Major city · Canada
Hawkesbury
Give Hawkesbury one night, not a trip of its own: it is a river town between Ottawa (about 1 h 15 min) and Montréal (about 1 h 30 min) with a jail museum and rafting nearby.
Hawkesbury is a small francophone town of about 10,200 people on the Ottawa River, founded in 1798 around a sawmill and now the service centre of Prescott-Russell county. Most travellers pass through on Highway 417 between Ottawa and Montréal, or stop for the river, the L'Orignal Old Jail and whitewater rafting on the Rouge River. One night covers it; two nights if you add rafting or a brewery stop in Vankleek Hill.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for river and rafting; Sep for Bike Fest and Beau's Oktoberfest
- avoid Jan–Feb (deep cold, ice); late Oct–Apr for outdoor plans
- Airports
- YOW · YUL · —
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hawkesbury911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hawkesbury, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyHawkesbury is a low-crime small town; the real risks are winter driving on Highway 417…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (About 1 h 15 min by car via Highway 417 and County Road 17; no scheduled bus link).
- Getting aroundHawkesbury is a driving town: Main Street is walkable, but the motels, the golf club and the rafting base are 3–8 km (1.9–5 mi) out.Hawkesbury is a driving town: Main Street is walkable, but the motels, the golf club and the rafting base are 1.9–5 mi (3–8 km) out.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and pastryC$4–8 (≈ US$3–6)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseStephanie's Grill & Bar range; add 13% Ontario tax and 15–20% tip.C$15–42 (≈ US$11–35)
- Street or quick mealSandwich or soup lunchC$10–16 (≈ US$8–12)
- Museum or sight ticketL'Orignal Old Jail entryFamily about C$20 (check).C$4–7 (≈ US$3–6)
- Budget bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomC$80 (≈ US$60)
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomC$120 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (About 1 h 15 min by car via Highway 417 and County Road 17; no scheduled bus link) · YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 1 h 30 min by car via Autoroute 40/50 and Route 148; no scheduled bus link) · — Hawkesbury Airport and Hawkesbury (East) Airport (Small private airfields; no scheduled service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Avoid*
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Hawkesbury: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
12 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
10 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Hawkesbury is a driving town: Main Street is walkable, but the motels, the golf club and the rafting base are 3–8 km out. Two local taxi firms serve the town; there is no local transit network worth planning around. Highway 417 (Autoroute 40 in Quebec) runs south of town, and the Long Sault bridge links to Grenville and Autoroute 50.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
L'Orignal Old Jail
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive west on County Road 17 to L'Orignal, then Rue Queen
Ontario's oldest jail; adults about C$7, family about C$20 (check hours before you drive out).
Rouge River rafting (Grenville-sur-la-Rouge)
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive north over the Long Sault bridge, then east on Route 148
Half-day guided trips from about C$79; book ahead for July–August weekends.
Vankleek Hill and Beau's Brewing
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive south on Highway 34, about 20 km (12 mi)Drive south on Highway 34, about 12 mi (20 km)
Taproom open Wednesday–Sunday; the town's red-brick main street is a short walk.
Voyageur Provincial Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive east on Highway 417 to exit 4, then Front Road
Beaches, biking and camping on the Ottawa River; day-use fee applies (check).
Montréal
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive east on Highway 417, which becomes Autoroute 40
Doable as a day trip, but the city deserves its own stay.
Ottawa
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive west on Highway 417
Better as a stop on the way in or out than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street East (rue Main E.)
Walkable strip of restaurants, bakery and shops; closest to Confederation Park and the river.
Highway 34 / Tupper Street
Motels and the Quality Inn on the south edge of town; car needed for everything.
Grenville, Quebec (across the bridge)
Quieter riverside base minutes from Hawkesbury; useful if you are heading to Autoroute 50.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$70–120 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$120–200 (≈ US$90–150) excl. bed
- High
- C$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel room (Quality Inn class)1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Rental car, one day1 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| Fuel, Ottawa–Hawkesbury return (about 220 km)1 × C$30 · check | C$30 |
| Rouge River rafting, half day2 × C$79 · check | C$158 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$78 |
| Trip total≈ C$428 per person per day, bed included | C$856≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax is added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and pastry | C$4–8 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Sandwich or soup lunch | C$10–16 (≈ US$8–12) |
| Pizza | C$12–18 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Restaurant main courseStephanie's Grill & Bar range; add 13% Ontario tax and 15–20% tip. | C$15–42 (≈ US$11–35) |
| Grocery run for two, one day | C$30–50 (≈ US$25–40) |
| Litre of petrolUsually 5–10 cents cheaper than Montréal or Ottawa (check). | C$1.50–1.70 (≈ US$2) |
| L'Orignal Old Jail entryFamily about C$20 (check). | C$4–7 (≈ US$3–6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No scheduled intercity bus or train stops in Hawkesbury: plan on a car, or a taxi from a nearby stop.
- Winter brings snow, ice and short daylight; summer brings mosquitoes near the river at dusk.
- Many businesses are small and family-run: hours can change without notice, so call ahead.
- French is the first language for most residents; English works, but a greeting in French helps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
HawkesburyHawkesbury
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Hawkesbury; the US consulate and most embassies are in Ottawa, about 1 h 15 min west.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi in town: metered; short hops usually under C$15 (≈ US$11) (check)
- Rental car, one day: about C$70 (≈ US$55) plus fuel (check)
- Rouge River rafting, half day: from about C$79 (≈ US$60) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Un café, s'il vous plaît — I would like a coffee, please (un ka-FAY seel voo PLEH)
- Où est l'hôpital ? — Where is the hospital? (oo eh lo-pee-TAL)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
Taxi numbers are posted locally; confirm the fare before you get in.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hawkesbury. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for river and rafting; Sep for Bike Fest and Beau's Oktoberfest · avoid Jan–Feb (deep cold, ice); late Oct–Apr for outdoor plans · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YOW and YUL: drive times field-checked, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for Main Street East with rescue anchors: bakery, restaurants, Confederation Park, Cultural Centre Le Chenail.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (L'Orignal Old Jail, Voyageur Provincial Park, Beau's taproom) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Hawkesbury (official)
- officialOntario Parks — Voyageur Provincial Park
- officialL'Orignal Old Jail
- officialBeau's Brewing Co.
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hawkesbury, revision 5059195 (CC BY-SA 4.0)