Cottages For Sale in Ottawa Valley & Madawaska
Renfrew County runs from the Ottawa River up to the edge of Algonquin Park. Cottages are found on the Madawaska River reservoirs, the Bonnechere lakes and hundreds of smaller Shield lakes.
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Towns and townships in Ottawa Valley & Madawaska
Buying a cottage in Ottawa Valley & Madawaska
Renfrew County is the largest county in Ontario by area. It follows the Ontario shore of the Ottawa River from Arnprior to Deux-Rivieres and reaches southwest into the Madawaska Highlands, with Algonquin Park along its western side. Three rivers organize the lake country. The Madawaska runs through Bark Lake, Kamaniskeg Lake and the Calabogie reservoirs. The Bonnechere links Round Lake and Golden Lake. The Ottawa itself widens into long, lake-like reaches behind its dams.
The county has more than 900 lakes, so choice is wide. Kamaniskeg Lake at Barry's Bay and Calabogie Lake are the best-known, with a mix of older cottages and year-round homes. Golden Lake, Round Lake and Lake Clear are family lakes with sand in places. Black Donald and Centennial lakes are large hydro reservoirs with a wilder feel. Along the Ottawa River, frontage tends to be year-round homes near Arnprior, Pembroke, Petawawa and Deep River. Calabogie has a ski hill, so it stays busy all winter.
Distances are long and towns are small, so check how far a property is from groceries, fuel and a hospital. Many cottage roads are private and not plowed. Septic systems and wells or lake intakes are standard. On the Madawaska reservoirs and the Ottawa River, water levels are controlled by hydro dams and can change through the season, which affects docks and shorelines. Cell and internet service is uneven in the highlands. Short-term rental rules differ by township.
Getting there: About 3.5 to 4.5 hours from Toronto.
- Kamaniskeg Lake
- Calabogie
- Golden Lake
- Ottawa River
- Madawaska River paddling
- Algonquin Park edge
Ottawa Valley & Madawaska questions
How far is the Ottawa Valley from Toronto?
Barry's Bay and Kamaniskeg Lake are about 3.5 to 4 hours from downtown Toronto in normal traffic, travelling through Peterborough and Bancroft. Calabogie, Eganville and Golden Lake are about 4 to 4.5 hours. Pembroke and Deep River are farther again. From Ottawa, most of the county is one to two hours away.
What are the main cottage lakes in Renfrew County?
Kamaniskeg Lake, Calabogie Lake, Golden Lake, Round Lake and Lake Clear draw the most buyers. Black Donald Lake and Centennial Lake are large reservoirs on the Madawaska River. Muskrat Lake at Cobden and Lake Dore near Eganville are popular with local families. White Lake, on the Lanark county line, is the closest large lake to Ottawa.
Do water levels change on the Madawaska River lakes?
Yes. Bark Lake, Centennial Lake, Black Donald Lake and Calabogie Lake are all controlled by dams, and the generating stations are run by Ontario Power Generation. Levels can vary with the season and with power demand. Ask the seller how the shoreline and dock behave at low water before you make an offer.
Is the Ottawa Valley a four-season cottage area?
It can be. Calabogie has downhill skiing, and snowmobile and ATV trails follow old rail lines across the county. Ice fishing is a tradition on lakes such as Muskrat Lake. Winter use depends on the property, so confirm that the road is plowed and that the water system and heating are built for cold weather.
Lakes in Ottawa Valley & Madawaska
Pick a lake to see what it is like and what is for sale on it.
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- Investor-Friendly Cottages
- Under $500,000
- Under $750,000
- Under $1 Million
- Under $2 Million
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