Hidden Gem Spa near Ottawa: The Maplestone Ranch & Retreat
Are you looking for a spa near Ottawa to visit? I recently spent half the day at one of the most unique spas in Ontario that I’ve ever experienced. Maplestone Ranch & Retreat in Lanark County is a hidden gem! After driving through rural backroads from Carleton Place and then weaving my way up a scenic drive, under a canopy of trees, I knew this place was special.
I spent 4 hours at Maplestone Ranch & Retreat and enjoyed the best that this property has to offer. Starting out with an intimate experience with one of their horses, it was evident early on that studies are correct, horses have an incredible ability to calm you. After pampering the horse, I head up to the thermal spa to indulge in some pampering for myself.
In this guide I’m sharing all about this amazing spa and retreat. You’ll learn about the property and the lovely people behind it, as well as all of the things to do during your visit. Plus, I’m sharing essential tips and what to know before you go.
So, whether you’re looking for a relaxing day trip with your girlfriends or a memorable spa day, Maplestone Ranch & Retreat is the perfect spot.
Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Maplestone Ranch & Retreat, but all opinions expressed are my own. Also, this post contains affiliate links and by booking through them I make a small commission at not extra cost to you.
About Maplestone Ranch & Retreat
Located in Lanark County, in Clayton, Maplestone Ranch & Retreat is a wonderful destination for those looking for spas near Ottawa. Only an hour west of the city, it’s one of my favourite day trips from the capital.
Surrounded by forest, I loved the setting as well as the atmosphere. The people and the spa are welcoming and approachable, not stuffy or pretentious like some other places. For me, it reflected that they want you to relax the moment you step foot on the property.
Maplestone Ranch is home to a variety of experiences. In addition to the thermal spa, they offer unique wellness encounters with their horses, workshops and have a forest trail.
Tausha and Ryan are the lovely couple behind Maplestone Ranch & Retreat. They bought the nearly 500-acre ranch in 2020 and quickly began reimagining it into the wellness retreat it is today.
With a background as a competitive equestrian, Tausha loves being able to connect people with horses, especially if they’ve never been able to before. And Ryan, as an avid outdoorsman, knows the importance of connecting with nature, whether it’s along the forest trail or at the spa.
Combining Ryan’s love for the outdoors and Tausha’s passion for horses, they’ve blended both into one of the most unique wellness retreats near Ottawa. A ranch where visitors can connect with nature, experience the magical healing effects of horses, and relax in a tranquil outdoor spa.
Plus, they are maple syrup producers, with over 500 taps, and enjoy perfecting their maple syrup recipe! I got a bottle of their ‘Tree Sauce’ and can’t wait to try it!
Experiences at Maplestone Spa
Enjoy the Thermal Spa
With the stress of everyday life, we all need a day to help rejuvenate ourselves. And the Thermal Spa at Maplestone Ranch & Retreat lets you do just that.
Surrounded by forest and the tranquil sounds of nature, the thermal spa is a like a secret oasis in Lanark County. Here you can do the hot, cold, rest circuit that helps with circulation and relaxation, as well as boosts your overall well-being. Or you can opt to go at your own pace.
For those unaware, the circuit starts with 5-20 minutes of warm treatment, followed by 1-2 minutes of cold, and ends with a 20-minute rest.
The thermal spa features 7 distinct spa areas that include:
- Wood Fired Salt Water Hot Pool
- Cold Treatment Buckets
- Wood Fired Finnish Sauna
- Heated Salt Water Pool
- Cold Plunge
- Hydrotherapy Hot Tub
When it comes to rest areas, there are three unique ones, each separate from the others making it easy to escape if there are other people there. There’s a fire patio, with a fire going at the centre of a ring of Muskoka chairs, an area with hammocks among the trees, and a cabana which is a great spot to enjoy your lunch overlooking the pool. Plus, there are a number of loungers around the pool.
What did I love?
I started at the wood fired salt water hot pool and loved it. It overlooks the forest and I found myself able to just soak in the warmth and scenery. Next, I did the cold treatment buckets, which I found much easier to deal with than the cold plunge. I did try the cold plunge but it was too cold for my chicken skin! I found the quick hit of the cold splash more my style.
The wood fired Finnish sauna was my favourite! With windows looking out over the forest as well, I really appreciated the dry heat. The heated salt water pool is also a fun spot! With a cool curvy shape and surrounded by what looks like a rock grotto, it was the perfect temperature between the other extreme hot and cold treatments. Plus, it has a fun ‘rock’ slide to have some fun getting into it.
For lunch I enjoyed two charcuterie boards in the cabana overlooking the pool. They have these catered and brought in and I loved the mix of classic meats and cheeses with some healthy small bites.
To finish off you can opt for their salt water exfoliation shower. Choose from 3 different scents; I went with eucalyptus as it’s my favourite. It was the perfect way to finish up scrubbing any last worries away and leaving relaxed and smelling of the sweet scent of eucalyptus.
Add a Horse Experience
What makes Maplestone Ranch & Retreat stand out from the rest of the spas near Ottawa is that it offers horse experiences too.
I love that along with the thermal spa, they offer an intimate experience with their horses. After learning about the mental and physical health benefits earlier this year of interacting with horses, I was thrilled to add a private session to my visit.
For those who are unaware, horses have a unique presence that provides a number of health benefits that include easing anxiety, improving emotional wellbeing, and boosting confidence.
At Maplestone Ranch they offer two options. One is a group session of up to 6 people where you meet the horses, learn about their different breeds and enjoy a hands-on experience. The other, is a private one on one experience for one or two individuals. Each run for 45 minutes. Please note there is no horseback riding here.
I did the private experience. It started off with Tausha introducing me to the herd of six, including Angus, Oshki, and Maple. As soon as I met Scarlette, I felt an immediate connection with her beauty and playful personality. So, I chose her to be the one I would interact with.
During the private horse session, you choose a horse to work with, learn its behaviours and how to interact with it. Then I was led through the process of grooming. I’d never groomed a horse before. But the encounter was magical; connecting with Scarlette and giving her a spa treatment that including polishing her toes (hooves).
But most importantly, the act of getting out of my head and being in the moment with such a stunning creature was the perfecting starting point for a relaxing spa day.
Enjoy a Workshop
Maplestone hosts a number of different workshops throughout the year. These include yoga, health and wellness retreats. Check their event calendar for upcoming workshops.
Hike the Maple Trail
A great addition to the beginning or end of your spa day is to enjoy their Maple Trail. This walking trail takes you through maple forest for a scenic 15 min walk. This is an easy trail and is just under 1 km in length.
Tips for Visiting Maplestone Ranch & Retreat
Where is spa? – Maplestone Ranch & Retreat is located in Clayton, approximately 30 minutes west of Carleton Place or an hour from Ottawa. The address: 2501 Concession Road 10C Lanark, Clayton, ON K0A 1P0 (map link)
How much is it? – The spa offers two different price points: $69 per person for 2 hours or $99 for 4 hours. For the horse experience: $49 for a private session or $59 for a group experience.
When is the spa open? – Maplestone Spa is open Wednesday through Sunday – 10am-6pm through all four seasons. However, the salt water pool and outdoor showers are closed in the winter.
Do they allow walk ins? – No, access to the property is by appointment only. They have capacity limits to ensure the spa is never crowded. So, please book in advance.
Is there food available at the spa? – Yes, they have charcutier boards that you can order (at least 48 hours in advance). In addition, they sell pastries and soups. Plus, you can refresh with cucumber or lemon water. They also allow BYOB.
What to pack for your spa day? – You’ll need a bathing suit and flipflops. I also recommend bringing a cover up or robe. However, you can rent one of their plush robes too.
What to know before you go – The spa and ranch are located in rural Lanark County and I found that there was little to no cell service at the property.
Hot tip – I recommend purchasing a souvenir from your visit. They sell a variety of bath and body products like scrubs as well as local items like candles. Or opt for a bottle of their maple syrup (Tree Sauce) like I did.
What to do nearby – Two of the best small towns in Lanark County are within a 30-minute drive. You can visit Almonte to browse the shops, see the waterfall and enjoy a meal. Or visit Carleton Place to enjoy a hike, one of the cute cafes and explore the museum.
Where to stay nearby
A great place to stay that mirrors a relaxing spa experience is the Tri Century Mill in Carleton Place. Set in a historic mill, it features large suites with open concept kitchen, living and dining. It’s a short walk (under 10 minutes) to downtown and takes less than 30 minutes to drive to the spa.
Plan Your Next Spa Day
So, whether you’re looking for the next fun day trip with your girlfriends or need some quality relaxation time, Maplestone Ranch & Retreat ticks all of the boxes! This unique spa near Ottawa offers the perfect blend of peace you need.
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