Photo by Janet Carr
By Janet Carr and Julius Melnitzer | September 28, 2026
As many Canadians will attest, camping is a rite of passage — something we’ve been exposed to at least once in our lives, to varying degrees of satisfaction. Enter glamping, a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping” that entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016.
Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat is one such animal — set on more than 200 acres of old-growth forest and rolling countryside near Grafton, Ontario, a 90-minute drive east of Toronto.
Owned and operated by the Corcoran family, the same family who brought us Ste. Anne’s Spa, Whispering Springs is a glamping resort at the high end of the market. The Corcorans originally bought the property for its underground aquifer, which supplied their spring water bottling business for 15 years.
Today, Whispering Springs provides vacationers with an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, but luxuriously. No soggy sleeping bags and no unwelcome critter visitations in the middle of the night. Just choose your adventure and go, keeping in mind that the retreat is adults-only.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our Safari Tent was drop-dead gorgeous. Spacious and well-appointed, it was equipped with in-tent electricity and plumbing. Pure spring water flowed from the sink, and the flush toilet avoided the worst of the outdoors. Our king-size bed, one of many configurations available, came with a comfy mattress, pillows, and linens, with towels refreshed daily.
Some tents have decks, and all have an outdoor barbecue and fire pit, replete with Muskoka chairs. Know that Wi-Fi and cellular are spotty or unavailable. Parking is nearby or at your tent, and if you have a lot of luggage, the resort provides wheeled carts to make what’s only a very short walk even easier.
We were fortunate enough to be given a guided tour of the property by resident horse whisperer, Bill, on his trusty golf cart, which gave us a better idea of the retreat’s range and scope. The tour isn’t on the menu of offerings; it should be.
Bill drove us past clusters of Safari Tents, three Treetop Tents (Indigo, Moonrise, and Twilight), three A-Frame Cabins (Birch, Maple, and Pine), and three Mini Safari Tents. The mini tents share washroom, shower and kitchen facilities. The Whisper Cabin and The Chalet are also available for rent, with all accommodations discreetly tucked in amongst the greenery.
Apropos of greenery, the property’s landscaping is a masterclass in the use of wood, water, rock, and pink hydrangea.
DINING
Once again, you can choose your own adventure. In addition to coffeemakers, kettles, basic cutlery and serving utensils, the Safari Tents are all equipped with refrigerators. So, if you wish to demonstrate your grilling skills, bring your own groceries. The less ambitious can buy reasonably priced breakfast baskets and dinner kits in advance. The breakfast baskets arrive at your tent between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and the dinner kits at a time of your choosing.
Comprising bottled orange juice, yogurt parfaits, and warm croissants, the breakfast baskets are the perfect start to a perfect day. The dinner kits come in four varieties — steak, salmon, vegetarian, and tacos — which arrive fully prepped and cooked, so all you have to do is heat and serve. Our steak and salmon dinners included roasted vegetables, potatoes, baguettes, desserts, and a bottle of wine for good measure.
If these options don’t appeal, the Watering Hole, located off reception, serves delicious pizza, pasta, appetizers, and refreshments all day. Service is friendly and efficient, making it a pleasant place to grab, gab, and relax. The in-tent brochure also recommends restaurants within easy driving distance.
EXPERIENCES
Whispering Springs leans heavily into health and wellness, offering yoga, Reiki, sound healing, and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), which the retreat describes as an experiential approach to personal growth conducted at the paddock with horses. No riding experience is necessary: it’s about wellness and peace of mind. The activities feature trained practitioners.
We tried Reiki, sound healing, and EAL, all new to us and all delightful. Nicole led both the Reiki and the sound healing — the first in a tent, due to the weather, and the second in a lovely gazebo in a forest setting. We came out of them noticeably softer around the edges.
Our tour guide, Bill, is also the EAL facilitator, and he brings to it a wealth of understanding of horses and their history, along with charming anecdotes to match. The session itself is deeply personal but never intrusive and focuses on building a trusting relationship with the three beautiful animals who participate.
There are trails to hike, a spring-fed pond to canoe or pedal boat on, and an outdoor saltwater pool, hot tub, and cold plunge, as well as a sauna. Winter 2026–27 will see an addition to the current A-frame offerings plus the construction of an indoor thermal spa pavilion, enticements for both summer and winter enthusiasts.
Planning an outdoor wedding? If so, you would be hard-pressed to find a more romantic venue than Whispering Springs. Incredibly, they book 100 of these annually, staged in either the Forest Chapel or La Petite Chapel, depending on party size. The Forest Chapel in particular is a revelation — not built or blended into the forest, but simply of it. Choose your own caterer, who operates in the fully equipped kitchen adjacent to the rustic dining room. For these occasions, the retreat closes to the public — just you and your people enjoying intimate moments of memory making.
CONCLUSION
Whispering Springs is a family business with family values — and it shows. A place where family are staff and staff are family. A place where no request is too great or too small. And a place to relax and reconnect with what really matters — yourself, loved ones, and nature.
IF YOU GO
Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat, 141 Mercer Lane, Grafton, Ontario — roughly 90 minutes east of Toronto by way of Highway 401; 905-349-1009 or info@whisperingsprings.ca; adults only; Deluxe, Traditional and Junior Safari tents, Mini Safari Tents sharing washroom and kitchen facilities, Treetop Tents, A-Frame Cabins, the Whisper Cabin, and the Chalet; the saltwater pool, hot tub, cold plunge, and sauna are included, while yoga, Reiki, sound healing, and Equine Assisted Learning book separately and in advance, with limited availability; rates vary by season and accommodation and appear when you select dates online, or call to book.