Maple syrup is a sign that Spring has arrived in New Brunswick. There are sugar shacks all around the province that start tapping trees and heating up sap this time of year. Many of them open up their doors to the public by offering tours and serving pancakes topped with sugary goodness. About 45 minutes from Saint John you will find Elmhurst Outdoors located just outside of Hampton. They offer both a tour and freshly made pancakes.
We visited there first in 2021 (the photos featured here are from our first visit) and again last weekend (2025) and had a fantastic time! This family-friendly activity starts with an outdoor tour. On their interpretive walk, we learned about maple syrup history throughout the centuries. Our guide took us on a short trail through tapped maple trees in their sugar bush, describing how the process has changed over the years. Here, they have over 200 maple trees tapped, providing them with maple sap.
At the end of the trail, we reached the sugar shack where they process the sap. Before going in, we each had a taste of last year’s syrup with our own cup of maple taffy-on-snow. It was a sticky, sweet treat! Once inside, we gathered around a large machine bellowing out steam. They walked us through the sap to syrup steps, explaining that they are looking for 67% sugar content in their final product. While we were there in 2021, the first drops of syrup from this season started to trickle out (as seen in the photo below)
After the tour, it was time to enjoy some hot fresh coffee and pancakes! I love their focus on using local New Brunswick ingredients. The pancakes are made using Spearville flour and their sausages are from Degenhardt European Farm. If you want a hot drink they offer King Cole Tea and Picadilly coffee. Of course, every plate comes with maple syrup that has been made on site. You can also purchase a bottle of their yummy syrup to enjoy at home.
We had such a fantastic time on our maple syrup fueled experience!
Elmhurst Outdoors is out past Hampton at 65 Ganong Rd, Erbs Cove, NB, about a 45 min drive from Saint John, NB.
Quick Notes
- Their last tour of the season typically happens in April ish, each year varies based on the weather and the maple trees
- If you are using google maps to get there, internet is a bit spotty and would be worth downloading the map for offline use.
- They have 2 bathrooms inside for people to use.
- The walk up to the sugar shack can be a bit snowy or muddy depending on the weather.
- Gluten-Friendly Details: The sausages are gluten-free and they offer a gluten-free pancake. This kitchen does use flour, so cross-contamination is possible.
- This is a tour I could do every year and still enjoy it as much as the first time!
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