Tucked Between Montreal And Ottawa Is Canada’s Scenic Riverside Park With Beaches, Camping, And Trails

There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, attracting some 11 million visitors to explore the great outdoors. Situated between the charming Canadian destinations of Montreal and Ottawa, known for the world’s largest natural ice rink, is a lovely waterfront park offering plenty of fun nature activities: Voyageur Provincial Park.

Voyageur Provincial Park is located on the Ottawa River, which forms the border between the two provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Paddling the lake-like river’s safe bays and coves is popular, and canoes and kayaks are available for rental in the park. It’s also a great place for fishing, birdwatching (besides waterfowl, you might see bald eagles, ospreys, or great blue herons), and spotting wildlife like turtles and frogs. In winter, the park transforms into a snowy paradise, with 10 kilometers (6 miles) of groomed cross-country ski trails. But hitting the beaches and trails, and camping under the stars are some of the best things to do here.

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Explore the beaches and trails of Voyageur Provincial Park

There are four beaches for swimming at Voyageur Provincial Park. Two are at the daytime picnic area, one at the Champlain campsite and the last at the Iroquois campsite. A Tripadvisor reviewer notes that “the river, with its clear, pleasant water, is perfect for swimming” and that all of the park’s beaches are sand. It’s perfect for a refreshing swim on a sunny summer day.

Hikers will love exploring Voyageur Provincial Park’s three trails. The Coureur des Bois trail is a 1.5 kilometer (0.9 mile) loop that will take approximately 45 minutes. It is isolated in nature and considered easy, showcasing the aquatic habitats here. The Outaouais Trail is a 2.7 kilometer (1.7 mile) linear route partly along the shore of Iroquois Bay, with a few fishing spots and a few panoramic viewpoints. The Wàwàshkeshì Trail, 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) long, has a few small hills but is generally flat: the route passes through a dense cedar forest.

Plan your trip to Voyageur Provincial Park

There are three campgrounds in the park if you want to spend a night here: Champlain, Iroquois and Portage. The campgrounds have more than 400 campsites, and all three have some sites with electrical hookups (there are a total of 150 electrical hookup sites in the park), as well as bathrooms, laundry facilities, and water taps. Argos Girl Outdoors reports that her site was “decently private”, with plenty of shade and “a relaxing place to relax”. If you prefer peace and quiet while camping, reserve one of the dog- and radio-free pitches at the Iroquois campsite. Champlain and Portage campgrounds are better suited to larger facilities; group camping is also available.

Visitors will need a Day Use Permit (DUP) to visit Ontario parks like Voyageur Provincial Park. The closest major airport is Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, which is a 45-minute drive from the park. To continue exploring more of Ontario’s breathtaking natural beauty, visit the magical Kawartha Lakes region, located west of Ottawa.

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