Find out how to use Bonnechere as a basecamp to discover the Ottawa Valley
Situated alongside the meandering Bonnechere River, Bonnechere Provincial Park is the proper place to discover with your loved ones.
Bonnechere — positioned in Killaloe, ON (simply 2 hours from Ottawa) — is among the Ottawa Valley’s hidden gems. It’s additionally an amazing spot from which to discover all of the area has to supply.
Right here’s how you are able to do that:
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Your house base
Bonnechere’s campers return 12 months after 12 months due to its lovely, personal campsites.
There are three campgrounds, every with a distinct really feel. Of those, all present entry to a central consolation station and water faucets.
The River Loop Campground’s websites sit alongside the river and are non-electrical. You may carry your personal canoe and launch proper from the campsite!
Tall Pines Campground options electrical and non-electrical websites surrounded by enormous White Pines.
Sandy Flats Campground is a radio-free space providing non-electrical websites in a barely extra secluded space of the park.
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What to do at Bonnechere
There’s a ton to do at Bonnechere, beginning with a calming day on the seashore. The park sits on Spherical Lake, and has a sandy seashore with a shallow entry.
Or you may discover the Bonnechere River with a paddle as much as Jack’s Chute. This quiet river is nice for introducing little ones to paddling (and the surroundings will blow you away).
Bonnechere rents kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, which you’ll decide up proper on the boat launch. PFDs, paddles, and security kits are all included together with your rental.
There are a number of nice trails to discover at Bonnechere.
The Walks of the Little Bonnechere River is a compilation of 10 native trails and stopping locations which can allow you to achieve an understanding of the historical past of the river and its individuals.
The Footprints in Time Trails are an actual spotlight.
The modern path designs function distinctive signal posts (a.okay.a., “museums-on-a-stick”) alongside the way in which for a self-guided expertise. Alongside the way in which, you’ll journey from 10,000 BC to current day utilizing the signal posts as your information.
NEW: Bonnechere (with assist from the Buddies of Bonnechere Parks) has prolonged the Footprints in Time Trails to incorporate a brand new 0.3 km waterfront path and a 0.8 km path positioned close to the park entrance.
Be taught extra about constructing a barrier-free Bonnechere!
Lastly, all through the summer time, the park’s Discovery employees provide quite a lot of instructional programming by way of campsite visits and Discovery stations.
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Vacation spot: Ottawa Valley
The Ottawa Valley is legendary for its distinctive mix of heritage and outside recreation.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for an outside journey in contrast to some other, or are interested by exploring the historic cities that line Ottawa River, this area has all of it.
Right here’s what awaits your discovery:
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Pembroke
Typically referred to as the “Coronary heart of the Ottawa Valley,” Pembroke is a small city with a wealthy historical past on the financial institution of the Ottawa River. Right this moment, the downtown district is filled with historic properties, shops, and church buildings that preserve the city’s energetic drive going.
And for a city of its dimension, there’s an terrible lot of actions to maintain you busy. As an example, think about spending a day procuring or attempting out the native eating places and breweries.
Then, take a stroll by way of downtown to view the Pembroke Heritage Murals. A self-guided strolling tour will allow you to uncover the large-scale work celebrating the realm’s wealthy character and heritage.
Historical past buffs may also take a look at the Champlain Museum Path and Pioneer Village, a visit again in time to the flip of the century.
Right here, you’ll see a number of attention-grabbing historic websites, together with a Victorian residence, early physician’s workplace, Pembroke’s first motorized fireplace engine, a normal retailer, barber store, steam engine, and extra!
There are leisure choices as nicely – in common summer time seasons, you may soak up some previous time dancing and fiddling at Fiddle Park. Or see a film on the Skylight Drive-in theatre!
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Renfrew
Renfrew is one other small city within the Ottawa Valley with a lot to supply. The city provides a variety of providers, together with much more various restaurant and procuring selections within the vibrant downtown.
And, like Pembroke, there’s lots of historical past to discover in Renfrew.
The McDougall Mill Museum holds three packed flooring of artifacts, many from Renfrew’s early Industrial days. Ottawa Valley natives donated different artifacts from their travels round Canada and different unique locales.
For hockey followers, Renfrew is the house of an attention-grabbing little bit of historical past – Ambrose O’Brien, who based the Nationwide Hockey Affiliation (the predecessor of the NHL) was born and raised in Renfrew.
Right this moment, the Birthplace NHA/NHL Museum represents his legacy, and Renfrew’s connection to an early interval of sports activities historical past.
Ensure that to go to the Renfrew Swinging Bridge for a superb view of the Bonnechere River!
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Different cities
There are numerous different small cities within the Ottawa Valley nicely price a go to.
Wilno, a small city wealthy in Polish historical past, provides historic websites and a museum, a craft gallery, eating places serving conventional Polish meals, church buildings, and extra.
In the meantime, close by Eganville boasts a number of distinctive eating places, together with espresso outlets, cafes, and craft breweries.
Many communities within the Ottawa Valley host farmers’ markets, promoting locally-produced vegatables and fruits!
In Petawawa, you’ll discover the Garrison Petawawa Army Museums, which commemorates the army historical past of the realm.
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Out of doors experiences
The Ottawa Valley is called the Whitewater Capital of Canada, and for good purpose: it’s residence to a number of the quickest, cleanest, warmest, and most secure rivers within the nation.
The Valley can be residence to Canada’s greatest paddling colleges, together with kayak, canoe, or raft. And a number of other seasoned outfitters provide quite a lot of guided packages!
This space can be the place you’ll discover the well-known Bonnechere Caves. Guided excursions will take guests by way of a powerful cave system to be taught extra about fossils and prehistoric life.
Lastly, we might be remiss to let you know in regards to the Ottawa Valley with out mentioning a number of the different provincial parks within the space as nicely.
Algonquin Provincial Park is barely an hour away.
You would go to the well-known Freeway 60 hall.
Be sure you e book your superior each day automobile allow to discover Algonquin’s Customer Centre, Logging Museum, Artwork Centre, interpretive strolling trails, and extra.
Or you possibly can go to the park’s lesser-known japanese facet. Right here, you’ll discover the Barron Canyon Path.
Many individuals (employees included) will let you know that is the park’s most gorgeous day-hiking path.
Driftwood Provincial Park can be fairly shut.
Its mountaineering trails, together with the Oak Highland Path, climb to lookouts with panoramic views of the Ottawa River.
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Outdoors the county
Bonnechere is barely two hours away from Ottawa. Which means you may discover the Nationwide Capital Area’s many museums, historic websites, outlets, and eating places for the day, or as the subsequent cease in your journey.
Try the Ottawa Tourism web site for a full image of all the things town provides.
