Pembroke, Ontario is a cute city located about an hour and a half northwest of Ottawa and four and a half hours from Toronto, making it a great location for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The city of Pembroke has some fun things to do and is situated in a location that makes it a great home base for an adventurous weekend. I recently spent a weekend in Pembroke and the surrounding area. I hope that the unique activities we participated in encourage you to make a trip yourself.
Outdoor Activities in Pembroke
On Saturday, we left Ottawa in the morning and headed to our first destination: O’Kenny River Tubing. Located on the edge of Pembroke, O’Kenny is a craft distillery that offers a unique river tubing experience. When we arrived at O’Kenny’s, we seamlessly checked in, signed our waivers and headed outside to Norki’s Snack Shack to have lunch. The food here was delicious, and the portions were generous, what we thought might be a nice snack turned into a whole meal! O’Kenny’s asks that you arrive one hour before your scheduled time on the weekends, this will give you enough time to prepare for river tubing and have a snack before the activity begins.
Arrived at O’Kenny’s.
What to Bring River Tubing
O’Kenny’s provides all the equipment you need for your river tubing adventure, but there are still some additional things you can bring to maximize your experience. During your activity, you are definitely going to get a bit wet so I recommend wearing a bathing suit. If you have water shoes, you should bring them to save your other shoes from getting wet. Going barefoot is an option, but if you want shoes to walk up the path at the end, then water shoes are the way to go.
The tubes are not inner tubes, so they’re closed at the bottom, giving you the option of bringing a few supplies along. I recommend bringing sunscreen and a water bottle, as being sunburnt or dehydrated would definitely take away from the fun of the experience.
Finally, if you want to bring your phone along, you’ll need a waterproof bag to keep it in. I brought my own fanny pack-style waterproof bag, which was the perfect size for my phone and a few other things. I personally prefer this kind of bag because I don’t have to hang it around my neck. I’ve also thoroughly tested this one, and it’s fully waterproof and floats. You can purchase it on Amazon. If you don’t have your own waterproof phone holder, O’Kenny’s has some available.
Is River Tubing Safe?
Yes, O’Kenny’s River Tubing is a safe and relaxing experience. The briefing before you hit the water will cover everything you need to know to maximize your afternoon on the river. Andrew goes over how to use the tubing equipment and the directions so you know when to disembark from your tube. O’Kenny’s provides life jackets for all adults and all children are required to bring their own to ensure they fit properly. No one is allowed on a tube without a life jacket, adding to the safety of the activity. The Muskrat River is one of the warmest rivers in Canada, so tubing will be enjoyable even on a cool day.
Floating down the river.
Tubing Down the River
After the safety briefing, it’s time to head to the river. Each group drives themselves to the launch point and drops off their passengers. The drivers then return their vehicles to O’Kenny’s so that they’ll be there when they finish tubing. Andrew shuttles the drivers back to the launch point along with the tubes and paddles. From there, you are free to launch your tubes and float down the river at your own pace.
The river is pretty slow-moving, making this a family-friendly river tubing experience. We chose to paddle for a good chunk of our ride, but we didn’t feel like we had to work hard, and it was a very relaxing experience. Since this is a self-guided tubing excursion, you can choose how much you want to paddle depending on how long you want to be out on the river. Along the way, we enjoyed watching the scenery, appreciating the pretty wildflowers and even spotted some turtles.
We spotted three turtles along the way.
Unique Tubing Fun
What makes this experience different from other river tubing I’ve done is that there are places where the water is rushing, and you can float over the rocks pretty quickly. I really enjoyed this part! How quickly the river is flowing, and the water levels impact how quickly you move through these sections so if you’re looking for more speed, Andrew recommends visiting when they first open for the season in early May. We went in August and enjoyed these sections of the river but also got stuck on a few rocks. I think it would be even more fun when the water is a little higher.
Once you’ve floated under two bridges, it’s time to disembark from your tube and climb up a short path back to O’Kenny’s parking lot. Here you can drop off your gear and enjoy a drink or another snack to finish off your experience.
We really enjoyed our time with O’Kenny’s, this might be the best attraction in Pembroke! You can book your tickets or get more information about this river tubing experience here.
At the end of our tubing adventure.
Pembroke Hotels
After tubing, we checked into The Traveler’s Inn. Conveniently located next to Walmart, the Travelers Inn provided everything we needed and was very budget-friendly. We shopped at Walmart for snacks and breakfast food and stored it in the mini-fridge. The room also had a coffee pot and coffee, a large tv and good wifi. Sometimes accommodations with lower rates raise concerns for safety and quality, but we felt completely safe, and the room was very clean. It even had some nice outdoor space that we would have enjoyed if we were staying longer.
Enjoying our time at the Traveler’s Inn.
Exploring Pembroke’s Local Culture
We had one evening to explore some Pembroke points of interest. We started out at Riverside Park and walked along the beach. We enjoyed wading in the water and collecting shells and sea glass. Then we headed downtown to explore the many beautiful murals in the area. We also followed the map for the Community Art Walk and were treated to works of art by local artists. This was a really fun way to experience downtown. Since it was evening, most of the shops were closed but we window shopped and there were some very cute boutiques that would be fun to visit another time.
For dinner, we choose a creperie called The Nook. I enjoyed a meal off the Prix Fixe menu that featured a crepe, side and dessert for only $23. I thought this was a great deal and the food was scrumptious. I especially like the dill pickle dip with chunks of pickle in it and the salted caramel cheesecake I had for dessert.
Exploring the Community Art Walk.
Parc des Chutes Coulonge
For the second day of our road trip, we drove just over half an hour to Parc des Chutes Coulonge. The drive is beautiful and takes you through rural Quebec to a great location for adventure tourism in Quebec. When you arrive, you may feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but once you see the red Chutes Coulonge sign, you know you’re in the right place. You can park in the lot after seeing the sign, and then it’s just a short walk to the check-in building hiding in the trees.
Watch for this red sign to know you’re in the right place.
Visitors to Coulonge Falls must pay an entrance fee to park but if you’ve purchased one of the adventure packages, this is included in your admission. Many people visit the park to hike, canoe or just enjoy the beautiful waterfall views. If you’re looking for some more adrenaline, the park offers packages for tree-top trekking, ziplining and Via Ferrata.
What is Via Ferrata?
If you aren’t familiar, Via Ferrata translates to the iron path and is a series of rungs, ladders, cables and footholds affixed to rocks that participants can use to attach their harness to and climb up. Essentially a combination of climbing and hiking, these routes offer a unique outdoor experience with safety built in. I had never heard of Via Ferrata before finding Chutes Coulonge, and since I’d done treetop trekking and zip lining before, this seemed like the perfect time to try it.
We chose the advanced Via Ferrata package because it allowed us to complete the entire Via Ferrata route. The advanced package is not necessarily more difficult than the intermediate, the main difference is how long you’ll spend climbing on the canyon.
Via Ferrata Gear
Most of the gear you need is included in your activity package. You’ll be provided with a harness with all the essential Via Ferrata equipment, a helmet and a bag for your phone if you want. You can bring your own gloves if you want or purchase an inexpensive pair when you arrive. It may also be possible to borrow a pair for your activity, depending on availability.
The essential gear on your harness includes two cables which you will keep attached to the lifeline at all times to keep you safe. The activity guides also provide you with safety information before and during the activity so everyone is informed on how to safely complete the route.
All harnessed up and ready to go.
Ziplining at Chutes Coulonge
A bonus of completing the Via Ferrata course is that you also get access to the ziplines in the park. The very first thing you get to do is zipline across the canyon to the starting point of the Via Ferrata. Waiting in line, the nervous energy was very high, but we were so excited to get started. When you ride the first zipline, make sure to look behind you because the view is amazing! If you’ve chosen the advanced package, you’ll get to the zipline again at the end of your day.
The view before taking off on the zipline.
Chutes Coulonge Via Ferrata
I think this might have been the most intense adventure I’ve ever been on. The course was made up of the rings and cables I was expecting but also featured some bridge-style crossings to add to the fun. The first time we crossed a narrow plank bridge, my adrenaline was incredibly high, but by the end, they seemed like no big deal. The route offered many scenic viewpoints and a reminder of where you were. Some points of the trail allowed you to walk almost like you were hiking, but in most places, it was more like rock climbing. Climbing with the iron path helps you find the best places to step, and you are always strapped in for safety, but that doesn’t stop your adrenaline from pumping, especially at the beginning.
Climbing the first section of the Via Ferrata.
The whole time we couldn’t believe we were actually doing it. The number of times we looked at each other and said “this is crazy” or “unreal” or “look at that view” showcased our disbelief. We were so excited to find such a cool experience that exists so close to home. It truly was an extraordinary adventure. The physical challenge also left me with a feeling of satisfaction when we finished. Looking back across the canyon and knowing you climbed all that way is a pretty cool feeling.
Enjoying climbing a shady section of the canyon.
After our Via Ferrata Experience
Afterwards, we took a break and ate our lunch in the park. There is nowhere to buy food on site so you’ll need to bring snacks with you, you’ll definitely want to refuel once you finish your activity.
The last thing we did before leaving the park was the historical walk. This short loop takes you to a variety of lookouts along the falls and provides a vantage point where you might get to see some people completing the Via Ferrata. There are also panels telling you the history of the canyon and how the canyon was used in the lumber trade. It was fun to see the falls up close and learn more about the area we’d been exploring all day. This Quebec nature attraction is suitable for the whole family and a great way to appreciate some breathtaking views close to home.
Breathtaking views on the history walk.
Combining Pembroke and Chutes Coulonge into one road trip was ideal because it combined relaxation and adventure. I really enjoyed exploring more of Ontario and Quebec and I hope you’re inspired to find your next adventure close to home!
Torie is a policy analyst who loves to write and travel. Recently graduated from the University of Ottawa, Torie is excited to invest some of her new free time into both of these hobbies by writing for Little Miss Ottawa!
Torie has loved adventures and trying new things for a long time. Family trips both close to home and abroad fostered this mentality and set the stage for future adventures both big and small. Moving to Ottawa from Manitoba gave Torie the opportunity to explore a new area in depth and emphasized the fact that every day can be an adventure if you bring the right mind set.
When she’s not out on an adventure, Torie can be found at the rink practicing with her synchronized skating team or coaching skating.
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