Lanark County's Trail Network: One of Eastern Ontario's Best Areas for Recreational Riding

Homeowners in Lanark County are living in one of the most active areas in Eastern Ontario for off-road recreation. Located just west of Ottawa, the area sits at the center of a popular and growing network for side-by-side, ATV, and snowmobile trails that run across the Ottawa Valley. 

Residents have access to former rail corridors, forest trails, and rural road connections through these trails link communities, including Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, Almonte, and Pakenham with hundreds of kilometers of recreational, well-kept trails. 

The Uprising Popularity of Side-by-Sides

Side by sides have quickly become a dominant off-road vehicle type in Lanark County for riders, replacing typical ATVs for many people. Side by sides have a lot of modern benefits compared to ATVs, including better safety and comfort (through roll cages and seatbelts), the ability to carry passengers and supplies, it is more suitable for families and older riders, and is more stable on rough terrain and bush trails.

The Growth of Activity
Off-roading recreation in the Ottawa Valley (and area) has grown significantly in the past decade. Some of the major growth drivers are because of the conversion of abandoned rail ways being turned into trail systems, the expansion of paid trail clubs, increased tourism, and demand from Ottawa riders seeking nearby rural trails.

The Ottawa Valley ATV Club manages approximately 3,500km² of territory with roughly 400km of groomed trails plus 250km of connecting roads. This network spans Lanark County, North Frontenac, Calabogie area, and the Ompah and surrounding backcountry. 

This makes up one of the largest continuous off-roading areas near Ottawa.

Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT)

  • Total length of 296km from Smiths Falls to Bissett Creek
  • Lanark county section is about 61-62km of trail
  • Surfaces include former railway beds and gravel
  • Popular uses include:
    • Side-by-sides
    • Snowmobiles
    • ATVs
    • Horseback riding
    • Hiking
    • Cycling
Local ATV Trail Networks
  • Ottawa Valley ATV Club has about
    • 400km of trails
    • 250km of road connections
For homeowners living near the corridor, the OVRT provides a multi-use recreation space that can be used year-round.

The Cataraqui Trail

  • Total length of 104km from Smiths Falls to Strathcona
  • Lanark County section runs through Smiths Falls and nearby Rideau Lakes areas
  • Surfaces include former railway beds with compacted stone dust and gravel
  • Popular uses include:
    • Snowmobiles
    • ATVs
    • Cycling
    • Hiking
    • Horseback riding
For homeowners, the Cataraqui Trail provides year-round recreational riding activities.

Side-by-Side and ATV clubs

Ottawa Valley ATV Club (OVATVC) is the main club covering Lanark Country. They build and maintain trails. negotiate land access agreements, install signage and safety markers, organize group rides and charity events, and promote responsible riding. This club is a member of the Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV).

The Renfrew County ATV Club covers the adjacent Renfrew County region and connects to Lanark trails.

These clubs are almost entirely volunteer-run organizations that are responsible for:
  • Trail brushing
  • Bridge construction
  • Insurance agreements
  • Mapping and signage
Homeowners can travel between communities, access wilderness areas, and enjoy day-long rides across multiple counties.

Crown Land Access

Lanark County itself has limited Crown land, but riders often connect into large Crown land blocks nearby.

Major Crown land riding areas include:
  • Greater Madawaska/Calabogie area (approx.. 40-70km from Lanark County riding area)
  • Renfrew County (appox. 40-130km from Lanark County riding area)
  • North Frontenac (approx. 60-110km from Lanark County riding area)
This nearby Crown land access lets homeowners explore wilderness areas, backcountry campsites, and lakes within a short ride.

The Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT)

The OVRT is the most popular transportation corridor for recreational vehicles in the Ottawa Valley. 

It consists of 296km total, running through Lanark County, Renfrew County, and Papineau-Cameron Township. Built on former Canadian Pacific railway corridor, it connects towns, such as:
  • Smiths Falls
  • Carleton Place
  • Almonte
  • Pakenham
  • Arnprior
The trail often allows side-by-sides, ATVs, snowmobiles, cyclists, and people walking, depending on season and local regulations.

For homeowners, this corridor provides a reliable, maintained route that connects multiple communities, making it possible to travel long distances on recreational vehicles.

Snowmobile Groomed Trail Network

The OFSC Trail Network in Lanark County is managed by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, with a province-wide network of about 39,000km of groomed trails.

There are several clubs that operate trains in and around Lanark County, including the West Carleton Snowmobile Association (maintains over 250km of trails in rural west Ottawa and parts of Lanark County). These trails link into:
  • Calabogie region
  • Renfrew County
  • Ottawa Valley River Loop
This grants homeowners access to the Ontario East Rails & Trails Loop, which is about 267km of snowmobile riding that passes through Lanark County and uses sections of the OVRT.

Summary

Lanark County has become a major off-road recreation location in Eastern Ontario because of several popular factors:
  • About 400km of trail network
  • 296km Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail corridor
  • Major snowmobile trail connections
  • Access to Crown land in neighboring counties
  • Proximity to Ottawa
For homeowners, this combination of trails, wilderness access, and proximity to Ottawa creates a lifestyle that attracts outdoor enthusiasts and beginner and advanced recreational riders.

About the Agent

Chris Smith is a real estate broker with Chris Smith Real Estate.

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