Sweet Sugar Shacks near Ottawa to Celebrate Maple Syrup Season
As signs of spring start to emerge after a long Canadian winter, the sweetest time of year begins; maple syrup season. As temperatures start to creep above freezing, and the sap begins to flow, sugar shacks near Ottawa come out of hibernation, and come alive with fun maple-themed events and activities.
Indulge in a traditional sugar shack meal in a cozy pancake house, learn about the maple syrup production process, explore dreamy sugar bush trails, enjoy maple taffy on snow, and take part in fun family activities including horse drawn sled rides, petting farms and play areas. Maple season doesn’t last long, so plan your visit to one of Ottawa’s nearby maple sugar shacks before the sap runs dry.
When is Maple Syrup Season in the Ottawa Region
Maple syrup season starts as the spring thaw begins, and temperatures rise above freezing. Sap generally begins to flow in early March, and usually continues to the end of April. Many sugar shacks near Ottawa open in early March, while those with pancake houses may open in late February. Mid-March is generally when you’ll find special events and festivals to celebrate maple season – perfectly timed with March Break. We recommend planning a visit in mid to late March to catch the best of maple season.
Ottawa Sugar Shacks
Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm
One of the most popular maple sugar bushes in the region, located near the village of Metcalfe, Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm is a family-owned farm making maple syrup the traditional way.
Explore 2km of walking trails around the sugar bush, watch as sap slowly flows from giant maples, then learn the process of how sap turns to syrup using wood-fired evaporators in a rustic log cabin. Stanley’s offers hearty maple-infused breakfasts in their pancake house, as well as horse-drawn wagon/sled rides, adorable farm animals, maple taffy on snow, and a fully-stocked Farm Shop.
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 30 min
Pancake house: Yes
Proulx Sugar Bush and Berry Farm
A fourth-generation family-owned farm, Proulx Farm has been an expert in the maple syrup business since 1920. Visit the century-old sugar bush, take a self-guided tour to learn the maple syrup production process, sample maple cotton candy, maple taffy on snow, homemade pie, or indulge in a full classic pancake breakfast in their cozy pancake house.
The fun also goes beyond the maple syrup, with tons of family-friendly activities including an outdoor play park, slides, and animal petting farm, perfect to help run-off that maple sugar rush.
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 25 min
Pancake house: Yes
Museopark Vanier – Vanier Sugar Shack
A unique sugar shack located just minutes from downtown Ottawa, Museopark Vanier is the only urban maple sugar shack in Canada. Established in 1939, this 17.5-acre sugar bush has kept the art of maple syrup production alive, staying true to its francophone roots, right in the heart of Ottawa.
Visit the sugar shack from mid-February to late April for traditional dishes from local producers, take a stroll through the sugar bush, and join the Vanier Sugar Festival in late March for music, kids activities, maple taffy on snow, and fun maple-themed fun.
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 15 min by car or bus (route #20 from Rideau St)
Pancake house: Yes
Special events: Vanier Sugar Festival – late March, 2026 dates TBC
The Log Farm
Just west of downtown Ottawa, the Log Farm is a working farm with a charming pioneer vibe, and a great place for family fun. Take a tour of the farmhouse and see what life was like in the 1860s, collect maple sap and see how maple syrup is made, enjoy some sweet maple taffy on snow, and meet the adorable farm animals just waiting to be pet.
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 20 min
Pancake house: No
Lanark County - Sugar Shacks West of Ottawa
Wheeler’s Maple
Located in the heart of Lanark County, Wheeler’s Maple is a powerhouse on the maple syrup scene, and is one of the largest maple syrup producers in Ontario. With over 20,000 tapped trees, this family-owned business has a strong history in the maple syrup industry, with their land being used for maple syrup production since the 1820’s.
Take a stroll through the sugar bush and explore the 300 km of pipeline used to transport maple sap to the Sugar Camp, then head inside to see where it is collected, boiled and made into the sticky good stuff. Enjoy a hardy brunch in their cozy pancake house, and don’t miss Wheeler’s maple syrup museum, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of maple syrup artifacts in the world!
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 1hr 15min
Pancake house: Yes
Temple’s Sugar Bush
A family-owned maple farm with over 70 acres of maple trees and almost 5,000 taps, Temple’s Sugar Bush is a buzzing with activity during maple season. Explore the working sugar bush with a stroll on the Sugar Bush Trail, then dig into a stack of buttermilk pancakes drizzled in liquid gold in their rustic timber-frame pancake house. Be sure to stop by the farm shop to bring home a jug of maple syrup, maple butter, maple granola, and even maple beer!
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 55 min
Pancake house: Yes
Fulton's Sugar Bush and Maple Shop
One of the most well-known sugar camps in the Ottawa region, Fulton’s Sugar Bush and Maple Shop has been tapping maples since 1840. With over 400 acres of sugar bush, and 8km of beautiful trails to explore by foot, snowshoe, or ski, it’s a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon.
Learn the basics of maple syrup production from tap to table, visit the Maple Museum, and pick up a wide range of maple products like maple sugar, maple bath and body care, maple cookies and candies, and pure liquid gold, made onsite.
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 55 min
Pancake house: No
Sugar Shacks north of Ottawa -Outaouais Region, Quebec
Domaine de l'Ange-Gardien
A well-known sugar shack, or “cabane à sucre”, just north of Ottawa in Quebec, Domaine de L’Ange Gardien keeps Quebecois maple traditions alive and well. Learn about the syrup-making process, enjoy hayrides, and walking trails, and bring your snowpants for their amazing snow tubing park complete with 8 different slides and tow lift.
A highlight of any visit is the traditional sugar shack meal, and we suggest you come hungry. Indulge in pancakes, sausage, maple ham, French-Canadian pea soup, baked beans, sugar pie, maple taffy and classic crispy and sinful “Oreilles de crisse”.
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 30 min
Pancake house: Yes
La Sucrerie du Terroir
One of the liveliest places to celebrate maple season is at la Sucrerie de Terroir. Bursting with heritage and tradition, this is the place to go to immerse yourself in a true Quebecois sugar shack experience.
Dine in the cozy wooden cabin, complete with rustic décor and servers adorned in period clothing. Then be ready to devour an all-you can eat feast including pancakes, Mountaineer pea soup, maple pork tenderloin, creton, bacon rinds, omelets, fresh-baked bread, maple mouse tarts and more. As an added bonus, you’ll also get all you can eat maple taffy on snow, and all you can eat roasted marshmallows on weekends.
While most people come for brunch, maple sugar shacks aren’t just for daytime in Quebec! Join in a sugar shack dinner and show event with live musical entertainment, bring your own wine or beer, and see how Quebecers celebrate maple season in la belle province!
Distance from downtown Ottawa: 30 min
Pancake house: Yes
