10 Maple Syrup Farms in Ontario You Can Bring Your Dog To
Ontario is home to some of the most amazing maple syrup farms. In the early spring, there’s nothing better than visiting a dog-friendly maple syrup farm and sugar bush trail in Ontario. Many of these are perfect for a family or group outing and some will even offer dog-friendly guided tours too!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your furry friend and be sure to visit one of these 10 dog-friendly maple syrup farms in Ontario today!
Looking for more dog-friendly road trip ideas? You might like some of these articles as well:
- Are Dogs Allowed at Scarborough Bluffs?
- Hounds Of Erie Winery: The Most Dog-Friendly Winery In The Norfolk County
- Is McCormack Trail the prettiest hiking trail in Hamilton?
General Dog Guidelines When Visiting a Dog-Friendly Maple Syrup Farm in Ontario
If you plan on visiting any of these properties, please remember to follow these general guidelines to ensure that many more furry four-legged friends can appreciate these farms as well:
- Contact the farm ahead of time and notify them that you will be bringing a dog with you – many of these spaces are privately owned and their pet policies are subject to change at any time
- Keep your dog on a leash during your visit unless otherwise stated by the property owners
- Bring your dog poop bags, pick up after your pets, and pack the poop out with you or dispose of it in a disposal bin. Dog poop is NOT a fertilizer and contains many harmful bacteria and parasites that are not safe for the maple trees and the general public
- Be aware of the dog restrictions as many maple syrup farm tours will take you near food or indoor processing facilities. Know that if you book a tour, you will either need to skip these parts of the tour, or have another friend or family stay outside with your dog during that part of the tour
Map of Dog-Friendly Maple Syrup Farms in Ontario
Here is a map of the 10 dog-friendly maple syrup farms in Ontario:
10 Maple Syrup Farms in Ontario You Can Bring Your Dog To
1. Fortune Farms
Website: Fortune Farms
Address: 2442 Wolf Grove Rd
When is the farm open to the public?
- Daily 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM between March and April
- Opening and Closing dates dependent on the weather for maple syrup – for 2022 camp is predicted to be open March 12, 2022
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times
Key Features:
- 3 different trail pathways
- Weekends: You can experience and taste the whole range of maple syrup making from pioneer method, traditional, to modern syrup making
2. Elliott Tree Farm
Website: Elliott Tree Farm
Address: 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Hillsburgh, ON N0B 1Z0
When is the farm open to the public?
- Tickets and Advanced Booking Required
- Saturdays and Sundays between February and April (check website for specific dates)
- For 2022:
- February 26, 2022 – April 10, 2022
- 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM OR 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM time slots
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times
Key Features:
- All you can eat pancakes with pure maple syrup and a side of sausage and bacon and a beverage with juice or water at the Heritage Barn after Tour
- Guided tour of sap buckets, evaporating sap, to syrup
- Making maple toffee
- Maple sugar candy tasting
- Horse visits
3. Wheelers Maple
Website: Wheelers Maple
Address: 1001 Highland Line, McDonalds Corners
When is the farm open to the public?
- By reservation only
- 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Thursday – Sundays between March and April
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times
- Respectful of farm animals and other guests on property
Key Features:
- Resident farm animals (sheep, alpacas, a miniature horse,
- Museums onsite
- Maple Heritage Museum (Guinness World Record Holder for Largest Collection of Maple Syrup Artifacts)
- Logging and Chainsaw Display
- All-Day Breakfast at the Pancake House – reservations recommended and service animals only for indoor dining
- 5 trails on the grounds with features including:
- outdoor maple displays
- a teepee and
- an original 1936 sugar shack
- Playground with swings, tube slide, and zip line
4. Trillium Ridge Sugarworks / MahKwan Kadeek
Website: Trillium Ridge Sugarworks / MahKwan Kadeek
Address: 254 Maple Sugar Rd, Shannonville, ON K0K 3A0
When is the farm open to the public?
- Call ahead or email ahead recommended for pancake breakfast and tour
- Daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM between 1st Saturday of March to 1st Sunday of April
Dog Restrictions:
- Note: German Shepherd onsite
- Recommended to call ahead if bringing a dog – Off-Leash possible if your dog gets along with their dog and is well behaved – otherwise on leash recommended
Key Features:
- Past winners of the Grand Champion Reserve at the Royal Winter Fair
- Sugarbush trails
- Weekend pancake brunches (all you can eat pancakes) from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM during maple season
- Limited mobility accessible
- Open for school tours and scout camping
5. Bata Maple Sugar Bush
Website: Bata Maple Sugar Bush
Address: 254 Bata Road, Quinte West, Ontario, Canada
When is the farm open to the public?
- March
- Please call or contact them on the website for availability and tours before visiting
Dog Restrictions:
- Note: 2 dogs on-site
- Must be on a leash at all times
- Please keep dogs away from the sugar shack
Key Features:
- Groups and school tours welcome to tour the grounds and visit the sugar shack
- Maple Syrup products to purchase
- Over 1,200 taps onsite
6. Hoover’s Maple Syrup
Website: Hoover’s Maple Syrup
Address: 5896 Line 78, Atwood, ON N0G 1B0
When is the farm open to the public?
- Tours must be booked ahead via phone or email – especially with a furry family member
- Saturday and Sundays between Family Day to the 3rd weekend of April
- Open most days during the week of March Break
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times – note: wildlife like bunnies, deer, and raccoons are onsite
- Furry children are not allowed in the building and facilities where syrup is made
Key Features:
- Ontario Certified Organic Maple Syrup
- Sugarbush trail walk
- Learn how maple syrup is made
- Part of the Harvest Hosts® – The Unique RVing Experience – RVers from all around can come and set up for a unique experience on the maple syrup farm! There is no charge to stay overnight and all bookings will need to be approved through the Harvest Host website.
7. Beaver Valley Maple
Website: Beaver Valley Maple
Address: The Beautiful Beaver Valley, Grey Highlands, Ontario (message for exact address for a tour)
When is the farm open to the public?
- Year-round – tour request required for availability
- Recommended to book via email for an in-season tour
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times – sugar bush tour only
Key Features:
- Organic Maple Syrup
- 3 tours available – tasting included in each tour:
- Sugarbush tour through the Niagara Escarpment forests
- Old fashioned sugar shack (not dog-friendly)
- Modern maple syrup facility (not dog-friendly)
8. Temple’s Sugar Bush
Website: Temple’s Sugar Bush
Address: 1700 Ferguson’s Falls Road, (County Road #15), Lanark ON, K0G 1K0
When is the farm open to the public?
- Year round – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times – sugarbush/nature trail only
Key Features:
- Pancake Breakfast during maple syrup season (March 5 to April 24 for 2022)
- Authentic two hundred seat timber frame building
- Nature Trails through forests and gardens
- Home to country wedding venue – Temple’s Country Wedding
9. Wintergreen Maple Products
Website: Wintergreen Maple Products
Address: 3325 Gelert Road, Minden, ON
When is the farm open to the public?
- Weekends -9:00 AM – 4:00 PM between March and April
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be on a leash at all times – sugarbush/nature trail only
Key Features:
- Timber-framed barn
- Indoor view of maple syrup facilities through the glass wall of the La Sucrerie Restaurant
- Purchase frozen waffles, pancakes, French toast, and sausages and have a Wintergreen breakfast at home
- Self-guided tours available
10. Bella Hill Maple
Website: Bella Hill Maple Syrup
Address: 47 Bella Hill Rd, Powassan, ON P0H 1Z0, Canada
When is the farm open to the public?
- Weekends -9:00 AM – 4:00 PM between March and April
Dog Restrictions:
- Must be well-behaved and friendly – on-leash at all times
Key Features:
- Golden retriever onsite that loves other dogs
- Sugar shack tour and .5 KM trail available
Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Syrup Farms in Ontario and Dogs
1. When is Maple Syrup Season in Ontario?
Maple syrup season in Ontario is between February and April of each year. Most producers start tapping maple trees when the temperatures dip below zero at night and rise above zero in the day.
2. Is Maple Syrup Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Yes, maple syrup is dog-friendly – meaning that your dog can eat maple syrup in small quantities without any adverse effects. Maple syrup is not toxic or dangerous to dogs. However, much like other treats, this should only be fed in small quantities as maple syrup is not a significant source of nutritional benefits for dogs.
3. Can Dogs have Sugar-Free Maple Syrup?
If you’re visiting a maple syrup farm, chances are you won’t be looking for sugar-free maple syrup! But I’ve included this question just in case as a PSA to all dog owners that not all syrups are safe for dogs to consume.
Be careful before providing your dog with any form of syrups with artificial sweeteners (including sugar-free maple syrup). Some sugar-free syrup substitutes contain xylitol which is extremely toxic to dogs. When dogs ingest xylitol, it can cause severe liver failure and other significant health issues. This article written by Dr. Justine Lee (board certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist and toxicologist in Minneapolis) for Pet Health Network, is a great article to read if you’re curious about the side effects of xylitol poisoning.
Note: Other Sugar-free ingredients like sorbitol, maltitol, erythritol are not poisonous or toxic to dogs.
Conclusion to Maple Syrup Farms in Ontario You Can Bring Your Dog To
Although many maple syrup farms in Ontario have a no pets policy, there are still plenty of farms that would love to have you visit with your dog.
Hopefully with this list in hand, you’ll ready to pursue a fun sugar bush trail walk with your dog this Spring!
If you’re interested in seeing the research done to find these dog-friendly maple syrup farms, be sure to check out my “Which Maple Syrup Farms in Ontario Are Dog-Friendly?” where I list out all 31 Maple Syrup Farms and Maple Syrup Festivals used to create this summary blog post.
