Voyageur Provincial Park is a family-friendly park where you can create memories to last a lifetime!
From coniferous forests to soulful bogs, the park’s multitude of habitats are showcased through a stunning day-use area, unique trails, and many bays on the Ottawa River.
A 2-minute drive from Highway 417 and 16 km to Hawkesbury, Voyageur Provincial Park is a must-see in the southeasternmost corner of Ontario.
Here are 5 reasons you should book your midweek visit to Voyageur:
1. The perfect basecamp for adventurers
Are long road trips holding you back from exploring eastern Ontario? If that’s the case, Voyageur is the place for you!
As Ontario’s easternmost provincial park, Voyageur acts as a relay point between Ottawa and Montréal, just an hour away in both directions.
Voyageur also makes the perfect midweek stop for a summer road trip!
In Ottawa, Canada’s capital, explore the Parliament Buildings, its seven national museums, stroll alongside the Ottawa River, or take in the 202 km Rideau Canal.
Only an hour east of Voyageur is the city of Montréal, offering a wide variety of activities and exceptional landscapes along the Old Port of Montréal boardwalk. The Biosphère is a must-see on your travels through Montréal’s historic city.
2. Endless day use options
Voyageur is known for its excellent day-use area. Equipped with a park store/restaurant, two beaches, and Outaouais Trail, it’s the perfect location for big family gatherings with ample space for family fun.
During peak hours, the day use area is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., allowing for maximum summertime fun!
Voyageur also offers boat rentals with canoes, single, and two-person kayaks!
Boat rentals are open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Remember to pay at the park store; payment is not accepted at the boat rental facility. Stop by early! Boats are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.
Prefer to relax at the water’s edge? Try your luck at angling right off the side of the Ottawa River at Voyageur’s many bays.
Check out Iroquois and Champlain boat launches and around the boat rental concession. Your most likely catches include Small-mouth and Large-mouth Bass, pike, Walleye, or panfish.
Invasive species alert! Efforts to remove the invasive European Chestnut are ongoing at Voyageur. Learn how you can help park staff.
3. Stunning natural features
Voyageur offers a diverse landscape for campers and day users to explore.
There are four beaches: one in the Champlain Campground, another in the Iroquois Campground, and two adjacent to each other in the day use area. These are the Main Beach and the New Beach, the only designated dog beach in our beautiful park.
The campground-designated beaches offer a more private camping-to-beach experience for visitors.
In addition to their many lovely beaches, the park offers three amazing hiking trails, each unique in its own way.
The oldest and most popular trail is the Coureurs des Bois Trail, a 1.8 km loop of moderate difficulty with many interpretive panels placed throughout to help you fully engage with the land around you.
The Outaouais Trail lives up to its name, following the Ottawa River along Iroquois Bay. This 2.7 km trail is our only one-way route, starting at the edge of New Beach and winding its way to Iroquois Beach, offering many beautiful sights along the way.
Voyageur’s newest hiking trail revitalizes the old Equestrian Trail, once used for horseback rides led by interpretive guides. The Wàwàshkeshì Trail is a 3.6 km loop of moderate difficulty, featuring inclines through cedar trees that open into the old lagoon and its rolling, grassy landscape.
4. Lots of room for midweek campers
Need a break from the concrete jungle? Do you want to reconnect with nature and enjoy Ontario’s diverse wildlife?
Head over to Voyageur Provincial Park and relish the tranquility of southeast Ontario’s hidden landscape gem!
Midweek camping provides a unique opportunity to experience the park differently.
You’ll have more chances to spot wildlife, explore hidden wonders, or engage in friendly conversations with park rangers.
5. Fun programs for the whole family!
Going on your first camping trip or need to brush up on the basics?
The park ambassador program is tailored to visitors interested in learning more about how to camp, what tools are essential for camping, and how to safely interact with wildlife.
Ambassador programs are free with your park reservation and are offered in French and English as drop-in sessions or pre-booked sessions.
Book an Ambassador program for a one-on-one, skills-based experience. To learn more about the ambassador program, click here.
Are you curious about the beautifully rich environment that surrounds us?
Check out the park’s exploration stations led by Discovery staff to foster your curiosity and develop skills to bring intentional insights into your everyday life.
Planning your trip to Voyageur?
Voyageur has 416 sites, including electric/non-electric, premium sites, private spots, and spacious sites to accommodate large RVs.
Three different campgrounds cater to the needs of various campers: Champlain, Iroquois, and Portage.
Champlain Campground is the most social, ideal for families despite having the least privacy.
Portage Campground offers lots of privacy with large campsites, generous space between neighbors, and a secluded, natural ambiance.
For a blend of Champlain’s social atmosphere and Portage’s privacy, consider the Iroquois Campground. Iroquois features larger sites than Champlain but smaller than Portage, with 20 sites per loop set amidst beautiful, forested landscapes.
If you’re looking to visit for the day, remember to plan ahead! Just as you would pack your gear before a big camping trip, remember to book your permit in advance to guarantee entry into the park.
Check the park’s Facebook page regularly for capacity updates and more information to help plan your trip!
Voyageur Provincial Park is your perfect recreational summer destination to explore during your midweek getaway!
