Nestled near the Beaver Valley River near the quaint village of Kimberley, Beaver Valley is still off the beaten path, but not for much longer. If you’re looking for recommendations of what to do in Beaver Valley, this curated itinerary features my top picks for what to do and where to stay to make the best of your visit.
If Beaver Valley was not on your radar before, I’m sure it is now that The June Motel has made it the home for it’s newest baby. Since it’s opening in the Spring of 2024, Beaver Valley has become one of the new hot spots to visit in Ontario. But new destinations means that if you google “What to do in Beaver Valley”, you won’t find much… yet.
So why is Beaver Valley worth a visit? The June Motel in and itself is worth the trip. But more than that, Beaver Valley is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers a perfect nature gateway in all seasons. With a ski hill in the Winter and numerous hiking trails in the summer, it is definitely going to please the outdoors lovers out there.
Beaver Valley is also the perfect base to explore the Georgian Bay. You a short drive away from places like Blue Mountain, Collingwood and Thornbury.
I’ve put together this itinerary to help you hit all the highlights, taste the best food, and make the most of your time here.
YOUR ULTIMATE WEEKEND GUIDE TO BEAVER VALLEY
What to know before visiting Beaver Valley?
- Beaver Valley is located in southern Ontario, Canada, at the southern end of Georgian Bay.
- It’s a thriving agricultural region, known for producing a large share of Canada’s apple crop.
It’s located 2 hours from Toronto, 6 hours from Ottawa and 2 hours and a half from London. - The main towns in the valley are Flesherton at the south end, Kimberley, and Thornbury.
- If you are a hiker the Bruce Trail winds around the edge of the valley, taking hikers past notable natural landmarks such as Old Baldy, the Duncan Crevice Caves, and Eugenia Falls.
- In the Winter, it is home to the Beaver Valley Ski Club.
Where to Stay?
I’ve already mentioned it in the intro, but I’m almost 100% that if you are visiting Beaver Valley you will be staying at the very new June Motel. Am I right?
The June Motel is the dream of two best friends, April and Sarah, who, in 2016, left everything behind to purchase their first rundown motel in Prince Edward County. Since then, they’ve become household names in Ontario and even got their own Netflix series, Motel Makeover which documented the renovation of their second location in Sauble Beach. In the Spring of 2024, they opened their third motel in Beaver Valley.
Situated amidst nature along the Beaver River, this motel has 8 rooms all uniquely decorated. Each room has a king bed, robes and a full bathroom with shower.
On site, you also have access to the Parlour with stone fire place and tables, a studio perfectly equiped for all of your yoga sessions, a large patio with two fire pits and a barrel sauna. A small breakfast – cakes and coffee – is served every morning between 7am and 10am. And in the evening, you can serve yourself to their S’mores kits!
Travel Tip // Unlike traditional hotels, there is no staff present on site (except for the maintenance crew that comes every day). For your check-in you will need to text the number given with your reservation and they will give you the code to enter your room and the Parlour. Someone is always available to answer any of your question via text.
THE DETAILS
Where | Find The June Motel Beaver Valley here on google map.
Price | 380$ a night (sleeps 2)
Reservations | Book your room here.
What to do in and around Beaver Valley
Hike to the Old Baldy Lookout
Located just 5 minutes from the Motel, Old Baldy Conservation Area is an absolute must do if you love hiking. The lookout is absolutely stunning! It quickly took a top spot in my favorite Ontario lookouts.
Read More // Top 11 Best Lookouts in Ontario
Travel Tip // The trails are dog friendly, but all dog must be on leash.
THE DETAILS
Where | The trail heads are located on Sideroad 7B. Find it here on google map.
Parking | There is a parking lot at the trail head. The fee is 10$ + Tax. Pay with your phone (no cash).
Difficulty | The trail is easy to moderate depending on your fitness level.
Trail | You can find the trail details here.
Do a Kayak Tour
Free Spirit Tours offers many paddling tours and guided tours around Beaver Valley. If you want to experience the best of Beaver Valley, they offer 1 to 5 hours kayak tours on the Beaver River. These tours are perfect for everyone, from beginners to more advanced paddlers.
Travel Tip // If you want to mix adventure with good food, they offer an Apple Pie Trail Paddle which includes a 1 hours paddle on the Beaver River followed by a drive to Georgian Hill Vineyards to taste different wines and snacks.
THE DETAILS
Where | You meet at the Free Spirit Tours base Find it here on google map.
When | The kayak tours run from mid-May to mid-October
Price | The kayak tours start at 40$ per person
Reservations | Make your reservation here.
Check out Euginia Falls
Euginia Falls is tallest waterfall in the area . It drops 30 meters from the edge of the Niagara Escarpment into the bottom of Cuckoo Valley. Discovered in 1852, the falls got their name from Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III of France.
The lookout for the Falls is just a few steps away from the parking lot through a large gravel path. Unfortunately, access to the the bottom of the falls is prohibited, but you still get to them from a distance.
Travel Tip // The parking is closed during the Winter but walking in the Conservation Area is still permitted.
THE DETAILS
Where | Find it here on google map.
Price | 10$ + tax per car (no cash)
Visit a winery, a brewery or a cidery (or all of the above!)
You might be surprised (or not!) to learn that there are a lot of wineries, breweries and cideries in and around Beaver Valley.
Here are a few names to keep in mind for your visit:
Wineries : The Roost Winery, Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery, Georgian Hill Vineyards
Breweries : Still Fields Brewery, Mudtown Station, Neustadt Springs Brewery, Black Bellows, Maclean’s Beer
Cidery : Spy Distillery, Windswept Ciders, Greygold Cider Company
Foodie break // For those with a sweet tooth, try the homemade pies at Blackbird Pie Company.
Travel Tip // The Grey County Tourism Board, has crafted 3 bike routes that will bring you to different wineries and cideries. One of the route is specifically for Beaver Valley.
Where to eat?
Believe it or not, Beaver Valley is also a great foodie destination! Here are some of my favorites:
Hearts | This is definitely the most popular spot in Kimberley. It was actually named “Canada’s Top New Restaurants in 2022” by Enroute Magazine (Air Canada’s magazine).
Justin’s Oven | Next door to the Hearts, you’ll find Justin’s Oven. They make a ginormous bison burgers and they serve fire oven pizza every Friday.
Good Grief | A cute coffee shot in Thornbury
Bento Taco | Located a bit further in Collingwood, I’ve heard from good sources that these are some of the best tacos out there!
Gibson & Company | Also in Collingwood, this is a coffee shop that serves delicious sandwiches (try the smoked trout sandwich… trust me!).
* P.S. I was invited The June Motel, but all opinions (and obsessions) are 100% mine!”
Travel Photo Tip!
How to achieve this warm golden hour look in 5 easy steps
- Warm up the photo by increasing the temperature for golden tone.
- Brighten the shadows to reveal more details in darker areas.
- Boost the vibrance to make the colors pop, especially the greens and yellows.
- Add contrast to enhance the depth, making the darks darker and the lights brighter.
- Finally, apply a soft vignette to subtly focus attention on the subject.
Check out my Instagram page for more photography tips and don’t forget tag me if you try these tips on your own photos!
READ THESE BEFORE VISITING MORE OF ONTARIO
ONTARIO GUIDES | The Ultimate Fall Weekend in Calabogie; The Best In and Around Niagara Falls : A Complete Guide; How to spend the Perfect Weekend in Bracebridge
ONTARIO TOP 10 | Top 11 Best Lookouts in Ontario
WHERE TO STAY IN ONTARIO | Tiny Stays: A Unique Stay in Prince Edward County; Spend the night with Alpacas at Haute Goat Farm
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Did you know you could stay in a treehouse right here in Ontario?
Nestled near Minden, Ontario, The Baltic by @fort_treehouse_co offers just that—a fairytale retreat for two, perched amidst the whispering pines of the Haliburton Highlands.
As a kid, I dreamed of having my own treehouse. One with a ladder to climb, secret corners to hide in, and branches swaying around me like a storybook scene.
But growing up in the city, that dream always felt a little out of reach—more imaginary than real.
Now, as an adult, I finally found it. My dream treehouse.
Not in some faraway forest, but right here in the heart of Ontario.
The Baltic is everything little me imagined and then some: a cozy loft bed with forest views, a fireplace that fills the space with warmth and flickering light, and the most peaceful cedar hot tub tucked away in the woods. It’s off-grid, quiet, and somehow still full of magic.
If you’ve been dreaming of a treehouse stay in Ontario, this one’s for you. ✨
Save this post for your next romantic getaway or solo escape into the woods.
*Invited Stay*
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#FortTreehouseCo #TreehouseStayOntario #TheBalticTreehouse #OntarioGetaways #UniqueStaysCanada #HaliburtonHighlands #OffGridRetreat #CozyCabinsOntario #RomanticGetawayOntario #TreehouseVibes #OntarioCabinStay #NatureEscape #BucketListStays #exploreontario
Plot twist: went on a ski trip… and kind of learned to ski?? 🫣
Spent the weekend at @calabogiepeaks and it was the perfect girls’ winter getaway—even for someone who’s more après-ski than ski itself…
✨ bunny hill ski lessons with the most patient instructor (shoutout Bruce)
✨ snowshoeing down the Ole K&P trail
✨ spicy Caesars and snowy views
We stayed right at the Calabogie Peaks Resort Hotel—literally steps from the slopes and trails. Whether you’re skiing, snowshoeing, or just in it for the vibes, it’s the perfect base for an Ontario ski trip.
The moral of this story? You don’t have to be a pro skier to plan a weekend getaway at Calabogie Peaks Resort!
Save this for your next adventure in the Ottawa Valley 🏔️
‼️ Calabogie Peaks just closed for the season but the resort is still open! Stay tuned for summer hiking!!
*invited stay*
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#CalabogiePeaks #OntarioWinterGetaway #SkiOntario #GirlsWeekendTrip #CalabogieResort #WinterInOntario #WeekendGetaway #SnowshoeOntario #SkiTripVibes #ApresSkiClub #BunnyHillAdventures
There are places you dream about for so long, you start to wonder if they’ll ever live up to the picture you’ve painted in your mind. For me, the Amalfi Coast was one of those places.
The winding roads, lemon-scented air, and colorful cliffside villages—I’d imagined it all a hundred times. But visiting solo in March, without a car, came with a few surprises. Ferries weren’t running, buses were few and far between, and I realized seeing everything I wanted might be trickier than I thought.
So I did something I rarely do when I travel solo: I joined a guided day tour with @getyourguide . And honestly? It was the best decision. I got to explore Positano, Amalfi, Ravello—and take in the coast from all angles, without the stress of figuring it out on my own.
Swipe through for a glimpse of one of Italy’s dreamiest regions—yes, even in the off-season, the Amalfi Coast is pure magic.
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#AmalfiCoast #ItalyTravel #SoloTravel #WomenWhoTravel #Positano #Amalfi #Ravello #SpringInItaly #CoastalViews #TravelItaly #GetYourGuidePartner
Welcome to the third edition of my “Why cross the border when Ontario has this?” series—this time, we’re exploring Thousand Islands, Ontario.
Located along the St. Lawrence River, this region has been a go-to tourist destination since the 1800s. But you don’t need to leave Canada to enjoy its beauty—the Canadian side is just as magical.
Here’s the perfect Thousand Islands itinerary on the Ontario side:
🛶 Paddle through quiet island channels by kayak
🍳 Grab brunch at Lavern’s Eatery in Gananoque
🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride for incredible views
🚢 Hop on a Thousand Islands cruise past castles and cottages
🥾 Hike to the lookout at Landon Bay for epic river views
🗼 Go up the Thousand Islands Tower for a 360° panorama
🍻 End the day with a local beer or cider tasting at Arbru Brewery or BUSL Cider
⛺ Stay overnight in a Parks Canada O’TENTik tent (some are on private islands!)
If you’re looking for things to do in Thousand Islands, this getaway has it all—nature, views, cozy stays, and local food + drinks.
➡️ What Ontario destination should I do next? Drop your suggestions below! ⬇️
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#ThousandIslandsOntario #OntarioTravel #GananoqueOntario #CanadaRoadTrip #ExploreOntario #ThingsToDoInOntario #WeekendGetaway #SoloTravelCanada #OntarioAdventure #ThousandIslandsCruise #LandonBay #ParksCanada #OntarioHikes #WhyCrossTheBorder
You know that feeling when you say “I need this” and it’s not some big luxury resort or five-step itinerary… it’s just a quiet dome in the woods, a good book, and absolutely no one asking you to circle back on that email. Yeah. That.
The Birchwood Luxury Glamping is that escape. If you’re looking for glamping near Toronto, this luxury dome stay is less than an hour away—tucked into a private forest on Scugog Island. This dreamy geodome comes with everything you need to truly unwind:
🛁 Private hot tub under the stars
🔥 Indoor fireplace
🪕 Record player
🚿 Outdoor shower (seasonal)
🍳 Fully equipped kitchenette
📺 TV + WiFi if you want it
🌿 Peace + cozy vibes guaranteed
Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or solo escape, this dome getaway in Ontario is the definition of slow, mindful travel—without going far.
📍Scugog Island, ON
🚗 1 hour from Toronto
Dreaming of your next escape? Hit save—this one deserves a spot on your bucket list.
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#BirchwoodLuxuryGlamping #GlampingNearToronto #OntarioGlamping #UniqueStaysOntario #OntarioDomeStay #GlampingCanada #SoloGetaway #RomanticGetawayOntario #DomeLife #WeekendReset #StayHereNext
