Off-Grid Cabin Stay Just 1 Hour From Toronto, Ontario! A Nature Escape in Canada!

We just got back from a 2-night off-grid cabin stay less than 1 hour from Toronto and what a wonderful getaway it was! This was our first time travelling after more than 3-months in lockdown and Sam and I were super excited to be back on the road…even if we were venturing less than 1 hour from home.

Our goal this summer is to travel near not far, so we’re going to be focusing on exploring our own backyard. Specifically, we’ll be going in search of tiny houses and unique stays, and let me tell you, there are lots to choose from!

I found this off-grid cabin listed on AirBnB and it’s located in Jecara Farms in the town of Schomberg, Ontario. We stayed in the Bear Cabin with its own private pond, but they have three different cabins to choose from depending on the size of your group.

Because the cabins are off-grid, that means there is no WiFi (nor did I have phone signal). There is no kitchen, so all the cooking is done on the barbecue, and all the washing up is done using a 5-gallon water container. There is a compost toilet in the cabin (I promise it does not smell!). And while there is no sink or shower, there is a place to set up a camp shower bag behind the cabin. Some may say it’s roughing it, but sometimes it’s nice to go back to basics!

Off-Grid Cabin Stay Near Toronto

Day 1

2:00 p.m. Arrive at the off-grid AirBnB

We drove up to Schomberg in the early afternoon and met the owner at the farm. She hopped on her quad and we followed her through the beautiful property over to our off-grid cabin for two. She gave us a little tour of the place and explained how everything works and then it was time to relax for a bit. Doesn’t the place look cosy?

5:00 p.m. Cook a camp dinner on the BBQ

We kept our meals very simple on this trip. For dinner, we opted for chili dogs. I packed some hot dog buns, knackwurst, a can of maple bacon beans, and salsa. We cooked the sausages on the barbecue and then assembled our chilli dogs in under 15 minutes. Super easy and delicious!

7:30 p.m. Make ‘smores around the campfire

Of course, no city getaway would have been complete without roasting some marshmallows by the fire. I picked up a family-sized smores kit at the supermarket (Graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey chocolate) and we gobbled up half of it on the first evening.

9:30 p.m. Get a good night’s rest.

We’d had a few busy days leading up to this trip, so once the rain started, we called it a night and went to bed early. I did see some fireflies from our window as I was crawling into bed. That was pretty cool!

Day 2

8:00 a.m. Enjoy breakfast on the porch

For breakfast, we prepared maple syrup oatmeal (I bought the instant packs!) with banana, grapes and cherries. The cabin has no kitchen per se, however, the barbecue had a side element where we were able to boil water.

10:30 Go for a mid-morning hike at Mono Cliffs

The day was looking a bit overcast, so we thought it might be nice to go on a bit of a longer hike. We drove to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, which is located about a half-hour northwest of Schomberg. However, we had to turn back about 30 minutes into the hike because the mosquitoes were really bad. The scenery was beautiful and any other time of year we would’ve been happy to spend the whole day there, but that’s just summer in Ontario for you!

1:00 Grab lunch in Schomberg

For lunch, we stopped in town and grabbed two chicken shawarmas from Joseph’s Shawarma. They were loaded and oh-so-good!

2:30 Enjoy an afternoon nap

Then it was time for a siesta! Because when you book an off-grid cabin during a heatwave, all you can do is sleep away the hottest hours of the day. Whewww!

3:30 Read and snack all afternoon long

One thing I really liked about this off-grid AirBnB is that it had a nice collection of coffee table books. Sam and I read through Life’s Little Instruction Book and discussed which pieces of advice we agreed and disagreed with. I liked ‘be the first to say hello’ and ‘compliment 3 people every day’ – some little reminders to be kind in this world.

We also dove into Plato and Platypus Walk into a Bar, but then all that philosophy made us hungry so we stopped for an afternoon snack. If you haven’t yet tried West Coast muffins, do! They have carrot, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and pecans. They are delicious!

4:30 Go for a walk on the farm

Since our walk at Mono Cliffs had been a bit of a fail, we went for a little mid-afternoon stroll on the farm. They have lots of different walking trails to choose from, including some through the woods where we had a bit of a reprieve from the sun, and this time we weren’t attacked by mosquitoes.

5:00 Make nachos for dinner

Like the previous night’s dinner, we kept things simple. We emptied half a bag of whole-grain nachos into a frying pan, added some shredded mozzarella and cheddar, put it on low heat until the cheese melted, and then topped it off with medium-spice salsa.

6:30 Enjoy craft beers on the porch

It was such a hot afternoon that we actually drove back into town to pick up a few craft beers to cool down. We kept them chilled in the pond and then enjoyed them out on the porch.

7:00 Escape the rain indoors

We actually got rained out halfway through our evening campfire. Dark, ominous clouds had been rolling in fast, but we managed to roast a few marshmallows and make some smores before the downpour began. We quickly retreated indoors where I found a copy of Humans of New York Stories and spent the next few hours reading little snippets of people’s lives.

11:00 Call it a night

With lightning flashing and rain beating down on the tin roof, I finally put down my book and called it a night. I had very strange dreams that night…maybe all the nachos?!

Day 3

7:30 a.m. Attempt an early morning canoe excursion

We were really excited to go canoeing and got up bright and early to do so, but the previous night’s winds still hadn’t subsided. Sam actually hopped in the canoe to give a go, but it was more of a battle against the wind than a leisurely ride, so we opted for a morning walk around the farm instead.

8:30 a.m. Have a leisurely breakfast on the porch

We kept things light with our breakfast that morning. We had lots of fruit leftover, so we feasted on bowls full of grapes and cherries. But that was only our first breakfast…we did stop for some Timmie’s on the way out of town!

11:00 a.m. Farewell off-grid cabin!

And just like that, it was time to say goodbye to our charming off-grid cabin! This was such an easy weekend escape from Toronto and we left feeling so relaxed. We could definitely see ourselves coming back in autumn to enjoy the colours.

If you enjoyed this off-grid cabin stay near Toronto, be sure to check out our other unique stays like this container home and this cozy forest cabin.

Tips for Planning Your Own Off-Grid Cabin Escape Near Toronto

Why an Off-Grid Cabin Stay is the Ultimate Reset

After months of constant screen time, city noise, and jam-packed schedules, there’s something magical about being completely unplugged.

No WiFi. No constant notifications. No “just one more email.”

Instead, you get:

• Slower mornings with coffee steaming in your hands while you watch the mist rise over the pond.
• Star-filled nights where the only glow comes from the campfire.
• Time for simple pleasures like reading, cooking together, and actually having full conversations without glancing at your phone.

What to Pack for an Off-Grid Cabin Weekend

While Jecara Farms provides the basics (bed, BBQ, fire pit, water container), there are a few things that will make your stay even more comfortable:

1. Cooking & Eating Supplies

• BBQ-friendly meals (think easy, low-cleanup options like skewers, hot dogs, or foil packet veggies).
• Lightweight camping pots and pans.
• Plates, cups, cutlery (reusable is better—less waste to carry out!).
• Long BBQ tongs and a spatula.
• Aluminum foil (perfect for campfire potatoes or roasted corn).

2. Comfort Items

• A cozy blanket for porch lounging.
• Slippers or thick socks for cool mornings.
• A small camping lantern or string lights for ambience.
• Camp chairs if you want extra seating outside.

3. Outdoor Fun

• Board games or cards for rainy evenings.
• A camera for sunrise/sunset photos.
• Bug spray (non-negotiable in Ontario summers).
• Hiking shoes for nearby trails.

4. Personal Necessities

• A reusable water bottle.
• Hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap.
• Warm layers for evenings, even in summer.

Things to Do During Your Cabin Stay

One of the best things about an off-grid trip is that you don’t have to “do” much. Still, if you want to make the most of your time, here are some ideas:

1. Pond-Side Relaxation

That little pond beside our Bear Cabin was our constant view—and we loved it. Early mornings were for coffee and birdwatching, afternoons for cooling off with a splash, and evenings for watching the light fade while the crickets started their nightly chorus.

2. Campfire Cooking & Storytelling

We made s’mores two nights in a row, not because we needed them, but because they just taste better under a starry sky. If you’ve got a guitar, a portable speaker, or just some good stories, this is the time to share them.

3. Explore the Farm Trails

Jecara Farms has walking paths through open fields and shaded woodlands. We loved that each trail felt a bit different—one day we went for a sunny loop around the pond, the next we tucked into the forest for cooler shade.

4. Go for a Local Adventure

If you want to break up your cabin time, you’ve got plenty of options nearby:

• Mono Cliffs Provincial Park – Beautiful escarpment views, boardwalks, and forest trails.
• Albion Hills Conservation Area – Great for biking and hiking.
• Schomberg Main Street – Small-town charm with bakeries, cafes, and antique shops.

Best Seasons for an Off-Grid Cabin Stay

We visited in summer, which was perfect for pond dips, evening campfires, and long days of sunshine. But I can see each season offering something special:

• Spring: Wildflowers, fewer bugs, and cool mornings.
• Summer: Warm weather for swimming, canoeing, and outdoor cooking.
• Autumn: Crisp air, fall colours, and the coziest cabin vibes.
• Winter: A snowy wonderland—just be prepared for true rustic conditions!

The Joy of Cooking Off-Grid

Here are some meal ideas that work well for an off-grid BBQ setup:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with fresh fruit, breakfast burritos, or pancakes on a cast-iron pan.
• Lunch: Grilled veggie skewers, quesadillas, or campfire soup.
• Dinner: Foil-wrapped salmon with lemon and herbs, burgers, or one-pot chili.

And don’t forget dessert—beyond s’mores, you can try banana boats (bananas split open, filled with chocolate and marshmallows, wrapped in foil, and warmed over the fire).

Sample 2-Night Off-Grid Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Settle In

• Drive up in the afternoon.
• Quick tour with the host, unpack, and relax.
• BBQ dinner, followed by marshmallows around the fire.

Day 2: Adventure & Rest

• Morning coffee on the porch.
• Midday outing to Mono Cliffs or Albion Hills.
• Afternoon nap or pond-side reading.
• Easy dinner—nachos or grilled pizza—and a night under the stars.

Day 3: Slow Morning & Farewell

• Early morning paddle or walk.
• Light breakfast, then pack up.
• Stop in Schomberg for coffee and snacks before heading home.

Why Go Off-Grid So Close to the City?

Some people think you need to drive 6+ hours north for a proper nature escape in Ontario. However, we’ve learned you can find real peace just an hour from Toronto. The trick is to choose a spot that feels worlds away—surrounded by trees, with its own little pocket of quiet.

Being close to the city means:

• Less time in traffic, more time relaxing.
• Easier to plan as a spontaneous getaway.
• Lower travel costs—no gas-guzzling road trip required.