Outdoor Activities

Renfrew County has two major rivers (Ottawa and Madawaska), the edge of Algonquin Park, thousands of hectares of Crown land, and a network of trails that ranges from paved multi-use paths to backcountry portage routes. The outdoor opportunities here are genuine and mostly uncrowded compared to anything south of Algonquin.

Paddling

Whitewater Rafting

The Ottawa River near Foresters Falls has the biggest commercially rafted whitewater in Eastern Canada. Three outfitters operate here: Owl Rafting, Esprit Whitewater, and Wilderness Tours. Full-day trips ($100-150) include Class III-IV rapids, lunch, and usually a riverside barbecue. Half-day options are available. The season runs May through September. July and August weekends book out early.

Petawawa River

A 49 km multi-day canoe/kayak route from Cedar Lake to McManus Lake with significant whitewater including Devil's Chute, Crooked Chute, Rollway, The Natch, White Horse, and Devil's Cellar. This is intermediate-to-advanced paddling. Water levels matter — check the gauge before committing. Access is from the Brent area in Algonquin Park's north end.

Madawaska River

The Madawaska runs 230 km from its headwaters to Arnprior, with difficulty ranging from flat water to Class V depending on the section and water level. Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC), operating since 1972 near Barry's Bay, runs courses from beginner to instructor-level. The Paddler Co-op is another option. The lower sections near Arnprior are calm enough for recreational paddling.

Flatwater

Kamaniskeg Lake (Barry's Bay), Muskrat Lake (Cobden), and the Ottawa River near Petawawa Point all offer good flatwater paddling. Boat launches are available at most lakes. The Ottawa River is wide and can get choppy with wind — stay close to shore in a canoe.

Hiking and Walking

• Emerald Necklace Trail (Petawawa) — 16 km multi-use trail through town and Petawawa Terrace conservation area. Paved/gravel, flat, stroller-friendly.
• Gillies Grove (Arnprior) — 2.7 km trail through old-growth white pine forest, including Ontario's tallest measured white pine at 47 metres.
• Barron Canyon Trail (Algonquin east side) — 1.5 km trail to the rim of a 100-metre gorge. Short but spectacular. One of the best short hikes in Ontario.
• Westmeath Provincial Park — Easy trails along a former channel of the Ottawa River. Good birding, especially during migration.
• Forest Lea Trails — 30 km of multi-use trails near Pembroke through mixed forest. Mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing.

Cycling

The Algonquin Trail (former Ottawa Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway corridor) runs through the county and is gradually being improved as a multi-use trail. Surface quality varies — some sections are smooth crushed limestone, others are rough. The Cyclotron loop near Petawawa is a 29 km road cycling route through forested terrain. McNab/Braeside back roads near Arnprior are quiet and scenic for road cycling.

Fishing

The Ottawa River holds walleye, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskie, and sturgeon. The Madawaska has smallmouth bass and walleye. Kamaniskeg Lake has lake trout, bass, and walleye. Ice fishing is popular on Muskrat Lake and Kamaniskeg. An Ontario fishing licence is required — buy one online through the Ministry of Natural Resources website before you arrive.

Winter Activities

• Cross-country skiing: Deep River XC Ski Club (100+ km groomed). Sawlog Bay trails near Petawawa. Fitzroy Provincial Park near Arnprior.
• Downhill skiing: Mount Martin near Barry's Bay (12 runs, $20-25/day).
• Snowmobiling: Extensive OFSC trail network connecting all major towns. Trail conditions posted on OFSC website.
• Snowshoeing: Forest Lea Trails, Emerald Necklace, and any Crown land. Rentals available at some outfitters.

See also: things to do for non-outdoor activities, and the individual town pages for location-specific details.