Days Out Ontario

The Ottawa Valley doesn't appear on most family travel lists. It lacks the resort infrastructure of Muskoka and the brand recognition of Niagara. What it has instead is space, clean rivers, and a pace that lets families actually relax rather than rush between scheduled activities. The upper Ottawa Valley, around Petawawa and Pembroke, sits at the transition point between the Ottawa River lowlands and the Algonquin Highlands. The landscape is a mix of river beaches, mixed forest, and small towns built on the lumber trade.

This weekend itinerary is designed for families with kids roughly 4 to 14. It's heavy on outdoor time, light on admission fees, and structured loosely enough that you can adjust on the fly when a beach proves too good to leave or a rainstorm sends you looking for indoor options.

Day 1: Petawawa

Getting There

About 4 hours from Toronto via Highway 400 and Highway 17, or 90 minutes from Ottawa via Highway 17

The drive from Toronto is long enough that you'll want to leave early. From Ottawa, it's a straight shot west on Highway 17, making this a much more practical weekend trip for eastern Ontario families. The highway follows the Ottawa River for much of the route, and the scenery improves steadily as you move west from the farmland around Arnprior into the forested terrain near Petawawa.

Morning: River Beaches

Petawawa sits where the Petawawa River meets the Ottawa River, creating a network of sandy beaches and calm swimming areas that are ideal for families. The beaches along the Ottawa River are wide and sandy, with shallow water that warms up quickly in summer. The Petawawa River beaches, slightly upstream, tend to be quieter and offer a more natural setting with forest running right to the water's edge.

For families with young children, the river beaches are the main event. The sand is clean, the current is gentle near shore, and there's room to spread out without feeling hemmed in by other families. Bring your own shade, as the beaches are open and exposed. Pack a cooler with lunch and plan to stay through the middle of the day. Washroom facilities are available at the main beach areas, though they're basic. This is not a lifeguarded resort beach. You're responsible for your own kids in the water, which is how most Ottawa Valley families prefer it.

Afternoon: Trails and Exploration

When the kids have had enough sand, the trails around Petawawa offer easy outdoor adventures through mixed forest. The Petawawa Heritage Trail follows a former rail line along the river, providing a flat, well-maintained path that works for bikes, strollers, and small legs. The trail runs through forest with occasional views of the river, and the distance is adjustable: walk as far as the kids can manage and turn around.

The town of Petawawa itself is small and practical. There's a grocery store for supplies, a few restaurants, and a Tim Hortons for the inevitable ice cap request. The military base, CFB Petawawa, is the area's largest employer, and the town has the straightforward, no-frills character of a military community. Don't expect artisan coffee shops or boutique shopping. Do expect friendly people and prices that are significantly lower than resort towns.

Evening

Stay in Petawawa or nearby Pembroke, about 20 minutes east. Accommodation options include motels, a couple of inns, and vacation rentals. Book ahead for summer weekends, as the area draws families from Ottawa and the available rooms aren't abundant. Cook dinner at your rental or try one of the local restaurants. Early to bed makes sense when tomorrow starts with a drive.

Day 2: Pembroke and Algonquin Edge

Morning: Pembroke Murals

20 minutes from Petawawa via Highway 17

Pembroke is the commercial centre of the upper Ottawa Valley, and its outdoor mural program is one of the most ambitious small-town public art projects in Ontario. Over 30 large-scale murals cover building walls throughout the downtown, each depicting a scene from the region's history: log drives on the river, early settlers clearing land, Indigenous heritage, and the industrial development of the valley. The murals are scattered across the downtown core, and a walking route connects them all. Pick up a map at the visitor centre or just wander. Kids tend to engage with the murals more than with traditional museums, because the images are big, colourful, and tell stories that are easy to understand.

The mural walk takes about an hour at a family pace. Combine it with a stop at one of Pembroke's downtown restaurants for breakfast or a snack. The town also has a waterfront park on the Ottawa River with a playground and a view across the river to Quebec.

Late Morning: Drive to Algonquin

About 45 minutes from Pembroke to the east gate of Algonquin Provincial Park via Highway 17 and Highway 60

The eastern edge of Algonquin Provincial Park is accessible from the Ottawa Valley via Highway 60, and the drive from Pembroke takes you through some of the prettiest terrain in the region. The landscape shifts from river valley farmland to Canadian Shield forest, with rock cuts and lake views appearing along the highway.

The Algonquin Visitor Centre, near the east gate, is an excellent stop for families. The centre has exhibits on the park's natural and human history, a bookshop, a viewing deck over the forest canopy, and a short trail system. The Visitor Centre trail is about 2 kilometres round trip and offers views over Sunday Creek and the surrounding forest. In fall, the colour from this vantage point is extraordinary.

If your kids have energy for more hiking, the Spruce Bog Trail (Km 42.5) is a 1.5-kilometre boardwalk loop through a boreal bog habitat, flat and accessible. The Beaver Pond Trail (Km 45.2) is slightly longer and passes an active beaver dam. Both trails are well marked and manageable for school-age children.

Afternoon: Head Home

From the Algonquin east gate, the drive back to Ottawa is about 2 hours and 30 minutes via Highway 60 and Highway 17. The drive back to Toronto is about 3 hours and 30 minutes via Highway 60 west and Highway 11 south, though this route through the park is scenic enough to make the extra time worthwhile. On Sundays in summer, leave the park by early afternoon to stay ahead of the returning-cottage-country traffic on Highway 11 and Highway 400.

Trip Planning Notes

Best season: June through September for swimming and full access to trails. The river beaches are warmest in July and August. Late September brings fall colour to the Algonquin section. Winter is quiet and cold, with limited activities beyond snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Total driving: About 1 hour and 30 minutes across the two days, not counting the drive from and to home. The distances are manageable and the drives are scenic.

Budget: This is one of the most affordable weekend getaways in Ontario. The beaches are free. The Pembroke murals are free. Algonquin charges a day-use fee per vehicle. Accommodation and food are the main costs, and both are cheaper here than in Muskoka or Georgian Bay.

Packing: Bring swimsuits, water shoes, sunscreen, bug spray (especially in June), and layers for evening. The Ottawa Valley can be warm during the day and cool by the river at night.

For more on the region, explore our Ottawa Valley hub or check Ottawa Valley Travel for local events and seasonal updates.