About Highland Pines Campground

Highland Pines Campground is located on the north side of beautiful Lake Belwood in Ontario Canada, near Fergus and Elora. We’ve been offering an exceptional camping experience since 1967 and are proud to be a second generation family operated business.

The park is owned by Don and Janet Vallery and employs approximately 30 staff members. Every year approximately 400 families join us seasonally to spend their weekends and holiday time in a relaxed and natural setting. They get to know the area and participate in local events and activities as well as contribute to the economy. From an Olympic-sized swimming pool to our Castle Playground (popular with the kids), there's something for everyone!

As well as our seasonal campers we’re visited by the traveling public who stop by for a night, a weekend or their vacation time. We host approximately 3000 overnight visitors and the total tourism dollars spent in the local economy is well in excess of $2-3 million dollars each summer.

We are open early May to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Community Involvement

Highland Pines is connected to the community and supports many worthwhile endeavors. We are a major donor to Groves Memorial Community Hospital, The Living Classroom – Campaign for Outdoor Education through the GRCA and St. John’s United Church in Belwood.

As well we sponsor many events and organizations such as the Centre Wellington Awards of Excellence, Guelph Fire Fighters Calendar, Hospice Wellington, Belwood Pike Derby and the Fergus Elora Rotary Club events. Each year exceptional students employed by Highland Pines entering post secondary education are awarded a $500 bursary. Since 1997 when the program began 21 students have been recognized.

As well as financial support there is a philosophy of giving back to the community and Don and Janet are involved with many organizations. Janet served 11 years on the Board of Directors at Groves Hospital including chair for three years; she co-chaired the $15 million dollar Hospital Redevelopment Campaign and is a founder and current chair of the Hospital Foundation. Don is a member of the Physician Recruitment Committee, supervised the construction of the new physician office complex and is a member of the Economic Development Committee. In 2002 Highland Pines received the Small Business of the Year Award.

The philosophy of giving back to the community is reflected by the staff of Highland Pines and was clearly demonstrated when the tornado of 2005 tore through Fergus and the surrounding area. The Highland Pines team cleared trees and debris and cut a path through to the YMCA camp where close to 100 children were trapped in the aftermath of the tornado.