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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Planning a road trip through Alberta? Steal my 6-day itinerary, it’s packed with epic views, and once-in-a-lifetime stops. 🚗🏔️
I flew in and out from Calgary and explored the Rockies for a little less than a week. Here’s how it all breaks down:
📍 Day 1 – Kananaskis
Quiet hikes, glamping, and peaceful mountain vibes far from the crowds
❄️ Day 2 – Icefields Parkway + Columbia Icefield Adventure
One of the most scenic drives in Canada + a glacier walk you’ll never forget
🦌 Days 3 & 4 – Jasper National Park
Canyons, lakes, wildlife, and so many underrated gems
🏞️ Days 5 & 6 – Banff National Park
Classics for a reason!
💾 Save this post if Alberta’s on your bucket list — and head to the blog for the full itinerary, map, and all my tips!
Which stop would you be most excited to visit?
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires! ⬇️
#AlbertaRoadTrip #TravelAlberta #ExploreCanada #Kananaskis #ColumbiaIcefield #IcefieldsParkway #JasperNationalPark #BanffNationalPark #CanadaItinerary #AlbertaAdventure #RockyMountainRoadTrip
I’m manifesting that by the end of today…
the person you send this Reel to will say:
“Okay fine, let’s book it.”
Back Forty Glamping =
✨ Beautiful domes
🔥 A private hot tub with nature views
🌲 A forest sauna you will stay in too long
🌌 And the kind of stargazing that makes your phone camera give up
This place is made for weekend escapes, slow mornings, and that “can we just stay one more night?” kind of feeling.
💫 Send this to your go-to adventure buddy — and let the manifesting begin.
Who would you bring with you?
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
*invited stay*
#BackFortyGlamping #OntarioGetaways #GlampingCanada #UniqueStaysOntario #ManifestThatTrip #ExploreOntario #ForestGetaway #WeekendEscapeVibes
Banff gets all the attention… but if you’re craving something quieter and just as beautiful, head to Kananaskis. 🏔️✨
This lesser-known corner of the Rockies is packed with stunning trails, peaceful drives, and mountain views you don’t have to share with busloads of tourists.
Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Kananaskis:
• Stay in a cozy mountain cabin at Skyridge Glamping
• Grab coffee in Canmore
• Hike to the unreal turquoise waters of Grassi Lake
• Drive the wild and winding Smith-Dorrien Trail
• Chase waterfalls at Troll Falls
• Stop at Mt. Lorette Pond for a quiet moment by the water
💾 Save this itinerary if you’re planning an Alberta road trip and tag someone you’d love to bring along.
What would you add to a perfect day in Kananaskis? Drop your recs below ⬇️
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
#Kananaskis #ExploreAlberta #HiddenGemsCanada #AlbertaItinerary #CanadianRockies #GrassiLake #TrollFalls #SkyridgeGlamping #SmithDorrienTrail #NatureEscapeCanada #glacierviewsandgoodvibes
If you’re craving a summer getaway that’s equal parts charming, relaxing, and lowkey underrated… meet Southampton. 🌊☀️
Just down the road from Sauble Beach, this little Lake Huron town has everything you need for the perfect beach day : cozy stays, great brunch, boutique shopping, and yes, one of the best sunset spots in Ontario.
📍 Stay: a retro-modern motel with a sauna and serious design goals
🍳 Eat: local brunch spots that fill up for a reason
🏖️ Do: shop small and local on High Street and have the perfect beach day (swings included!)
🌅 End the day: with your toes in the sand watching that golden hour roll in
💾 Save this if you’re looking for a new summer escape in Ontario and tag someone who’s overdue for a road trip.
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
*Invited stay*
#SouthamptonOntario #OntarioBeachTowns #ExploreOntario #LakeHuronSunset #HiddenGemsOntario #SummerInOntario #BeachWeekendVibes #OntarioGetaways #TravelOntario
Looking for wide beaches, peaceful trails, and sunsets that make you stop mid-sentence? ☀️🌊
Pinery Provincial Park has all of that, and it’s one of the most beautiful places to slow down in Southern Ontario.
Located on the shores of Lake Huron, Pinery is perfect for a day trip or a weekend escape filled with sand, sun, and forest walks.
✨ Why visit Pinery this summer:
• 10 km of sandy beaches with warm, swimmable water 🏖️
• Some of the best sunsets in Ontario (seriously) 🌅
• Easy, photogenic trails like Cedar, Nipissing & Riverside 🌲
• Paddle or spot turtles along the Old Ausable Channel 🐢
• Camp, bike, picnic, or just… do nothing (it’s that kind of place)
It’s the kind of park that makes summer feel slower and better.
💾 Save this guide for your next Ontario park day.
Have you been to Pinery? Drop your favourite trail or memory below ⬇️
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#PineryProvincialPark #OntarioParks #LakeHuronVibes #ExploreOntario #OntarioBeaches #SummerInOntario #HiddenGemsOntario #BeachHikeRepeat #NatureEscapeCanada
