Long before becoming a haven for families, military personnel, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Ottawa Valley was the beating heart of Canada’s booming 19th-century timber industry. Hardy lumberjacks navigated the mighty Ottawa River, driving massive square timber rafts downstream toward Montreal and Quebec City.

Communities across the Valley flourished along these historic trade routes. Towns like Pembroke grew into bustling commercial hubs, Petawawa evolved into one of Canada’s most vital military communities, and Deep River rose as a beacon of scientific innovation. From the legendary rivers of Whitewater Region and the historic mills of Renfrew and Arnprior to the scenic countryside of Laurentian Valley, Eganville, Barry’s Bay, Calabogie, Killaloe, and surrounding townships, each area forms a unique piece of the Ottawa Valley’s proud legacy.