just the FAQs

Feeling like a mushroom?  Check here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

What is a Housekeeping Cabin (or cottage)?





What is the difference between a cabin and a cottage?








Is it ok to drink the water?




Is the river water good for
swimming?  Is it clean?















Do you have winter rentals?








How old are the cabins?


What is in the cabins?




How often are the cabins cleaned?




How often are the washrooms cleaned?


What is check in time/check out time?

Can I arrive early/stay past checkout?

If the cabin/campsite isn't booked by someone else, why can't I arrive early/stay late?

Are the campsites private?














Why can't I have 7 people in a cabin for 4?









Do you have a laundromat?





Is there a playground?











Is smoking allowed?




Are pets allowed?

Can my dog play on the beach?




Are there any fish in the lake?



Where in the river are the fish?


How is the fishing?

Why can't I fish from the beach when no one is swimming?  Why is there a no fishing sign?






What is the best time to see northern lights?

How much light pollution is there?





Are there bears in the woods?


What is the best time of year to see wildlife?








Where are the mushrooms?

Can you tell me which mushrooms are safe to eat?




If I cancel because the weather is (too hot, too cold, raining, etc), can I have my deposit back?




Can I bring my ATV?





Do I need a permit for the multipurpose recreational trail?



Where can I park?







Will there be biting bugs in July?   











Do you offer discounts/free stays for a good review?





Where does the firewood come from?  Are they your trees?



Do you have quiet hours?

The term "housekeeping" has been used in the accommodation industry for as long as I can remember.  It distinguishes between a full service facility, and one where the occupants provide their own domestic support.  The degree of equipment and included service may vary from one establishment to another.  The baseline is a unit with sleeping and cooking areas and access to shared or ensuite bathroom.  Many have cooking equipment.

A cottage is a multi-room building.  The Oxford definition of 'cabin' is 'a one room building'.  Webster's says ' a building made of wood in a rural setting'.  I use the word cabin to denote a simple one room building.  In advertising, every word costs, and sometimes description fields are limited.
When I purchased the property in '89, the (practically derelict ) log buildings were described as cottages.  There was a divider wall down the middle of a 14 X 14 ft structure, double bed on each side, mini kitchen.  Everything else was outside.



Yes.  The water comes from a drilled well, not the river.  All taps on the property are connected to that well.  It must be tested by law and at substantial cost; well water is regulated by the Province of Ontario "for your safety".  Bottled water is not regulated.


There is only one house up the river, new, with appropriate septic field facilities.  There is no discharge of sewage into the river (unlike the Ottawa River).  There is no agriculture upriver from this spot.  The only things in the water are bits of nature.  There is no swimmer's itch or giardia in the waterway (it has been tested by the local Public Health Unit).  Note:  there is no reason to shower heavily after swimming in local open water.  It has been noted by many that the open water seems to help with mosquito bites, scrapes, sunburn.  Perhaps some beneficial bacteria?
There are fish in the river...you know what fish do in the water, so that is present...
As it is a river, and not a lake or pond, the water is constantly being refreshed.
Usually by July the flow is also quite warm.

The population in this area is quite low, so there is little opportunity for pollution.  The biggest problem people (from neighbouring resorts, and the town of 150) pose in the area is the garbage they leave at the waterfall, a favourite play place, 1 km upstream, litter on the highways and trails.


Cross country skiers used to come for winter rentals.  It seems people aren't up for the pioneer life any more though.  There is no running water in the winter, so water must be hauled in jugs, outhouses are the bathrooms, and as usual, the cabin must be cleaned up before departure.  There is electric heat in the cabins, so it is possible.  The heat must be on for a day before arrival so that the cabin will come up to temperature.  So it can be done, but you have to be up for the challenges, and be willing to pay commensurate with costs (heat is expensive).


The cabins were built in 1947.  Originally there were 12 of them, different sizes.  The existing 4 cabins have been rebuilt from the bottom up since 1998.

Please see the cabin page for a full list.  The only kitchen item not provided is ovenware/roasting pans.  I had to stop providing them because they were so often left dirty, in the oven.   Either bring foilware, or ask me.  I can lend you something.  It must be returned clean.

Cabins are cleaned between each client.  This should not take much time, as the cabins are rented as housekeeping units, which means that the renter cleans up.   Extra fees are charged for damages and unreasonable cleaning requirements.  Dirty dishes/cookware are unreasonable.

Washrooms are cleaned daily, between 2 and 3 pm when everyone is out playing.  They are checked at regular intervals as well.


Check in time is 4 pm for all cabins and campsites.  Check out time is 11 am for all cabins and campsites.

Early arrival/late checkout is $10/hour in the cabins when available.  Arrive early/stay late passes may be purchased for camping also.

You may have the cabin/campsite for extra time if you pay the appropriate fee.    There are always costs, and scheduling concerns, involved with guests who arrive early/stay late.

Privacy is a relative concept person to person. 
There are a variety of site types in the grounds. 
Different people prefer different settings.  Some sites are open, near the water, allowing parents a good view of their children playing.
There are single family sites, and group sites.  Group sites have open and shaded areas within themselves.
Most sites have trees on 2 sides.  Some have more.  Some trees have had to be trimmed back because of people breaking limbs, so some screening has been compromised.
Sites are large by most comparisons.

If privacy is an issue, try off peak times to camp, instead of long weekends.
OR rent a group site.  3 tent minimum fee applies.


Cabin maximums are set by a number of criteria
1) the size of the unit
2) the number of sleeping spaces in beds
3) cabins are equipped for the maximum number of occupants (dishes and kitchen equipment)
When too many people are using a cabin, there is inevitably breakage, because there are too many people for the space.  This has included, on occasion, a bed.  Maximums are set at a reasonable number.  Double beds are for 2 people.
Prices here relate not only to the building or space occupied, but to the park total, and resources consumed by occupants.

Barry's Bay now has a laundromat.  It is the local business centre with the greatest diversity of shops.

Each cabin has a clothesline.  Europeans often do handwash.


This is nature's playground!  There are no swings or slides, a common place for children to be left unsupervised and consequently a hotspot for injuries.  Instead, there is a beach (bring sand toys), trees to climb, places to hike, berries to pick, a river to swim in, canoes to rent...
Locals slide on the waterfalls and jump into the river channel from the bridge.  Of course, RDLC does not advocate nor insure these activities.  Both locations are off of the resort grounds.
There have been children who catch frogs, identify birds, discover bugs.  Try a new way of playing!  Adults can try new things as well...



Smoking is allowed outdoors only.  Please use an ashtray outdoors.  If smokers keep throwing their butts on the ground, I will have to institute a smokers fee.  Cigarette butts are garbage, and must be treated as such.


Yes, for a nominal fee.  Make sure you bring their bedding and dishes.

Yes, as long as it is under care and control.  This means the dog must return when called, no exceptions.  Zero tolerance for dog bombs, anywhere on the premises.



Yes, though it is a river.  There are also fish in the lake 5 km downriver.
Pike, pickerel, largemouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, lake trout, brook trout, rock bass, sunfish, whitefish, moonfish, fallfish, carp and catfish. 

In the water.  If you think like a fish, you might find some.  Different fish live in different places.

It's always as good as the fisherman.

Fishing is not allowed where people go with bare feet.  The shoreline along the west of the grounds is the swimming area.  This includes the stretch in front of the cabins.
There is 85 km of contiguous waterway, much of which can be shore fished.  Please keep all fishing gear reeled in on the beach here.
To date, 2 children and 3 dogs have been hooked by tackle left behind by fish people who have not seen fit to respect this simple request.



Within 72 hours of a solar storm.  Look to the north once the sky becomes dark.


There is only one light that burns all night in the grounds,  on the front of the central washroom building.  The nearest town, Madawaska, has very little light spill.  This makes the spot great for stargazing, watching shooting stars, or seeing Aurora Borealis (after a solar storm).  Telescopes welcome.  Some clients have done great dark sky photography.
Guests should have flashlights for walking in the dark.

Yes.  Keep them there by making sure you do not leave food or garbage out to attract them into the grounds.

Wildlife sightings are more common in the spring and fall.  When there is more tourist traffic in the general area, the large animals go deeper into the forest.  They don't like people...they also don't like hot weather.  Some smaller wildlife are visible all season, like chipmunk, squirrel, raccoon, groundhog, snakes, frogs, birds, and a stunning array of interesting, non-biting bugs.
The best time of day to see wildlife is sunrise or sunset.  All animals go to water to drink, so an early morning canoe ride can provide a sighting even at the height of summer.


In the woods.

For liability reasons, you must know your mushrooms to pick them.  RDLC cannot advise edibility of any species of mushroom.




No.  I don't double book, and after you don't arrive it is much too late to book the room/site to someone else.  Cancellations 30 days in advance in writing will have a partial refund.  Within 30 days of arrival there is no refund.  




Absolutely!  The property is adjacent to one of the access points for the multi-purpose recreational trails, now commonly referred to as snowmobile/ATV trails.  Inside RDLC, ATVs may be driven on the roadways ONLY and only to come and go from the premises.  Driving around the park for fun on an ATV is not appropriate. 


For best advice, check with your local trail association.  The information keeps changing.



Parking is on your site, at your cabin, or beside the office.  Each campsite and cabin has parking for one vehicle.  Additional vehicles can be parked at the office.  Day visitors must park at the office.  There is no parking on the beach, on empty campsites, or at the washrooms.  If you have mobility issues, please register your vehicle at the office for special consideration.



Bugs are weather dependent, not calendar dependent.  Usually the black flies are gone by the July long weekend.  Usually mosquitoes burn off by mid August.  If the weather is cool or rainy, the bug seasons may last longer.  Mosquitoes like hot and humid, so on hot nights in July they can be a bother.  Bugs are opportunists; they like perfect conditions.  If it is too cold, windy, rainy, hot, etc, they are not apparent.  When weather is perfect, they like to be out, just as you do.  Best thing to do is be prepared.  Look at my blogpost  Living With Wildlife for alternatives to using poisons to protect yourself from biters.  Light coloured clothing is better than dark.  A white hat is a must if you have dark hair, so that the little nuisances don't mistake you for a moose.



It is unethical to pay for reviews in any way.  There are many review services out there, and many people willing to write reviews for free.  It is also easy to tell an attack (bully) review from a valid one, and those can usually be removed from public postings.



I have a lumberjack under contract who provides campfire wood each season.  There are not enough trees on my property to burn them.  Trees that are culled each season for safety reasons are added to the firewood pile.


Yes, quiet hours are from 11 pm to 7 am.  Make noise all day.  Quiet conversations around the campfire are expected.  If you keep your party to yourself, no one cares if you are awake at 3 am. 
Amplified music is not allowed during quiet hours.  Neither are frat chants.  Other than that, just remember that you are usually not alone.

If you want to rock, the park can be rented in its entirety.  Pricing based on peak and off season/weekday and weekend volumes and values.  Book very, very early.