Ontario

Ontario's lakes and countryside offer a range of settings for writing retreats within easy reach of Toronto, from cottages in the Muskoka region to quieter rural stays further north. The province's retreat culture benefits from its proximity to Canada's largest literary community.

Some retreats lean toward structured, facilitator-led programs connected to Toronto's writing schools, while others are simply quiet lakeside cabins for self-directed work.

Retreats in the Muskoka region tend to book up quickly in summer, so plan ahead if lakeside scenery is what you're after.