The Ottawa Valley is the Whitewater Capital of Canada

It’s little wonder that generations of travelers have chosen this wilderness landscape as the ideal vacation destination. The scenery is breathtaking! An Ice Age fault cradles the Ottawa River between the Laurentian Mountains and the Algonquin dome. Coursing waterways and rolling woodlands traverse dramatic landforms; towering cliffs stretch skyward and windswept pines cling precariously to rocky shorelines. This is the quintessential Canadian landscape.

The historic Ottawa River flows through the Ottawa Valley, bordering Renfrew Country to the north. It also links us to neighbouring Quebec – la belle province. Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, is at the eastern tip, and the wilderness of Algonquin Park rises to the northwest.

Complimenting this breathtaking scenery, the Ottawa Valley harbours clean water, fresh air and a healthy lifestyle. It calls people out-of-doors for recreational opportunities that are varied and adaptable by season, scenery and technical challenge. To experience the Valley, simply pick a path of exploration. Ply some of the best whitewater in North America or hike to the edge of a 100-metre cliff. Wind your way through an underground cave or snowmobile across classic Canadian Shield terrain. If you want to be outside and active, Renfrew County is the place to be.

History proves that for over 5,000 years the rivers of the Ottawa Valley have been a source of unbridled adventure. First Nations peoples, Voyageur fur traders and European settlers faced seemingly insurmountable challenges – today, outdoor enthusiasts push off these shores to feel that same rush! Adventure seekers and weekend warriors from across North America flock to this region to experience the thrill of whitewater. Hot spots include Le Rocher-Fendu in Beachburg where the Ottawa River threads through an archipelago of thirty islands, the Madawaska River just south of Barry's Bay, and stretches of the Petawawa River - especially the rushing rapids in the heart of downtown Petawawa. The Ottawa Valley has over 10 clean, warm and safe whitewater rivers. It is home to Canada's best paddling schools - kayak, raft or canoe. There are rivers for all seasons and skill levels - the Ottawa, Madawaska, Bonnechere, Petawawa, Opeongo, Dumoine, Barron, Mattawa, Coulonge, Noire, Papineau Creek, York, Grant's Creek and more. Rivers flow from March to the end of November making for a long paddling season.

The Ottawa Valley is recognized as one of the best whitewater destinations in the world and is host to numberous whitewater and paddling competitions, including the World Freestyle Kayak Championships, the Ontario Whitewater Kayak and Open Canoe Championships and Palmer Fest, to name a few.

Several seasoned outfitters offer a variety of guided packages from screamin' high-adventure rafting to gentle family float-trips, sea kayaking and sport-yaking, canoe clinics, slalom racing and whitewater rodeos. Whatever your pleasure, the magic of whitewater lasts a lifetime!

The Ottawa Valley is an angler's paradise. Hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams provide a wide variety of sport-fishing opportunities and habitat for more than 20 species of tasty freshwater fish including trout, catfish, whitefish, walleye (pickerel), pike and bass.

The most popular waterway is the Ottawa River, a great warm-water fishery that rarely fails to deliver. Numerous public boat launches and marinas up and down the river provide access to a wide variety of fish.

For game hunters, the backcountry of the Ottawa Valley provides regulated annual harvest of white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, varying hare and migratory waterfowl. Crown land throughout Renfrew Country is generally open to hunting, subject to the Ontario Game and Fish Act, but when venturing onto private land, hunters must obtain permission from the landowner.

Algonquin Park is the oldest and most renowned provincial park in Ontario, and one of the largest in Canada. A protected wilderness dedicated to preserving our natural ecosystems, Algonquin is one of the best places in North America to view moose and listen to the howl of the wolf. It’s also home to over 250 bird species! The Park’s clean air and water make it ideal for outdoor adventure including camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing and wildlife viewing. Mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding are also perennial favorites for outdoor enthusiasts.

Each year visitors from around the world access this protected wilderness from Renfrew County which boasts not one – but two – gateways to Algonquin. At the East Gate near Whitney, the Hwy 60 corridor provides access to Algonquin’s better-known campgrounds and waterways. Enroute, the Algonquin Logging Museum features a woodland interpretive trail complete with reconstructed log chute, camboose shanty, tugboat and blacksmith shop. Nearby, the Visitor Centre celebrates the best of Algonquin through interactive displays illustrating the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

For a different perspective on the Park, Barron Canyon Road (off of Doran Road, just south of Hwy 17, between Pembroke and Petawawa), takes visitors to the Achray Campground on Grand Lake. Here, the recently restored Outside In cabin commemorates Group of Seven painter Tom Thompson who created one of his signature pieces, The Jack Pine, while working at Grand Lake. Downriver, the put-in at Brigham Lake provides access to paddling and portaging through the belly of the towering Barron River Canyon; aternatively, a short hike along the top of the canyon leads to the edge of this stunning gorge.

Whatever your pleasure, the magic of whitewater lasts a lifetime

For more information, please visit www.ottawavalley.org or call 1-800-757-6580.