Maple Syrup Season Begins
Maple syrup season in NB off in early March, when the days start warming just enough to coax the sap from the province’s sugar maples. The northern part of the province is prime territory for syrup production, thanks to its textbook-perfect climate—cold, snowy winters and gentle summers, exactly what these trees crave. As the taps go in and the sap starts flowing, local sugar camps and shacks swing open their doors, inviting visitors in for a taste of liquid gold straight from the source. Expect steaming hot syrup poured over fresh snow, wood-fired pancake breakfasts, and a crash course in how this sweet Canadian staple goes from tree to table.
Where to celebrate Maple syrup season in New Brunswick
1. Briggs Maples
Hillsborough, New Brunswick: Briggs Maples Ltd., a family-run maple syrup producer in Hillsborough, New Brunswick, has been crafting quality maple products for five generations. Originally known as L. Briggs and Family and Rocky Mountain Maples Ltd., it was incorporated in 2009 with a new brand, logo, and website. David Briggs and his family continue the tradition, producing top-quality syrup at their processing plant and retail shop on Main Street. Open year-round, visitors can explore the maple-making process, sample fresh treats, and take home their signature syrup. Recognized as New Brunswick’s master sugar maker in 2000, Briggs Maples blends tradition with innovation to preserve its century-old legacy.
2. Cabane à sucre Gabi et frères Sugar Shack
Charlo, New Brunswick: Nestled in a picturesque setting, this traditional maple-sugar camp offers breathtaking panoramic views and sits alongside a river, employing a wood-fired evaporator complete with taps and buckets. Convenient parking and access to the 'Les Aventuriers' cross-country ski trail are available nearby. Open during the spring season, the sugar shack welcomes visitors for the purchase of maple products, indulging in taffy on the snow, and enjoying a robust brunch every Sunday.
3. Château Scoudouc Maple Products
Scoudouc, New Brunswick: Guests are invited to take a stroll in the sugar bush to enjoy nature or opt for a guided tour for an insider's look at the maple production process, both inside and outside the facilities. Chateau Scoudouc also serves cheesecakes, coffees, and ice cream on site, as well as on their terrace. During the maple season, taffy on snow is a special treat that is served.
4. Dumfries Maples
Dumfries, New Brunswick: Embark on a sweet adventure with a picture-perfect view of the Saint John River Valley and taste the Sugarbush Experience! Enjoy taffy on the snow along with other maple treats, and indulge in homemade pancake breakfasts served in our Cedar Log Cookhouse. Discover how pure maple syrup is made, and take a walk or snowshoe through the beautiful sugarbush at Dumfries Maples. Watch birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat, and relax while enjoying a spectacular view of the River Valley.
5. Elmhurst Outdoors
Erbs Cove, New Brunswick: In spring, Elmhurst Outdoors comes alive with the Maple Sugar Bush Tour & Pancakes. Embark on a journey through time with their maple syrup guided interpretive hike. Experience a tree-tapping demonstration, explore the evaporating room, and savor the traditional treat of taffy-on-snow. Many visitors round off their experience with a visit to the lodge, where they indulge in a delicious meal featuring homemade pancakes (crafted with local Speerville flour), locally produced Degenhardt sausage, Gig's baked beans, and, naturally, pure maple syrup!
6, Kenneth Maple Farms
West Glassville, New Brunswick: This expansive operation, featuring 54,000 taps, offers a video presentation on the history of syrup making and provides taffy-on-the-snow. A wide array of maple products including syrup, jelly, lollipops, maple butter, granulated sugar, maple candy, maple-peanut spread, chocolate-covered candy, and gift trays are available for purchase. Hours of operation at Kenneth Maple Farms are flexible, with extensions available by appointment, and school tours are also offered. Enjoy all-you-can-eat breakfasts served from March to April, Monday to Sunday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
7. Lavoie Maple Sugar House
Rivière-Verte, New Brunswick: This 50-acre family-operated maple grove, now in its fifth generation, is situated 400 metres above sea level in the Appalachian Mountains of north-western New Brunswick. The elevated location at Lavoie Maple Sugar House is perfect for the cultivation of sugar maples and the collection of high-quality sap. The sap undergoes a prolonged boiling process at low heat over a wood fire, resulting in unique and refined flavors that are highly prized by enthusiasts.
8, Little Mactaquac Maples
Scotch Settlement, New Brunswick: Little Mactaquac Maples provides guided walking tours at a cost of $10 on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 am to 4 pm. The experience includes a wagon ride to the sugar bush, a comprehensive tour of the sugar bush with a detailed explanation of the maple syrup-making process, and the opportunity to have all your questions answered. Participants will also enjoy candy on the snow and have access to walking trails to witness the maple syrup production firsthand. Additionally, maple products are available for purchase on site.
9. Renton Brothers' Family Sugar Bush
Moncton, New Brunswick: Renton Brothers, a fifth-generation family-owned sugar camp in Stilesville, just north of Moncton, welcomes visitors on Saturdays and Sundays during the sugaring-off season, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here, you can discover a variety of maple products including syrup, cream, candy, butter, and the traditional taffy on the snow.
10. Royal View Maples
Royalton, New Brunswick: They produce the finest 100% pure maple syrup and delicious 100% pure maple products, with their operation situated just 30 meters (100 feet) from the paved road on Royalton Road, west of Florenceville-Bristol. Their offerings include maple syrup in a wide variety of containers, maple butter, candy, and sugar, all available for purchase year-round.
11. S.K. Export
Kedgwick, New Brunswick: Nestled in an area renowned for its vast forests and numerous maple sugar groves, S.K. Export specializes in the purchase, packaging, and sale of maple products. Utilizing natural resources from Northern New Brunswick, they craft a variety of items including maple syrup, sugar, spreads, and chocolate, ensuring top quality for a delightful taste experience. Their products, ranging from traditional candies to innovative maple twists, offer something for every preference, whether sweet, savory, for personal enjoyment, or as gifts, catering to all ages. From tree to table, S.K. Export's maple products promise to elevate every meal.
12. Sucrerie Chiasson
Paquetville, New Brunswick: Sucrerie Chiasson provides a range of maple products, including maple butter, maple sugar, caramel, and premium quality maple syrup, at its two venues located at 244 Des Érables St. and 1873 Bellechasse St. Both places can host nearly 250 guests for a sought-after brunch that caters to all tastes, offering unlimited syrup at no additional cost. To know which location is serving brunch, guests are advised to call in advance or consult their Facebook page. Additionally, Sucrerie Chiasson invites visitors to experience the "licherie," a luxurious tasting session featuring warm maple syrup and maple taffy on ice.
13. Sugar Bush - La Causerie
Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, New Brunswick: Nestled in the woods on a 125-acre property surrounded by maple trees, The Sugar Bush – La Causerie taps its trees annually in early spring to produce popular sweet maple syrup treats. They offer taffy-on-the-snow on weekends in their outdoor area and a breakfast buffet from March to early May. The site attracts four-wheeler enthusiasts year-round and snowmobilers in winter. Their cozy beer garden, featuring a barbecue and outdoor bar, serves local food and weekly specials from late spring until mid-fall and can accommodate up to 80 people for various events, making it an ideal setting for weddings, parties, anniversaries, and romantic evenings.
14. Trites Maples
Moncton, New Brunswick: Owned and operated by the Trites family since 1900, Trites Maples extends a warm invitation for a 15-minute walk from St. Joseph's Church, along the Maple Ridge Trail, leading to the distinctive "4th camp with the green metal roof." This season, from March 9 to April 14, 2024, they are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm. Guests can enjoy taffy on the snow during the weekends, along with a selection of maple syrup and products. The pancake house restaurant is open on Saturdays, offering delicious meals, while free educational maple tours are provided on Sundays at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm, enhancing the visit with rich, informative experiences.
When you buy local maple syrup, you're not just treating yourself—you’re fueling a powerhouse industry that keeps New Brunswick’s economy flowing as smoothly as fresh sap in the spring. With over 1,200 producers tapping a staggering 7.5 million maple trees each year, this isn’t just a seasonal treat—it’s big business. In 2020 alone, the province churned out more than 1.5 million litres of syrup, pumping millions into the local economy and creating jobs, especially in rural communities where sugar camps are a way of life. So, why not make a day of it? Embrace the sweet side of spring, support hardworking producers, and enjoy a taste of this iconic Canadian tradition—straight from the source.
