Renfrew County
Around Renfrew County
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Countryside and towns · Ontario · 47k people
Renfrew County
Where the Ottawa River runs deep and the forests stand tall
forest greenriver blueautumn ochre
Welcome to Renfrew County, where the Ottawa River runs wide and the bush is close by. Whether you're here for the pickerel, the maple syrup, or just the quiet, you'll find a place that still knows how to slow down.
Clubs for Renfrew County
No clubs for Renfrew County yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Renfrew County. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Renfrew County. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Bonnechere Caves Guided tours through limestone caves with underground streams.
- McDougall Mill Museum Historic grist mill on the Bonnechere River in Renfrew.
- Renfrew County Courthouse 19th-century stone courthouse in Renfrew's downtown.
- O'Brien Theatre Classic single-screen cinema in Renfrew, still operating.
- Deep River Science and Technology Museum Exhibits on local nuclear research and early computing.
- Champlain Trail Multi-use rail trail connecting Renfrew, Cobden, and beyond.
- Outdoors Canoe the Bonnechere River
- Outdoors Hike the Champlain Trail
- With kids Tour the Bonnechere Caves
- With kids Picnic at Renfrew's waterfront
- Evenings Legion pub nights
- Evenings Community hall dances
- Locals love General stores
- Locals love Sugar bushes
Through the year
- Renfrew Fair September Agricultural fair with midway, livestock, and local exhibits.
- Eganville Fair August Small-town fall fair with tractor pulls and homecraft displays.
- Bonnechere Caves Lantern Tours Summer Guided evening tours through the limestone caves by lantern light.
- Deep River Canada Day July 1 Fireworks, live music, and family activities at the waterfront.
- Renfrew Maple Syrup Festival April Sugaring-off demonstrations, pancake breakfasts, and syrup sales.
Renfrew County has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Spring is short and wet; fall is crisp and colourful. Best: Summer (June–August) is the best time to be out, with warm days and long evenings on the water.
Talk like a local
- “the bush”
- The forest or wilderness beyond town.
- “sugaring off”
- Maple syrup season, often with open houses.
- “the valley”
- The Ottawa Valley, the broader region.
- “pickerel”
- Walleye, a prized local fish.
Getaways
- Pontiac, QC Cross the river for Quebec village charm and the Pontiac Cheese Factory.
- Pembroke Largest town nearby, with the Pembroke Marina and Algonquin College.
- Petawawa Home to Canadian Forces Base Petawawa and the Petawawa River.
- Ottawa–Gatineau Capital city with museums, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal.
Local flavour
Teams
- Renfrew Wolves Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)
Also rooting for Ottawa Senators (NHL), Ottawa Redblacks (CFL), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Eat and drink
- butter tarts A classic Ontario pastry, often found at local bakeries and fairs.
- maple syrup From local sugar bushes, celebrated in spring festivals.
- pickerel (walleye) Fresh from the Ottawa River, often fried or grilled.
Where people go
- general stores The heart of small-town commerce and community.
- sugar bushes (maple syrup farms) Where spring brings the sweet smell of boiling sap.
- lakes and rivers The Ottawa River and countless lakes define the landscape.
- sawmills A nod to the region's lumber heritage.
- community halls Gathering places for dances, suppers, and celebrations.
- churches Historic churches anchor many villages.
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Nearby
Every areaPontiacQuebecRiver, forest, and the quiet life.PembrokeOntarioWhere the river meets the pinesPetawawaOntarioWhere the river runs deep and the pines stand tall.Ottawa–GatineauOntarioWhere the canal freezes and the shawarma flowsLanark CountyOntarioWhere the Rideau winds through maple groves.Hastings CountyOntarioGranite shores and pine-scented airBrockvilleOntarioSmall-town charm on the St. Lawrence.MassenaNew YorkSmall towns, big river, endless sky.
Rural Renfrew, ON. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.