Bonnechere River Provincial Park is a waterway park northeast of the village of Bonnechere and southwest of Pembroke. Ontario Parks lists the park at 1,216.67 hectares, established in 1989.
The park follows a scenic stretch known historically as the Little Bonnechere, connecting Bonnechere Provincial Park on Round Lake with Algonquin Park to the north.
Ontario Parks gives the river a strong heritage and landscape story. In the 1800s the valley was tied to the square timber trade, and later its pine, hemlock, and other forests supported local sawmills. The river and broad valley served as an important transportation route for logs, supplies, and people.
The geology is also notable. Ontario Parks places the Bonnechere valley within the Ottawa-Bonnechere graben, where land was thrust downward along parallel faultlines. Forested uplands now rise 300 metres above the valley floor, while the river meanders through sand and gravel left by glacial meltwater.
The non-operating park provides accessible fishing, swimming, and flatwater paddling near the Round Lake area, plus cultural heritage education links through nearby Bonnechere Provincial Park.
Plan around fishing, swimming, flatwater paddling, short hikes to views, cultural heritage learning, river-valley scenery, and careful exploration of shallow rapids near Jacks Chute.
Ontario Parks notes several access points, a small number of designated campsites, no formal portage at the lower rapids, and snowmobiling only on the groomed trail. Confirm access, campsites, water levels, route details, alerts, and park rules through the official Ontario Parks source.
Non-operating park in Ontario Parks locator.
