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Featured inOro-Medonte · Orillia · Springwater · Ramara · Barrie · Tay · Midland · Gravenhurst
CategoryHorseback Riding · Camping
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Glen Oro Farm.

Family-run equestrian farm and forest glamping eco-retreat in Hawkestone, 90 minutes north of Toronto in Oro-Medonte

Glen Oro Farm
01 — About

The brief.

Glen Oro Farm is a 200-acre family-run equestrian farm and luxury glamping eco-retreat in Hawkestone, in the Township of Oro-Medonte, about 90 minutes north of Toronto. The property was settled in 1841 by Duncan Clark and has been operated by the Saila family since 1967 — today by Leslie Saila, a two-time Canadian Intermediate Three Day Event Champion (1987, 1989), and her sons Luke and Phil. The equestrian side runs private guided trail rides, riding lessons, and full boarding with a coaching roster that includes Olympic-level eventer and Level 3 Equine Canada coach Ian Roberts. Fourteen luxury camping units — Explorer's Tents, Stargazer Domes, and Galaxygazer Domes — sit in the hardwood forest with a wood-fired Finnish barrel sauna, cold plunge, and no WiFi by design.

02 — Programs

5. ways in.

  1. 01

    Trail Rides — Valley Ride / Peak Ride

    For: Riders age 12+; weight 220 lbs or under; able to walk independently and mount/dismount on their ownWhen: Year-round; reservations accepted up to 3 months in advance

    Two-hour private guided rides through 200 acres of Oro-Medonte forest with direct connections to the Simcoe County Forest trail network. The booking includes horse handling and grooming, a safety orientation and basic riding instruction, the guided trail itself, and grazing and bonding time after dismount. Helmets provided; long pants and close-toed shoes with heels required. Walk-ins not accepted — book direct on the trail-rides line (705-327-9520 / trailrides@glenoro.com).

    Valley Ride (weekdays) $110 + HST per person; Peak Ride (weekends/holidays) $130 + HST per person; $75 refundable deposit; $50 solo-rider supplement; 20% Eco-Retreat guest discount

  2. 02

    Galaxygazer Dome — Luxury Glamping

    For: Up to 4 guests (two king beds plus a murphy-bed configuration); well-behaved supervised children allowed; no petsWhen: Year-round; calendar dates open through 2026

    The largest of the three unit types on the property, with a full kitchen (fridge, oven, stovetop), custom bathroom, designer furniture, large skylight, woodstove, outdoor firepit, and propane BBQ. Four Galaxygazer Domes are spaced approximately 30–50 metres apart in the hardwood forest. No WiFi or televisions by design; cell reception works with major carriers. UV-filtered water on tap and a UTV shuttle handles check-in — no personal vehicles inside the eco-retreat.

    $600 midweek / $650 weekend per night, plus $50 Agritourism Administrative Fee, plus HST; two-night minimum

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  3. 03

    Stargazer Dome — Luxury Glamping

    For: 1–2 people; king bed beneath an integrated skylight loftWhen: Year-round; calendar dates open through 2026

    A geodesic dome whose loft places the king bed directly under a skylight for stargazing. Ensuite bathroom with composting toilet; kitchenette with propane BBQ, electric burner, toaster oven, and mini-fridge. Five Stargazer Domes sit 30–50 metres apart in the forest, sharing the property's wood-fired Finnish barrel sauna and cold plunge on a forest ridge — bookable on a private calendar provided at arrival.

    $400 midweek / $450 weekend per night, plus $50 Agritourism Administrative Fee, plus HST; two-night minimum

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  4. 04

    Explorer's Tent — Luxury Glamping

    For: 1–2 people; king bedWhen: Year-round; calendar dates open through 2026

    The entry-tier unit: a canvas tent in the hardwood forest with an ensuite bathroom, cedar shower, and composting toilet. Kitchenette includes a propane BBQ, electric burner, toaster oven, and mini-fridge. Five Explorer's Tents on property, all heated for winter and cooled for summer. Firewood and 24/7 staff support included; UTV shuttle for arrival and departure.

    $300 midweek / $350 weekend per night, plus $50 Agritourism Administrative Fee, plus HST; two-night minimum

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  5. 05

    Riding Lessons with Leslie Saila

    For: Open to anyone with a willingness and desire to learn; primarily 1-on-1, with flexibility for pairsWhen: Contact for details

    Private coaching with Leslie Saila, who has been teaching at Glen Oro for approximately 50 years and won the Canadian Intermediate Three Day Event Championship in 1987 and 1989. Lessons run in the indoor arena with evening lighting and full jumping equipment, plus two sand dressage rings, a show jumping field, and the on-property cross-country course designed by Hugh Morshead. Guest-instructor clinics run periodically through the year. Contact info@glenoro.com or 705-326-1504 for current availability and rates.

    Contact for details

03 — Notable

Worth knowing.

  1. 01Family-run farm settled in 1841 by Duncan Clark; owned by the Saila family since 1967, currently operated by Leslie Saila and her sons Luke and PhilSource ↗
  2. 02200-acre property 90 minutes north of Toronto in Hawkestone, Township of Oro-MedonteSource ↗
  3. 0314 total luxury camping units (5 Explorer's Tents, 5 Stargazer Domes, 4 Galaxygazer Domes), spaced approximately 30–50 metres apart in hardwood forestSource ↗
  4. 04Wood-fired Finnish barrel sauna and cold plunge on a forest ridge, with a private booking calendar provided at arrivalSource ↗
  5. 05No WiFi or televisions in the eco-retreat by design; UV-filtered water; no personal vehicles inside the retreat (UTV shuttle for check-in)Source ↗
  6. 06Lead instructor Leslie Saila is a two-time Canadian Intermediate Three Day Event Championship winner (1987, 1989) and 1987 Ontario Premier's Award recipient for outstanding contribution to equestrian sportSource ↗
  7. 07Coaching roster includes Ian Roberts — Olympic, World Equestrian Games, and Rolex Kentucky competitor, Level 3 Equine Canada coach, Coaching Chairman for the Canadian Eventing CommitteeSource ↗
  8. 08Boarding director holds a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph with a special focus on veterinarian studiesSource ↗
  9. 09Cross-country course on property designed by Hugh Morshead with jumps from beginner to advanced; indoor arena, two sand dressage rings, and a show jumping fieldSource ↗
  10. 10Kilometres of on-property forest trails connecting directly to the adjacent Simcoe County Forest trail networkSource ↗
  11. 11All glamping rates carry a $50 Agritourism Administrative Fee plus HST and require a two-night minimumSource ↗
  12. 12Eco-Retreat guests receive a 20% discount on trail ridesSource ↗
Today

Outside the door.

Air Quality
6
aqhi · moderate
UV Index
5.2
scale 0–11
Humidity
34%
relative
Wind
19 km/h
West
Temp
+24°
H 25° · L 9°
Sun
05:35 / 20:57
15h 22m daylight
A
GOOD DAY TO BE OUTSIDE

24° with 19 km/h wind. Go enjoy it.

04 — Visit

Get in
touch.

Visit Glen Oro Farmarrow_outward
Email (Trail Rides)
trailrides@glenoro.com
Phone (Trail Rides)
705-327-9520
Address
2574 10 Line North, Hawkestone, ON, L0L 1T0, Canada
AER’s guide to Glen Oro Farm · Compiled from www.glenoro.comLast verified 2026-06-01