a spot last minute with no expectations and all I can say is WOW! This spot was better than anything we could have ever imagined. It was our first time traveling with our pup which we were pretty stressed about but as soon as we got there those worries were erased. Jess and Grant welcomed us and her with open arms. The main lodge along with the cabins are extremely clean and modern but still have that rustic feeling that you want from an off-grid spot. Sitting in the pub you would think you are hanging out with old friends, not people that you just met. Jess and Grant were not only so friendly, but also very knowledgeable about the area and able to share suggestions to help make your trip the best it can be. We stayed for two nights but I wish it had been longer. Its hard to say what the best part of staying here was, between the stargazing (we got to see the comet!), hike to the look off, or the suggestion for the most amazing beach I have ever been to. We loved every minute of our stay here and I hope we can come back soon! -Iona, Nick, and Iris
"We had the most amazing time at Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins. The property was clean, safe, and comfortable. The cabins are so spacious with a lot of room (great for games nights, and meals inside) and the beds were very comfortable. We were able to easily get everywhere on the island, since the property is close to many amazing sights and attractions. The property is quiet, private, and has an amazing view. The owners, Grant and Jessica, were so friendly and knowledgeable about places to visit. They always had suggestions about ‘must sees’ and we were never disappointed. If you’re going to Cape Breton this is definitely an amazing place to stay!"
You'll hear the breeze, raindrops, the birds chirping, and NOTHING else. Nestled on the mountain about 4 to 5 kms off the Trans Canada highway up the dirt road; it's just far enough to be completely backwoods but close enough to civilization to take a quick run to the grocery store, or the beach for a swim. The cabins and main lodge have solar power! LED lighting system, radio, USB ports for your devices, gas heaters, grills, stove, lounge -beer on tap (!!!), hot showers; we're surely off-grid here but not without some modern-day luxuries that made our stay very comfortable. From the vistas, hiking, trans-Canada trail, picking wild berries for a quick organic snack, whitetail deer sightings, grilling, fire pits, to the "house" guitar and sing-along we really had an amazing long weekend of decompression in the forest here. Peaceful, serene, quiet, comfortable, relaxing. Highly recommend.
We stayed a couple of nights at the Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins in late September. We weren't disappointed! The cabins were spacious, clean and extremely comfortable. The Weber grill at the cabin is an excellent touch - a small detail that gets overlooked at other locations. The lodge is cozy and inviting, and with four craft brew on tap, it's a great place to hang out and unwind. This is a gem of a place and we will definitely be back!
Great spot to stay if you're looking to relax in the peace and quiet with nature. A great view up on the mountain from your cozy heated cabin with a comfy queen bed. The main lodge is warm and cozy with the woodstove going and hot showers to enjoy after a day of adventures. A unique place to stay as it's all off grid and they are environmentally conscious with everything they do from natural cleaning supplies to recycling. Highly recommend staying here if you are looking for a weekend away in the woods with the creature comforts of home. Grant and Jessica were fantastic hosts. Ask Grant about his amazing cooking skills. They are very dog friendly too so don't leave your pooch at home.
Stunning view, environmental focus and fun! “Camping” in a cozy cabin was the best of both worlds for sure. This spot has a warm, friendly atmosphere. It’s truly in the wilderness and yet is easily accessible from the Trans-Canada highway and accessible to amenities.
Awesome owners, awesome cabins, and delicious beer! Would highly recommend for anyone to go off the grid and stay in these beautiful cabins! Being a pet friendly place is also a huge bonus! I will be returning in the future!
We had an amazing time staying in one of their cabins! The owners make you feel like you’re at home and have provided everything you could imagine to have the best off grid experience ever! Extremely clean and incredibly built cabins and facilities! They serve amazing beer! We will be back!
An absolutely beautiful place to stay. Grant and Jessica were awesome hosts, they made us feel right at home. The main lodge and cabins were clean and cozy, with a great BBQ and an amazing view of the mountain range. Overall I wouldn't stay anywhere else on the island when I go again!
I made the trip up on my own and couldn’t have been happier with the experience! Owners Grant and Jess are wonderful, very welcoming people, and the central lodge makes meeting other guests very simple and enjoyable. I can’t say enough great things about my visit and look forward to the next time I can make the trip! Highly recommend!!
We had a wonderful family getaway at the Iron Mountain Cabins this past weekend. Grant and Jess were welcoming and enthusiastic hosts. After arrival, we enjoyed time in the cozy main lodge- with some great local craft beer and socializing. Our cabin was lovely, with a queen and bunk beds, solar powered lights, kept cozy and warm with propane heat. In the morning, after cooking a yummy camp breakfast on the front porch grill- we had a wonderful off-roading excursion with our two kids. The cabins are centrally located along a number of ATV and snowmobile trails - with some of the most breathtaking views in the province, accessible only via off-road vehicle /biking or hiking.
A unique off grid setting right on the main snowmobile trail. Grant and Jess will make you feel right at home. Both the cabins and main lodge were clean and new. Perfect spot for a snowmobilers getaway!
This spot is a real gem nestled in the hills overlooking Whycocomagh and the Bras D'or Lakes. The cabins are spacious and comfortable with spectacular views. The off-grid lodge and pub is inviting and cozy and Grant and Jessica are excellent hosts. If you love the outdoors, snowmobiling, hiking, trail running, mountain biking etc. etc. etc. this is the spot! We will definitely be back and I'd love to check it out all four seasons!
For those of you who haven't been to Iron Mountain Wilderness Cabins, you don't know what you are missing. Grant and Jess are excellent hosts. Pristine views, warm, spacious cabins and an inviting lodge with a fine selection of Scotch and craft beer from Unfiltered. Spend an afternoon in the lodge, or spend the night in one of the cabins, taking in some quality time on the mountain - either way, you can't go wrong.
Iron Mountain is set in the forest right above the lake. Fantastic view close to the trails. The onsite pub has great beer and the hosts are very friendly! The whole family really enjoyed themselves. Highly recommended.
For those planning their travels, make sure this place is the priority destination. This camping spot is pet-friendly. Jess and Grant are warm and caring hosts, who go the extra length to make sure your visit is one that is comfortable and fulfilling. They truly know how to take care of you. The cabins, lodge, and campsites are spacious, well-maintained, and clean. Jess and Grant have an amazing vision for this place!
My fiance and I planned our trip as we are both avid campers, who enjoy being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind and just chill out and recharge our batteries by the campfire amid the peaceful atmosphere and sounds of the forest. Best of all there' a 100% off-grid pub onsite.
We came for hiking, fishing, and swimming and this place definitely delivered with its location atop the mountain. Jess was very helpful and encouraged us to visit the lookout point on the Trans Canada Trail ~2.5 kms away (~5km round trip) and we were not disappointed. It is a mild-moderate difficulty trail with rolling hills and rocky terrain. Hiking boots/sturdy shoes are recommended, as well as water and light snacks. Depending on the season, bring the right equipment if you have a mountain bike, ATV, snowshoes or a snowmobile.
Next, Jess recommended to us Lake Ainslie. From Trout Brook, the beach has a picturesque view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It was clean, quiet, filled with fish, as well the water being warm and refreshing.
Fantastic cabin, fantastic stay. We just had a fantastic summer-time three day / three night August stay at IMWCabins and loved it - if not for flights home we would have asked to stay longer! Why? First off, the cabins are great. Far bigger than expected, spotlessly clean, full size bed with very comfortable mattress, plus table and chairs for 4 inside, food prep area, loads of space. Extras like usb charge point and solar lights brilliant. Outside we loved sitting on wooden bench on covered verandah (so no prob if it rains) looking out over tree top view and big Nova Scotia Sky. Top spec Weber bbq we used each night, picnic table and chairs and fire pit made it even better. Short walk to lodge building - spacious spotlessly clean hot water shower and washrooms. And early evenings sitting with hosts chatting with pint of craft beer and their dogs at our feet was perfect. Ditto the area - great hike trails from the cabin. We did drive out one day to follow hosts tips for great sandwich shops / coffee / beaches etc. But could have been just as happy staying round the cabin enjoying the amazing peace quiet and views. 100 per cent recommend and hope to revisit another summer. Great memories.
Cozy, clean, awesome time. Thankful for a great stay. Our cabin was clean, washrooms were spotless! We had a mild December visit, but regardless needed heat and our cabin was cozy in a jiffy. The bbq was amazing, showers were hot and everything was functional, practical and perfect for our stay. We stopped to the main building for a drink and dishwashing later in the eve and felt very welcome. I would stay here again in a heartbeat! We dropped a vehicle off with gear early and arrived for our stay and checked in later that day after a full day of fourwheeling, the cabins were super easy to find and access off the trails, too! Thanks again, loved the dogs, too!
Off-grid, Great Hosts, and Fine Scotch! After a freezing overnight stay and trudge out of Polletts Cove, it was nice to arrive to the well-lit woodstove warmth of Iron Mountain Wildernesses Cabins' off-grid pub. The great selection of scotch added an extra layer of warmth. Islay peatiness is best by woodstove flames, and there's plenty of Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin to go around. The selection of Unfiltered craft beer from Halifax was also impressive. Hosts Grant and Jessica were kind and gregarious. It didn't take them long to convince us to sit down upon our arrival (still weathered and muddied!) for drinks and discussion on music, off-grid environmentalism, and politics (the latter well-moderated!). Two hours later we settled into our cozy, pine-pannelled cabin. The bed was hotel quality - very comfortable. Also, we were surprised at how well-heated our off-grid cabin was - warm within minutes of turning on the heat. Firepit and BBQ were also available just outside the door. Overall, a great stay and we will be back on our next trip to Cape Breton!
Amazing Low Key Spot. tayed 3 nights over Thanksgiving with a big crew spread over 2 cabins. The cabins were perfect, clean and exactly what we were looking for. Bathrooms were clean and had plenty of hot water. Such a great spot not to close to everything where you really get to experience the forest but still not a far drive from amazing hikes and food.
Does this sound like a plan for your fall?
If you would like to learn more about our four season camping cabins, please check out our page dedicated to describing the cabins - what is included - what to bring - all the details you will want to know!
Can't make it to Cape Breton this fall, but love the idea of spending time off-the-grid in the mountains?
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