Tapped In – CAA North & East Ontario

Tapped In

By Laura Hensley

Canada is the proud producer of the majority of the world’s maple syrup. In 2020, we produced 14.3 million gallons—an increase from 2019’s record year of 13.2 million gallons. And it’s not just for export. Visiting a maple tree farm to see first-hand how this golden syrup is made is a sweet weekend activity, too. The prime time is from February to mid-April, and these six sugar shacks will not disappoint.

Wheelers Maple

Wheelers Maple Sugar Bush in Lanark Highlands, Ontario

The family-owned Wheelers Maple has been tapping trees since 1978. In 1996, they built a pancake house, which sits in the middle of a 730-acre forest in the Lanark Highlands. Aside from being one of the largest sugar bushes in Ontario, with 20,000 trees, it also boasts an on-site museum. The Wheelers Maple Heritage Museum is home to more than 5,000 items that pay homage to Canada’s maple sugaring history, including serving jugs and sap spouts. The expansive collection holds the Guinness World Record for the Largest Collection of Maple Syrup Artifacts. Wheelersmaple.com

Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush

Fulton's Pancake House and Sugar Bush in Pakenham, Ontario

The Fulton brothers started tapping maples in 1840 on their farm in Pakenham, Ont., located less than an hour from Ottawa. Generations later, members of the family, including Shirley Fulton-Deugo (pictured), are still producing maple syrup—some from trees that are more than 200 years old. Today, the 400-acre sugar bush has evolved into a site where guests can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. You can take home such goodies as maple shea butter, snow maple tea, Madawaska maple coffee and, of course, organic maple syrup. Fultons.ca

Érablière du Lac-Beauport

Erabliere du Lac-Beauport Sugar Bush outside Quebec City, Quebec

Just outside Quebec City is one of the province’s most famous sugar bushes. The family-run destination is home to two small museums: one is devoted to the history and evolution of the maple industry, and the other focuses on animals native to the province, such as black bears, moose and coyotes. Guests can tuck into a traditional sugar bush meal that includes French Canadian pea soup, maple-flavoured brown beans with pork, meat pie and maple taffy in the snow. Erablierelacbeauport.com

Trites Maples

Trites Maples Sugar Bush in Stilesville, New Brunswick

Family-owned and operated since about 1900, Trites Maples is located in Stilesville, N.B. Today, the family carries on the tradition of tapping pure maple syrup from the same trees as previous generations. Tritesmaples.ca

Sucrerie de la Montagne

Sucreie de la Montagne Sugar Bush in Riguad, Quebec

Unlike most sugar bushes, which are open seasonally, Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud, Que., is open year-round. The sugar shack is a designated Quebec heritage site that is nestled in the middle of a 120-acre forest. Sucreriedelamontagne.com

Dumfries Maples

Dumfries Maples Sugar Bush in Saint John River Valley, New Brunswick

Located in the Saint John River Valley in New Brunswick, Dumfries Maples has grown from a private hobby sugar bush to a commercial operation. Visitors can now come to the farm to enjoy fresh syrup, maple butter, candy and maple cream, all produced on-site. Guests can also sample taffy in the snow and enjoy a pancake breakfast in the cookhouse. Dumfriesmaples.ca

Ready to Explore

CAA Travel Consultants can help you plan and book a trip to experience tapping a maple tree first-hand. Plus, they can make sure you have the right travel insurance to help protect your trip. When you’re ready to travel again, contact a CAA Travel Consultant or call 1-800-267-8713.