Need to disconnect and unwind? Nocimo Woods was established in 2013 by Pamela and Leslie, with the vision to share their 40 plus acres property with like minded individuals looking to disconnect and relax in the natural beauty of the area.
When I visited, I stayed in the Stonewall Cabin, a rustic yet well-appointed cabin in the woods, disconnected from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There is no wifi, no electricity and the cabin is softly lit by battery operated lamps. A short walk from the cabin is the nicest outhouse I have ever seen and next to it, a “powder room”.
The cabin is heated in the cooler months and available to book during all four seasons. Stonewall Cabin guests not only have exclusive access to the cabin, outhouse and powder room, but there is also a firepit, a shed stocked with firewood and supplies for outdoor cooking, and my favourite part, the “fireside lounge”, a screened in multi-purpose room complete with board games and other activities (but minus the insects). If this isn’t enough, there are trails for hiking and snowshoeing right outside the door of the cabin.
Pam and Leslie have truly thought of every detail, from the hot breakfast that is delivered to the porch of your cabin or to the screened-in fireside lounge each morning, to recommendations for local activities and restaurants.
One of the things that really made this experience stand for me is the love of “local” that shines through in everything that Pamela and Leslie do. Breakfast includes maple syrup made from the trees on property, local coffee and tea from Good Grief Coffee Roasters and Blue Mountain Tea Co., locally baked goods from Kit and Kin Treats and farm-fresh organic eggs and bacon from Good Family Farms. They also make and sell live edge charcuterie boards so you can bring a little piece of your trip home with you.
One of my favourite parts of our stay was a “Sea to Forest Dinner” that was arranged for us in the screened in Muskoka room. As we approached our dining location, the first thing that struck us was the stunning ambiance of twinkling lights, candles, flowers, white table cloths and a formal table setting. We began our experience with a bottle of bubbly, and then enjoyed a decadent meal from The Bivalve which included a beautifully presented selection of Fogo Island snow crab, Raspberry Point oysters, Norewegian smoked steelhead salmon, shrimp and all the fixins’.
The week after our stay, they were hosting their annual fundraiser for Jack.org supporting youth mental health. Again, their partnerships with local food and beverage providers played an instrumental role in this event. Roadrunner Foods provided the food for the pig roast, The Roost Winery (who we visited during our stay and highly recommend) donated the wine, Spy Cider House and Distillery (which we also visited and highly recommend) donated the cider, Side Launch Brewing Company donated the beer and The Cheese Gallery and Blue Mountain Tea Co. donated silent auction items. Although I didn't have a chance to attend the event, I’m looking forward to a future opportunity.
I recently stayed for a second time and was lucky enough to take part in a "forest dinner" experience hosted by Nocimo in partnership with Chef Ryan Praskey, The Nomad Home Chef. This truly magical experience began with drinks by the fire before moving over to the stunning outdoor dining area where we enjoyed five courses of local bounty, prepared over the fire.
It truly takes a village and the supportive partnerships between Nocimo Woods, local businesses and culinary partners were evident in so many ways throughout my stay. As a lover of all things local, this was one of the things that made the experience extra special for me.
Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, or visiting breweries, cideries and vineyards, Pamela and Leslie can recommend activities to suit any preference, including customized experiences like “paint your own paddle” workshops, guided hikes, picnics and more. Just one visit to this peaceful paradise and you’ll see that Nocimo Woods is truly “right where you wanna be”.