Credit: Wilderness Tours Adventure Resort
With many of its towns along the beautiful Ottawa River, this county’s many outdoor and history-based attractions can fill countless days. You can hit the water to fish, boat or opt to stay inland along amazing trails with unforgettable views. With four provincial parks and lots of great sights in between, get ready to ‘Do the Frew.’
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25 Outdoor Adventures in the Ottawa Valley
Go Whitewater Rafting
The Ottawa River is like a whitewater staircase with calm pools below the rapids allowing time to rest and bask in the splendour of this beautiful river. Various companies offer rafting trips for beginners to experienced and from day trips to multiday trips.
Cost varies depending on the package – $79 & up
Address:
Wilderness Tours Adventure Resort, 1260 Grants Settlement Rd, Forrester Falls (they offer a variety of water activities in addition to camping onsite.)
OWL Rafting, 40 OWL Lane, Forrester Falls (they also offer a variety of activities in addition to a resort stay.)
Hark to the ark
Logos Land Resort is known for its ark-shaped headquarter, but its true delights are outdoors. Spend a day bouncing between the zip line, the water park, animal farm, trails and the golf course. You can camp online to repeat the cycle over and over.
Day pass rates via by activity with the zip line between $29 and $37, splash pass for $20 to $25 and other non-golf activities $8 to $11.
Address: 15906 Ontario Hwy. 17, Cobden
Phone: 613-646-9765
Get an eagle’s viewpoint
The hike up Manitou Mountain will take lung power over nine kilometres of trail, but it is completely worthwhile when you reach Eagle’s Nest Lookout. The vista from this rocky outcrop is unforgettable. Walk through pine forests and stunning scenery to get to the Barrett Chute and Calabogie Road trailheads as well. The trail also links to Lost Valley Trail, Juniper Ridge Lookout and the scenic Skywalk Trail atop Dickson Mountain.
Address: 30 Barrett Chute Road, Calabogie (Directions)
Phone: 613-752-2720
Swing across the Bonnechere River
Get a thrill by crossing one of only three swinging bridges in Canada just off Arthur Street in Renfrew. The W.H. Kearney family built the first version of this suspension bridge in 1885. It was replaced by a wood and cable construction in 1983 and then updated again in 2015. From here, you get an excellent view of the river and the power-generation plant.
Address: 65 Arthur Street, Renfrew (Directions)
Dare the Bonnechere Caves
Go underground to get out of the heat and to discover an incredible tunnel of paths carved out by water generations ago. You’ll learn about geology, the lives of bats, and your tolerance for small spaces.
The site also hosts underground dinners, on-site concerts and other special events.
For a 30-minute tour, you pay $13 for a child under 13 and $19 for an adult.
Address: 1247 Fourth Chute Road, Douglas
Follow the giant footprints
Bonnechere Provincial Park engages your brain and your body with two trails that entertain you along the way. McNaughton Trail has 13 giant footprint signs along its two-kilometre route, with educational text. The Walks of the Little Bonnechere River teach visitors about the natural and human history of the area as you explore 10 separate trails.
Daily fees range from $10 to $18.50.
Address: 4024 Round Lake Road, Killaloe
Tear up the track
Calabogie Motor Sports gives you a chance to drive a high-performance car or motorcycle on a closed track so you can safely pick up some serious speed.
You can circle the track for 30 minutes for $75 or spend a day going in circles for $475.
You can also earn your racing licence here.
Address: 462 Wilson Farm Rd, Calabogie
O’Kenny River Tubing
O’Kenny River Tubing, located on the picturesque banks of the Muskrat River, offers an exciting and safe tubing adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. As a subsidiary of O’Kenny Craft Spirits, this unique tubing experience combines the thrill of exciting rapids with the tranquility of a lazy river. With a focus on providing gear, services, and information for a self-guided adventure, O’Kenny River Tubing invites visitors to enjoy the beauty and excitement of the Muskrat River.
Address: O’Kenny River Tubing, 2 International Drive, Pembroke
Live Music & Good Food
Listen to concerts by famous artists while enjoying delicious wood-fired pizza at Neat Coffee Shop.
Address: 1715 Calabogie Road, Burnstown
Relive the Avro Arrow’s glory
Speaking of speed, the Avro Arrow was a pioneering supersonic airplane that was made in Canada but scuttled in 1959. However, its history lives on in Zurakowski Park in Barry’s Bay. It is a tribute to inaugural test pilot Janusz Zurakowski who lived in the village in his later life.
Address: 83 Kelly St., Barry’s Bay
Saddle up!
Learn how to ride at Pinto Valley Ranch, whose gentle horses make it easy to fall in love with exploring trails with a trusty stead. You can get lessons for people of any age or in small groups for $60 per person per lesson.
Address: 1969 Galetta Side Road, Fitzroy Harbour
Phone: 613-623-3439
Trek through Terrace Park
For a back-to-nature experience, visit Terrace Provincial Park and its 215 hectares of untouched beauty. Amid the trees, you’ll find six kilometres of trails and many rare herbaceous plants. Trek to see the 30-metre-high sand terrace and natural springs. Since it is not staffed, there is no admission.
Address: 17 Sunset Crescent, Petawawa
History from the industrial age
The McDougall Mill Museum has three floors packed with artifacts, such as Canadian Beauty Appliances and products from Renfrew Refrigerator Company, Renfrew Machinery Acorn stoves, Renfrew Flour Mills and the Renfrew Creamery. All this is housed in a stone grist mill was built in 1855 by a fur trader and Hudson’s Bay Company agent. Admission is by donation.
Address: 65 Arthur Avenue, Renfrew
Hockey’s history in the Ottawa Valley
Learn about the early days of the Stanley Cup and the Renfrew Millionaires at the Birthplace NHA/NHL Museum that traces the history of the sport from its early roots. Find out how the league born here played a pivotal role for the Ottawa Senators and the future NHL.
Address: 1 MA-TE Way Park Drive, Renfrew
Sandy secret park
Westmeath Provincial Park is tucked on a former channel of the Ottawa River and has an active sandspit that encloses Bellows Bay. Walk along the dunes as you watch for waterfowl, shorebirds, and turtles who nest in this habitat. Its the beach borders the Ottawa River. Since it is not manned, admission is free.
Water walk
Gillies Trail traipses 2.7 kilometres from Gillies Grove through Robert Simpson Park and along the Madawaska River in the pretty town of Arnprior. It’s a great break to stretch your legs after visiting this town or another Renfrew County site.
Address: Along the waterfront, Arnprior
The beauty of a beach in Burnstown
Burnstown Beach boasts a fabulous sandy beach on the Madawaska River, along with a play structure, seasonal concession stand, and public washrooms. Launch your boat launch or stay ashore and relax. Check out the village’s Bittersweet Gallery before heading home.
Address: 1537 Calabogie Road, Burnstown
Visit the ghost towns
You can tour abandoned towns and structures to see how economic changes led to residents walking away from these small communities. While Balaclava, Khartum, and Newfoundout are the most well-known, there are 30 sites in total.
Address: Opeongo Road
Magic in the museum
The regal clock tower signals you to drop into the kid-friendly Arnprior and District Museum for a short dose of history, with a colouring book for the kids to take home with them. The permanent exhibit focuses on the history of the town, but the rotating exhibits offer fresh material regularly. Admission by donation.
Address: 35 Madawaska St, Arnprior
Find joy in Foy
Explore the Foy property’s high granite and quartz uplands amidst pine, oak, aspen, birch and Eastern Hemlock then head to the beach of fine sand deliver from the delta of a great waterway from a melted glacier. Watch for the outline of long-gone ancient lake etched in the shoreline. Since this park is unmanned, there is no admission.
Address: Red Rock Road, Killaloe
Stock up on fresh food
The Renfrew Farmers’ Market operates every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Renfrew Fairgrounds. Come enjoy local fruits, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, meats, baking and crafts. The market runs from May to Thanksgiving.
Address: 117 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Renfrew
Play beside the berries
Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch offers a variety of activities to keep kids busy while you fill your basket. The fun includes the Blueberry Hill Tunnel Slide, Pirate Ship Maze with slide, climbing wall and small zip line, a petting zoo, Kid Corral, jumping horse tire swings, giant sand box, trails and the Hop Dot Colour Maze. Admission costs $3.
Address: 2139 Greenwood Rd, Pembroke
Splash in Eganville
Cool off on a hot day in the colourful splash pad at the Legion Field in Eganville. The pad sprays refreshing water from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the summer. If you need to change, there are seasonal washrooms at Legion Park, McRae Park and the Eganville Tourist Information Centre.
Address: 9 Foran Street, Eganville
Take the family fishing
With an abundance of lakes, fishing for pike, bass, walleye, catfish or perch is a fun way to spend a day. Connect with Irish Creek Outfitters for all the gear and tips you need to snag a bass worth bragging about.
Packages start at $250 for five hours, with all the gear you need, plus a barbecue lunch onshore.
Cool off in this chill lake
Gorman Lake Beach is perfect for families with small children seeking a quiet afternoon outdoors. Just leave your dog at home and be prepared to watch your kids since there are no lifeguards. Parking is the only service provided by bring lunch and your own towels.
Address: 3404 Letterkenny Road, Wilno
Historic farmers’ market
The Pembroke Farmers’ Market began in the 1900s and has been the venue for selling local goods since that time. The vendors operate out of 5,000-square-foot building that opened in 2007. Shop for fruit, vegetables, meats, baked goods, honey, preserves, gluten-free mixes, handcrafted products, clothing, jewellery, soaps and skin care products, and furniture.
Address: Victoria Street, Pembroke
See the giant sundial
Take in a walking tour of 22 heritage sites in Pembroke, ranging from the Portage Sundial, Grey Gables Mansion and Cockburn Pointer Boat Monument. Check out murals that also tell the town’s story for those who are learning history and those who have already lived it.