Temagami's Smoothwater Ecolodge

Smoothwater Ecolodge is the year-round home for a creative assortment of programs featuring canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and old growth forest hiking. It is also the personal home of Caryn Colman and Francis Boyes, who invite you to experience the heritage of northeastern Ontario and the renowned Temagami wilderness. 

Now celebrating its 19th year, Smoothwater attracts fascinating individuals from the world over. It is a perfect place for a lodge-based holiday, spa retreat or to launch a remote canoe trip into Temagami's famed 2,400 km canoe route system. Nightly dinner parties featuring organic cuisine, regional fare and wild edibles should not be missed!

Smoothwater Ecolodge is beautifully situated on intimate James lake. From our 'backyard' you have access to a 50 kilometer ski trail system featuring two overnight cabins, varied terrain, an abandoned fool's gold mine and lost logging camp. Beaver, otter, moose, marten, lynx and wolf thrive in the area as well as many bird species. Whiskey Jacks eat out of your hand.

The photo on our home page is the grand room of the home-lodge, with a cathedral ceiling and wall of windows. Original art, an eclectic adventure library, and flowers intermingle with elegant antiques and historic artifacts. Here, guests gather to chat, watch winter storms, dramatic sunsets, or curl up to read near our big warmth-giving wood stove.

Guest quarters are but thirty meters from the home-lodge. As you saunter over in one or other of the seasons, you'll sift through the snow, absorb the perfume of rose bushes, or be mesmerized by the starry nights. Five private rooms are available (see photo below), each beautifully decorated with healing colour, original art, quilts and duvets. For larger groups we have two bunkhouses with ensuite wash houses. Tent camping is also possible by the lake.

Adjacent to the main lodge, with an inspiring view of James lake, is our beautiful Gathering Hall, where activities such as painting workshops, house concerts and celebrity readings take place. The Gathering Hall may be reserved for small conferences, meetings, and special occasions like weddings and family reunions.

Finally for those wishing to melt away aches, pains and stress, our wood burning sauna is a welcoming refuge. Enhance your rejuvenation in the cool waters of James lake or with a roll in the snow.

In summary, Smoothwater Ecolodge is the hearth and home where your Temagami adventures begin and end. Many well traveled quests have said they've never known anything quite like it. To us that's a great compliment.

Gourmet Organic Cuisine, at the Lodge and on the Trail
At Smoothwater, we celebrate every season creatively with organic cuisine. Organic farming is a healthier (pesticide, herbicide, antibiotic and hormone free) alternative to unsustainable agro-industrial practices. And we believe it's important to support local farmers who have adopted organic practices. We supplement these foods with herbs, fruits and vegetables grown in Smoothwater's gardens. Our guests rave about our Trappers' Bread, Grey Owl Veggie Pie, Chicken Marbella, Maple Sugar Kuchen, and Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes to name a few of our favourites. For your backcountry adventures, we pack nutritious, energy-restoring trail lunches. Food restrictions are no problem--we always offer vegetarian options and are pleased to cater to your specific dietary needs and wishes.

Lodging and Rates
Smoothwater offers several styles of lodgings to suit different budgets. Our private rooms glow with colour and are beautifully furnished with rustic twig furniture, antiques and original art. Our heated bunkhouses can sleep up to twenty, with spacious washhouses for men and women. Please enquire about our midweek and weekend packages.

** Our trail cabins are not designed for summer use. They provide excellent remote lodging from early September to late May.

About Us
Smoothwater was established in 1984 and has been owned and operated by Caryn Colman and Francis Boyes since moving to Temagami from Toronto in 1994. They share Smoothwater with their fouteen year old daughter Emily and are surrounded by cats, dogs and the occasional backyard moose.

During the past 35 years, Francis has paddled in Yukon, Alberta, Sakatchewan, Ontario and Quebec, and is an ORCA certified Canoe Tripping Instructor. He is President of the local conservation organization, Friends of Temagami, and is the northern Ontario rep for ORCA. Francis regularly advocates on issues concerning wilderness conservation and human-powered backcountry travel.

Artist, mother, chef, manager, wife, workshop designer, teacher and guide, Caryn wears many hats at Smoothwater.  Watercolour painting workshops, culinary courses and wellness programs are her domain through which she nurtures guests to explore their creativity. As chef, her culinary skills are inspired by freshness, colour, taste, aroma, texture, atmosphere and organic bounty from the region. It is Caryn's belief that Smoothwater's cuisine along with one's wilderness experience, enhances one's understanding of Temagami's culture, history, and ultimately one's own roots. 

Friendly, knowledgeable staff, chosen for their skills and love of the Temagami landscape, round out Smoothwater's human complement. Dogs Sasha and Max, and cats James and Sophie complete the home scene, charming guests with their antics.