A Summer Adventure in Whitewater Region, Admaston/Bromley and Horton Townships Full of Excitement

Hello friends,

I have said it before and I will say it again, the Ottawa Valley is an amazing place with so many things to do and see. This is why I am working with the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association to bring to the world itineraries that profile each of the townships within the Ottawa Valley. To say I am excited about this project is an understatement. The first of the beautiful townships to be showcased are Whitewater Region, Admaston/Bromley and Horton Townships.

There isn’t a bad time of year to visit any of these areas of the Ottawa Valley, but in my opinion, the best seasons to visit are spring and summer. In spring, the water levels are higher and this makes the whitewater prime for rafting and whitewater kayaking enthusiasts. While I love trying new things, I’m not an extreme thrill-seeker nor do I enjoy cold water. This is why my favourite time of year to go whitewater rafting is in August or September. This is why Whitewater Region, Admaston/Bromley and Horton Townships are being showcased this month.

Accommodations

Located in the heart of Whitewater Region in Beachburg, Ontario is the Whitewater Inn. The inn has four suites that are thoughtfully decorated. There are bike and hiking trails that are a stone’s throw away from the inn. The Whitewater Inn is more than an inn, they also host specialty farm-to-fork dinners with produce from Hedgeview Farm and different events that are in conjunction with other local attractions. They even have bicycles to rent, which is an awesome way to discover and explore Whitewater Region.

Valley Cycle Tours operates out of the Whitewater Inn. There are a variety of tours that they offer from multi-day tours to single-day guided tours and so many in between. This is a super cool and unique way to explore the Ottawa Valley.

There are several campgrounds, and there is also a unique experience that I was able to find on Airbnb where you can camp on a farm in Horton Township. A link to that Airbnb listing can be found here. This looks like a serene spot AND there is livestock on the farm that you can respectfully observe from a distance. One of the reviews reads “fantastic place to stay it is a real one-off place!”

Another Airbnb option is just down the road from OWL Rafting and Wilderness Tours in Foresters Falls. The link to the Airbnb listing can be found here. One of the many positives about this Airbnb is that there are lots of activity options nearby.

Logos Land Resort is truly a family-friendly option. Not only is Logos Land a campground, but they also have so many family-friendly activities like the vast waterpark, zip line course and an 18 hole golf course.

Lastly, Wilderness Tours and OWL Rafting have a plethora of lodging options. From cabins of various sizes to the recreational vehicle and tent sites, there is something for everyone regardless of the group size. While you’re there you can go on one of their whitewater rafting excursions.

Where to Eat

One of my favourite places to eat is at Whitewater Brewing Company at the Lakeside Brew Pub. Not only are their beers delicious, their food is also delicious too. My go-to menu item at the Lakeside Brew Pub is the Whitewater burger. They use locally sourced beef, which is the best, and it is always packed with flavour. I should also say that my current favourite beer is Low Hanging Fruit. Whitewater Brewing Company also hosts a variety of events throughout the year from beer yoga to chef’s dinners and trivia nights.

If you’re in the mood for dessert, you’re in luck. The Scoop Cobden is a short drive away and sells generous servings of Kawartha Dairy ice cream. They have so many flavours, there is bound to be one that tickles your fancy. If you can’t decide on just one, you can get two flavours in the same cup or cone – which is my go-to since I cannot ever decide on just one flavour.

Stores to Visit

The Lakeside General Store is located in Cobden, Ontario and is a vintage general store that sells local foods, artistic pieces and different things that you can’t find anywhere else. I truly appreciate their emphasis on showcasing local wares and goods.

Whitewater Ranch Farm Shop is also located in Cobden, Ontario. The drive to get to the farm shop is absolutely picturesque – rolling hills, farm fields and what feels like a refreshing hug from nature. Whitewater Ranch is one of the many farms/ranches in the Ottawa Valley. Whitewater Ranch sells its pastured and ethically raised beef and pork products. I have had their pork belly and ground beef – both were absolutely phenomenal. Whitewater Ranch Farm Shop also sells Pickling Dixie products. These are pickled/canned products that they make in-house using vegetables that have been grown on the ranch.

The Hen House recently reopened and is better than ever. Located in the beautiful Beachburg, the Hen House sells footwear; swimwear; lingerie; and home decor. They actually have one of the largest selections of Birkenstocks in the Ottawa Valley. A gorgeous boutique that is worth a visit.

Things to do

On to one of my most favourite categories – things to do. I would be remised if I did not include whitewater rafting as that is what Whitewater Region is known for, but Whitewater Region, Horton and Admaston/Bromley Townships are way more than whitewater. This area of the Ottawa Valley has stunning scenery and great trails that are just waiting to be explored.

Firstly, besides hiking (because that will always be number one) my favourite past-time is driving the country roads in the Ottawa Valley. The rollings hills with the often unexpected views are my favourite. Usually, when I am driving home, I will take a different route to satisfy my mild sense of adventure. There is something about seeing vast fields with either cows or some sort of crops that are so darn calming. Have I mentioned how much I love the Ottawa Valley?

Whitewater Rafting

In my opinion, the best time to go whitewater rafting is in August or September. This is because the water is not only warm, but the water levels are also significantly lower than they are at the beginning of the season. This means that the rapids are not as intense and it is more of a family-friendly adventure. There are several options if you wish to go white water rafting.

To name a few: OWL Rafting; RiverRun Rafting; and Wilderness Tours. There are also several rafting locations on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River that run whitewater rafting day trip tours. If you have not been white water rafting before, a good rule of thumb is the smaller the raft, the more adventurous the trip. Think of it like flying in a small plane – you’re more likely to feel the turbulence than you are in a jetliner. That is my perspective, anyway.

It should be noted that OWL Rafting’s last weekend of rafting for the year is this weekend (September 17-19) and Wilderness Tours last weekend is September 24-26.

Trails to Explore

The Ottawa Valley is comprised of a vast trail system. One of the most extensive trail systems is maintained by Renfrew County ATV Club and is owned & managed by the County of Renfrew. As stated on the Renfrew County ATV website, “our vision, however, is to provide trails which are multi-use…” This means that hikers, ATV riders and people on dirt bikes are permitted to use these trails – provided they follow all applicable by-laws pertaining to the use of the trails.

One of the trails worth noting in the area of Whitewater Region, Horton Township and Admaston/Bromley Township is the Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail. This trail is in the former Canadian Pacific rail bed (the tracks have been removed) and runs from Smiths Falls to Mattawa. This is a multi-use trail and is a great way to see this section of the Ottawa Valley from a different perspective. Since it is on a former rail bed, this means that the trail is relatively flat and any sort of increase in elevation would be gradual since a train would not be able to complete a steep climb successfully.