Bonnechere Caves is one of the most fascinating caves in Ontario and all of Canada. I have always loved visiting caves. It’s always amazing to travel below the surface of the ground to see the wonders that lie beneath. At Bonnechere Caves, you’ll get a history lesson, a cave exploration, and an entertaining tour all in one place. It’s certainly worth the drive to the Ottawa Valley near the small town of Eganville, Ontario.
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Taking a Tour of Bonnechere Caves
It was raining a bit that day, but the weather doesn’t really matter when you’re visiting a cave. Rain or shine, Bonnechere Caves is always open. I recommend bringing a light sweater even on the hottest of days as it is always cooler underground.
Bonnechere Caves offers guided tours every hour on every day. They open on the Victoria Day long weekend and close after Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. The tour begins under a small sheltered area at a table. Your tour guide will provide a short introduction to the region, giving more detail about the kinds of fossils discovered inside and outside of the cave.
Learning About Fossils
There are a couple of charts displaying both a “Record of Life through Geological Time”, as well as “Fossils of the Ordovician Time Period”. We learned that the limestone at Bonnechere Caves was deposited as layers of mud and silt during the Ordovician time period. The Ordovician time period happened around 400-500 million years ago, long before the evolution of fish or a time when dinosaurs walked the globe.
We were shown many actual fossils of creatures from the Ordovician time period, including many in the chart above. 500 million years ago, our part of the world was located in the tropics. Many of the fossils buried in the walls of these Ontario caves are coral and sea creatures that once existed in a tropical climate. Our guide passed around the smaller fossils so we could take a closer look. The experience is educational for both children and adults. We all tried to guess the creatures preserved in each rock.
Venturing into the Cave
After the brief lesson in fossils, it was time to enter one of the most famous caves in Canada, Bonnechere Caves. One by one, we descended down a wooden walkway into the cave. Immediately, I felt the temperature fluctuate. It’s cool down there!
The cave is very well lit. While your guide will have a flashlight, there are lamps set up along the path that illuminate the rock formations. Stalactites hang like icicles from the ceilings above. They grow very slowly at a rate of about one cubic inch every 150 years. Visitors should take care not to touch the stalactites as this can disrupt their growth or kill them entirely.
We learned all about the history of the cave itself and how it was discovered by the owner. It’s a fascinating and funny story. I won’t completely spoil it for you .The owner went through many trials and tribulations many years ago when initially discovering the cave. You’ll have to visit these caves near Ottawa to hear the whole story for yourself.
After seeing fossils above ground before entering the cave, it was really neat to see fossils within the cave itself. Many fossils are embedded into the cave walls.
Becoming “Spelunkers”
At one point, our guide asked if we wanted to explore a separate, small tunnel within the cave that looped back around towards the entrance. Justin, myself, and a group of the younger kids decided to walk through the narrower passageway (I can’t believe that so many people decided not to do it!).
Our shoes got a little bit wet, and Justin had to duck down quite a bit to make his way through, but it was really fun. Our tour guide said that we were now “spelunkers” as we ventured through part of a cave without a guide. Well…I somehow don’t think that really counts, but I happily agreed to have the title at that moment!
Turning Off the Lights
Next, our guide turned off all of the lights in a section of the cave so we could see just how dark it was down there. It was pitch black. We couldn’t see anything at all! It certainly provided some insights into how challenging it is to explore an undiscovered cave. I had new appreciation for all of the carefully placed lights all around.
We descended deep into the bowels of Bonnechere Caves. Sometimes the rocky ceiling was directly overhead, and on other occasions, it extended up high. Sometimes we explored narrower passages, and at other times, we gathered in larger rooms. It was fascinating to discover the interesting patterns carved over millions of years into the limestone walls.
Out of the Caves: The Lush Forest
After an hour, our tour of these caves in Ontario near Kingston ended. We exited the caves into a very lush forest. From there, you can go for a longer hike around the property at your own leisure. At the very least, you should take a look at the giant sinkhole near the cave.
We had a fun and memorable time at Bonnechere Caves. Even though it’s relatively close to home, we learned a lot about the history and geology of the region. It’s educational for people of all ages, but never boring. We walked around examining all of the patterns and grooves in the rocks, and admired the stalactites that have been growing for thousands of years. I highly recommend checking out Bonnechere Caves, especially if you’re looking for a fun activity to do on a rainy day (or a sunny day, too!).
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What to See in the Ottawa Valley
You’ll find Eganville in the Ontario’s Highlands tourism region. It’s part of the Ottawa Valley, an hour and a half west of Ottawa and about four and a half hours northeast of Toronto. I suggest combining your visit to Bonnechere Caves to other nearby tourist attractions and activities.
On this visit, we went to Bonnechere Caves on our way to an overnight stay in Pembroke to visit a friend. The next morning, we woke up bright and early to go white water rafting down the Ottawa River. While Bonnechere Caves seems to be in the middle of the country, the Bonnechere River flows right past the site.
It’s also possible to plan a trip to Bonnechere Provincial Park in the same holiday as these Ontario caves. Bonnechere Provincial Park has fantastic opportunities for canoeing and hiking trips. You can go camping or sleep in one of their rustic cabins.
Obsessed with caves? You should check out Hell Holes Nature Trails and Caves west of Kingston, near Napanee. Here are the top 10 caves in Ontario that you need to explore.
Next, you can plan a getaway to Lanark County. I stayed at a cozy B&B that’s a renovated church with a day spa. Spend your days visiting farmer’s markets, local festivals and museums, and wandering around the town of Perth.
Last, you can stop by Bonnechere Caves on your way to the city of Ottawa. There are so many fun things to do in Ottawa whether you’re visiting Ottawa in the winter, doing a coffee shop hop around Ottawa, playing arcade games, or planning your stay at a downtown Airbnb.
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Rachel
I have a love for caves too. There is something so moreish about wanting to delve deeper into the dark secrets of the other world…. seeing what is in the next cavern, looking at the rock formations and sculptures…. and for me, as an ecologist, I am always on the lookout for bats! I can’t help myself :P
Jon @ jonistravelling.com
This place looks awesome. I’ve visited a lot of caves in Southeast Asia – they are always fun to explore.
Stacey Veikalas
Wow these caves are really cool something my kids would also love to explore. The fossils in the rock and pretty amazing and how they are just out there in the middle of nowhere makes them even cooler. Growing up in Colorado I am a cave fan love them – thank you so much for sharing – cool story and great photos.
Cory Lee
this cave looks so cool! I love all of the fossils. I would love to do this, but it doesn’t look very wheelchair accessible. Lol
Lauren
Unfortunately, it was not very wheelchair accessible…there were many stairs to go up and down. Although since reading your blog, I have thought more and more about which places are wheelchair accessible or not – I’m happy to see when places are accessible to all!
Karyn @ Not Done Travelling
That is SO cool that you were in a place that formed before dinosaurs had even evolved! :D
Lauren
Oh I know! It is awesome to think about. It’s also cool to think that the area used to be so tropical!
Veronika
Wow, you got great photos from the caves – I imagine the light conditions were not ideal but you nailed it! Canada has so much to offer.. I wasn’t aware there are stunning caves there as well. Good to know!
Lauren
The lighting conditions were less than ideal but we were able to snap some photos! There were many that didn’t turn out, too, so I’m thankful that a few did!
Allison @ A Foodie in Europe
Great post! I love going in caves. I like that they showed you some fossils before you went it, I think it makes the tour a little more exciting when you know what has come out of that cave. So many of the tours I have been on are like “this is a cave, let’s walk through it. Ok any questions?” It sounds like this one is really interested in educating their visitors.
Adrian of Adrian's Travel Tales
Wow, who would of thought that caves like this were in Ontario. I guess I just never associated fossils and caves like that with Canada. I need to expand my horizons! :) The pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely have to make my way up to that part of Canada soon.
Brianna
Wow, I love that you can see fossils still in the rock!
Karen Warren
I don’t really like caves – I felt claustrophobic just looking at your pictures – but I can see that these ones must be very interesting.
Els
Love the tunnels! Although a bit creepy!
Claudia
I actually think the forest outside the cave looks just as fabulous!
Christine
Looks like a fun trip! Those fossils look so interesting. And the cave looks super fun but I get a bit claustrophobic sometimes. Looks like a cool adventure though!
Sammi Wanderlustin'
Eganville! Maybe that’s where my family is from !
The location looks stunning, I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to caves, and don’t think I’d want to venture too far underground. I visited Salt Mines in Poland and it was consistently on my mind how far down we were. I would definitely have been one of the wimps about the narrower route.
Elena
Those fossils look impressive! And I wouldn´t mind going to that cave either!
Paul (@luxury__travel)
This takes me back to my days of studying geography and geology at Uni… sounds like a really interesting spot – would love to see all those fossils close up!
Casey O'Connell
Wanting to make the sign Veganville…. haha!! Sounds like something I would do too… ;) I also loveeee caves, so this will definitely have to go on my list. Thanks for sharing, guys! Awesome pictures!
Juergen
They sound like interesting caves to explore. Unfortunately my wife gets easily claustrophobic so I can hardly ever convince her to visit any caves;
when I succeed I hear complains for weeks after. Since we travel in an RV it’s often not so easy to split up and do different things for part of the day…Heather Cole
Sounds like a fun experience! It’s amazing to think of all that beneath out feet, just waiting to be explored.
Jowita
What a great trip you had! I find caves scary and exiting at the same time. I would never say no to a visit like that, but when I actually go inside I’m starting to feel claustrophobic.
Sandra @ Tripper
Sounds like my kind of (de)tour! Thanks.
antonette - we12travel
Pretty impressive! The world underneath the surface of the earth has a lot to show to us for sure…
Christine
The caves looks amazing! Great photos as well :)
Carmen (CarmensTravelTips)
We’ve visited several underground caves and old mines. I find them fascinating. The best caves I’ve seen so far were in Puerto Rico.
Lauren
I’d love to visit the ones in Puerto Rico! That sounds amazing.
Megan Claire
We love visiting caves as well – so glad you had such a fantastic time; sounds like an amazing attraction.
Lauren
We had a really fun time, and it’s not a super well-known attraction but it should be!
Hannah
Hahaha I went here for a field trip when I was little! It was pouring rain and supper slippery…I remember having fun and being covered in mud by the end :)
Lauren
That’s awesome! It wasn’t quite so muddy, just a little bit. I could see how that would be super fun when you’re a kid :)
Mary {The World Is A Book}
We love exploring caves too and this is a great one. I really like how the outside area looks too. Those fossils are so cool! How neat that you were able to see them even inside the cave. I think it’s mandatory for all cave tour guides to turn the lights off. But, it is amazing to think how this cave was discovered. Great tour!
Lauren
I think so too. The tour guide even did this thing where she turned off the lights and said “there is a trick where if you put your hand on your nose, you can see in the dark!” Then she turned the lights on quickly and everyone had their hand on their nose. Hahaha. Great trick! :)
Jessi
Yay geology! I don’t care how many caves I go to, I find them absolutely fascinating. I’ll never forget my first time underground in the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, and it tends to be one of my favorite types of treks. Now I’ll need to check them out in Ontario too!
Lauren
I’m exactly the same way. I would LOVE to go to Mammoth Caves, it is actually on my list of places to go – hopefully at some point, soon! I’ve heard it’s awesome.
Anna
How fun! There’s a part of me that’s fascinated with caves!! I remember on a school field trip once in elementary school, we went spelunking and it was SO much fun that I’ve been dreaming about doing it again ever since! This one looks really fun with the narrow tunnels and low ceilings!
Lauren
I’m fascinated with caves too and always seek them out. That elementary school trip sounds awesome, I never got to go on any great field trips like that one!
James
Funny how you can find amazing natural wonders in the most unexpected places … excellent tour guys!
Lauren
Thanks so much! Yes, who knew such fascinating caves would be in the middle of nowhere really!