Cozy Cabins for a Fall BC Getaway

By Destination British Columbia September 10, 2024

Sunwolf Riverside Resort

While many people think of summer as cabin season in BC, a hideaway in the woods is attractive any time of year. When you need to bundle up to go outdoors, holing up in a cozy cabin with nothing to do except read or chat by the fire with a glass of wine or a steaming hot chocolate can be very appealing.

Even a rustic cabin can feel luxurious when reached after a long hike. Whether you’re up for a hearty outdoor adventure or just a stroll along a windswept beach, chilly weather makes the hunkering down afterwards that much sweeter.

Here are options for a snug cabin retreat in BC, ranging from basic to a pampering retreat.

Sunwolf Riverside Resort, Squamish

The Fishermans Cottage | Sunwolf Riverside Resort

Set along the Cheakamus River near Squamish, Sunwolf feels a world away from the city lights. Unwind among the trees and listen to the flowing waters over a board game in the comfy, multi-family Fisherman’s Cottage, a modern stunner with views of the Coast Mountains.

Or snuggle up in the Logger’s Shack that accommodates four with a loft and a wood-burning fireplace. If your clan is bigger, opt for two or more of the three-person Riverside Cabins. Bonus: Four-legged family members are welcome.

Arosa Ranch, Bridesville

Camping under the stars at Arosa Ranch | Jaydev Desai

Nestled in Bridesville between the Okanagan Valley and Boundary Country, Arosa Ranch offers a picturesque and rustic setting with comfortable amenities (think: above ground pool, Nordic sauna, and WiFi). Accommodations include: bed and breakfast suites, a quaint self-catering cabin, and RV or tenting sites.

Arosa, surrounded by mountains, farmland, and rolling ranges, is just a 45-kilometre country drive away from Oliver’s vineyards, and guests will discover backcountry adventures, walking trails, biking, fishing, and swimming holes galore.

No matter where you roam on the property, you’ll be under the watchful gaze of Anarchist Mountain—a popular hike that offers panoramic views of the valley from its lookout (accessed from Osoyoos).

Nectar Yoga on Bowen | @Tammy Gagne

Nectar Yoga, Bowen Island

Let go of the daily grind at Nectar Yoga—a healing experience that awakens and nourishes body and spirit through multi- and single-day retreats.

Contained within 20-acres of untouched land on Bowen Island, Nectar features five cozy, Scandinavian-inspired cottages; locally grown organic food; yoga and meditation sessions; and enhancements such as massage and tarot readings.

Known as a haven for rest, relaxation and nature away from the city, Bowen Island has a surprisingly wide range of activities to enjoy during the fall months. The Island is conveniently located one hour from Downtown Vancouver and a scenic 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay.

Round Lake Resort, Smithers

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Smithers town in the fall | Bulkley River Bonfire | Bulkley Valley, @Marty Clemens

Surround yourself with peace and tranquility in the Bulkley Valley of Northern BC. The family-run Round Lake Resort near Smithers is a rustic getaway featuring cabins built in 1960 on 28 acres of forested lakeshore with fall foliage to rival eastern Canada. Resort visitors are encouraged to leave their noisemakers indoors and enjoy the diverse array of birdsong.

Try trout fishing on the lake—boats are supplied (no motors allowed). Also beckoning are fossil beds at nearby Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park and many scenic diversions such as waterfalls, birding meadows, and wildlife.

For town activities, Smithers is 26 km away and boasts a lively cultural scene including live music, an art gallery, museum, and an outdoor Saturday farmer’s market, which moves indoors in October.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort and Conference Centre, Parksville

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort

This Parksville, Vancouver Island resort is a good place to go if you’re looking for pampering. There are a wide variety of accommodation options, including pet-friendly rustic log cottages with wood-burning fireplaces.

Also crafted from logs, the spa bungalows are nicely furnished with comfortable sofas and jetted tubs. These range in size from studios to two-bedroom cabins, and are located near the resort’s Grotto Spa (voted number 1 spa in BC) with its warm mineral pool. You can even dine in your bathrobe at the spa’s tapas restaurant, or head over to the Cedars Restaurant & Lounge.

The property fronts three kilometres of sandy beach, great for long, contemplative walks.

Fawn Lake Resort, South Cariboo

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Fawn Lake Resort | Sugar Shack, 70 Mile House, @Andrew Strain | Fawn Lake Resort

Modern and classic log cabins look out on the South Cariboo’s Fawn Lake at this family-run resort, located in Lone Butte. Witness fog rolling off the lake across the early autumn frost-covered landscape and listen to the sound of the loons while you enjoy your book next to an open fire.

Fly-fishing and history attract visitors to this stretch of the Gold Rush Trail in summer, but in fall, the area slows down. For some, this is precisely the allure.

You can venture north to the Xatśūll Heritage Village until early October and learn about the history of the Secwepemc Nation and their traditional way of life. In September, you can still visit 108 Mile Heritage Site, which chronicles the Cariboo Gold Rush. No visit to the Cariboo is complete without a visit to the Sugar Shack in 70 Mile House for an authentic poutine—perfect for a cool fall day comfort meal.

MOBERLY LODGE & LOG CABINS, GOLDEN

Columbia cabin | Wendy Chambers

North of Golden, fans of the great outdoors can retreat to the mountains for overnights in real log cabins. Quaint and compact, Moberly Lodge’s two hand-crafted cabins, Columbia and Kicking Horse, offer snug home bases for adventurers; they may be just 450 square feet, but they can sleep six comfortably. And while you’ll have 12 acres of private property to explore, you can lace up and trek farther in one (or more) of the nearby national parks: Banff, Glacier, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho.

Rowena's Inn on the River at Sandpiper Resort

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Rowena's Inn on the River | Rustic Cabins at Rowena's Inn on the River, Sandpiper Resort, @amberturnau | Rowena's Inn, @VancityWild

In Harrison Mills, a grand, storied English-style manor stands on the banks of the Harrison River. Rowena’s Inn on the River at Sandpiper Resort has stately rooms as well as cabins for your cozy fall enjoyment. The cabins come with heated-slate floors, deep-soaker jacuzzi tubs for two, and wood-burning fireplaces depending on the type of accommodation you decide to book for your vacation.

The 18-hole Sandpiper Resort Golf Course is open all year, and you can enjoy an in-room spa service when you are done with your day exploring the area.

Time your stay with the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival or the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival (returning in November) to celebrate fall in the Fraser Valley.

Salmon fans can also visit Weaver Creek Spawning Channel, located between Mission and Agassiz, in mid-October to view spawning activity.

Nemiah Valley Lodge

Nemiah Valley Lodge | @Michael Bednar

Experience the culture and beauty of Tsilhqot’in Title Lands with the Xeni Gwet’in people in Nemiah Valley Lodge.

All-inclusive stays include hiking, kayaking, and daily cultural programs include beading, baby-basket making demonstrations, traditional laws, and cultural practices. Meals are prepared by a Red Seal Indigenous Chef using traditional foods and produce grown on-site.

Floatplane transfers from Vancouver or Whistler can be arranged or there is a shuttle transfer from Williams Lake Airport.

The Shoreline, Tofino

The Shoreline Tofino | @vancitywild

The Shoreline is a boutique oceanfront resort in the heart of Tofino, nestled between old-growth cedars, hanging on the edge of the shore. Originally built in the late 1960s the property and its architecture are the definition of cabin vibes.

A rich natural landscape surrounds the property which consists of an A-frame house and two A-frame cabins. With the modern surf shack cool, the comforts of home and thoughtful touches, the property offers an inspiring yet laid back feel.

For a small and remote town, Tofino has more than its fair share of excellent places to eat within close proximity to Shoreline. Wolf in the Fog, Shelter Restaurant, and SoBo Restaurant are three small-but-mighty restaurants with such solid reputations that Vancouverites have been known to consider the 5-hour, one-way journey just for dinner.

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