Ottawa Valley: Highway 17 Local Guide

About This Guide

While the Ottawa to North Bay route page covers the full section, this page digs deeper into the Ottawa Valley corridor itself — the stretch from Ottawa through Arnprior, Renfrew, and Pembroke to the Mattawa area where the highway leaves the Ottawa River. If you are a local, a cottage-goer, or someone who wants to know every stop on this part of Highway 17, this is the detail page.

The Ottawa Valley is a distinct cultural region. It was settled by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 1800s, and the "Valley accent" — a lilting mix of Irish and Canadian English — is still audible in older residents. The region's economy was built on logging, and the Ottawa River was the highway that floated timber to market. Today, the Valley is a mix of farming, military (CFB Petawawa), and cottage country.

Ottawa to Arnprior (55 km)

Highway 17 begins at the Highway 417 junction in Kanata, Ottawa's western suburb. The first 20 km is suburban with traffic lights and big box stores. Past Kanata, the road opens up. Arnprior (population 9,000) sits at the mouth of the Madawaska River where it meets the Ottawa River. The town has a nice waterfront park and a main street with a few independent shops and restaurants. Fuel stations on the highway strip.

Arnprior to Renfrew (35 km)

A short hop through farmland and forest. You will cross the Bonnechere River approaching Renfrew. Renfrew (population 8,000) is the county seat and has more services than Arnprior — Canadian Tire, grocery stores, and the Renfrew Victoria Hospital.

Renfrew to Pembroke (60 km)

The highway follows the Ottawa River more closely through this section. You pass through Cobden and Beachburg. The river views open up in places. The terrain is rolling farmland with some rocky Shield outcrops appearing.

Pembroke to Petawawa (15 km)

CFB Petawawa is one of Canada's largest army bases, and the town of Petawawa (population 18,000) exists largely because of it. The base is a major employer and the town has commercial services geared toward military families. Fuel, restaurants, and basic shopping are available along the highway strip.

Petawawa to Mattawa (130 km)

Past Petawawa, the highway enters increasingly wild terrain. The towns of Deep River and Chalk River are notable — Chalk River is home to the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, where some of Canada's nuclear research has been conducted since the 1940s. Deep River (population 4,100) was built as a planned community for nuclear workers and has an oddly suburban feel for a town in the middle of the Shield.

The highway passes through Deux Rivieres and Bissett Creek, tiny communities with limited services. Gas up in Deep River or Pembroke before this stretch. The terrain becomes more rugged, with Shield rock cuts and increasing forest density.

Local Tips

• Fall colours: The Ottawa Valley hardwood forests put on an excellent show from late September through mid-October. The drive between Renfrew and Mattawa is particularly good.
• Winter: Highway 17 through the Valley is well-plowed but can be icy, especially in the river valleys where cold air settles. Black ice is common near waterway crossings.
• Fishing: The Ottawa River is one of the best muskie and smallmouth bass fisheries in North America. Almost every town has a boat launch and bait shop.
• Food: The Valley is not known for fine dining, but Alice's Village Cafe in Carp (near Ottawa), the Nook in Arnprior, and Ullrich's on Main in Pembroke are solid local spots.

For the full Ottawa to North Bay route including the Mattawa to North Bay section, see the Ottawa to North Bay route guide. For the complete Ontario corridor, see the Ontario overview.