Butternut Island is a rare, high-acreage sanctuary located in a remarkably serene corridor of the Ottawa River. Bordered by protected provincial park lands to the south and vast stretches of undeveloped shoreline, this island is a bastion of silence and natural beauty. At 22.5 acres, it provides a scale of privacy that is increasingly difficult to secure within a comfortable driving distance of the nation's capital. Named for its rustic, wooded character, Butternut Island is a property for those who prioritize a deep, uncompromised connection with the Canadian wilderness.
PROPERTY DETAILS
Encompassing 22.5 acres of raw, natural land, the island presents a unique blank canvas for low-impact recreation or future private development. The property is currently designated partially as Crown Land and partially Rural within the County of Renfrew Official Plan, with local zoning classified as Open Space (OS) under Township by-laws. In its current state, permitted uses focus on passive recreation, open space, private park land, and natural preservation. For buyers envisioning a residential compound, development would proceed via a rezoning application to a Waterfront Vicinity holding zone (WV-h). Lifting the holding symbol involves standard municipal requirements for Ottawa River islands, including confirmation that the acreage exceeds 2 acres, consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding Crown Land policies, an elevations survey, and hydrologic and hydraulic engineering studies to verify flood limits, safe building envelopes, flood plain compliance, and emergency access. The island features multiple high-ground areas to design a future lodge and cabins once municipal planning requirements are fulfilled.
LAND AND WATER
The standout feature of Butternut Island is its stunning sandy beach, offering a gentle, inviting entry into the clean waters of the Ottawa River for swimming and wading. The river in this section is renowned for superb fishing and recreational boating, yet it remains peaceful enough to support a diverse array of local wildlife. For those seeking higher energy, world-class whitewater rapids are just a short boat ride downriver, providing a rare scenario where total stillness meets high-adrenaline adventure.
ACCESS AND UTILITIES
Access to Butternut Island is a simple and scenic boat transit from the public launch in Lapasse. While the island is currently off-grid, it is ideally suited for modern, sustainable infrastructure such as high-efficiency solar arrays and river-water filtration systems. Proximity to Pembroke ensures that professional builders, marine contractors, and essential supplies are within a convenient 30-minute reach, bridging the gap between secluded wilderness and practical logistical support.
LIFESTYLE AND VALUE
Life on Butternut Island is defined by the rhythm of the river and the shifting colors of the surrounding forest. This is a legacy asset for outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, or long-term visionaries seeking an expansive riverholding with transparent planning guidelines. Whether maintained as a private recreational haven and whitewater basecamp or thoughtfully guided through the municipal rezoning process for residential living, Butternut Island offers immense scale and lasting natural value on the Ottawa River.
