Bonnechere Caves, Eganville
What Lies Beneath: 2 Nights, 3 Days in Small Town Eganville
The drive into Eganville is part of the experience.
Following the Bonnechere River through the valley, the land shifts from open farmland to exposed rock and a valley shaped over thousands of years.
The town itself sits within that larger geological story. Just beyond, the Bonnechere Caves open up what’s been forming here for thousands of years, Back in town, that same sense of place continues - along the main street, in local shops, and in the places where it’s easy to slow down over a meal or a coffee.
This is a place where you can explore what’s above ground as well as what lies beneath — and take your time in both.
Discover Eganville
2 Nights, 3 Days in Eganville
Day One
The first day is about getting to know the town and the river that runs through it. This is where the story begins.
Start of Day One
Morning
- Begin your experience at the Bonnechere Museum, set in a former gristmill along the river, where the story of the Ottawa Valley comes into focus through logging history, early settlement, and the role the river played in shaping the community.
- Check out the local shops - a must stop is Bloom Wildly, both a gift and floral shop in one.
Afternoon
Stop for lunch at the Granary Schnitzel Haus, known for its traditional European dishes and steady, welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in
Stretch your legs at Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre, where nearly 15 km of trails move through old-growth forest and wetland boardwalks, with sections that invite you to take your time as the landscape unfolds around you.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at Eganville Beach, where the river slows and opens up. It’s an easy place to take a swim or simply sit by the water, with the option to get out on the river for a paddle if you want to see the town from a different perspective.
Evening
- Pick up picnic fare from Foodland right in town and dine overlooking the water at the beach or at your accommodation.
- As the sun moves lower on the horizon, make the short drive to your accommodation, Deacon Escarpment, where they offer off-grid cabins, private campsites, and over 30-kilometres of trails across forest and rocky ridge. Here, the experience is built around being outdoors - from the hike in to your cabin to quiet evenings spent overlooking the Bonnechere Valley and Golden Lake.
- This is the time to unwind and settle back to watch the stars appear one by one. Relax around the bonfire and listen to the sounds of nature unfold around you.
End of Day One
Day Two
Today you will connect more closely with the town and the geology that defines it. If you haven’t already, it’s time to settle into the small town pace and let go of expectations.
Start of Day Two
Morning
- Start the day at Fifth Chute Coffee, a small café in the heart of Eganville. This is a natural place to pause with a coffee before heading out – sit inside to enjoy the laid back atmosphere or use the bench right out front for some people watching.
- From there, explore the John Egan Geo-Heritage Trail, a short loop of about 1.5 kilometres that follows the Bonnechere River past old quarry sites and exposed limestone, where fossils are part of what you see underfoot. This is a rare chance to walk through a landscape where the geological story is visible at every step.
Afternoon
- Spend the afternoon at the Bonnechere Caves, just a short drive from town, where the experience shifts below ground. Take a guided tour through a network of caves formed in ancient limestone, with narrow passages, open chambers, and surfaces shaped by water over time.
- By the time you return to the surface, the connection between what you’ve seen underground and the valley around you becomes clearer.
- Take a walk across the road to the Fourth Chute rapids on the Bonnechere River. Here, small fossils can still be found on the rocks surrounding the rapids. *Be cautious when approaching open water, especially rapids. Keep your distance while still enjoying the view.
- Have a picnic at the rapids or right at the caves - both locations will give you phenomenal views of the river.
McCrae Lookout, Eganville
Evening
- Head to McCrae Lookout as the light begins to shift, a community-built park set on the former site of a sawmill and grist mill that once relied on the Bonnechere River. From here, you have stellar views of the river and valley around it.
- Return to town for dinner at Rio Tap & Grill, a relaxed spot that brings the day back to a familiar pace before settling in for the night. Request a table on the rooftop patio where the sunsets reflect off the Bonnechere River and put on a stunning show each evening.
- At the end of the day, head back toward higher ground and settle in at Deacon Escarpment. This is your last night here so soak in the stars and fresh air.
End of Day Two
Day Three
Look at the landscape with fresh eyes today as you combine what you see above ground in forest and field with what you now know is below.
Start of Day Three
Morning
- Bask in your last morning at Deacon Escarpment - this is your chance to laze in bed a little longer and marvel at how much you have relaxed since your arrival.
- Head back to Eganville for one more walk along the river or a quiet stop along the main street — a coffee, a short browse, and notice the details you might have missed. The rhythm of the town is most noticeable in the morning, before the day fully begins, when everything feels a little more still.
- Pick up a coffee from Fifth Chute and bring it with you for a final stroll through town. End at the beach where you can watch the sun rise higher in the sky.
