Best Parks and Outdoor Spaces in Ottawa

Ottawa has an unusual amount of green space for a capital city. Between the National Capital Commission's managed lands, the Rideau Canal corridor, and Gatineau Park just across the river, there are hundreds of kilometres of pathways, gardens, and wilderness — almost all of it free.

This guide covers the best parks and outdoor spaces in the Ottawa area, from downtown green spaces to the trails of Gatineau Park.

Gatineau Park

Gatineau Park is a 361-square-kilometre conservation park just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa. It's the closest thing Ottawa has to wilderness — forests, lakes, rock escarpments, and over 165 km of maintained hiking trails.

Top Trails

• Pink Lake Trail (2.5 km loop) — The park's most popular trail. A boardwalk path leading to a lookout over a striking meromictic lake
• King Mountain Trail (2.5 km) — A steeper climb to a panoramic lookout over the Ottawa Valley
• Luskville Falls Trail (5 km return) — A rocky escarpment trail with a waterfall and views of the Ottawa River
• Champlain Lookout — Accessible by car (summer) or trail. One of the best views in the region

Seasonal Notes

• Spring (March–May): Some parkways closed until early May. Lower trailheads accessible. Muddy conditions on some trails — stay on the trail to prevent erosion. Pets allowed from April 15
• Summer: Beaches open at Meech Lake, Philippe Lake, and Lac La Pêche. Parking at beaches requires a daily pass (up to $11)
• Fall: Peak colour usually in early to mid-October. Champlain Lookout is the classic viewpoint

Tip: Popular trailheads (Pink Lake, King Mountain) fill up on sunny weekends. Arrive early or visit on weekdays.

Downtown Parks

Major's Hill Park

Major's Hill Park is Ottawa's oldest park, sitting on a hill directly behind the Château Laurier. It offers the best views in the city — Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, and the Ottawa River.

In May, the park is one of the city's top spots for tulips during the Canadian Tulip Festival. In summer, Tavern on the Hill operates as a seasonal outdoor canteen with locally-sourced food. The park is a regular venue for Canada Day celebrations and summer festivals.

• Hours: Daily 8 AM to dusk
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Views, picnics, tulips in May, festivals

Commissioners Park

Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake is best known as the home of the Canadian Tulip Festival. Every May, over 300,000 tulips bloom across 26 flower beds — and walking through them is completely free.

Outside of tulip season, the park has waterfront pathways, benches, and views of the lake. It connects directly to the Rideau Canal pathway and the Dominion Arboretum.

• Cost: Free
• Best for: Tulips (May), waterfront walks, connecting to canal pathways

See our guide to the Tulip Festival → for dates and details.

Gardens and Green Spaces

Dominion Arboretum

The Dominion Arboretum is 26 hectares of mature trees, gardens, and rolling lawns on the Central Experimental Farm. It's home to over 1,700 species of trees and shrubs — many with identification labels for those interested in botany.

The arboretum is especially beautiful in late spring when crabapple trees, magnolias, lilacs, and ornamental cherry trees are in bloom. The North and South lookouts offer scenic views over Dow's Lake.

• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Quiet walks, spring blooms, birdwatching

Rideau Hall Grounds

The grounds of Rideau Hall — the Governor General's official residence — cover 32 hectares of gardens, forests, and manicured grounds in Rockcliffe. It's one of Ottawa's quietest outdoor spaces, far less crowded than downtown parks.

Features include flower gardens, a heritage greenhouse, a playground, and a picnic area. In winter, a free outdoor skating rink operates on the grounds.

• Hours: Daily 8 AM to one hour before sunset
• Cost: Free (including guided tours of the state rooms)
• Best for: Gardens, family outings, escaping downtown crowds

Waterfront

Rideau Canal Pathway

The Rideau Canal pathway runs the length of the canal through the city — a flat, paved, car-free route for walking, running, and cycling. The stretch from the Parliament Hill locks to Dow's Lake (about 6 km) passes through the heart of Ottawa.

In summer, the Queen Elizabeth Driveway along the canal is often closed to cars on weekends, giving cyclists and walkers the full road. In winter, a 7.8 km section of the canal becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway.

• Cost: Free (skating and pathway use)
• Best for: Cycling, running, skating (winter), strolling

Dow's Lake

Dow's Lake Pavilion is a recreation hub at the southern end of the canal pathway. In summer, rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, or paddleboats. In winter, rent skates for the Skateway. The pavilion has restaurants with lake views.

• Boat rentals: Canoes ~$15/hour, paddleboats ~$13/hour (mid-May to Labour Day)
• Best for: Paddling, lakeside dining, tulip views (May)

Tips for Outdoor Ottawa

• Spring timing — Tulips peak in mid-May at Major's Hill Park and Commissioners Park. The Arboretum's magnolias and cherry trees bloom in late April/early May
• Gatineau Park parkways — The scenic parkways (Champlain, Fortune Lake, Gatineau) are closed to vehicles in winter and typically reopen in early May. Lower trailheads remain accessible year-round
• Weekend road closures — The Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Drive along the canal are often closed to cars on Sundays from May to October, creating a long car-free route for cyclists
• Bike rentals — Several rental shops operate near the canal. The NCC pathway network connects most major parks
• Bug season — Black flies peak in late May/early June, especially in Gatineau Park. Mosquitoes follow in June/July. Bring repellent for trail hiking