Welcome to The Pinecone Forest Cottage & Chalet Rental Nature-friendly Retreats Canoeing • Kayaking • Cross-country Skiing Hiking • Swimming • Biking IN THE HEART OF THE MADAWASKA VALLEY
The Pincone Forest Nature Sanctuary is a nature-friendly retreat where individuals, couples, families and organized groups can experience nature in a semi-wilderness setting. Located on Conroys Marsh in the beautiful Madawaska Valley of eastern Ontario, the scenery and wildlife are spectacular year round. Whether you are looking for a break from the hectic pace of city life, a romantic holiday, family vacation with the kids, or an adventure filled excursion in the country, we would love to have you join us. Experiene a relaxing getaway where you plan your own itinerary, or join us for a guided paddle or interpretive nature walk.

	Cottage Rental For those wishing a quiet vacation spot, rent our very private and secluded, four-bedroom cottage on Foster's Rapids. Whitepine Cottage has hydro and running water, 3 piece bath (with shower), a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious deck overlooking the rapids. (not available in winter)
	Chalet Rental For those wishing to be close to nature, rent our comfortable one-room chalet with screened porch. This cabin has a kitchenette for vegetarians, air-tight fireplace, propane stove and lights, and outdoor bathroom facilities. The Pinecone Chalet is an all-season cabin, perfect for winter outings and cross-country ski weekends.
	Group Retreats For organized groups, use The Pinecone Forest as your nature getaway. Our base camp offers a dining hall with screened veranda, personal tentsites, group dining and a communal campfire. Prepare your own vegetarian meals, or have us cater a delicious plant-based menu. (Indoor meeting and dining facilities suitable for small groups of up to 15) Your host, Gus Zylstra, will be happy to discuss your nature-friendly retreat, and to design a package best suited to your specific interests and recreation plans. We look forward to your visit with us.

About The Forest Conroys Marsh, located at the confluence of three eastern Ontario rivers (Madawaska, York and Little Mississippi), was an important shipping link for the movement of the great red and white pines as early as the 1840s. Although the original forests are gone, the forests around Conroys Marsh have regrown and create a magical backdrop for this unique wetland paradise. Today, Conroys Marsh sits quietly waiting to be rediscovered, nestled into the mountainous terrain of the surrounding pre-cambrian shield. This 2,400 hectare marsh is a provincially significant class one wetlands and has been protected under the Ontario’s Living Legacy initiative. We are conveniently located on the York River between Egan Chute Provincial Waterway Park and Conroys Marsh Conservation Reserve. The Pinecone Forest Nature Sanctuary is 150 acres of forest, blueberry meadows and wetlands with direct canoe access to Conroys Marsh. A network of natural woodland trails allow guests to view the various forest groves including old-growth pine, cedar swamp, cranberry bog and lichen beds. Viewing stations with rustic wooden benches are great places to meditate or to sit quietly and let nature do its thing. Deer, otter, beaver, fox, muskrat, mink, pine martin, rabbit, red squirrel and chipmunk make their home in the forest, while moose, elk, bear and wolf pass through on their search for food. For the bird-watcher there are pileated woodpeckers, whiskey-jacks, woodcocks, great blue herons, American bitterns, ducks, hawks, osprey, ravens and a host of song and migratory birds ready to greet you. FAMILIES, SENIORS, SINGLES, COUPLES AND GROUPS WELCOME As a nature sanctuary, fishing, hunting, motorboats, ATVs, snowmobiles and pets are not permitted. Although we cannot control what happens outside The Pinecone Forest, we offer peace and tranquility for our all our guests and the forest creatures within our boundaries.