Group of Seven experience route: Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley
Bon Echo Provincial Park | Ontario Parks
Ottawa is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the Group of Seven and its role in Canadian history.
Coupled with journeys into the Ottawa Valley and Bon Echo Provincial Park’s views, visitors can immerse themselves in the landscapes and waterways that appear in the artists’ work.
Key stops, attractions and landscapes in Ottawa and Ottawa Valley
1. Lake Clear
Take Highway 41, south of Highway 60, then travel west along County Road 512 to reach this lovely body of water on Buelow Road.
Location: Just west of Eganville
Connect to the canvas: follow the beach path to find the exact location where A.Y. Jackson created Lake Clear, c. 1962, Private Collection. Half an hour west, explore Palmer Rapids to find a similar waterscape that inspired A.J. Casson’s graphite sketch Madawaska, Palmer Rapids, c. 1952, housed at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
2. Art Gallery of Ottawa
Home to an exciting collection of local and regional art that connects to the city and communities of Ottawa. Gallery admission is free, donations are welcome.
Location: 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa
3. National Gallery of Canada
Works by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven are prominently displayed at the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) and, at 2500 in number, are pivotal elements of the National Collection.
One of the most recognizable images is Tom Thomson’s The Jack Pine, c. 1916-1917, an icon in Canadian art. See the full collection in the Indigenous and Canadian Galleries and get the behind-the-scenes-scoop on a guided tour that features commentary and highlights of the National Collection.
Location: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
4. A.Y. Jackson Trail
Follow the map for the A.Y. Jackson Trail that winds between Springtown, near Calabogie to Algonquin Park. Don’t miss the view from the Calabogie Lake Lookout on Barrett Chute Road.
Connect to the canvas: Tom Thomson completed multiple paintings in and around the community of Petawawa in 1916, including Petawawa, Algonquin Park and Autumn, Petawawa, both on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The outdoor mural Petawawa Gorges on the west side of Algonquin Outfitters Store in Huntsville is part of the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery and makes an excellent link between the Gallery to Landscapes Routes.
Location: Springtown to Algonquin Park
5. A.Y. Jackson Park
Head south of Ottawa, along Highway 417 to Manotick, a community Jackson lived in from 1955 to 1962. Learn more about his time here at the riverside park.
Location: 1102 Bridge Street, Manotick
Connect to the canvas: A.Y. Jackson’s paper sketch Manotick Evening, c. 1956, part of the Firestone Collection at the Ottawa Art Gallery, demonstrates how he used notations and numbers for reference on the final piece.
6. Mazinaw Rock at Bon Echo Provincial Park
Most of the Group of Seven members gravitated to paint and sketch at this natural attraction. In search of the best view, some even climbed to the top of Mazinaw Rock, which is 100 metres high. Rent a canoe or kayak to paddle over to Mazinaw and explore the lake.
Location: North of Kaladar
Tips and resources
- Watch the National Film Board production on A.Y. Jackson entitled the Canadian Landscape.
- Book Ontario Parks day use permits and camping reservations in advance.
- Some of these stops are seasonal, book ahead and double-check operating hours and dates to avoid disappointment.
Last updated: September 14, 2023