Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

Q: Why don’t you allow pets on the property?

A: Safety. Because we are a Horse Farm first, through years of experience we have found that even the best behaved dogs can go wild, chase, or generally act erratically and out of character when they see a horse. This has sadly resulted in animals being injured in the past. We also often have beginners or less experienced riders moving around the property on their privately guided Trail Ride, and if their horse gets scared (spooked) by a pet, the rider may not be able to calm their mount and also get injured. Finally, the general safety of your own pet - there are wild animals here, coyotes, fishers, and martens would be the most dangerous, but porcupines and skunks can also really ruin your day…speaking from too much experience unfortunately. We love animals, and we completely understand that this isn’t ideal, but there are some excellent local pet hotels to put them up in. You could pick them up anytime, and take them for an amazing hike, bike or day trip at any of the local public forests, lakes or parks and then take them back to their pet specific lodging to rest.

Q: Are infants or children allowed to come?

A: Yes, we allow well behaved and supervised infants and children to stay here. However there are some risks we want parents to be aware of in the Luxury Camping accommodations. There is a burn risk with the wood stoves, which is your primary heating source in the colder seasons so it is your responsibility to make sure they do not touch these. There is also a fall risk on stairs and ladders, for example the Stargazer Domes have a ladder into the bed - and although there are handles and a privacy wall around the bed, there is a risk they could fall. Stairs outside the accommodations, slippery steps in the forest, roots, fallen limbs etc. Look - it’s good for our kids to get out into nature and gain an appreciation for it, but there is a responsibility that we as adults need to have to make sure we let them know of dangers and how to mitigate them. We also try to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and respect the other guests in the Eco-Retreat, so loud noises including shrieking and yelling will not be tolerated.

Q: How much does it cost to stay?

A: The price per night is in Canadian Dollars and varies by accommodation type, and occasionally goes up or down slightly based on factors too complex to understand, let alone explain - but essentially it looks like this: the Explorer’s Tent midweek rate is $275 and $350 on weekends. The Stargazer Dome is $400 per night. The Galaxygazer Dome is $600 per night. All of our accommodations are subject to the $50 Agritourism Administrative Fee and HST.

Q: How many accommodations are in the Eco-Retreat?

A: There are a total of 14 Luxury Camping units, comprised of: 5 Explorer’s Tents, 5 Stargazer Domes, and 4 Galaxygazer Domes. We have a total of 18 King sized beds between all of the accommodations, which means if we were to have 2 guests in each bed we could host 36 guests.

Q: How far apart are the domes and tents?

A: It varies based on topography and general location in the forest, but they are typically about 30-50m away from the next one. Close enough that you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere alone, but far enough that hopefully you aren’t hearing each other unless you raise your voice.

Q: All of the accommodations have numbers when booking, whats the difference?

A: Each unit type has the same amenities and amount of furniture as the others in that category, but the furniture style and colours will differ as well as the orientation of the accommodation. Some point towards the sunrise, some towards sunset, some have a view off a hill while others stare into the forest. Some of the accommodations are located in the area we call the Hardwoods, while others are located in the Pines. Feel free to reach out to us if you want some more information - but it’s also fun to try different spots each time you come. Just like coming for different seasons, they are all awesome in their own way.

Q: Are the glamping accommodations heated? Cooled?

Yes they are, as we are open for every season and this is Canada. Galaxygazer Domes have a wood stove and a heat pump for cooler weather, and an air conditioner and fans for hotter times. Stargazer Domes have a wood pellet stove, space heater, and baseboard heater for winter and an air conditioner and fans for summer. Our Explorer’s Tents have a wood burning stove, space heaters, baseboard heater for the colder months and only need a fan in the summer due to the breathability of the canvas. All of our accommodations also have a heated blanket for the beds during the winter.

Q: Do I need to bring firewood?

A: No, we supply everything you would need for your fires, both in your accommodations and your private firepit outside. If you’re inexperienced with fires we also can show you how to build and maintain a safe fire and there are user manuals in your accommodation in case you need a reminder.

Q: Is there WIFI?

A: No, by conscious design we do not have WIFI in the accommodations, or televisions. The idea is to disconnect from technology and reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones, and the natural world around us. Honestly, you can get wifi almost anywhere so try to think of this as a novelty - if you look at the positive side of it, you will truly be surprised with the positive benefits of not looking at a screen for a few days. Absolute worst case, if you need something to stare at, the flames of your fire are awesome. If you really need to get some work done though, you can hotspot from your phone - there is cell reception with the major carriers.

Q: Is there a nightly minimum to stay?

A: Yes, on the weekend and during holiday seasons there is a 2-Night Minimum - from Sunday to Thursday though you can stay for a single night if you wish, however we often hear from guests checking out after one night that they wished they had stayed longer. Ultimately this is an experience, it’s nice to get settled in and really immerse yourself - but if you’re only able to come for a night, no worries, midweek is here for you and it’s still a great time.

Q: What should i pack for Luxury Camping?

A: We have a list of things we provide HERE which you should definitely take a look at. We also always recommend you check the weather for Jarratt, ON on the Weather Network or another suitable site prior to your stay. Starting from the top, bring a hat - toque in the winter. Have a suitable jacket for the elements, so much of your time here may be spent outside you’ll want a raincoat if its raining, a parka or insulated jacket if its snowing - so much more enjoyable if your warm and dry. Good footwear is key, ideally something suited for being outside that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty….this is a farm, you’re going glamping in a forest. Pro tip: don’t wear white sneakers unless you don’t care if they get dirty, but as a rule we dislike pavement, so you’re going to be moving around on dirt, grass, leaves, mud, snow, crud, gravel - natural and often unmaintained surfaces. It’s good for you. Bring milk/cream if you like that for your tea/coffee, bring food if you’re planning on cooking, and bring a cooler if you have a ton of stuff and you’re worried it won’t all fit in your fridge. Most importantly, bring a curious mind and be open to exploring and learning new things - even if you’re the most seasoned and experienced camper, perhaps we do some things slightly differently and it’s always a plus if you can learn something new.

Q: Can I drink the water?

A: Yes, and please do because it’s some of the cleanest water in Canada. The neighbouring property to us bottles and sells the water, so rest assured this is some great water. We really try to discourage guests bringing single use plastic water bottles - it’s not great for the environment, one more thing to pack and carry, and it costs you money. Our water is UV-filtered, maintained and monitored, so drink up.

Q: Why does the booking calendar say there is availability, but I can’t see the specific accommodation I want?

A: The booking and availability calendar only shows that there IS availability on those dates, not that the type of unit you want is available then. Make sure you are adjusting your checkin and checkout dates accordingly, then hitting search, and you will see whatever we have available at that time. If what you want isn’t showing up then it is fully booked, so you’ll need to adjust your dates. We often post openings of the most sought after accommodations on our social media stories (@glenorofarm) so follow us and check there, or just send us an email (info@glenoro.com) or call our Guest Services directly to help you make a reservation 705-326-1504. Important note with calls, sometimes we’re busy with another guest, or wrangling a horse, or building a fire and may miss the call but leave a message with your name and number and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Q: What amenities do you offer?

A: All of our guests have access to our wood fired barrel sauna and cold plunge, and will have an opportunity to sign up for private time slots when they are here at Glen Oro. Highly recommend, the benefits of a sauna and cold plunge are extensive. The surrounding forest and trails serve as an area to get some exercise trail running, hiking, walking or forest bathing. On that note, perhaps you got lost on a trail? We have staff on 24/7 to answer questions, find you on a trail, assist with a fire, or shuttle you in foul weather.

Q: What do we do for food?

A: There are lots of options for meals. If you bring groceries, each accommodation has a kitchen/kitchenette, fridge, bbq, and a grill in case you would like to cook over the fire outside. There are some excellent catering options, ranging from delivered meals right to your door or a private chef showing up to cook a multi-course dinner over your campfire. Finally, we have a curated list of excellent local restaurant partners if you would like to get out and see a bit of the surrounding area. Definitely check out the dining options HERE.

Q: Can we drive to our accommodation? or do we walk?

A: We don’t allow vehicles into the Eco-Retreat, other than our 4x4 UTV’s. So we will be meeting you in the parking area when you check-in and shuttling you and your gear to your site, with a little tour along the way. This minimizes car doors slamming, lights blinding people, radios blaring and vehicles getting stuck in less than ideal areas. We also firmly believe that we all benefit from exposure to the great outdoors, and encourage guests to walk (or run) to where they’re going and really get amongst the natural environment. When the time for check-out comes, we coordinate a pickup time for you and shuttle everything and everyone back to their vehicles. Bring suitable clothing and footwear, maybe a hat or gloves even, to get from your vehicle to your accommodations by checking the weather in Jarratt, ON before you arrive here. Have it accessible. If it’s snowing or raining and you don’t have a jacket, the fun and exciting shuttle ride through the forest is less enjoyable.

Q: WHAT AM I FORGETTING TO ASK?

A: The ultimate bottomline is try to be prepared, think about what you’re doing and where you’re going and when this is all happening. Luxury Camping accommodations located on a farm, in a forest, operating in every season and all weather conditions. It’s relaxing and restoring, but its also an adventure and you can explore and push some personal boundaries. We try to put a certain amount of responsibility in our guests hands and set them up for an incredible and unique experience, but we don’t do everything for you. You’re going to have the best time if you read all the stuff we’ve got on this website, things we provide, the pre-checkin email you get, maybe even some previous reviews. Our goal is to educate through experience, so be open to learn. Be curious. If this is your first time camping, building a fire, or just being in nature without signs everywhere telling you where to go and you’re confused or overwhelmed just remember - we are here to help. No one starts off knowing everything on their own, and if you’ve never been shown, told or taught something before than how could you know? Hopefully you leave Glen Oro with a new skill, perspective, personal insight or as a more confident version of yourself - you’ll definitely leave with lasting memories.