Driftwood Provincial Park is located about 45 minutes from Petawawa on the Ottawa River in Ontario.  It is part of the Ontario Parks system of recreational parks.

In 1950 a hydroelectric dam was built about 12 km downriver from the location of the park resulting in extensive flooding of the river valley. This flooding caused a pocket or a bay in the river. Driftwood carried downriver collects here which gives the bay and later the park its name. Driftwood still finds its way to the park beaches in large quantities.

Site Review:

Driftwood Provincial Park is a small provincial park as far as Ontario Parks go with only about 80 sites- 16 of which have electric hook up. We had site #79 which is a pull-thru electric site.

The electric sites are separate from the majority of the other sites. They are all in a forest setting in the Brumm Campground area.

The non-electric sites are along the water. Approximately 42 of them have direct access and excellent views of the Ottawa River.

Sites #1-#21 are the non-electric waterfront sites that would be the most suitable for larger equipment. The sites are roomy and your access to the water in unencumbered. 

You can secure boats right at the site and there is plenty of room and open sky for solar panels.

There is one comfort station equipped with flush toilets and hot showers to service the entire park. It is located in the non-electric section of the park in the Ottawa River campground.

The Brumm campground area, where the electric sites are, is equipped only with vault toilets (outhouses).

The 2 campground areas are fairly far apart. Should you need to use the comfort station and you are located in the Brumm campground you will probably need to drive.

Activities:

Swimming:

There is a beach that is buoyed off for swimming in the Day Use Area. The bottom of the river appears sandy and the slope is shallow. Driftwood is plentiful along the shore here. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Canoeing/Kayaking:

Canoes and Kayaks are available to rent from the park gatehouse. Rates vary depending on the duration of use.

Hiking:

There are about 7 trails at Driftwood Provincial Park suitable for hiking. Most are about 2 km in length with Loop 2 of the Chevier Creek Trail being about 4 km.

The trails are not suitable for biking and are often narrow and a bit treacherous .

A couple of hiking tips: 

• wear bug spray
• wear appropriate footwear

The trails are hilly and heavily carpeted with fallen leaves. Any wetness and the trails are very slippery.

Boating:

There is a boat launch and a dock where you can secure your boat right beside the beach.

There is also a lot where you can leave your boat trailer.

Biking:

This is not a good park to do any kind of biking at. The main road is paved but the campground roads are all just packed dirt and the hiking trails are not suitable for biking.

The main road is flat for about a km but then there are some pretty steep hills.

Highway 17 is located just outside of the park but I would not recommend that either for any leisurely cycling.

I think it is misleading when the website says:

Can you bike at Driftwood Provincial Park? Yes

Would you want to? Probably not

Fishing:

Fishing is permitted on the Ottawa River.

Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass are popular, as are Lake and Brook Trout.

You will need an Ontario Fishing Licence. 

The Ottawa River separates the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The Dumoine River is on the Quebec side. If you should venture over there to fish then you would also need a Quebec Fishing Licence. Ontario Parks does not issue fishing licences.

Things to Know:

1. Pets are permitted at Ontario Parks.
2. Wood is available at the gatehouse.
3. There is no on-site store to purchase forgotten items. A couple of souvenirs can be purchased at the gatehouse.
4. There is a trailer dump station.
5. The nearest hospital is in Deep River.
6. This is Black bear country so appropriate storage of food and disposal of garbage is advised.
7. About an hour down the road is Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. 

IMO:

The non-electric sites at Driftwood Provincial Park are far superior to the electric ones. They are spacious, with a view and accessibility to the river and the comfort station. The electric sites afford more privacy and are quiet with a remote feel.

I enjoyed our weekend visit to Driftwood but really there is not much to do there. It’s a small park with basic amenities. I probably wouldn’t recommend this park as an RV Place to Go for an extended stay but it was fine for a night or 2.