About Sunrise ECO-Lodge
Owned and operated by Hap Wilson, Sunrise Eco-Lodge is located on the Lady Evelyn River, overlooking Cabin Falls, within the Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Wilderness Park. It is the only privately owned retreat within the park, nestled in a pristine setting, surrounded by old-growth pine forests and ancient waterways, accessible only by canoe in the summer and snowshoes in the winter.
The original log cabin was built for a group of American sportsmen in 1930 by the Temea Augama Anishnabe, the First Nations people of the Temagami area from Bear Island.
The cabin and the privately deeded property was a deal between the Americans and the Premier of Ontario at the time. The Americans named the cabin retreat “The Rapidan Club”, after President Roosevelt’s hunt club in Virginia. One of the original owners, R.B.Newcomb, a lawyer from Cleveland, was the founding member of the Temagami Lakes Association. It changed hands in 1951 and then again in 1978 when Hap was incorporated as part-owner. He saw the importance of maintaining the historical cabin and keeping it open to passing canoeists in case of emergency. Hap started a cabin journal in 1980 and a logbook is still available for canoeists to sign on their way past Cabin Falls. Hap became a co-owner of the Cabin Falls property in 2000, and the sole owner in 2006.
In addition to the original log cabin, we have built a two-story cabin, adjoining decks, a screened dining cabin, sauna and a first-rate outhouse! The facilities accommodate up to 12 participants and sleeping arrangements can be divided between the original log cabin and the new lodge for mixed male and female groups. A variety of first class gourmet meals are provided each day, usually with breakfast and dinner served in the dining cabin and lunch provided on the trail. Meals and fresh-baked goods are prepared in our woodstove and special dietary requirements can easily be accommodated. The lodge is blessed with a natural spring close by for fresh and clean drinking water. Sunrise Eco-Lodge is equipped with a complete first aid kit as well as a cell phone in case of emergency.
Sunrise Eco-Lodge is surrounded by old-growth pine forests, and natural swimming pools in the river. There are several other magnificent waterfalls nearby, all part of “The Golden Staircase”, a series of 7 waterfalls along the north and south channels of the Lady Evelyn River. Also surrounding the cabins are fabulous hiking trails and scenic lookouts, all accessible by canoe, as well as some whitewater “runs” and great natural brook trout fishing areas. Participants can sketch, photograph or just quietly observe the surrounding flora and fauna and learn about the rich history of this ancient land.