Things to Do in Renfrew County

Renfrew County is not a theme park. It is a large, mostly rural part of Ontario where the main attractions are natural: rivers, lakes, trails, and the edge of Algonquin Park. If you are expecting polished tourist infrastructure, recalibrate. If you want good water, quiet roads, genuine small towns, and some of the best whitewater in Eastern Canada, you are in the right place.

Best Outdoor Activities

Ottawa River Whitewater Rafting

The Ottawa River near Foresters Falls (30 minutes east of Pembroke) has Class III-IV rapids and three established outfitters: Owl Rafting, Esprit Whitewater, and Wilderness Tours. Full-day trips run $100-150 per person including lunch. This is the single best outdoor activity in the county and one of the best rafting experiences in Canada. Book ahead for summer weekends.

Algonquin Park Access

The east gate of Algonquin is accessible from Barry's Bay via Highway 60. The east end of the park is quieter than the Highway 60 corridor from Huntsville. Day-use hiking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are all accessible from this end. A day vehicle permit is $21. See the outdoor activities guide for more detail.

Petawawa River Paddling

The 49 km route from Cedar Lake to McManus Lake is serious intermediate-to-advanced whitewater with named rapids including Devil's Chute and Crooked Chute. For calmer water, the Ottawa River sections near Petawawa Point are better suited to recreational paddling.

Bonnechere Caves

The Bonnechere Caves near Eganville are a commercial cave system with guided tours through formations that are 500 million years old. The caves contain fossils from when this area was a tropical sea floor. Tours run about 45 minutes, cost around $20 for adults, and operate May through October. It is a good rainy-day option and kids enjoy it. The caves are cool underground so bring a layer even in summer.

Cultural and Heritage

Pembroke Heritage Murals

Over 35 large-scale murals across Pembroke's downtown depicting Ottawa Valley history. Walkable in an hour. Free. Genuinely interesting even if you are not a history person.

Wilno Polish Heritage

Canada's oldest Polish settlement, 10 km north of Barry's Bay. The Polish Kashub Heritage Museum, St. Mary's Church (1875), the Wilno Craft Gallery, and the Wilno Tavern for handmade pierogi.

Canadian Clock Museum

Over 1,500 clocks in Deep River. Niche but genuinely unique. Open seasonally.

Champlain Trail Museum

Regional history museum in Pembroke with a restored 1867 schoolhouse. Small, well done, worth 45 minutes.

Summer Evenings

• Skylight Drive-In (Pembroke) — Operating since 1954. Double features on summer weekends. Cash preferred. Bring bug spray.
• Waterfront Movie Nights (Pembroke) — Free outdoor movies at the amphitheatre, Tuesdays in summer.
• Town beaches — Petawawa Point, Lamure Beach in Deep River, Robert Simpson Park in Arnprior. All free, all decent.

Winter

• Cross-country skiing: Deep River XC Ski Club (100+ km groomed trails). Best in the county.
• Downhill: Mount Martin near Barry's Bay. 12 runs, $20-25/day, no membership.
• Snowmobiling: Extensive OFSC trail network throughout the county. The Arnprior-Pembroke-Petawawa corridor is well-connected.
• Ice fishing: Kamaniskeg Lake, Muskrat Lake, and the Ottawa River. Lake trout, walleye, perch.

What is Not Worth the Hype

Honestly, there is not much that is overhyped because not much is hyped at all. But if you are expecting cute boutique shopping or a lively restaurant scene, you will be disappointed. The towns are functional, not fashionable. Dining options are limited outside of Pembroke and Arnprior. The appeal of this area is the outdoors and the authenticity, not the polish.

For more detail, see the outdoor activities guide and the local highlights page.