Bruce Pit vs Conroy Pit — Ottawa's Best Off-Leash Dog Parks

Ottawa's Two Best Dog Parks

Ask any dog owner in Ottawa where they go, and the answer is almost always one of two places: Bruce Pit or Conroy Pit. Both are large, off-leash areas with trails through nature — but they're very different experiences. You can also see both on the dog park map.

Bruce Pit

Bruce Pit is Ottawa's most popular dog park, located on Cedarview Road in Nepean. It's managed by the NCC and sits within the Greenbelt.

What makes it great:

• Fenced entrance — safer for dogs with spotty recall or puppies
• 3.2 km looped trail through mixed woodland and open grassland
• Very social — this is where Ottawa's dog community gathers. Expect 20–50 dogs on a weekend morning
• Large parking lot — though it fills by 10 AM on weekends
• Facilities — outhouse, benches, communal water dishes

Best for: Social dogs, puppies getting used to other dogs, owners who want a community vibe.

Address: 175 Cedarview Road, Ottawa

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Conroy Pit

Conroy Pit is the wilder alternative — a former sand pit south of Hunt Club Road with dense forest trails and a swimming pond.

What makes it great:

• 5 km of trails — longer, narrower, through denser forest than Bruce Pit
• Large pond — dogs can swim and cool off
• Less crowded — even on weekends, you'll have more space
• More adventurous — feels like a real hike, not just a dog park

Watch out for:

• Unfenced — good recall is essential
• No parking lot — roadside parking only, limited spots
• Muddier — the trails are narrower and hold more water in spring

Best for: Dogs with reliable recall, owners who want a longer walk, dogs who love water.

Address: 3136 Conroy Road, Ottawa

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Side-by-Side Comparison

When to Visit

• Early morning (7–9 AM) — best time for both parks. Less crowded, parking available
• Weekday afternoons — both parks are quiet. Great for nervous dogs
• Avoid — weekend 10 AM–2 PM if you want space. Bruce Pit will be packed
• Spring (March–April) — extremely muddy at both parks. Rubber boots mandatory
• Summer — Conroy Pit's pond is the highlight. Bruce Pit's open area can get hot
• Winter — both are open year-round. Bruce Pit's trails connect to NCC ski trails

Other Off-Leash Parks Worth Knowing

If both pits are too far or too busy, Ottawa has 153 other off-leash parks:

• All off-leash dog parks in Ottawa →
• Fenced dog parks →
• Dog parks on the map →