“Lose your mind and find your soul”
We are located in the ancestral homelands of the First Nations of Treaty 1 signed in August 1871. The lands located by Camp Morton and Gimli, Manitoba are located on the ancestral lands of the Peguis First Nation (see also Selkirk Treaty signed in 1817).
The Little Retreat in the Forest is your secluded, magical forest escape away from it all.
“Lose your Mind and find your Soul“ as the beloved naturalist John Muir wrote.
The cabin is secluded on 80 acres of preserved and protected land located in the boreal forest of Manitoba’s Interlake just north of Gimli. Restore and disconnect away from it all nestled in the spruce and aspen forest. Walk private trails and enjoy the sounds of nature.
We want to share our Forest with you, to get away from the busyness - guests have said they’ve actually healed faster, the science is out there - whether it is the healing power of forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) or just time away to restore in nature, stresses abate… there’s no replacing the feeling and magic of immersing in the natural world away from the city and our fellow people for a while.
Time just literally stops. It’s so quiet you can hear a birds feathers as they fly over you, or literally listen to the wind, time to just be instead of keeping up with everything. To me it’s literally medicine for the mind and body like eating the right foods or going for a massage.
Our vision is to protect my favourite place on earth and share it with you. Arrive, drop your bags, sit on the deck or chop some wood, light the woodstove, make a tea, go for a meandering hike.
Pay it forward to the next guests and chop wood - just read the guest book of everyone’s doodles in the evening around the fire. A gift to yourself of serious downtime. Pup friendly too if that’s your jam.
And as John Prine said, we threw away the TV so don’t expect one!
We have a couple places at the front of the land that I stay in while guests are out on the 80 acres, but I stick to them, and leave you your privacy at the cabin and on the trails. One is an old fashioned Prospector’s Tent, another is a winter meditation hut I call the Hermitage.
I’ll let you know if I am around or not so you can say hello if you feel like it or meet me, or just have your own privacy. You won’t able to see me or hear me, unless we bump into each other on the road its the only way to enter and exit the land.
Just drive right in and drop your bags and enjoy :).
Max is 4 guests.
Quiet time is 11 pm to 7 am as per RM Regulations.
Max 3 dogs (as per RM Regulations not ours but sounds ok).
Booking:
In 2025 you can Book the cabin two ways:
View the calendar on Airbnb and then book directly by e transfering us directly (1/2 up front and 1/2 30 days ahead).
Book on Airbnb - you pay the Airbnb fee which adds an amount on to your booking, but maybe you want to book on credit card.
Fees:
Cleaning fee of $75 but we pay our cleaner $100.
Taxes (PST and GST)
Extra guest fee of $25 per person per night.
Airbnb fee if you book on Airbnb.
Cheers,
Michael and Colette
About the Cabin.
The cabin (really a fully equipped house) has two bedrooms (King & Queen beds), fully stocked kitchen, all linens and bedding provided, two decks, a medicinal garden, kms of trails, great wifi, a record player and eclectic vinyl collection, my old guitar and banjo, but no TV.
Booking options:
view calendar on Airbnb
email us at littleretreatintheforest@gmail.com and send an e transfer to book - 1/2 up front 1/2 30 days in advance
OR
Airbnb
Explore.
Explore 80 acres of forest, and trails year round. We have a pond for swimming, kayaking or skating, and skis and snowshoes for winter adventures. There are constantly new treasures to discover - fire pits, gardens, VW vans, an outdoor bathtub, hammocks, and a few of my personal creations (I love sailboats and school buses!).
Follow our journey.
What People Are Saying.
“It's clear that the owners have a deep respect for the land and for maintaining its natural beauty while adding their own eclectic touches throughout. We had a great time exploring the well-marked, extensive trails on the property, skating on the pond, and playing in the snow.”
— Krystal
“A piece of heaven right here on earth. There is really something magical about this place that almost defies description. The cabin has everything you need and so much more. We loved snuggling up by the wood stove listening to records on the stereo. Everything is clean and cozy! The cabin is a feast for the eyes with so many items to see and wonder all about. Outside is amazing too! We loved our walks on the trails and our outdoor fire. It was also so nice to be able to bring our pup along.”
— Kim
“Rustic, wild, and peaceful. If you're looking for a place that has everything you need and you just want to enjoy the sound of the birds and the wind in the trees, along with some great old records, this is the place to go.”