This week, we tour a three-season log home on Opinicon Lake, less than two hours from downtown Ottawa.

Address: 11 Friendship Lane, Elgin, Ont. (Google still has it listed at its previous address, 523B Brooks Point Rd.)
Neighbourhood: Brooks Point, Opinicon East Cottage Association
Agent: Scott Burns, Rideau Realty
Price: $740,000
Fees: annual $150 to the Opinicon East Cottage Association for road maintenance

The History
This cedar log home was built in 1969 by a handy couple and has been added to over the years to include a bunkhouse near the lake, a wraparound dock, and a massive bedroom/sitting area dubbed the “West Wing.” Much of the building materials has come from the lot itself, which also provides ample firewood for the wood stoves.

Nestled among trees on a peninsula with its own tiny island a short swim away, you can’t get more private than this:

Perched on a hill, the cottage is surrounded by trees — note the bunkhouse near the lake:

The Place
Spacious and open-concept, the cottage has two wood stoves as well as massive fireplace in the living room. Two bedrooms behind the stone chimney have bunk beds, and the West Wing includes a den with bay windows and easy access to the screened porch. The large hilly lot is full of mature trees and wildflowers. Offsite, the nearby Chaffey’s Locks is a hub for boating and fishing communities, and is home to the historic and newly renovated Opinicon Resort.

The interior is rustic and warm, with an open concept layout that’s perfect for lounging:

Behind the dining room is a cozy kitchen, which also includes a wood stove (not visible):

Imagine coffee from the deck!

Big Selling Points
You can’t really get more private than this: almost five acres and close to 400 feet of shorelines. Up to 12 people can sleep comfortably in the main cottage, with extra beds in the screened porch and bunkhouse. The lake is on the Rideau Waterway, therefore accessible from Ottawa by boat.

The West Wing sitting area is conveniently connected to the screened porch:

And here’s the West Wing bedroom:

The master bedroom:

And two more bedrooms just waiting for kids of all ages — the bunk beds are built-ins, so they come with the cottage:

Let’s head down to the dock:

This standalone bunkhouse has its own deck and a double bed:

Possible deal breaker(s)
It’s a three-season cottage, which means opening all the taps and pulling out the water pump from the lake every fall.

By the numbers
1,550 square feet
Five acres
390-foot shoreline
1 bathroom
4 bedrooms, plus bunkhouse
1 fireplace
2 wood stoves
Single-car garage and workshop