Renfrew County, county in Ontario, Canada
Renfrew County is an upper-tier municipality in Ontario, Canada, located west of the Ottawa River and composed of 17 municipalities. The territory contains more than 900 lakes, extensive forests, and several rivers, with Pembroke serving as the administrative hub while maintaining its own independent governance.
The territory was originally part of Bathurst District and was formed in the 1800s when portions of other counties were divided. It officially became separate from Lanark County in 1861, and early settlers from various European countries established farms, roads, and towns, often centered around mills and river trade routes.
Most visitors need a car to explore the scattered communities and lakes, as roads wind through forests and villages rather than connecting major centers. Accommodations range from cottages and small hotels to bed-and-breakfast places that blend naturally into the landscape.
Wilno, a community within the county, has a strong Kashubian population with Polish roots that shares its culture through regular festivals featuring music, food, and traditional crafts. This diverse European presence is uncommon in rural Ontario and gives the region a distinctive cultural identity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
