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Crowbar Lake Trail
4.8
(95)
Porters Peak is Perfection - they've nailed the feeling of being isolated and in nature but less than an hour from downtown Halifax.
This review is for the Rolling Stone eco cabin. We plan to ask try the tenting spots in summer as well as a dome in the future.
Before I get into my general review, if you're considering coming, please note the following:
bring a good cooler and lots of ice. Bring a separate drinks cooler so you're not opening and closing your food cooler excessively. There is nowhere nearby to get food or ice, which is awesome, so pack appropriately. bring drinking water, although water is provided you should conserve it. bring towels, including a dishtowel or two. Quick dry ones are best, in a few sizes. bath & body disposable wipes are HIGHLY suggested, or look up how to sponge bath bring and use only certified, biodegradable and harm-free soap. -if you need total dark to sleep, bring an eye mask. even though it's the woods, pick up your dogs messes, our site was littered with huge dog poos and we cleaned a lot of them up but it was like a minefield -sound travels EXTREMELY well, keep music and shouting to a minimum -wear your lifejackets on the paddleboards! The lake is shallow and lots of rocks lurk just underneath the surface. Better be safe than sorry.
Review:
We spent two nights here. Check in is at 3 pm, check out at 11 am.
There is an in depth booklet describing how to use the solar battery and the dry toilet, but when we asked for a battery charge as stated in the book it was refused so the wording was confusing. Conservation is key!
The eco cabins are luxurious with enough comforts from home to make it cozy, but missing enough so that it feels like you're "roughing it" for the weekend. There was dish soap, sponges, a roll of paper towel, and a broom available.
They aren't joking when they say you're meant to spend your time outside - the deck is almost as big as the cabin itself, with the most gorgeous view during the day and night. They also include a picnic table and firepit, with a little firewood hut to keep the wood dry and a bucket to douse the flames (fill it with lake water before you start the fire) when you're done.
There are enough dishes and cutlery for 2-4 people and a selection of pots and utensils for food preparation.
There is a massive, good quality BBQ with a permanent propane line, and a lobster-boil sized camp stove with its own propane tank.
We cooked prime rib, vegetables, broiled cheese toast, grilled corn and potatoes, and more on the BBQ. We used the camp stove only for heating water and cooking eggs.
Cell service was spotty to none, which was awesome! It really helped to literally unplug, not being tempted to check emails or texts.
The beds were so comfy and the duvet and pillows were plush.
The sunlight wakes you up in the morning and the serene lake view while waiting to boil water for coffee is perfection.
Paddleboarding and hiking took up most of our time, as well as some rockhounding amongst the rugged granite.
Another bonus of staying there was learning about solar power and dry toilets, giving us ideas for our own off grid cabin build.
On our way out, we ran into a wonderful staff member who showed us the reception area and told us about future plans for the space. We are SO excited to have somewhere new to explore!
All in all it was a pleasurable, relaxing, ideal getaway for a long weekend and we will absolutely be returning.
Scenery wise, this place is outstanding! Can't knock that at all. However, beware when booking a cabin because what they describe is not true to the booking system. We booked a chalet based on 4 people staying (2 adults and 2 kids). We had a lengthy drive to get here and were gobsmacked that there was only one bed in a supposed cabin for 4. Nevertheless, I slept on the small couch whilst the wife and kids were on the bed, even then pretty cramp.
It's clear they have bought cabins that are supposed to be mains wired, but the light switches, would be sockets are blanked off (they even have light fitting that don't work because of this).
Of course we weren't expecting a fully fitted out cabin as knew it was off grid.But come on! If putting in a solar and inverter/battery system, do it properly. As such. the solar panel and battery system is a waste of time. Rely on your own battery bank charges and perhaps a portable solar panel. Our was more effective. Why? The solar panel is situated on the ground and in the shade til well after lunch time which defeats the purpose. Get it on th roof at least for better sun exposure. It's not a very well thought out or planned installation, hap hazard at best, especially electrical cabling that isn't protected from rodents, let alone children pulling at them. Get them in conduits or at least out of the way.
For the overall site, what they need/should have is a communual washroom facility that does have mains running water. At least families etc can get a proper shower and the ability to wash plates/pans with hot water. You know you can do this offgrid too with thermal solar panels and insulated storage tanks. Just get that mains water in there. For our stay, we never bothered with the so called shower set up they had in the cabin, hence didn't go into the small lake either. By the time we hit the road and got to our first hotel stop off on the way back, a hot shower was a welcome treat. Roughed it many a time with the Army in the past, but this IS not great for a family for an 'off grid stay'. Especially when they sell you a cabin not suitable for the group size.
On the note of being mis-sold, we complained about the misleading advertising but they fobbed of us. Once they have your money, that's it. Dick Turpin had more honest intentions! Apologies, I can only give 2 stars overall. That extra star earned from the scenic beauty...
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Our stay at Porter Peak Glamping in Nova Scotia was largely positive, with a few areas for improvement.
Pros:
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The glamping experience was fantastic for our kids, especially our nearly two-year-old, who loved the spacious Free Spirited Glamping tent. The two queen-sized beds, pushed together for safety, were perfect.
Comfort and Cleanliness: The beds were exceptionally comfy, and the bathroom facilities were impressively clean.
Outdoor Amenities: We enjoyed seeing a new playground being constructed and outdoor games area. The coffee provided was excellent, adding a nice touch to our mornings.
Space and Privacy: The tent’s design offered plenty of room, and the overall layout provided a sense of privacy that is often missing at other campgrounds.
Cons:
Tent Maintenance Issues: We faced issues with a broken zipper on the window screen and a wet floor upon arrival, which soaked some of our belongings.
Lack of Entertainment: Despite advertising, the tent lacked the promised board games and cards for rainy days.
Lighting and Amenities: Only half of the twinkle lights worked, and the absence of a trash bin made waste disposal inconvenient.
Accessibility and Convenience: The distance from the tent to the fire pit was inconvenient, especially with a toddler and my hip injury.
Limited Kitchen Supplies and Water Access: The kitchen supplies were minimal, and there was no easy access to the water for swimming. Paddle boards were available but lacked life jackets for younger children.
Misleading Advertisements: We expected chairs by the water, but only found them by the campfire.
Despite these challenges, Porter Peak's exceptional flexibility and customer service stood out. When our Ford’s transmission failed, they graciously transferred our November 2023 booking to August 2024, which was a huge relief. Porter Peak’s spacious and private setting makes it a great choice for those seeking a more secluded camping experience. With some improvements, especially in making the site more kid- and toddler-friendly, it has the potential to become even more...
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