Rideau Falls

About Rideau Falls

Rideau Falls is a pair of 11-metre waterfalls where the Rideau River empties into the Ottawa River in Ottawa's east end. The falls are divided by Green Island, a 12-acre island in the river.

The falls gave the Rideau River — and by extension, the Rideau Canal — its name. When Samuel de Champlain first saw the falls from the Ottawa River, he thought they resembled a curtain (rideau in French).

Rideau Falls Park

The 2.89-hectare park, managed by the NCC, sits on the banks above the falls with walking paths, benches, and open green space overlooking the Ottawa River and the Quebec shore.

Tavern on the Falls, a restaurant with outdoor seating, is located next to the southernmost waterfall.

Green Island

Green Island sits between the two falls and is accessible via Sussex Drive (north) and the Minto Bridges (south). The island is home to several monuments:

• Ottawa Memorial (1959) — A bronze globe honouring approximately 800 Commonwealth air force members with no known graves
• Mackenzie-Papineau Monument (2001) — Dedicated to Canadians who fought in the Spanish Civil War
• National Artillery Monument — Includes a 25-pounder gun and a John McCrae statue (added 2015)

Seasonal Notes

In winter, the falls partially or largely freeze. Mist coats nearby trees and rocks in ice, making it a popular winter photography spot. In late winter, the ice is dynamited to prevent flooding from the spring thaw.

Getting There

• By Car: Free NCC parking at 50 Sussex Drive (44 spaces)
• By Bike: Connected to the Ottawa River Pathway along Sussex Drive
• On Foot: Walk north along Sussex Drive from the ByWard Market (~2.5 km)
• Nearby: New Edinburgh neighbourhood, French Embassy, Rideau Hall