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 great place for a weekend getaway! Full of great outdoor activities from hiking and ATVing to paddling and beaching, plus a great foodie scene, there is tons to see and do in this small town in the Ottawa Valley.
Stay in a Cool Micro Cabin
Only a 5-minute drive from downtown Calabogie, the Finch Cabin is an off-grid cabin surrounded by nature, and a magical place for a weekend escape. The micro cabin is one of 3 unique Cabinscape properties in Calabogie and is located right in the heart of the wilderness and 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 and is 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 to enjoy a morning coffee or afternoon charcuterie and wine, a gas BBQ, lazy hammock for reading under the shade and a fire pit for late night fire and s’mores.
Visit the Calabogie Motorsports Park
For those who love motorsports racing, there are some fun hands-on high-performance driving experiences at the Calabogie Motorsports Park. Hop into the passenger seat of a Mustang or take the wheel and feel the adrenaline of a professional racer with a full or half-day Mustang Experience.
There are also several weekends throughout the summer with racing events like V8 Thundercars racing, auto racing weekends, and motorcycle racing events. Walk through the paddock area and take a peek at cool 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 in the Outdoors
Summer is a great time to head outdoors, 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
The Eagle’s Nest Lookout trail is popular 3 km in-and-back forested trail leads you up to stunning views of the Ottawa Valley from solid granite cliffs. While the trek up is relatively short, there are some steep sections at the start, but be assured the views are well worth the climb. Keep your eyes peeled for rock climbers scaling the side of the cliffs and eagles floating in the distance. This trail can get very popular, and although there are several parking areas at the trailhead, we recommend an early morning hike for the best experience.
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 in your pack and some snacks to enjoy while overlooking the scenic terrain from some epic viewpoints.
The Madawaska Nordic Ski trails
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 under the canopy of a 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 exploring. Choose from dishes like pickerel ceviche, steak frites, the wagyu Rock burger, butter-seared cod, plus a selection of flatbreads, fresh salads, and their sinful truffle parmesan fries. This popular spot fills up quickly on weekends with cottage regulars and day trip visitors, so be sure to secure a reservation in advance.
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, and enjoy a flight of their popular IPA’s, stouts and ales. While their brews are the main attraction, they also have an extensive menu including wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, tacos and salads. Their appetizer menu is great for a quick snack, and the German-style pretzel served with hot cheese sauce and mustard is the perfect pair to any pint. Relax and enjoy the warm, upbeat atmosphere and stop by on a weekend for great live music from local artists.
Spend a day at the Beach
Calabogie is the perfect destination for those who love to catch rays or hit the water. Burnstown Beach with its white sand beach, boat launch, and perfect location along the Madawaska River is a popular spot for an afternoon in the sun. Bring your own paddle board, kayak or raft, laze the day away on the water, or lay out a towel and enjoy the summer sun.
Another great spot for a beach day is Barnet Park, located right in the centre of Calabogie. With a kid’s 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, hang a hammock, or enjoy the sunset. One of the hidden gems of Barnet Park is the Enchanted Woods with its series of handmade wooden gnome homes, fairy doors and hobbit holes placed on tree trunks throughout the area. Take a stroll through this mini magical spot and marvel at the small details of each unique creation; it will definitely transport you back to childhood.
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 cute cozy 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 lattes, 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. The 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 knitted items, from blankets and oven gloves to plant holders, and our favourite, chill pills! Locally-picked strawberries, fresh-baked bread, savoury jarred pickles and fresh-squeezed lemonade round out the must-have from this quaint producer market.
Known for their modern Instagrammable accommodations, the Somewhere Inn also has a great bottle shop that is worth a stop. Pick a bottle of vino from their wide selection of whites, reds, and blushes, and shop unique bath and body products, beautifully scented candles, linens and the iconic “Somewhere Inn Calabogie” mug. For those camping nearby or needing some snack supplies, pick up a bag of Copperpot nuts, local canned beer, a selection of yummy cheeses, a mini s’mores kit and even individual Vodkow cream liquors to sneak into your morning coffee.
Indulge in a Summer Scoop
No summer day in Calabogie is complete without a scoop or two 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 ATVs. There is an extensive ATV trail network, 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 from beginners to experienced riders, where all required passes, safety gear and driver training are taken care of. 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.
