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A First Time Thanks "This summer (2002) was our first experience at Jewel Lake Wilderness. Immediately we were greeted and made to feel very comfortable. We were both amazed at the slow pace and quiet environment, as though it was a land before time, where most everything stood still and the freedom to relax and unwind is not an option, it's a lifestyle! The other guests also made us feel very comfortable and welcome. For both of us, this is a first, we will be visiting Jewel Lake again, for many summers to come. Thanks to Betty and John for providing the means for so many people to enjoy the natural experience of naturism." Armand and Theresa A Jewel in the Wilderness
There are times when getting away from it all feels like a prime directive. Last summer Kathy and I were in the mood to explore some new territory for naturist excursions. We wanted a remote naturist camping trip, and Kathy wanted to hone her gardening skills a bit by botanizing in a region new to her. Jewel Lake Wilderness of eastern Ontario looked like a perfect place both to get naked and to enjoy the natural outdoors. Jewel Lake Wilderness is located between North Bay and Sturgeon Falls, near Lake Nipissing, a day's drive north of the Toronto area. Toronto has a rich selection of naturist clubs to choose from (see N 20.1), but if you like camping with a maximally natural setting, JLW is a good option. This 10-year-old nudist club has few standard amenities, but boasts a pristine natural environment that assures a memorable camping trip. The centerpiece of the club is the clean, spring-fed, 100-acre lake, surrounded by 640 acres of secluded grounds. The sandy lake access is clean and feels good to the toes, while the clear water invites boating and skinny-dipping. Included in the delightfully inexpensive camping fees is the use of the club's canoes, rowboat, and paddleboat. The 70-degree water is usually calm, drawing paddlers out to the sunny rock outcrops along the shore for picnics, private sunbathing, and shore exploration. Morotorized boats are not supposed to be used on the lake, so the environment retains its serene feel (although we saw one naked fellow using a quiet trolling motor a couple of times). What we enjoyed most during our stay was canuding around the lake. We completed our first trip to the opposite shore and back without mishap, examining plants and birds. Just prior to heading back to camp for dinner, Kathy and I decided to try another canoe for a quick exploration of some nearby shoreline. Sitting on our only towels we pushed off the sand and into the lake. The second canoe was less stable than the first, though, and we immediately spilled over into the ankle-deep water. Few witnessed our inept attempt at fresh-water navigation, but going without dry towels for the rest of our stay took some creativity. Anglers at JLW boast catches of jumbo perch up to 14 inches long, speckled trout, pickerel, pike, and small-mouth bass. Most use the catch-and-release method, but some are after a dinner of pan-fried perch and keep what they catch. If fishing is not your game, you can look for some of the continent's best tasting wild blueberries and raspberries. The berries from this region of Ontario are some of the best I've had. Nature lovers will enjoy identifying the array of conifers and deciduous trees in the camp and surrounding the lake, which includes examples of pine, larch, spruce, fir, birch, and maple. The club's lack of noisy motors and the owners' commitment to maintaining the site's natural health attracts non-human as well as human visitors. Beavers have built at least two damns along the lakeshore, muskrat play at the water's edge, and moose swim across the lake from time to time. Loons, mergansers, ruby-throated hummingbirds, goldfinch, cedar waxwings, and woodpeckers may be seen. Though large in acreage, the camp has an intimate, quiet feel. On a warm sunny day you might find a couple dozen people, all naked, sitting on lounge chairs at the edge of the lake, sharing drinks and getting in and out of the water. In the afternoon folks move back to the clubhouse trailer to play darts or petanque. In the evening club owners John and Betty Beddows turn on a generator to provide electricity for the clubhouse, and visitors may go inside to play cards or hang around to chat. Since there are no members at this club - just short and long-term visitors - cliques do not form readily and everyone feels welcome to take part in whatever activities may be going on. Without electricity, swimming pool, or hot tub, Jewel Lake Wilderness offers a subdued, peaceful atmosphere. In the evening you hear crickets instead of dance music; in the morning you hear loons instead of lawn mowers. This place would be of no interest to those wishing to party. The other visitors we met, however, all seemed friendly and willing to share a story, drink, or helping hand into a canoe. Family-friendly Jewel Lake Wilderness is an ideal place for naturist parents to introduce their children to nature's wonders. I have never run across such reasonable prices in nearly 20 years of naturist experience. You just need to be ready to camp, and not expect a resort that caters to your every need. There are restroom facilities and an outdoor shower, but to have hot water you will need to build a small fire in the adjacent stove. If you want to use the sauna, you will have to build another small fire in another stove. Firewood is provided free for the stoves and for personal use. Bring all the food and drinking water you will need. North Bay's stores and restaurants are approximately 30 minutes away and can provide everything you'll need. The club is easily accessible to pick-up trucks with camper shells and to small trailers, but large RVs and longer trailers may have trouble negotiating some of the narrow roads that lead to the gated club grounds. There are two trailers for overnight rental. Most of the 23 tent sites have picnic tables, and some have raised tent platforms. To get to Jewel Lake Wilderness, drive north from Toronto on Highway 400 to Highway 11, continuing north to North Bay. From North Bay take Highway 17 west toward Sturgeon Falls. In 14.8 miles turn right onto Riding Stable Road. In two miles the gravel road turns sharply to the right at a rock quarry; stay straight on what seems like a smaller side road. At 4.1 miles from Highway 11 and 2.1 miles from the fork turn right at the "JLW" sign, pass through the gate, and continue to the lake at the end of the road. John Beddows explains that Jewel Lake Wilderness caters mainly to couples and families, although singles are welcome if they are members of TNS, the Federation of Canadian Naturists or some other reputable naturist organization. Calling ahead for reservations is required. If you try to show up without calling, you may find the gate locked with no way to get in. Jewel Lake Wilderness is open to visitors from May 25 to Labor Day. To visit during the snowy off-season, contact the club in advance. This is a clothes-free club, and weather permitting everyone - except, perhaps, first-time female visitors - will be expected to disrobe. You can contact the club at 705-495-3134; reservations@jewel-lake.com; or PO Box 21077, 1950 Algonquin Avenue, North Bay, Ontario, P1B 9N8, Canada. The web site is www.jewel-lake.com.
by Alison Stewart & Marc Tardif from Going Natural, Spring 2000 The week we chose to visit Jewel Lake Wilderness last August happened to be the rainiest of the whole summer. But we made the most of it anyhow! The road into JLW (Riding Stable Road) was straight, bumpy, and untravelled. It seemed unending. On and on we drove at a meagre 15 km per hour. Just when we were about to give up and turn around, we spotted a crooked, weathered JLW sign half-hidden in the thick bushes. We had arrived, 6 km and 20 minutes from the turnoff from Highway 17. The gate was open, so we drove in. The one-lane dirt road in through the bush was winding and shrouded in trees. Our anticipation built with every turn. Two km and ten minutes later, we reached the end of the road. As the trees parted, a beautiful natural oasis unfolded before us. Our attention was immediately drawn to the massive lake (40+ ha.). We couldn't wait to explore. Owner John Beddows greeted us immediately and took the time to chat with us and tell us about JLW. He was relaxed and personable. The Best Bargain Around: The low rate of $10 per day included ground fees, one night of camping, and use of all amentities, including picnic tables, chairs, canoes, clubhours, firewood, wood stove sauna, shower and bath facilities, fishing and hiking. And yes, smiles were also free. John pointed out that the only rules were to use common sense and respect nature. He also had two requirements. No cigarette butts were to be tossed on the ground, because this kind of littering ruins the natural beauty of the wilderness. And any trash we accumulated was to be taken out with us when we left. We really were starting to like John, as this was our exact philosophy regarding nature as well. He also didn't mind our taking photos as long as any human subjects consented. We were surprised that there were virtually no swarms of mosquitos and flies. We didn't need even one drop of Deep Woods insect repellent. John explained that he uses a unique, natural method of eliminating bothersome bugs before the season starts. It involves drying up the swampy area so that the mosquitoes and black flies can't reproduce. We are sure John wouldn't mind explaining this ingenious method further if you asked him. The Becketts Welcome Us: As it was mid-week and the weather was cool and overcast, there were only a few people around. Two were fellow Glen Echo Park members Doug and Helen Beckett, who were vacationing there. They were pleasantly surprised to see us. We enjoyed some conversation with them before heading off to explore trails by the lake. We didn't get far when the rain started. We managed to find shelter for an hour in an old abandoned waterfront shack - a sauna house ca. 1920. When the rain diminished momentarily, we snapped a few photos and then ventured back to the main campground for shelter in Doug and Helen's RV. When the rain let up an hour later, we dashed to the clubhouse and got dressed. We made plans to come back on the weekend for camping, provided the weather cooperated. When we returned, we were greeted by various friendly faces. Doug and Helen were still there, along with others from Ontario -- from Sarnia to Hamilton. Bernie, who was managing the park that day, directed us to our waterfront campsite. He very kindly said that if we needed anything at all, we should just let him know. As it was cool and we didn't know how long the sun would shine, we decided not to waste any time. The Sauna Solves All: We went canuding for the first time ever. Coordination took some practice. After some unintentional splashing, we got a flow going. We caught and released a grand total of eight perch. Eventually we reached the other end of the lake to discover a nice stretch of beach and warm rocks, where we rested after some exploring. At this point, the clouds moved in and a light rain began. We thought that people would start despising our presence, because the rain clouds always seemed to follow closely behind us. Luckily the others didn't hold us responsible for the unusually rainy weather. Before an unrelenting downpour began, we made it back to camp. We took cover at the wood stove sauna and attempted to get a fire going. After trying unsuccessfully for half an hour, we decided to take better cover from the wind and rain in the sauna. A friendly man who arrived on the scene was determined to get the fire going despite the rain and wet wood. Another arrived and assisted. The two succesfully got it going after 45 minutes. We later found out that the first man had a broken collarbone, but he obviously didn't let that get in his way. His high spirits and enthusiasm were an example for everyone. Soon the sauna was filled with nine people (four couples and Bernie). Alison dashed back to the campsite to fetch dry clothes and lunch. Most people enjoyed food or drink the hot sauna. When someone mentioned it was 19:30, we were stunned, as the time had just flown by! We showered outside with warm water, heated naturally by another wood-burning stove. Since it had been raining all week and we didn't feel like camping in the cold and wet, we decided to head back to Toronto. On our departure, we thought how nice it would be to return during sunnier weather, when we could experience Jewel Lake Wilderness to the fullest.
Webmaster's note: The
road to Jewel Lake is much improved since this article was written. The
trip in from Hwy 17 now can be done at a safe speed of about 35-40 km.
There is also a new sign marking the entrance to JLW. Be sure to check
our rates page for the latest rates at JLW.
Jewel
Lake Wilderness
Email: Jewel Lake Wilderness 
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