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Black Bear Campground

Overview

Located on the scenic banks of the Ottawa River, Black Bear Campground in Petawawa offers a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and the military community. As a facility associated with Garrison Petawawa, this park provides a unique blend of disciplined maintenance and the rugged beauty of the Ontario landscape. It serves as a secure, welcoming destination for RV travelers looking to explore the natural wonders of the Upper Ottawa Valley while enjoying a quiet atmosphere.

Location & Surroundings

The park is perfectly positioned where the Petawawa River meets the Ottawa River, providing campers with stunning vistas and a sense of seclusion. Surrounded by thick pine forests and sandy riverbanks, the setting is quintessential Northern Ontario. Despite its natural feel, it remains conveniently close to the town of Petawawa, offering easy access to local services while maintaining a distinct waterfront charm that feels miles away from the hustle of city life.

Amenities & Park Features

Black Bear Campground is equipped to handle a variety of camping styles, featuring full-service hookups including 30 and 50-amp electricity. The park is well-regarded for its clean facilities, offering laundry rooms and well-maintained washrooms for guest convenience. For recreation, the private beach area is a highlight, providing a safe spot for swimming or launching small watercraft. Each site includes a fire pit and a picnic table, encouraging traditional evenings spent under the stars.

Nearby Attractions & Things to Do

Adventure is never far away in this region, with the Garrison Petawawa Military Museum offering a deep dive into local heritage just a short distance from the campground. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy world-class white-water rafting on the Ottawa River or explore the tranquil waters of Petawawa Point. For those willing to drive, Algonquin Provincial Park provides an expansive wilderness for day trips, while local multi-use trails offer miles of hiking and cycling opportunities through the boreal forest.

Who This Park Is Best For

This park is particularly well-suited for military families and veterans who appreciate the secure and familiar environment of a DND-operated facility. It also appeals to nature-loving RVers who prefer a tranquil riverfront experience over a commercial resort atmosphere. If your ideal trip involves fishing, kayaking, and relaxing by a campfire in a serene wooded setting, Black Bear Campground provides the perfect backdrop for your next Ontario road trip.

Amenities

- Recreational Facilities

• River
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Boat Rental
• Body Of Water (Ottawa River)
• Horseshoes
• Playground
• Golf
• Kayaking/Canoeing

- Policies

• Pets Welcome
• Tent Camping Allowed

- Other Amenities & Services

• Restroom and Showers
• Laundry

- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)

• Fishing
• Boating
• Kayaking/Canoeing

- Discounts

• Military Discount

- Facility

• Type (Public Park)
• Partial Handicap Access

- On-Site Rentals

• 

- Sites

• Total Spaces (124)
• Spaces Available (30)
• Max Length (80)
• 15 Amp
• Gravel Sites (30)
• Seasonal Sites
• Side-by-Side Hookups
• Water (30)
• Electric (30)
• Max Amps (15)
• Back-ins (50 x 80)
• Fire Rings

User Reviews

thomas john

October 20, 2025

Nice playground. Nice beach area. Great fall vibes. Beautiful scenery....

Michele Morikawa

July 25, 2025

Booked in March for my stay in July. Gave them my trailer size. Arrived and checked in and went to my site. No way in heck could I fit on the site. The water post was right by the entrance and as I was reversing I hit the post and broke my bumper. Broke the water line as well. Gave me another site, started reversing in and the neighbour site person came over and said that was his former site and it is next to impossible to get it. They had no other sites available. Sat in a Timmie’s parking lot looking for a place. It was already after 5. I found one spot in Pembroke. The repair on my truck I’m sure will be in the thousands…people were nice there but don’t know the size of their sites. Very disappointing.

C M

July 22, 2025

This is a nice campground conveniently location in Petawawa on the Military base property. The campsites are very spacious with a nice fire pit. There is a nice playground for children and the beach is in walking distance. You can rent paddle boards and kayaks there. A bag of wood is $13. I am surprised that there is only 1 fully serviced bathroom on the entire campground. It has only 2 shower stalls and 3 toilets for men and women each. There are many port a potty’s location through the campground which is nice if you only just need the toilet. With only 1 washroom on the entire campground, I am surprised it is not better kept up. We were there 2 nights and the paper towel roll was never refilled and floor did not look swept as the same items were on the floor the next day. There are also quite a few pot holes that could use filling to avoid vehicle damage ( even going the slow speed limit, these holes are quite large and sometimes unavoidable) We enjoyed our time on the dog friendly beach but found many inconsiderate people with dogs off leash. This is no fault of the campground but just wish it was better enforced. Overall this was a nice campground and the minor flaws are very minor. Not enough to keep us from coming back. This was a great campground and we will visit again!

Amy K

September 24, 2023

It’s a hidden gem! The water is very clean, the place is not very crowded, and you can have access to public washrooms and playgrounds for kids. Love my visit this weekend while water was warm and the sky was blue! Definitely will visit this beach again next summer! Parking is free and if you want to go to beach, no admission or entry is required!!!

Andy Goggin

September 11, 2021

Power outlets n/s. If you like the drone of competing generators this place is for you. Hand drawn site map doesn’t indicate a black/grey water dump area (and I couldn’t find it). LOTS of garbage everywhere (incl beach).

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Map for Black Bear Campground

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