As winter winds down and spring arrives, many of us begin to crave sunny mornings with delicious pancakes and maple syrup. If you’re wondering where to find the best maple syrup and pancakes or an authentic Maple Sugar Bush near Barrhaven, Ottawa, whether for online orders or takeaway, this blog has got you covered.
There are several sugar shacks in or near Ottawa where you can join in on the festivities. Some of these places feature outdoor hiking trails where you might see buckets and tubes for collecting sap, as well as farm animals and fun activities for both kids and adults.
Here, I’m sharing some of the best Sugar Shacks near Barrhaven, Ottawa, to help you plan the coming maple season celebrations.
So, without any further ado, let’s delve right in!
When is Maple Syrup Season in or around Barrhaven, Ottawa
Ottawa is often dubbed as the “Maple Capital of Canada,” and for a good reason. The region is known for its abundance of sugar maple trees, which produce high-quality sap used to make maple syrup. The maple syrup season in Barrhaven, Ottawa, usually begins in March and keeps going until the sap stops flowing, which is usually by the end of April. Depending on the weather, some sugar shacks open as early as late February. If you’re looking for the best time to visit Sugar Shacks, mid to late March is a great time. During this time, many sugar shacks offer special weekend festivities, and you’ll also find local and regional maple festivals.
Interesting Maple Syrup Facts
Here are some fascinating maple syrup facts:
- Canada produces 75% of the world’s maple syrup.
- Every year, Ontario generates over a million liters of maple syrup.
- A maple tree takes around 40 years to grow large enough to tap for sap.
- When the temperature reaches 41°F (5°C) during the day and 23°F (-5°C) at night, maple sap starts flowing through the trees.
- It takes about 10.5 gallons (40 liters) of sap to make just 34 ounces (1 liter) of maple syrup.
- When maple syrup is boiled, it becomes sweeter and thicker. If you cool it on snow or ice, it becomes maple taffy, a candy-like treat.
5 Best Sugar Bushes Near Barrhevn, Ottawa, to Celebrate Maple Season
Visiting a sugar bush is a long-held tradition in our region, a perfect activity for families and children. When the weather warms up in late February or early March, the sap begins to flow, and the maple fun begins.
Here are some sugar bushes near Barrhaven, Ottawa!
Temple’s Maple Sugar Bush
Location: 1700 Ferguson Falls Rd, Lanark, ON
Phone: (613) 253-7000
My #1 pick for sugar bushes near Barrhaven, Ottawa, is Temple’s Maple Sugar Bush. It is one of Ottawa’s finest sugarbushes, and it is well worth a short yet lovely drive with your loved ones. It is approximately 47 minutes from Barrhaven, Ottawa, and is only a short drive off Highway #7.
This family-run restaurant has a long history. In 1973, Charles Temple entered the maple syrup business. He began with a borrowed flat pan evaporator,100 borrowed buckets, and no knowledge of maple syrup production. The operation has evolved over time, and they currently have over 5,000 taps and some beautiful old maple trees. They also have a Pancake House between Carleton Place and Perth.
Their maple syrup is available year-round in a variety of sizes and grades. During the syrup season in March and April, their Gift Shop offers a variety of specialty items, including maple syrup, maple granola, buttermilk pancake mix (my personal favorite), cranberry cornbread, maple butter, maple candy, and even maple beer. They even offer gluten-free pancakes. You can dine in a spacious timber frame building with 200 seats.
So, whether you want a delicious spring morning breakfast or brunch with various maple syrups on pancakes, they have it all. You can even order them hot for takeout. Place an order online, or go to Temple’s Maple Sugar Bush.
Proulx Sugar Bush and Berry Farm
Location: 1865 O’Toole Rd., Cumberland, ON
Proulx Sugar Bush and Berry Farm, now in its fourth generation, has been run by the Proulx family since 1920. They’re well-known for their family-friendly events and activities, but the sugar bush is the main attraction every spring when maple season is in full swing. They are located 39 minutes from Barrhaven, Ottawa.
During maple season, families can have a great time at the farm. You can enjoy a self-guided tour of the century-old sugar bush shack and learn how maple syrup is prepared. They offer several delightful treats, like maple cotton candy, maple taffy on snow, and handmade pie. Don’t miss out on their classic pancake breakfast!
The best part? They offer additional perks like food kits, access to the Pancake House, virtual tours, and weekend brunch. You can dine either indoors or outside, and they also provide takeout. If you’re looking for outdoor fun, there’s a petting farm and a large playpark with slides and nature trails to explore.
Don’t forget to stop by the farm shop before you leave. You can stock up on homemade preserves, maple syrup, honey, jams, herbs, seasonal produce, and locally-made products. From March 5 to April 10, Proulx’s Maple Festival is in full swing. And if you’re planning a trip during Easter weekend or Ontario March Break (March 15-17), they’ll also be open.
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
Location: 2452 Yorks Corners Rd., Edwards, ON
Go to Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm to maximize your maple syrup season festivities. This family-owned maple farm, located near Metcalfe, only 30 minutes southeast of Barrhaven, Ottawa, is run traditionally. They use wood-fired evaporators in a log cabin to make their maple syrup.
During your visit, explore the grounds by walking on two miles of trails and see how sap slowly drips from large maple trees. Visitors can take a tractor-drawn trip around areas of the farm and Sugarbush that are not easily accessible on foot. And, of course, a maple trip would be incomplete without a delicious bar of maple taffy. Their Taffy Shack is open all day, offering delicious maple taffy.
You can also say hi to the adorable farm animals before heading into the pancake restaurant for a hearty breakfast. Don’t forget to visit their Farm shop, connected to the original 1850s stone farmhouse. Here, you’ll find many locally manufactured products, such as fresh baked goods, homemade dressings, prepared meals, maple treats, and, of course, fresh maple syrup. They are only open on weekends from March to April.
Call 613-821-2751 for further information.
Fulton’s Sugar Bush and Maple Farm
Location: 399 Sugar Bush Road, Pakenham, ON
Since 1840, Fulton’s Sugar Bush and Maple Shop has been tapping sugar maples, making it one of the most well-known sugar camps. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Barrhaven, Ottawa, and spreads across 400 acres of sugar bush in Lanark County, recognized as the maple capital of Ontario.
During your visit, you’ll learn about the entire maple syrup production process, from tapping the trees to filling the bottles. There are numerous maple-themed things to enjoy, including walking miles of Sugarbush trails, skiing or snowshoeing, a maple museum, and snow-covered maple taffy. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can even take a horse-drawn sleigh ride for $4.
Make a stop at the maple shop before you leave. You can pick up a bottle of pure maple syrup, maple-infused snacks and delights, maple sugar, and even maple bath and body products. They are open from February 19 until April 18. During the off-season, the Maple Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Call 613-256-3867 for further information.
Wheeler’s Pancake House and Sugar Camp
Location: 1001 Highland Line, McDonalds Corners, ON
Wheeler’s Maple Products, with over 20,000 tapped trees, is one of the best sugar bashes for maple syrup season. Visiting Wheeler’s is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is located at a distance of 1 hour from Barrhaven, Ottawa. You can stroll, ski, or snowshoe along their sugar bush trails and observe the 300 km of pipelines that provide maple sap to the Sugar Camp, where it is turned into pure maple syrup. Visit the pancake house for a delicious and hearty brunch, and don’t forget to pick up a bottle of fresh syrup to take home.
After satisfying your taste buds, explore the trails or visit their heritage museum. Here, you’ll find something really unique – it holds the Guinness World Record for the Largest Collection of Maple Syrup Artifacts.
They are open all year from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to visit in the spring, remember that the busiest hours on weekends are usually between 10 am and 1 pm So, whether you’re in the mood for pancakes in the summer or maple syrup in the spring, Wheelers is ready to serve you.
Final Thoughts
So, as maple syrup season approaches, be sure to visit these fantastic sugar bushes near Barrhaven, Ottawa. From watching the sap-to-syrup transformation to exploring nature trails, these sugar bushes bring Canada’s rich maple legacy to life. And, of course, there will be pancakes, taffy on snow, and a variety of maple-infused items.
So, what’s your favorite sugar shack? I’d love to hear about your favorite maple syrup memories. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
