Top 10 Things to do in Calabogie, Ontario in the Summer
Summer is a great time to explore small towns in Ontario, and Calabogie is a fun spot for a weekend getaway. Only an hour from Ottawa, this cool small town is full of great outdoor activities from hiking and ATVing, to paddling and beaching. Enjoy a great foodie scene, one of the only raceways in the region, and a great local shopping scene in this hidden gem in the Ottawa Valley.
Stay in a Cool Micro Cabin
Only a 5-minute drive from downtown Calabogie, the Finch Cabin is a magical off-grid cabin surrounded by nature. The micro cabin is one of 3 unique Cabinscape properties in Calabogie, and is located right in the heart of the wilderness surrounded by the extensive Ottawa Valley trail network.
While only a short walk from the parking area (wagons are provided to bring your gear) the cabin is completely private, surrounded by the sounds of birds chirping, wild raspberry bushes, and a great view of Calabogie Lake. Powered by solar panels and propane, with a composting toilet, the cabin is completely sustainable, yet provides all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay. The cabin is equipped with 2 beds, a kitchen with propane stove, mini refrigerator, jugs of water for drinking and washing, as well as pots and pans, dishes and an elegant coffee French press. All the essentials like coffee, sugar, and soap are provided, along with some fun cabin games like cribbage, cards and a selection of books for rainy days. The best part of the cabin is its private outdoor space with a cozy deck, gas BBQ, lazy hammock for reading under the shade, and a fire pit for late night fireside chats.
Visit the Calabogie Motorsports Park
For those who love motorsports racing, there are some fun high-performance driving experiences at the Calabogie Motorsports Park. Hop into the passenger seat of a sleek Mustang or Toyota GR86 racecar as a professional racer leads you around the track, or get hands-on and feel the adrenaline rush as you take the wheel yourself. There are both full and half-day driving experiences available, as well as driving programs allowing you to drive your own ride around the circuit.
If spectating is more your vibe, the Calabogie Motorsports park host numerous events throughout the summer season. In 2025 the track plays hosts to some fun events including the Guitars and Gasoline music festival (June 6-8), Vintage Motorcycle race weekend (June 27-29), Calabogie Summer Classic (August 22-24) and the much anticipated NASCAR Canada Race weekend (July 26-27). While watching the racing action on the track is the primary draw, a stroll through the paddock area on race weekends can be just as exciting. Take a peek at the high-performance cars and motorcycles being prepped for race time, and watch the drivers and their teams tuning up their machines in preparation for the checkered flag. These events are perfect for those who love auto and motorcycle racing, and a day at the track listening to the roar of engines certainly gets the adrenaline pumping.
Go for a Hike Outdoors
Summer is a great time to spend time in nature, and Calabogie is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. With trails ranging from easy forest hikes, to multi-kilometer treks up mountain tops, the rugged terrain of the Ottawa Valley is both scenic and peaceful.
Eagle’s Nest Lookout
Eagle’s Nest Lookout trail is popular 3 km in-and-back forested trail which leads you up to stunning views of the Ottawa Valley from solid granite clifftops. While the trek to the top is relatively short, there are some steep sections at the beginning of the trail, so come prepared with proper footwear. Once at the top, revel in the epic views and keep your eyes peeled for rock climbers scaling the side of the cliffs and eagles floating high in the distance. As the most popular trail in Calabogie, the trailhead and parking lot can get very busy in the summer months. For a more peaceful hike, we recommend an early morning hike to avoid the crowds.
Manitou Mountain Trail
For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Manitou Mountain Trail provides a moderate 9 km trek to three amazing lookouts. The trail starts at Barrett Chute Road and is well-travelled and well-marked. Pack adequate water and snacks in your pack to enjoy while snapping pics from the spectacular viewpoints.
A popular cross-country ski area in the winter, the Madawaska Nordic Ski trails are a great place to hike, run or mountain bike in the summer months. Choose from 18 km of hiking trails ranging in difficulty and explore old logging routes while enjoying nature in the picturesque forest.
Get on the Water
The Madawaska River and Calabogie Lake are the highlight of a summer visit to Calabogie, and exploring the shoreline by boat is a great way to sightsee and keep cool. Mad River Paddle Co. offers canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals (both solo and tandem options are available), for half-day, full-day, multi-day and weekly rentals. Delivery options are also available to Burnstown, White Lake and the surrounding Calabogie area for a small fee. If you need a little instruction on the water, join one of the learn-to-paddle paddleboarding and kayaking sessions throughout the season. If you’re visiting with a big group, consider renting the Megaladon; a giant 8 person stand up paddle board!
Eat and Drink Waterside
When you’ve worked up an appetite, On the Rocks at the Calabogie Lodge is the place to go for delicious cuisine and inventive cocktails. With a chic indoor dining room and a swanky outdoor patio space, On the Rocks is a great place to unwind after a day of exploring. Choose from dishes like mahi mahi, steak frites, the Bison Portebello Brioche Burger, plus a selection of tasty appetizers, fresh salads, and their sinful truffle parmesan fries. Be sure to secure a reservation in advance as this popular spot fills up quickly on weekends with cottage regulars and day trip visitors.
If the pub vibe is more your style, grab a spot under an umbrella on Calabogie Brewing’s spacious outdoor patio overlooking the Madawaska River. Enjoy a flight of their popular IPA’s, stouts and ales. and snack on something from their extensive menu including wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, salads and their popular German-style pretzel served with hot cheese sauce and mustard. Relax and enjoy the upbeat atmosphere and tap your feet to the beat with great live music from local artists on select evenings and weekends.
Spend a day at the Beach
Calabogie’s Madawaska River is the place to go for those who want a day of summer sun, and river fun. With a boat launch and small white sand beach, Burnstown Beach is where beachgoers flock on sunny days in the summer. Spend the day on the water with your own paddle board, kayak or raft, or laze the afternoon away with your favourite book under the summer sun.
Another great spot for a beach day is Barnet Park, located right in the center of Calabogie. With a kids playground, small sandy beach, and boat launch, it’s the perfect place for a family afternoon of swimming, sandcastles and sun. There is also plenty of park space for those looking to picnic, enjoy a game of frisbeen, laze the day away in a hammock, or enjoy a beautiful sunset. One of the hidden gems of Barnet Park is the magical Enchanted Woods. With its series of handmade wooden gnome homes, fairy doors and hobbit holes placed on tree trunks throughout the area, this fun spot will have your childhood imagination running wild.
Get your Brunch on
Start your morning right in Calabogie with coffee and brunch at Oh-el-la Café. Located in the heart of town, this adorable café serves up tasty brunch classics like breakfast sandwiches, smoked salmon bagels, avocado toast, plus a wide selection of pastries. Their coffee selection is on point, and one of their matcha lattés, foamy cappuccinos or iced mocha lattes is the perfect way to start the day. They also offer a selection of fruity juice refreshers in flavours like pineapple, grapefruit mint sour and guava, as well as artisan kombucha and fresh juices to go.
Shop for Unique Gifts
If you’re looking to pick up some locally-made goods, be sure to stop at the Village Market in Burnstown. This rustic store is stocked full of locally-sourced goods including pickles from Pickling Dixie, maple syrup from Otterburn Maple Farm (just down the road), and coffee from Snark Roastery. There are also some great handmade home décor items, bath and body products, and a beautiful gallery with local art and hand-crafted wood items.
On Saturday morning you’ll want to stop by the local Farmers’ Market at the community arena, a great place to pick up locally-made goods. There is an amazing selection of hand-made crafts from ceramics to knits, as well as local produce, fresh-baked bread, jarred pickles and jams, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Known for their modern Instagrammable accommodations, the Somewhere Inn’s bottle shop is also worth a stop. Pick a bottle of wine from their wide selection of whites, reds, and blushes, and shop unique bath products, linens, beautifully scented candles, and pick up an iconic “Somewhere Inn Calabogie” mug. For those camping nearby, or needing some snack supplies, their Copperpot nuts, local canned beer, yummy cheeses, mini s’mores kit and individual Vodkow cream liquors will keep you equipped for an epic weekend of fun.
Indulge in a Summer Scoop
No summer day in Calabogie is complete without a scoop from a local ice cream spot. Café Laurent, located just down the road from the Burnstown Beach, is the place to go for flavourful scoops piled high on homemade waffle cones. Choose from over 24 flavours including classics like strawberry, chocolate chip cookie dough, moosetracks, and mint chocolate chip, or try unique creations like red velvet cake, blue bubble gum or Bordeaux cherry. If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, they also have a wide selection of coffees, including tasty cold options like iced cappuccinos, iced chococcinos, and ice macchiatos.
Hit the Trails and go ATVing
Calabogie has a very active ATV culture and you’ll often see people cruising down trails and travelling through town on four chunky wheels. There is an extensive ATV trail network in Calabogie which makes it perfect for exploring the surrounding Madawaska Highlands. If you’re new to ATVing, or unfamiliar with the area, take a guided ATV tour with Tim Irwin Adventure Tours. They offer both half and full-day guided tours for both beginners and experienced riders, and provide all required passes, safety gear and driver training. Ride solo, hop on the back and ride with a friend, or try a side-by-side machine that can seat up to 4 people, perfect for a family outing.
To find more information, or to plan your trip, visit the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours or activities due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by Ottawa Valley Tourism, although all recommendations are our own.
