Everyone loves the thought of an all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean. Then again, when you factor in the hassles of travelling across international borders, poor airline services, the low exchange rate on the Canadian dollar, and supply chain challenges in places like Cuba and Dominican, the thought of a “staycation” closer to home starts to look like a great idea.
The question is, where can you go that offers the kind of amenities you might find in an all-inclusive resort-style property?
More and more people are finding that answer by booking a vacation at Mar Mac Lodge Wilderness Resort, a spectacular oasis nestled into Ontario’s lush boreal forest that defines the best of what Canada has to offer. Accessible only by train or plane, Mar Mac Lodge is literally a hidden gem -- a place to come to channel your vacation energy into having the best possible outdoor experiences. Mar Mac Lodge offers some of the best fishing in Ontario and specializes in angling vacations, but there is so much more to Mar Mac than angling.
Mar Mac Lodge offers learn to fish programs, opportunities for hiking, swimming, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, wildlife viewing, beach combing and more. You’ll find sunsets as beautiful as anything you’d find in the Caribbean and if you are lucky, you may witness an amazing display of the aurora borealis. Best of all, you get to cruise around in style in handcrafted cedar strip boats built right here in Northern Ontario! According to owner Debbie MacLachlan Johnston, it’s the kind of place that leaves people breathless, especially those who are enjoying their first vacation in a remote, wilderness setting.
“Whenever we host first timers, especially those from Northern Ontario, they’re utterly blown away that places like this exist so close to home,” said MacLachlan Johnston, a third-generation tourism operator who, along with her business partner Ken Johnston, have been running Mar Mac Lodge since the 1990s. Mar Mac Lodge has been in operation since the early 1970’s when Debbie’s parents purchased the business. “While we’ve historically catered to American anglers, times have changed, and we have changed too. Our customer base has spread. We now host anglers and non-anglers alike. We see many Canadians from across the provinces and have even hosted groups from Europe and South America. That said, there is nothing we enjoy more than hosting those from Northern Ontario.”
The value of immersing yourself in nature’s splendor has never been more apparent. During the pandemic, when passionate travellers around the world were encouraged to isolate from COVID-19, nature provided the most inviting opportunity for a peaceful, healing escape. Mar Mac Lodge offers nature in abundance. Located along the shores Esnagi Lake in the traditional territory of the Ojibwe, Cree, and Oji-Cree People in the Robinson-Superior Treaty area, Mar Mac Lodge is the perfect place to unplug and to escape the crowds.
The resort caters to couples, families, groups of friends, and others who want to indulge their senses enjoying life’s simple pleasures – things like fresh air, a tapestry of trees woven into a verdant landscape, glorious sunrises over the water, romantic sunsets, roaring fires, and endless serenity. For travelers who have never been camping or ventured too far into Ontario’s wild spaces, it provides the perfect vacation experience.
“Our mission is to share the beauty and abundance of Northern Ontario’s boreal forest. At Mar Mac, people can immerse themselves in a pristine wilderness setting in spectacular fashion, especially those who have little or no wilderness experience,” said MacLachlan Johnston. “It’s perfect for anyone who might feel a little intimidated when thinking about visiting the forests of Northern Ontario. Here they can come, stay in a cottage that’s as comfortable as their house yet experience a location that is more remote than what a drive-in provincial park can offer. They need to pack nothing but themselves and we will take care of the rest.”
Visitors to Mar Mac Lodge can book the all-inclusive meal plan or choose to bring their own supplies. Each cottage does have a fully functional kitchen in which to prep meals. Despite its remote location, getting to Mar Mac Lodge is as easy as getting to White River, ON and hopping on the train or booking a flight via White River Air. Both options bring vacationers direct to the resort. With a variety of packages available, Mar Mac Lodge Wilderness Resort caters to a variety of groups and tastes.
For more information, visit Mar Mac Lodge Wilderness Resort online here.