Get out in the sugarbush for a true tree-to-table experience
Visit a Kawarthas Northumberland sugar bush and you’ll be treated to a hearty helping of local flavour and culture. We’ve compiled a few of of our favourite maple producers that offer hands-on sugarbush experiences, but that’s just a taste of what’s on offer—head to our main Maple page for even more maple offerings.
In Warkworth you’ll find Sandy Flat Sugar Bush, one of the areas most popular maple-themed attractions. Time it right and you’ll be able to partake in the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival, which typically takes place in mid-March. During the ‘Fest, you can not only have classic sugar bush experiences like horse-drawn sleigh rides, but also take part in themed activities through the village.
Outside of the festival, Sandy Flat is available for events and weddings. Imagine hosting your wedding at a sugar bush—how sweet would that be?
The owner of Red Mill Maple Syrup, Sebastien Poulin, comes from a long line maple syrup producers—and you can taste the benefit of that experience on a guided tree-tapping experience. This experience includes a snowshoe adventure along scenic winter trails, but Red Mill is open for tours year-round so you can try their signature tasting bar.
If you’ve ever wondered about the exact difference between light and dark varieties, or like the sound of a bourbon barrel-aged syrup, this is a sugar bush you won’t want to miss. Read about our visit to Red Mill here.
The Stewart family has an appealing way of describing the syrup they produce on their farm: “pure sweet goodness with that mild smokey flavour of traditional maple syrup.” You can sample it for yourself on a tour of The Roost, where you’ll be treated to a wagon ride through the early spring landscape. In the sugar bush, you’ll have an opportunity to compare traditional production methods with the science of modern commercial production.
One of the most appealing aspects of visiting The Roost is tailoring your visit. Offerings include group tours, individual tours, and a full DIY maple experience—see their events page for more.
Outside of Maple Weekend, visitors to this Kirkfield farm can call ahead to visit during maple production season for a sugar bush tour and educational demonstration.
Explore this beautiful working farm by exploring the trails, visiting with the sheep, and learning more about homesteading. Contact the owners to coordinate an educational forest walk to learn more about the trees and unique elements of the property.
The Kawarthas Northumberland blog is the place to go for longer stories and additional recommendations. Browse the articles below to find out more about maple in the region.
Maple season arrives this year at a time when people are primed to make the most of local experiences and national pastimes. Tapping trees, boiling syrup, and rolling maple taffy in the snow are annual traditions that can evoke rich, happy memories of Canadian spring—or create new ones for kids on their first trip to
Eliza Braden-Taylor is a cultural interpreter with the Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre. As maple syrup season approaches, we asked Eliza if she could share an Indigenous perspective on the history, meaning, and importance of maple season. She responded with a detailed and thoughtful account of the teachings she has encountered as a member
Check the shelves in a grocery store on either side of the country, and you’ll find plenty of foods that taste exactly the same as they do here in Ontario. So many experiences these days are standardized for consistency, it’s a real thrill to find something uniquely tied to a place and a community. That’s