Full Throttle in the Ottawa Valley: Renfrew County’s Snowmobile Scene Is the Real Deal
There are riding destinations, and then there are riding experiences. Renfrew County — the vast, trail-laced stretch of eastern Ontario that makes up the Ottawa Valley — falls firmly in the second category. From the moment you drop your skis onto the snow, this region announces itself. Fast-flowing trail systems cut through towering forests, open stretches beg you to crack the throttle wide open, and perfectly groomed corridors keep the ride smooth and the confidence high. This is terrain built for riders who love momentum, rhythm, and that pure connection between machine and winter.
The STV crew recently explored the area riding from Petawawa through Pembroke, Eganville, and beyond — chasing fresh snow, small towns, and everything that makes this corner of Ontario so special. What they found was a region that doesn’t just tolerate snowmobiling — it’s built around it.
The Trails: Fast, Scenic, and Built for Riders
The trail network throughout the Pembroke and Petawawa area is the kind that keeps you riding longer than you planned. As the scenery shifts from tight treeline sections to wide sweeping runs, there’s a constant pull to see what’s around the next bend. The surrounding communities make it easy to keep going too — fuel, food, and warm-up spots are right where you need them, woven into the trail network so stopping never feels like a detour.
The STV crew crossed paths with Ken, a seasoned rider mid-way through an ambitious 800-kilometre loop circumnavigating Algonquin Park. Starting out of Dorset, he and his group had already stopped for breakfast in Whitney and were working their way through Pembroke with Deep River in their sights for the night. Their original two-day plan had stretched to three — but with trail conditions as good as they were, they were reconsidering pushing further than expected. It’s that kind of place. The trails have a way of making you rethink your limits.
One important note for riders planning a multi-day route in this region — the OFSC Go Snowmobiling app is essential. Cell service can be spotty in parts of the Ottawa Valley, and having offline trail maps on your phone can make all the difference when you’re deep in the corridor and need to navigate.
Pit Stop: Finnegan’s, Petawawa
Before the day’s ride even got properly underway, the crew made a stop at Finnegan’s in Petawawa — a rider favourite with trail access right out front and the kind of cozy atmosphere that makes it hard to leave. It’s exactly the type of food and warmth you want before a big day in the saddle. If you’re rolling through Petawawa, it’s a natural first stop.
Lunch in Eganville: The Rio Tap and Grill
After a stunning ride from Petawawa through the Valley, the crew pulled into Eganville for lunch at the Rio Tap and Grill — and the story behind this place is as good as the food.
The building was originally a theatre — the Rio Theater — and was later converted into a furniture store before owners Murray and his wife took it over and transformed it into the restaurant it is today. Murray’s wife grew up in Eganville, and the family roots here run deep. Her father Rod Wilcox was a competitive snowmobile racer himself, racing on the river right behind what is now the restaurant before the local race scene moved to its current location. His father before him had a pharmacy in town. The family has been part of the valley for generations.
Murray’s own father ran a restaurant in Ottawa for 48 years called the Del Rio — so when it came time to name the new spot, the Rio Tap and Grill was a natural fit, honouring both the building’s heritage and his family’s.
In 2021, the Rio added a rooftop patio with a bar and 110 seats, making it one of the most popular summer destinations in town. But come winter, it shifts into full snowmobile mode — the Eganville Snowmobile Club is a long-supported cause, and with the Bonisher Cup happening right down the road, the Rio becomes a hub for racers, fans, and visitors all weekend long. This year, Murray was even planning to stream the races live on the restaurant’s TVs, keeping the warmth and the action going indoors for anyone who needed a break from the cold.
If you’re riding through Eganville, the Rio Tap and Grill is a must-stop.
The Main Event: The Bonisher Cup — 50 Years of Ice Oval Racing
The highlight of the STV crew’s visit to Renfrew County was witnessing the Bonisher Cup — and this year’s event was particularly special. 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of this iconic race, making it one of the most storied snowmobile events in Canada.
Race director Scott Clark put it best: this is professional ice oval snowmobile racing, and the Bonisher Cup is the last remaining oval snowmobile race in Ontario. There was a time when events like this were held across the province — in Penetanguishene, Owen Sound, and beyond — but one by one they faded away. Eganville held on.
The race traces its roots back to 1973, when competitors raced on high snow banks right in town. In 1974 the event took on its current name, and by 1976 it had moved out to its permanent home — the property it still occupies today. Aside from two years lost to the pandemic, it has run every year since.
What makes the Bonisher Cup extraordinary isn’t just the racing — it’s the culture around it. Competitors travel from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Quebec, Manitoba, and all across Ontario to be here. Families have been coming for generations — third-generation racers whose grandparents competed on this same ice. As one long-time volunteer and fan described it, watching from the pits: “This is like NASCAR but at minus 25.”
And yet despite the cold — and it is brutally cold — everybody is smiling. The town of Eganville comes alive for the weekend in a way that’s rare and genuinely moving. Volunteers build fences, groom the track, run food stands, and keep everything moving. Kids bundled up to their eyes line the barriers. Families fill the grandstands. It’s small-town Canadian winter culture at its absolute finest, and it has been for half a century.
The Bonisher Cup is not just a race. It’s a reason to make the trip.
Where to Stay and How to Get Around
The Pembroke and Petawawa area has solid accommodation options for riders, and the trail network connects you to everything you need. The communities of Pembroke, Petawawa, and Eganville all serve as practical bases, with fuel and services close to the trails throughout.
For riders planning a longer loop — like Ken’s ambitious 800-kilometre circuit around Algonquin Park — the Ottawa Valley is built for it. The trail corridors connect north toward Deep River and North Bay, making multi-day adventures not just possible but exceptional.
For More Information
To plan your Ottawa Valley snowmobile adventure, start with the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at ofsc.on.ca — real-time trail conditions, grooming reports, and full network maps are all available there. Download the Go Snowmobiling Ontario app before you leave, especially if you’re planning to ride deep into the corridor where cell service may be limited.
For information on the Bonisher Cup, keep an eye on the Eganville Snowmobile Club — the race is held annually and draws competitors and spectators from across North America. It’s worth planning a trip around.
For a meal in Eganville, visit the Rio Tap and Grill. For a pre-ride fuel-up in Petawawa, Finnegan’s is right off the trail and ready to go.
The Ottawa Valley is waiting. Fast trails, deep history, iconic events, and communities that make every stop feel like a welcome. Point your trailer east and go find out for yourself.
