Pembroke, Ontario Travel Guide

City City in Canada near Ottawa River

At the Ottawa River’s edge, Pembroke serves anglers and paddlers, keeps timber-industry museums and murals, and offers a walkable downtown of galleries, cafés and riverfront trails.

Costs

Moderate: $100-140 per day

Typical small-town Ontario costs for meals, motels and outdoor activities.

Safety

Generally safe

Low crime, family-oriented community with outdoor recreation safety considerations.

Best Time

Late spring to early autumn (May-Oct)

Warm months offer boating, fishing and riverfront festivals.

In This Guide

Why Visit Pembroke, Ontario?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

13,882

Infrastructure & Convenience

Car-focused with a pedestrian downtown; limited public transit but tourist-friendly services.

Popularity

Regional outdoor destination and service hub for the Ottawa Valley.

Known For

Ottawa River waterfront, logging and pulp history, boating and fishing, outdoor recreation, county fairs, historic downtown, riverfront trails, access to wilderness

Pembroke sits at the confluence of the Muskrat River and the Ottawa River, a focal point of local history.

Why Visit Pembroke, Ontario? #

Sitting on the Ottawa River, Pembroke is a center for outdoor recreation and timber-country history in eastern Ontario. Riverfront trails and boating combine with the Champlain Trail Museum’s logging exhibits to tell the story of the region, while proximity to Algonquin Park provides easy access to canoeing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Seasonal events and local lumber-town heritage give the town distinct character. Travelers often use Pembroke as a launch point for river adventures and forested backcountry.

Top Things to Do in Pembroke, Ontario

All Attractions ›

Coulonge Chutes

Scenic waterfalls and historic logging site in Quebec

Waterfall

Don't Miss

Champlain Trail Museum & Pioneer Village - Explore regional history exhibits, pioneer buildings, and outdoor heritage exhibits at Champlain Trail Museum.
Pembroke Riverfront Park - Stroll Pembroke's riverfront park, watch boats and enjoy picnic spots along the Ottawa.
Downtown Heritage Murals - Discover murals and heritage plaques on Pembroke's downtown walking route by the river.

Hidden Gems

Local Artisan Shops - Browse family-run craft shops and bakeries on Pembroke's main street for treats.
Muskrat River Wetlands - Birdwatch along the Muskrat River and wetland boardwalks at local conservation areas.
Community History Walks - Follow self-guided routes highlighting local pioneers, notable buildings and archival panels.

Day Trips

Algonquin Provincial Park - Drive to Algonquin Park for lakes, canoe routes and old-growth forest exploration.
Bonnechere Caves - Tour Bonnechere Caves' limestone caverns and learn about underground geology nearby.

Best Time to Visit Pembroke, Ontario #

Pembroke is best in summer for river activities and hiking. Winters are cold and snowy; spring and autumn offer quieter travel and crisp, pleasant weather.

Winter

December - February · -20°C to -5°C (-4°F to 23°F)

Cold, snowy winters ideal for snow sports but expect icy roads, bundled locals, and limited daylight for exploring.

Spring/Autumn

March - May & September - November · 0°C to 15°C (32°F to 59°F)

Variable transitions with muddy trails in spring and crisp, colorful afternoons in autumn - quieter and pleasantly uncrowded.

Summer

June - August · 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)

Warm, often sunny summers perfect for boating on the Ottawa River, hiking, and outdoor festivals.

Best Time to Visit Pembroke, Ontario #

Climate

Pembroke, Ontario's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -18°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (879 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

36°

Warmest Month

-40°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -18°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-13°

Feels Like Freezing

-13°C

Temperature

-18° – -7°

97%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.0h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -18°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

32 Poor

Comfort

-11°

Feels Like Freezing

-11°C

Temperature

-18° – -5°

97%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

50 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.2h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-5°

Feels Like Freezing

-5°C

Temperature

-11° – 1°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-2° – 9°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

4° – 18°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

9° – 23°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

15.4h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

13° – 26°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.1h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

12° – 25°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

13.9h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

8° – 20°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

2° – 13°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-3° – 5°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

75 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

32 Poor

Comfort

-8°

Feels Like Freezing

-8°C

Temperature

-12° – -3°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.6h daylight

How to Get to Pembroke, Ontario

By Air

By Train & Bus

Where to Stay in Pembroke, Ontario #

Budget

Downtown / near Hwy 17 - CAD $80-130/night

Pembroke has several familiar budget chains and motels that suit road-trippers and short business stays. Rooms are functional and conveniently located.

Comfort Inn Pembroke - Chain hotel near downtown
Days Inn by Wyndham Pembroke - Budget motel-style rooms

Mid-Range

Downtown / Harbourfront - CAD $130-180/night

A good selection of mid-range hotels and inns provide comfortable rooms, conference facilities and on-site dining - convenient for visitors to the Ottawa Valley.

Comfortable local hotels (listings) - Mid-range hotels with business facilities
Local inns & B&Bs (listing) - Pleasant family-run establishments

Luxury

Ottawa access - CAD $250+/night

Pembroke has limited true luxury hotels. For five-star services and major spa hotels, plan to stay in Ottawa or dedicated resort properties further afield.