Welcome to Loon Bay Serenity
Year round cottage country life. Serene bay.
4 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 8 · right on the water outside Apsley, ON · dogs welcome
Loon Bay Serenity
Loon Bay Serenity sits on a bay, far enough from the road that you genuinely forget the road exists. Mornings start on the dock. Evenings end at the firepit. Everything in between is up to you.
Four bedrooms means everyone gets a real bed — no one’s on the couch. Two bathrooms means no line-ups in the morning, which, with a group of eight, is worth more than you’d think.
The main living area opens right onto a screened-in porch overlooking the lake. That porch is where people end up. It’s where coffee happens in the morning and where dinner stretches into the evening because no one wants to go inside. There’s also a balcony with seating if you want a better view of the water.
Inside, there’s a fireplace for when the temperature drops — and in the Kawarthas, even July nights can catch you off guard. A backup generator means a storm doesn’t cut your trip short. Parking for four cars, so the whole crew can drive up separately if needed.
Your dog is welcome here. Bring her.
The Bay on Lake Chandos
The Cottage
A small sandy shore sits right off the property — good for swimming, good for kids who love jumping off the dock, good for a dog who is absolutely going in the water whether you planned for it or not. The dock is yours for the week: sit on it, jump off it, tie up the boats.
Three boats are included with your stay: a kayak, a canoe, and a pedal boat. No fighting over who gets to paddle. There's one for everyone.
Once the sun drops, the firepit is where the evening goes. Bring marshmallows and something to drink.
(Outdoor BBQ and al fresco dining on the porch round out the outdoor setup.)
The Living Area
A cozy living room looks out over the bay, ready for family time spent reading, knitting or playing with the kids.
The Kitchen
Whether you like espresso, French press or drip coffee, the kitchen is stocked with everything you can imagine.
Dining Space
With seating for up to 12, the bright dining space overlooking the balcony, is perfect for family celebrations and every day meals.
The Bedrooms
A main floor master and two second floor bedrooms have queen beds, with a bunk bed in the fourth bedroom.
The Bathrooms
Two full bathrooms with showers, means no waiting when you want to rinse off after a day on the dock and in the lake.
The Dock
Spend the day on the dock and watch the sunrise, enjoy a book on the muskoka chairs or take in the sun on the lounge chairs.
Around Here
The cottage is on Antelope Trail in Harcourt — just outside Apsley. Here's what you'll want to know before you arrive.
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First: groceries. If you're stocking up on the way, there’s a grocery store in Lakefield and a Costco in Peterborough, both easy to hit on the drive up Highway 28. Looking to shop in town, the Sayer’s in Apsley has a solid grocery assortment.
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IN APSLEY (10–15 min)
Breakfast at the Apsley Inn & Restaurant. Coffee to go at Calm N Ground. The Grape and Wedge has great sandwiches and a solid selection of gourmet products — worth a stop. If you need cottage country gear or gifts, there's a shop right next to Home Hardware. Hunter's General Store and Guardian Pharmacy carry magazines. In winter, the North Kawartha Community Centre has skating.
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DAY TRIP: BANCROFT (40 min)
Give Bancroft a half day. For The Halibut for fish and chips at lunch, Bancroft Brewing Co. in the afternoon, and Eagle's Nest Park if anyone's up for a hike with a view. On the way home, stop for Kawartha Dairy ice cream — the cones are genuinely massive and they have every flavour.
Other Bancroft stops worth knowing: The Muse Gallery & Café for espresso, TheThe Old Tin Shed for local shopping, Art Gallery of Bancroft.
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WORTH THE DRIVE
- Petroglyphs Provincial Park — the largest collection of ancient First Nations rock carvings in Canada, carved between 900 and 1,100 years ago. Remarkable place.
- The Gut Conservation Area — a short hike through to the river. Gorgeous, but the drive in is very bumpy and the trail is uneven. Wear bug spray. Worth it.
- Chandos Lake Public Beach — sandy public beach nearby. If you're there on Canada Day, they do fireworks.
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WARM WEATHER — ON THE DRIVE UP
Stop at Leahy's Farm and Market on Highway 28. Fresh produce, seasonal stuff, dog-friendly, kids' activities. It's the kind of stop that eats 45 minutes without you noticing.
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A LITTLE FURTHER OUT
- Wanderlight Alpaca Experience — walk with alpacas. Book ahead.
- Merrylynd Organics — horse-drawn sleigh rides when there's snow. Also book ahead.
- The The Boardwalk Lounge (Peterborough) — board game café, play as long as you like. Good rainy-day option.
Loon Bay Serenity, Harcourt ON, Canada
- come stay
What’s Included:
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Sleeps up to 8
- Private dock and small sandy shore
- Kayak, canoe, and pedal boat
- Firepit and outdoor BBQ
- Screened-in porch + balcony
- Indoor fireplace
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine + dryer
- Backup generator
- Parking for 4 cars
- Dog friendly