The Bonnechere Caves tour
- Where: 1247 Fourth Chute Road, near Eganville
- Season: mid-May (the Victoria Day weekend) to Thanksgiving
- The tour: guided, about an hour, leaving every 20–30 minutes in summer. Weekdays in September have fixed times.
- Booking: no reservations needed; just arrive.
- What to bring: a light sweater (it's cool underground, even in July), shoes with grip, and a rain layer, since parts of the tour are outdoors and it runs rain or shine.
The family-run caves have been open to visitors since the 1950s. Bring a picnic: there are tables by the Fourth Chute falls.
Things to do in the Ottawa Valley
Whitewater rafting
The Ottawa River near Foresters Falls and Beachburg is one of Canada's best rafting rivers. OWL Rafting and Wilderness Tours run gentle family trips through to big-water days, with riverside cabins and camping. Wilderness Tours' family trips start at age seven.
Make it a weekend
Combine the caves, a rafting day and Eganville's Bonnechere Museum. Bonnechere Provincial Park is about an hour further west.
Drive times are from downtown Ottawa with normal traffic. Hours and seasons change, so check the venue's own site before you go.
FAQ
Do you need reservations for the Bonnechere Caves?
No. Tours leave every 20–30 minutes in summer on a first-come, first-served basis.
When are the Bonnechere Caves open?
From mid-May (Victoria Day weekend) to Thanksgiving in October.
How far are the Bonnechere Caves from Ottawa?
About 1.5 hours west, near Eganville.
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