Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat
4568 Hwy. 60 P0A 1H0 Oxtongue Lake

Right now, in my mind, the lodge is starting to fill with guests returning from their hikes in the woods. They are pulling out their tupperware containers full of garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus hors d'oeuvres, their samosas with mango chutney, their Jamaican jerk chicken, their best meat pies and butter tarts. They are jostling for space in the lodge kitchen and wondering if there will be enough serving spoons. The volume and the laughter is growing. We're all wonder...ing if it is too early to crack open a bottle of wine. Two huge turkeys would be roasting away in the oven. Jacques would be roping a guest into helping him lower the buffet board from the rafters above the sink to its prime place in the centre of festivities. Folks would be pitching in to line all the picnic tables into a big row outside, and kids would decorating them with colourful leaves and pine cones and whatever else they wished. A sense of friendship and community would be filling the walls of the Wolf Den right now. It's time to get ready for the All Guest Thanksgiving Potluck. I can't begin to tell you how much I miss this, how much I miss you, our beautiful Wolf Den family. But I give mighty thanks that we've had so many precious evenings together in the past, and that we will again some day. I give thanks for you. Happy Thanksgiving from your Algonquin home. We'll be here on the other side.

UPDATE: She's gone! Lovely friends, following a last minute cancelation we have one of our Eco Cabin available from tomorrow till the 13th (although you don't have to book for the whole duration!).

The River Otter cabin. RIGHT. NOW.

This beautiful cabin is yours for the 22 and 23rd of September. Fall colors are here so come and enjoy them in the River Otter.

The Chickadee is newly available for Tues, Sept 22 and Weds Sept 23, as well as Weds Sept 30 and Thurs Oct 1st. Last chance for leaf season!

It seems the River Otter cabin is still available from Sunday, Sept 13 until Friday, Sept 18, which is just about peak leaf peeping season in Algonquin. Crazy, eh?? I don't understand it, either.

WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES by Mary Oliver When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust,... equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often. Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, Stay awhile. The light flows from their branches. And they call again, It’s simple, they say, and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine. See more

Two Large Eco-Cabins "River Otter" and "Snowy OWL" openings September 7-9, 9-11, or 7-11. http://wolfdenbunkhouse.com/accommo/independent-eco-cabins/

Algonquin reaches her full majesty in winter. The nights are deep and silent, the days are breathtakingly clear and bright. Fresh tracks in the snow each morning remind us of the diversity of wildlife we share this planet with. The crackling wood stove at night reminds us how to simply "be" with the people we love. Many of our summer guests would have started to plan a winter trip south right about now and may be frustrated that those plans are being thwarted. Some may ...have never contemplated a trip to Algonquin in the winter; they may not be aware of just how transformational a dive into the deep, perfect silence can be. Our cabin doors will be open. The firewood will be stacked and ready. We hope you will consider joining us. photo credit: Jacques Dailloux

Two Large Eco-Cabins "River Otter" and "Snowy OWL" openings September 7-9, 9-11, or 7-11. http://wolfdenbunkhouse.com/accommo/independent-eco-cabins/

Last minute opening for Eco-Cabin, July 13 for two nights. The River Otter. To place a booking, go straight here: https://wolfdenbunkhouse.com/accomm/independent-eco-cabins/

Missing the Park? Our friends over at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station will take you on a virtual guided tour of some of its most minute details this summer. This Saturday tune into their second "Ask the Researcher" webinar of the season on the fleeting life, love, and death of the tiny Antler Fly. Join in and marvel at this atomic-sized detail of Algonquin's vast and marvellous eco-system.

Algonquin reaches her full majesty in winter. The nights are deep and silent, the days are breathtakingly clear and bright. Fresh tracks in the snow each morning remind us of the diversity of wildlife we share this planet with. The crackling wood stove at night reminds us how to simply "be" with the people we love. Many of our summer guests would have started to plan a winter trip south right about now and may be frustrated that those plans are being thwarted. Some may ...have never contemplated a trip to Algonquin in the winter; they may not be aware of just how transformational a dive into the deep, perfect silence can be. Our cabin doors will be open. The firewood will be stacked and ready. We hope you will consider joining us. photo credit: Jacques Dailloux

Last minute opening for Eco-Cabin, July 13 for two nights. The River Otter. To place a booking, go straight here: https://wolfdenbunkhouse.com/accomm/independent-eco-cabins/

The Chickadee cabin is newly available from Friday June 26 to Monday June 29. Sleeps up to 4. Hop to it!

Missing the Park? Our friends over at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station will take you on a virtual guided tour of some of its most minute details this summer. This Saturday tune into their second "Ask the Researcher" webinar of the season on the fleeting life, love, and death of the tiny Antler Fly. Join in and marvel at this atomic-sized detail of Algonquin's vast and marvellous eco-system.

Introducing our new eco-cabin signs and our insanely talented local tattoo artist, Keith Winterbottom, who crafted them. Keith and Sara, you rock. Our community is richer for you being a part of it. www.winterbottomtattooco.com

The Chickadee cabin is newly available from Friday June 26 to Monday June 29. Sleeps up to 4. Hop to it!

GLAMPING, ANYONE? While our full-facility hostel is closed this summer to regular travellers, we're thrilled to report that we ARE offering simplified basecamp bunkies to folks with camping experience and their own camp kitchen gear! This option is particularly great for folks heading into or out of Algonquin on a multi-night interior camping trip. Here's how it works: each group is allocated a bunkie or dorm (depending on group size) for the night in addition to a dedicated... shower, sink and toilet at our outdoor wash station. Groups would be responsible for bringing their own kitchen camping equipment for outside use (come rain or shine - no exceptions) and personal sleeping bags. A strict "Leave No Trace" policy must be respected in the outdoor cooking areas, just like your interior campsite. There is no guest access to the main lodge. Only two groups per night will be accepted, and reservations are absolutely essential. For more info, reach out to myself or Jacques at the lodge, 705-635-9336, or book directly online. (Look for the "Basecamp Bunkie" option on the reservations page: https://wolfdenbunkhouse.com/reservations/). It will be SO GREAT to see you back!

And the collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the province of Ontario, and as far away as Saskatoon...