Kimberley Ontario is a beautiful village in the heart of the Beaver Valley. It’s only 35 minutes from Collingwood and home to some incredible local shops, restaurants, accommodations and nature-inspired activities. Below I share some of my favourite local experiences in Kimberley. Having grown up in the area, this is where I have spent and continue to spend much of my time.
Things To Do In Kimberley, Ontario
The Kimberley General Store is a must-visit local shop. It has a collection of artwork, gifts, bath & body products the most delicious butter tarts, and other baked goods. They even have frozen meals for you to take home and cook. It’s such a great spot and is a favourite among locals and visitors.
Old Baldy Hike
One of the best parts of Kimberley Ontario is the incredible access to beautiful hikes and views of the valley. Old Baldy is a popular spot to do some hiking and check out the views. I highly recommend visiting in the fall. The colours are amazing.
You can access the Old Baldy lookout from both the top or bottom of the valley. It really just depends on how much of a workout you want. If you drive to the top, you can park and walk a short distance to the lookout. The trail is fairly flat and great for kids and older adults or anyone who isn’t looking for a hard hike. Some sections of the trail even have a boardwalk on them. I do want to mention that there are sections of the trail that run along the escarpment and there is no fence or barrier. Make sure you’re mindful of where the edge is, especially if you’re hiking with kids.
If you prefer a harder hike, you can park at the bottom of the valley and hike up to the lookout. I really love doing this hike especially when I want more of a workout.
To access the hike up, park along Grey Road 13 right outside of Kimberley and follow the trail up. Some sections pf the trail have ropes to help guide you up.
The Old Baldy Conservation Area has more details about the trail, parking, and location.
Bruce Trail Hiking
If you’re looking to do more hiking, the bruce trail has trail routes all around Kimberley, Ontario and the surrounding areas. You can check out detailed hiking routes on the Bruce Trail website.
The Roost is a winery near Collingwood and only 14 minutes from Kimberley. This is a great place to spend an afternoon or early evening enjoying the incredible views, a glass of their cold climate wine and a charcuterie board. They have plenty of seating outside but also a full tasting room inside if the weather isn’t cooperating. Make sure you check their hours to make sure they’re open.
Visit Studio 124 Singhampton Sculpture Forest
Approximately 25 minutes from Kimberley is Studio 124. This art/forest walk is such a unique outing and one that I highly recommend. Marion Bartlett & Richard Bino have opened their sculpture forest located at their home to the public. It’s open during spring, summer & fall.
These are a few examples of the sculptures along the trail. It’s really a special place and I’m sure every time I visit, I’ll see something new.
How much does it cost to go to Singhampton Sculpture Forest?
Admission is free. They do have a donation box at the start of the trail right near their studio space.
Epping-John Muir Lookout
If you’d like to take in the beautiful scenery in Kimberley and enjoy the view of Beaver Valley, head to the Epping-John Muir Lookout. This lookout can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. There is a picnic pavilion so you can pack a lunch and enjoy the view. In the summer, especially on the weekends, you’ll see lots of people cycling along Grey Road 7 and taking a break at the top of the hill at the John Muir Lookout.
Road Cycling
Kimberley, Ontario is a very popular spot for road cycling. You’ll often see cyclists stopping for a coffee and butter tart at the Kimberley General Store. One of my favourite routes for road cycling is along Grey Road 13 towards Collingwood or along Grey Road 7. It’s one of the most beautiful places to ride and there are usually other cyclists out riding so locals are quite used to it.
If you’re looking for a really relaxing activity and would like to try a floating sound bath, The Farmer’s House has the perfect offering. Wash away the stress in one of their floating sound bath ceremonies held in their beautiful indoor pool space. They’ve partnered with The Crystal Lounge to provide these meditative, crystal bowl sound sessions. They’re located only 10 minutes from Kimberley. You do need to book ahead but this is definitely worth a trip to the area. You can also book group sessions which are perfect if you’re planning a girls weekend.
The Autumn Leaves Studio Tour happens every year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, so usually in early October. This is a great chance to see the incredible artists that live in the area. They open their studios for you to come take a tour, meet the artists and see where their products are made.
Other things on my Kimberley Ontario list of things to do are:
- Visit Kimber Valley Farms
- Check out the Soda Pop Flower stand for beautiful fresh flower bouquets & arrangements
Where To Stay In Kimberley, ON
If you’re looking to experience beautiful Beaver Valley and Kimberley and want a true nature-inspired oasis, check out Boho Beaver. Their quaint cabins include luxurious amenities (like a salt water hot tub!) and beautiful bohemian decor.
What’s the location of Boho Beaver?
- 687139 Sideroad 19, Kimberley, Ontario
The June Motel Beaver Valley is the latest addition to Kimberley, Ontario places to stay and the third June Motel in Ontario. You may have heard of The June Motel from their Netflix show “Motel Makeover” where they take you behind the scenes renovating their motel in Sauble Beach.
The neat thing about The June Motel in Kimberley Ontario is that you can rent out the entire motel if you’re having an event, like a small wedding or corporate retreat. It’s also located right along the Beaver River which many people enjoy canoeing on. Check out Beaver River canoeing routes if you’re interested in canoeing the river.
The June Motel is known for beautiful decor details, intentional design & function, and Instagram worthy moments around every corner.
Kimberley Ontario Restaurants
Justin’s Oven
I included Justin’s Oven in my Markdale restaurants guide but it’s technically in Kimberley. I highly recommend visiting Justin’s Oven for a delicious farm-to-table meal or a wood-fired pizza on Fridays. You can truly taste the quality ingredients in your meal. If you visit in the summer months, they have a great patio to enjoy. You can read more about my experience here.
Heart’s Tavern & Bar
Heart’s is the other option in Kimberely, ON for restaurants. Here you can enjoy a fine dining menu, in a casual setting. It’s the best of both worlds, especially if you appreciate a more luxurious meal. Their patio makes you feel like you’re in Europe and inside the old farmhouse setting is completely cozy and inviting. So regardless of what time of year you visit, you’ll be taken care of.
They also have the wine cellar room that you can rent out. It’s really an incredible room full of character. It’s on the basement level but they’ve opened up the room so the ceiling height is high. You get the cozy vibes of a cellar, complete with fire place, without feeling like you’re tucked away in the basement.
If you have a craving for a delicious burger and fries, I recommend heading the 8 minutes to Eugenia to Burger Guru. This is my entire families favourite place to go when we’re craving a burger and fries. You can even order your meal online and pick up your order.
These are some of my top picks for things to do, places to stay and where to eat in Kimberley Ontario. I’ll keep adding to this list as I discover more hidden ‘local’ gems.
