Otter Pointe Resort Overview
We stayed at the Otter Pointe Resort in Calvin, Ontario for two nights in early spring. This 4-season glamping resort offers two cozy domes, a rustic cabin, and four tent camping sites for guests. Otter Pointe is situated on Pimisi Bay, part of the historic Mattawa River system. We learned from one of the owners that the resort got its name because this area often has otters on the property. While we were there we didn’t see any otters ourselves, but we did see tons of shells by the water from the otters eating freshwater mussels and discarding the shells on land.
Accommodations
This glamping resort offers luxury glamping in two domes with waterfront views of Pimisi Bay. There is also a rustic cabin right on the waterfront and four non-electric campsites. Plus, they are renovating a second cabin at the famous point for another glamping accommodation to come in the future.
Location
The Otter Pointe Resort is located approximately about 25 minutes east of North Bay so there are amenities nearby if you need groceries or other essentials. If you’re driving from Toronto, you’re looking at approximately four hours, and from Ottawa it’s about just over three hours away. It’s also north of Algonquin Provincial Park so if you want to venture into the backcountry area of Algonquin you’re pretty close. And if you’re looking for other outdoor activities, the resort is located just 7 minutes away from Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park where you could get a day pass to go hiking, birding, or biking. There are also other conservation areas nearby, so it’s really the perfect location for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Glamping Amenities
We were surprised by the many amenities on site during our visit, and over the past few months the owners have added even more to make this an amazing glamping experience! While we were there we enjoyed our private bathroom in the washroom building. Each glamping structure gets their own private bathroom complete with a toilet, shower, heated floors, sink, mirror and plugs. Plus there is a fourth washroom available for use by the tent camping sites if they don’t want to use the outhouse structures or want to take a shower. There were also two amazing saunas overlooking the beautiful bay, and we really enjoyed our sauna experience during our stay.
In the summer months there are also canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, a pedal boat and a swimming mat if you’re looking to get out on the water to explore the bay or take a nice swim. Plus around the property there are a couple free little libraries to take a book or leave one, and they have a games shed as well!
Since our visit to the glamping resort they’ve added fire pits for the glamping structures which I think will only add to your stay!
Otterly Delicious Bakery
If you’re thinking this resort would be even better if they had some snacks, they have you covered! Abi just opened the Otterly Delicious bakery and offers a variety of baked goods that you can add on to your stay. We tried her ginger cookies, chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake, and even a cheesecake – everything was absolutely incredible. I still dream of that carrot cake! Plus there are even chickens on the property which means you can purchase some fresh farm eggs.
Our Glamping Experience
We visited in the Spring and as expected, we had a variety of weather conditions to deal with, but mostly rain. The rain and cooler temperatures didn’t detract from the beautiful property and accommodation though. It actually made for a very relaxing time, with an incredible ambiance. The rain falling against the dome was such a peaceful sound, paired with the woodburning fireplace, and it was one of the most cozy experiences I’ve ever had.
The owners Abi and Ian really made sure that we had everything we needed for our stay. I honestly had one of the most relaxing weekends there and truly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Things to Do
Depending on the season you visit and the weather, there are a lot of options for things to do right on the property. In the warmer months you can go swimming at one of the many beaches on the property. There are also canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and a pedal boat you can rent to take out on the bay to explore. The property is quite large so you can go for a walk during any season and enjoy the waterfront views of the bay. There are also 2 saunas on the property that you can use and some hammocks in the nicer weather to relax in.
If you’re looking to explore the area, North Bay is just about 20 minutes away and offers various amenities like restaurants, breweries, and other tourist attractions. Just a few minutes down the road you can also visit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park to do some hiking take in the nature.
Overall Thoughts of Otter Pointe Glamping Resort
I highly recommend Otter Pointe Resort. The resort is well kept by the owners, they were super friendly and made sure we had a great time during our stay. Book a weekend or week here! It’s a great location in any season. We had rain for most of our stay in the spring, but took it as an opportunity to have a nice relaxing weekend. We enjoyed short walks around the property, the waterfront view from our dome, having an outdoor fire (we were granted use of the fire pit at the cabin or campsite #4 since there weren’t other guests there), and their saunas.
