In 2021, the market size for maple syrup globally was $1.49 Billion, and much of this production comes from Canada. After all, maple syrup is one of Canada’s most iconic exports, and it’s easy to see why. With its sweet, earthy taste, and its many culinary applications, it’s no wonder that maple syrup has become a beloved ingredient around the world.
If you’re a fan of maple syrup, then visiting a maple farm should be on your travel itinerary. Fortunately, there are plenty of maple farms in Ontario, near Toronto and Ottawa, where you can get a taste of the finest maple syrup that Canada has to offer. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best maple farms in the region.
Read on to get the lowdown of at least 7 great Ontario Sugar shacks (we keep adding to the list so come back again!)
Windlee’s Maple Syrup Farm
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Windlee Farms Maple Syrup is a family owned and operated business. Their passion passion is to produce premium quality 100% pure maple syrup. They are truly a family owned and operated maple syrup producer located in Tiny Township. At this farm you can see the maple trees, the boiler and a very large display of awards won by the Windlee family.
MAPLE WEEKEND, April 6 & 7, 2024
Hosted by Peter & Anne Lorriman
Windlee Farms will be opening their sugar bush and sugar shack by letting the public come and experience what maple syrup is all about.
Come taste pure maple syrup, smell it boil, and learn how maple syrup is made, from tree to bottle. This is what Maple Weekend is all about at Windlee Farms Maple Syrup, Tiny.
Explore the trails and take a wagon ride to the sugar bush to see the miles of pipeline and listen to the arborist in the maple bush. Windlee Farms Maple Syrup is a family owned and operated craft maple syrup producer located in Tiny, Ontario. Maple syrup has been produced from our sugar bush at Windlee Farms for over 30 years.
The property spans over 150 acres, with approximately 20 acres dedicated to the sugar maple bush.
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2024 Weekend Maple Syrup Experience & Maple Syrup Museum
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The Elliott Tree Farm Maple Syrup Experience includes entry to the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario, all you can eat pancakes and a side of bacon and breakfast sausage with their award-winning Ontario pure maple syrup, and a walk on the sugar shack trail to their maple sugar shack to see maple syrup being made firsthand while tasting maple taffy over snow, maple sugar, sap and syrup.
The event runs from Family Day weekend to Ontario Maple weekend (first weekend of April).
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Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
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For any maple syrup lovers taking a trip to Ontario, Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm is one of the most fabulous maple farms near Toronto. You can take a tour of onsite facilities and see the sugar bush that produces some of the finest maple syrup in the region.
Furthermore, there are plenty of rustic and rural attractions to lay your eyes on. And the property itself is something to behold in terms of beauty and old-world charm.
Fort Rose Maple Company
Another maple farm option if you are visiting Ontario is the Fort Rose Maple Company. Since the 1940s, the farm has tapped roadside maple trees and is one of the best maple farms in Ontario.
Their operations have expanded hugely since then to include thousands of taps. It’s got to the point now where they predominantly supply retailers due to the extent of their operations.
So this is a great place to check out if you want to see larger-scale maple production and also eat some delicious maple syrup and pancakes while you’re at it!
The Sugar Bush at Proulx Farm
Close to the nation’s capital, you can visit this traditional maple farm that offers so many activities. Proulx Farm’s Maple Fest maple outdoor farm activities and sugar bush visits, 9am-5pm, Open March 5th to April 10th, 2023. Smores Kits will be available along with snacks/desserts from 9:30AM to 4PM. Pancake House will be open 9AM to 3PM starting Sunday March 5th.
Wheelers Maple Sugar Camp
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First, if you’re looking for various things to do at maple farms, then the Wheelers Maple Sugar Camp is a great choice. Located near Ottawa, this farm has been in operation since 1978 and is known for its traditional approach to maple syrup production.
Furthermore, visitors can take a tour of the farm and see how maple syrup is made using traditional methods. Finally, there are also plenty of activities for the whole family, including a pancake house, a playground, and a nature trail. Plus, they have a great online store to check out if you’re not planning to visit maple farms near Ottawa or Ontario Sugar Shacks any time soon.
Visiting Orillia & Lake Country Maple Producers
Take a self-guided tour through lesser-traveled routes of Orillia & Lake Country to working sugar shacks that offer a firsthand view of the maple syrup process, from harvesting and boiling to enjoying. As part of the Tap into Maple program, there are a number of amazing farms to visit throughout March and April.
Learn MoreVisiting Maple Farms in Haliburton
Why not hop on a maple experience tour with Yours Outdoors. Choose from the following tours/experiences that will bring to you maple producers in the Haliburton Highlands region of Ontario.
Maple Slurp at Haliburton Forest
Hike through the trails of Haliburton Forest with a guide; following the lines of tapped trees right to the sugar shack.
The Esson Creek Maple Experience
Come for your very own Maple Experience at this modern, family run maple syrup operation and mineral tour company near Wilberforce.
The Art & Syrup of Maple
Experience the world of the maple tree and its bounty with this “sweet” one day adventure in the Haliburton Highlands.
Visiting Maple Farms in Ontario by City
Visiting a maple farm is a must for any maple syrup lover, and there are plenty of great maple farms in Ontario to check out. So why not plan a trip to Ontario and discover the magic of maple syrup for yourself?
Maple Farms and Producers Quick List
Windlee Farms (Midland)
Elliott’s Tree Farm (Drysdale)
Fulton’s Maple Farm Trails & Maple Shop (Pakenham)
Lalonde’s Maple Bush Tours (Elmvale)
Mark’s Muskoka Maple House (Huntsville)
Shaw’s Sugar Bush (Orillia)
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm (Edwards)
Steamy Kettle Sugar Bush (Barrie)
Wheeler’s Maple Syrup Pancake House (Lanark Highlands)
Temple’s Sugar Bush (Lanark)
Wintergreen Maple Syrup & Pancake Barn (Minden)
McLachlan Family Maple Syrup & Pancake House (Komoka)
Proulx Farm Sugar Bush (Cumberland)
Brooks Farms Market Cafe & Playland Maple Sugar Bush (Mount Albert)
Maple Town (Campbellville)
Sugar Bush at the Log Farm (Nepean)
Purple Woods Maple Syrup Self Guided Hike (Oshawa)
Self Guided Sugar Bush Tour & Family Maple Experience (Dunnville)
What’s more, before we conclude this article, here is where you can find information about maple festivals and events in Ontario.
In addition to maple if you’re wondering about general travel advice when traveling to Ontario, check out this page.