Barry's Bay - community in Ontario, Canada

Barry's Bay is a town of about 1,300 people in the Township of Madawaska Valley in Eastern Ontario, near the eastern entrance to Algonquin Provincial Park.

Understand

History

This area of Renfrew County was first settled by non-Indigenous people in the early 20th century along with other communities on the Opeongo Line. The town served as a standby base for the Canadian military during the war years. Local workers and lumbermen were reformed into soldiers to help contribute to the war efforts of Canada in World War II.

It was first named 'Kuaenash Ne-ishing' (Algonquin for 'beautiful bay'), and later named after James Barry, a foreman for McLaughlin's Lumber in Arnprior who constructed a cabin as his headquarters in the area where St. Hedwig's Church stands.

Get in

Barry's Bay is at the northern end of Ontario Highway 62, at its junction with Ontario Highway 60. It is 185 km west of Ottawa - follow Highways 417 and 17 to Highway 60 near Renfrew.

• Barry's Bay/Madawaska Valley Airpark, 45.50°, -77.65°. General aviation only; no scheduled service.

Get around

The nearest taxis are in Pembroke (Ontario).

See

• Railway Station Museum & Water Tower Park, Tourist & Visitor Information Centre, and South of 60 Arts Centre, 19503 Opeongo Line, 45.48786°, -77.67627°, +1 613-756-5885, tourism@madawaskavalley.ca. Open hours vary depending on the time of year. Home to one of only two remaining wooden free-standing water towers in Ontario. In addition to the usual information about attractions and events, "the Railway Station" houses an art gallery, heritage artifacts, and offers picnic facilities and free Wi-Fi.
• Zurakowski Park, 45.48853°, -77.67755°. This park honours local resident Janusz Zurakowski, one of the test pilots of the Avro Arrow. A replica Arrow is on display in the park.

Do

• Opeongo River Provincial Park. A waterway park that provides whitewater canoeing in spring, when water levels are highest. The park follows the Opeongo River as it exits from the south edge of Algonquin park, and drops down toward the mouth of the Madawaska River near Highway 60. 2023-03-11
• Upper Madawaska River Provincial Park. Follows the Madawaska River from Rapid Lake near Whitney, just outside Algonquin Park, to the Madawaska town site and Highway 60. No visitor services area available, but information is available from the East Gate of Algonquin Park. An abandoned railway provides a path for hiking or portaging. A number of rapids provide for whitewater padding on the river, when water levels are sufficient. 2023-03-11

Buy

Eat

• Charlie D's, 19349 Opeongo Line (Highway 60 and Arena Road), 45.48893°, -77.66833°, +1 613-756-7162. W-Su 10AM-6PM. A roadside "chip wagon" serving french fries, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and many varieties of poutine. 2023-03-11
• Dairy Freez & Grill, 23 Bay St, 45.48744°, -77.67846°, +1 613-756-7116. A roadside stand. Serves locally-made Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream.
• Polka Spudz, 2 Opeongo Square, 45.48806°, -77.67728°. Open May - Oct. Another roadside "chip wagon", but this one serves pierogis in addition to the usual fare. Try the Polish Poutine!

Drink

• Madawaska Coffee Co., 19578 Opeongo Line, 45.48883°, -77.67976°. M-F 8AM-4PM, Sa 8AM-3PM. A cafe that roasts its coffee in small batches. Roasted coffee and souvenir mugs are available to take home.

Sleep

As the second-closest town east of Algonquin Provincial Park (Whitney is right at the park's entrance), Barry's Bay gets quite a few overnight visitors who are tired of camping in the park.

• Ash Grove Inn, 42524 Combermere Rd, 45.47558°, -77.67065°, +1 613-756-7672, ash.grove.inn@hotmail.com. In the summer, a "fifth wheel" trailer is offered as an additional double room. Non-smoking hotel. Reservations accepted by telephone only. Restaurant on premises. Double from $120 2023-02-02
• Balmoral Hotel, 16 Opeongo Sq, 45.48782°, -77.6771°, +1 613-756-5162. Check-in: 3-8PM, check-out: 10AM. Rustic hotel with a friendly resident dog, free Wi-Fi, and a restaurant. Double from $140 2023-02-02
• Pinewood Inn, 378 John St, 45.4794°, -77.67321°, +1 613-756-1333, pinewoodinn@gmail.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM.

Connect

• Madawaska Valley Public Library (Barry's Bay and Area Public Library), 19474 Opeongo Line, 45.48796°, -77.67464°, +1 613-756-2000, admin@madawaskavalleylibrary.ca. Free wi-fi is available at the Barry's Bay and Area Public Library.

Go next

• Algonquin Park - to the west, Ontario's oldest provincial park. Highway 60 passes through the southern part of the park just after Whitney.
• Bancroft - a cottage country town with a heritage of mining and minerals.
• Maynooth - a town on the way to Bancroft.
• Addington Highlands - to the south, in Quinte-Northumberland. A rural area that hosts dark sky viewing areas for stargazers.