Amenities
Your One Stop Campground
Spend your time with us
Auburn Riverside Retreat has over 5,000 ft of riverfront access on the Maitland River. The mighty Maitland is a river that runs through Huron County, Perth County and Wellington County in southwestern Ontario. The river is in the Great Lakes Basin and empties into Lake Huron at the town of Goderich. It is 150 kilometres long, and is named after Sir Peregrine Maitland, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada from 1818 to 1828. It was formerly known as the Menesetung River. It is a great place to float in a tube or canoe or to spend the day fishing or just to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
At Auburn Riverside Retreat we have tubes available for rent. All tubes come with PFDs and paddles.
Activities
Experience everything
The Elk
Social Events and BBQs
We are well know for our social events, themed weekends, and planned activities which take place all season long at Auburn Riverside. Check out the summer calendar for details, updates to activities are ongoing throughout the summer.
Hiking and Biking
We have endless hiking and biking trails on our 100 acre property along the river or in the forest. There is also the Huron County hiking trails such as the G2G stretching right past Auburn from Goderich to Guelph. Hike to Goderich on a more scenic route via the Maitland Trail. Or travel as far as the Bruce Peninsula in the Northwest and Windsor in the South. See Hike Huron, Maitland Trail, G2G Trail, Ontario Trails, and the hiking page at the Ontario West Coat website for more information.
Viewing Deck
The viewing deck is a 400 square foot deck overlooking the Maitland River. It is a short walk from the main road and offers a fantastic unobstructed view up and down the river valley. It is a great spot to observe wildlife such as wild bald eagles who nest in the trees along the shores.
Playground
Games and Crafts
Fishing
Wagon Rides
Horseshoe Pits
Pool
Beautiful, salt water pool with steps for ease of access. Close to the playground and open mid June-mid September weather depending.
Soccer Field
It may not be regulation size, but it does the job well to make a great game of soccer!
Volleyball
Tubing
Relax or have some splashing fun on the Maitland river! Bring your own or rent a tube from us!
Bouncy Pillow!
Every kid loves the Bouncy Pillow!
Gaga Ball Pit
Amenities
we also have
Wifi Internet
Basic wireless internet available throughout the park. Upgrades for high speed or streaming also available. Contact the office for details.
Laundry
Washers and dryers are located at the back of the main washroom building, bring your soap, loonies and quarters.
Washer: 2 Loonies
Dryer: 1 Loonie + 2 quarters.
Recreation Hall
The recreation hall is used for crafts, games, activities and accommodates approximately 120 people, has a kitchen. This is available for private rental. Contact the office for details.
Washrooms
At Auburn Riverside Retreat we work very hard to ensure that the washroom facilities are always extremely clean and sanitary. We stress a clean washroom environment for your ease and relaxation. There are two main washroom facilities with sinks, toilets and showers. One located mid campground and the other located at the back by the recreation hall. Two units are handicap accessible. There is also a full flush washroom trailer located on the lower level of the campground.
Pool and Playground
We have a heated, salt-water pool inspected regularly by the health unit! The children’s playground and bouncy pillow is right beside the pool and has a small basketball court, beach volleyball net, soccer field, 3 horseshoe pits, brand new play equipment with 3 slides, a rock wall, monkey bars and more! New in 2025 is our Sport court! The perfect spot for mini sticks and more!
Fishing Information
The main challenge to fishing in this river is the fluctuating levels of water. Sometimes you have to wait for good rains before you go fishing. Patience, whether it is waiting for the rains to fall, or patience while fishing can never go wrong in the trout game. Be prepared to wait for the right water temperatures, find the right fly or bait and your persistence will definitely be rewarded when fishing on the Maitland.
The spring Rainbow trout run is very good in this area. You may also catch returning Steelheads at the Maitland River mouth with some good worms or spawn as your bait. These Steelhead trout weigh in at about six to eight pounds. However, ten pounders are fairly common, while on the rare occasion in the right year, you may even bag one of the twenty pounders that pass through the Maitland river mouth.
Because of the size of the Steelheads, you must be appropriately equipped if you intend hauling in some of the larger fish. Choose a longer rod when fishing in a large river. A rod of around nine foot six will suit most anglers. A graphite handles are good on a longer rod which will allow you to float a jig or drift spoons early in the season. Later you can move on to roe as bait. Two-handed rods are also a good choice for Steelhead fishing in these waters.
When there are many fish biting, you will have to catch and release, so use single barbless hooks where possible and handle the fish carefully so as not to damage their skin or gills.
The Lower Maitland River Valley is part of a larger conservation area where regulations have been designed to protect the ecosystem and various rare species. This Valley plays an important role in protecting biodiversity in the Great Lakes Basin. This area is at risk as a result of the encroachment of cities and the pollution that accompanies them. If we want to continue to enjoy great trout fishing, we need to respect these attempts to preserve the best of the environment.
There are, fortunately, many other spots along the 150 kilometers of the Maitland River in superb wild and picturesque settings where you can fish according to your preference.
