DUNROBIN REAL ESTATE
Things to Do in Dunrobin: A Local's Guide
The best things to do in Dunrobin centre on the Ottawa River and the countryside around it. Residents visit Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, sail and paddle on the river, golf at Eagle Creek, hike in Torbolton Forest and Morris Island, camp at Fitzroy Provincial Park, and gather at the Dunrobin Community Centre. It is a place for people who like to be outside, and most of those activities are within a short drive of home.
This guide covers what Dunrobin residents actually do through the year, from summer on the water to winter trails. It also explains what that lifestyle means if you’re thinking about buying here. It was prepared by Jason Polonski, a REALTOR® with more than 15 years of experience in Ottawa’s west end, who helps buyers and sellers across Dunrobin, Carp, Constance Bay and Kanata.
Pinhey’s Point Historic Site
Pinhey’s Point Historic Site is Dunrobin’s signature landmark. The City of Ottawa site sits on the banks of the Ottawa River and includes a manor house nearly 200 years old, stone ruins, and 88 acres of parkland, farm fields and shoreline.
The estate was the home of Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey, one of the area’s early settlers, and it remains one of the best-preserved links to the area’s early settlement history. Today the manor house holds exhibitions and artifact collections, while the grounds draw picnickers, walkers, photographers and boaters who pull up along the shore.
It is also a favourite with local families. There are grassy fields for running around, an accessible playground next to the site, and river views that make it a popular spot for photos.
Visiting Pinhey’s Point
The park grounds are open year-round. The museum operates seasonally, and the City publishes its hours, special events and any conservation closures on its site and through the Ottawa Museum Network. Admission to the museum is by donation, with free parking, picnic areas and washrooms on site.
The terrain is uneven in places, so wheelchair access across the whole property is limited. Check the City’s listing before a visit if accessibility is a concern.
Life on the Ottawa River
Dunrobin’s northern edge is the Ottawa River, and much of local life leans toward it. Along the Dunrobin shoreline, homes look across the water to the Gatineau Hills in Quebec, and the river is used year-round for boating, paddling, fishing and, in winter, simply taking in the view.
For a closer look at the waterfront community itself, including flood and shoreline considerations, see the guide to Dunrobin Shores.
Baskin’s Beach and the Dunrobin Shoreline
Baskin’s Beach, off Baskins Beach Road, is a small stretch of Ottawa River shoreline that locals use for a summer swim, a paddle launch or an evening by the water. It is not one of the City of Ottawa’s supervised public beaches, so there are no lifeguards. Swim with care, and check water quality before going in.
Community monitoring results for Baskin’s Beach are posted on Swim Guide. River water quality can change after heavy rain, so it’s worth a quick look on the day.
Sailing and Paddling
The Kanata Sailing Club sits on the Ottawa River at 1610 Sixth Line Road, in Sheila McKee Memorial Park, a short drive from Dunrobin. It runs learn-to-sail programs for juniors aged 6 to 15 and for adults and older youth, along with clinics, racing and a shared fleet. Members can sail without owning a boat, which makes it an easy way to get on the water.
Kayakers and canoeists have plenty of options too. The broad, slow stretches of the river and the sheltered bays nearby are popular for paddling in calm summer weather. As with any big river, check wind and conditions before heading out.
Golf at Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek Golf Club, at 109 Royal Troon Lane in Dunrobin, is one of the area’s best-known recreational landmarks. The course is part of the ClubLink network and hosts member play, public tee times on some dates, tournaments and events.
For golfers, living in Dunrobin puts a well-regarded course minutes from home, far from the traffic of a suburban drive to the links.
Sell Your Ottawa Home for Just 1% Listing Commission
Why pay 2.5% listing commission to sell your home when you don't have to? Jason Polonski lists Ottawa homes for a simple 1% listing commission. Full MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure, professional photography, powerful online marketing, expert pricing, and a skilled negotiator fighting for every dollar of your sale price. Top-tier service — you just keep thousands more when your home sells. Smart sellers are already making the switch. Your home deserves the best, and your wallet deserves a break.
Trails, Forests and Conservation Areas
Dunrobin sits between the Ottawa River and the Carp escarpment, and the surrounding landscape of forest, wetland and farmland is threaded with trails. Three favourites are within an easy drive.
Torbolton Forest
Torbolton Forest is a City of Ottawa conservation forest near Constance Bay, just west of Dunrobin. Its network of forest trails is used for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and, in winter, snowshoeing and skiing. The sandy soils and pine stands give it a very different feel from the escarpment trails to the south.
Morris Island Conservation Area
Morris Island Conservation Area, at 156 Morris Island Drive near Fitzroy Harbour, is managed by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. It protects 47 hectares of forest and wetland on the Ottawa River, with about 6 kilometres of trails, wheelchair-accessible facilities, picnic areas and good spots for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. It is open dawn to dusk, and a paid day pass is required for parking.
Fitzroy Provincial Park
Fitzroy Provincial Park, at 5201 Canon Smith Drive, sits where the Carp River meets the Ottawa River. The 198-hectare park has 241 campsites, a sandy swimming beach, hiking trails through mature forest (including century-old white pines and bur oaks estimated at 200 years old), and room for boating, canoeing and cycling. Ontario Parks sets the operating season each year, generally from spring to fall.
For Dunrobin families, it is a rare thing: a full provincial park campground close enough for a last-minute weekend.
For trails closer to Carp, see the guide to Carp Hills parks and trails.
Get Cash Back When You Buy a Home in Ottawa
Can you get cash back when buying a home in Ottawa? Yes. Jason Polonski, a Chairman's Club REALTOR® serving Ottawa and Kanata, shares part of his commission with buyers — up to $3,000 cash back at closing.* You still get full-service, award-winning representation: expert pricing, sharp negotiation, and hands-on guidance from first showing to keys in hand. No cut corners and no rebate-only shortcuts — just real money back in your pocket when you buy your Ottawa or Kanata home.
Community Life at the Dunrobin Community Centre
Much of Dunrobin’s social life runs through the Dunrobin Community Association, which operates the Dunrobin Community Centre at 1151 Thomas A. Dolan Parkway. The association organizes adult classes, recreational pickleball, children’s sports and activities, programming for seniors and people with disabilities, and community events through the year, including Canada Day celebrations. The centre is also available for rentals.
The association keeps a local business directory too. Newcomers find it useful for tracking down trusted tradespeople, which matters when you own a well, a septic system and a long driveway.
Strong community associations are a big part of why buyers choose Dunrobin. In a rural area, the community centre often plays the role that a shopping street plays in the city: it’s where neighbours get to know each other.
Things to Do in Dunrobin in Winter
Dunrobin doesn’t hibernate. Morris Island supports cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, Torbolton Forest’s trails are used year-round, and quiet rural roads and fields give families room for tobogganing and backyard rinks, a staple of rural Ottawa winters.
Winter is also when rural living asks the most of homeowners. Snow clearing on long driveways, fuel deliveries for homes on oil or propane, and road conditions all become part of the routine. It’s worth planning for before you buy, not after.
Day Trips From Dunrobin
Living in Dunrobin puts several of the region’s best day trips within reach:
- Carp village, a short drive south, for the farmers’ market, the fall fair and local shops and restaurants.
- The Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, a four-storey underground bunker in Carp that is one of Ottawa’s most unusual attractions.
- Constance Bay, next door, for sandy beaches and a lively summer community. See the Constance Bay guide.
- Fitzroy Harbour, a historic village farther upriver. See the Fitzroy Harbour guide.
- Gatineau Park, managed by the National Capital Commission, for hiking, lookouts and cross-country skiing on the Quebec side of the river.
- Kanata, about 15 to 20 minutes away, for the Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata Centrum and everyday errands.
What Dunrobin’s Lifestyle Means for Buyers
Dunrobin suits people who want their weekends to happen outdoors, close to home. It’s a strong fit for families who value space and nature, for retirees who want the river and a golf course nearby, and for remote and hybrid workers who can trade a daily commute for a view of the trees.
It’s a weaker fit for buyers who want to walk to a café, rely on public transit or have amenities around the corner. Nearly every errand in Dunrobin means getting in the car.
When Jason works with buyers here, he starts with that lifestyle question before looking at a single listing. Is the goal river frontage for a boat, acreage for a workshop, or simply quiet with a reasonable commute? The answer shapes which part of Dunrobin makes sense. Once there’s a clear plan, he helps buyers evaluate the property itself. His trades background means he looks closely at the well, septic system, electrical service and structure before an offer is firm.
To see what’s available, browse Dunrobin homes for sale or read the full Dunrobin neighbourhood guide.
About Jason Polonski, Dunrobin REALTOR®
Jason Polonski is a full-time REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty and has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers across Ottawa’s west end over more than 15 years. He works as a move coordinator. When clients are buying in Dunrobin and selling elsewhere, he lines up both sides of the move so they don’t end up carrying two homes. For sellers, he offers a 1% Listing Commission, charged on the final sold price.
His background in construction and the electrical trades gives him a practical eye for rural properties, and his Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University, with a double major in Marketing and Finance, shapes how he prices, markets and negotiates. He is a Chairman’s Club award recipient (2025, 2021) and has been named Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® seven years running.
Call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333 or email polonskiottawa@gmail.com. Learn more on his About page or read client reviews on his Google Business Profile.
See also: our Dunrobin homes and community guide.
Buying or selling in Dunrobin? Work with a local Dunrobin REALTOR®.
(FAQs)
Pinhey’s Point Historic Site is a City of Ottawa heritage site in Dunrobin on the Ottawa River. It includes a manor house nearly 200 years old, stone ruins and 88 acres of parkland and shoreline. The museum operates seasonally and the grounds are open year-round.
Baskin’s Beach, off Baskins Beach Road, is a small Ottawa River beach used by locals. It is not a City-supervised beach, so there are no lifeguards, and community water-quality results are posted on Swim Guide.
Yes. The Kanata Sailing Club, at 1610 Sixth Line Road on the Ottawa River, runs learn-to-sail programs for children and adults and has a shared fleet for members.
Popular options include Torbolton Forest near Constance Bay, Morris Island Conservation Area near Fitzroy Harbour, and the trails at Fitzroy Provincial Park.
Yes. Eagle Creek Golf Club is located at 109 Royal Troon Lane in Dunrobin and is part of the ClubLink network.
The Dunrobin Community Association runs classes, pickleball, children’s activities and seasonal events, including Canada Day, at the Dunrobin Community Centre on Thomas A. Dolan Parkway.
It’s one of the best in Ottawa. River access, conservation areas, golf and a provincial park are all nearby. The trade-off is that almost every errand requires a car.
