What better time of the year than the heart of summer to explore nature and enjoy the many scenic lookouts around Ottawa?
Credit: Rideau Waterway Land Trust
This list provides 15 must-visit lookouts in and around the Ottawa and Gatineau area where you can enjoy panoramic views and both hidden gems and well-known spots in the outdoors.
Rock Dunder
Rock Dunder is a wilderness area with numerous geological wonders within it. The Morton Bay Loop and the Summit Loop both take visitors to incredible lookouts of Morton Bay and the Rideau Waterway.
Address: Stanley Lash Ln, Lyndhurst
Details
Spy Rock
The Foley Mountain Conservation Area, located on Upper Rideau Lake, is home to Spy Rock. The granite ledge lets you take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the region. Spy Rock is 500 million years old and also overlooks Westport. You’ll be able to see all the natural landscapes in the area and the town in the distance.
Address: 105 Foley Mountain Ln, Westport
Details
Eagle’s Nest
The Eagle’s Nest is a well-known lookout in Ontario. After a half-hour hike up to the lookout, you’ll be presented with beautiful views from the cliff edges. The hike may be slightly challenging for beginners, but the vantage point is well worth the effort. Take Hwy. 508 west, about 2.2 km past Calabogie Peaks Ski Resort, where you will park on your right on the side of the road (watch for the trailhead).
Address: 79 Eagles Nest Park Rd, Bancroft – Directions
Hog’s Back Falls Lookout
Located in Hog’s Back Park, this lookout location allows you to explore forested trails that lead right to the urban Hog’s Back Waterfall.
Address: 600 Hogs Back Rd, Ottawa
Details
Nepean Point
Nepean Point is an Ottawa favourite due to its panoramic views of Parliament Hill and the heart of the country’s capital.
Address: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Details
Rockcliffe Lookout
The Rockcliffe Lookout is part of a stunning park that overlooks the Ottawa River and is dotted with daffodils and flowering trees. The multi-use pathways feature many lookouts as well.
Address: 1495 Sir George-Etienne Cartier Pky, Ottawa
Details
Rideau Falls Park
Rideau Falls Park is another one of the city of Ottawa’s gems, being a part of the collective Rideau Falls “community” with its stunning waterfalls and peaceful park atmosphere. The lookout is the ideal spot to view the highlights of the city.
Address: 50 Sussex Dr, Ottawa
Details
Huron Lookout
Credit: Gatineau Park
The Huron Lookout is part of the Eardley Escarpment – a natural home on the Canadian Shield to rare species and incredible wildlife. From here, you can get an overview of Aylmer and West Ottawa.
Address: Champlain Pkwy, Chelsea (Directions)
Details
Champlain Lookout
Credit: Gatineau Park
The Champlain Lookout is located in Gatineau Park and provides the most loved and popular view in the park. Whilst you look out at the scenery, you’ll be surrounded by some of the richest ecosystems in the area.
Address: Champlain Pkwy, Luskville (Directions)
Details
Pink Lake Lookout
Pink Lake Lookout is right by the meromictic lake of the same name. Pink Lake’s waters as green due to its microscopic algae, and you can take a gander at these interesting waters and the nature surrounding it from the lookout.
Address: Gatineau Pkwy, Gatineau Directions
Details
Wolf Trail (Tawadina Lookout)
Wolf Trail is a lengthy 8.3-kilometre loop trail that begins at Blanchet Beach. With a 220-metre climb up a steel trail, you’ll hike through mature forest and end at Tawadina Lookout – a must-visit spot to check out the fall colours and enjoy nature in summer.
Address: Wolf Trail, Chemin du Lac Meech, Chelsea (Directions)
Details
Kitchissippi Lookout
This Ottawa vista point is one of the best locations in the city to watch the sunrise or sunset (or a beach view). Right by West Ottawa’s Lincoln Fields, it is a close spot to the city for photography enthusiasts and for a peaceful break.
Address: 745 Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, Ottawa
Etienne-Brule Lookout
Part of the Champlain Parkway, this scenic lookout provides amazing views of the Ottawa River, and opportunities around it to bike, hike and picnic.
Address: Champlain Pkwy, Chelsea (Directions)
Details
Jack Pine Trail
Credit: National Capital Commission
Running through Stony Swamp, the largest wooded area in the Greenbelt, the Jack Pine Trail is perfect for visiting an array of lookouts. Enjoy a different adventure with each trail, and many viewpoints to marvel at the area.
Address: Moodie Dr, Nepean, ON K2R 1H4
Details
Moffatt Farm Veterans Park
Moffatt Farm Veterans Park is a friendly green space to walk trails close to the water and explore lookouts that are meticulously manicured and frame views of the Rideau River and more.
Address: 591 Kochar Dr, Ottawa
Details
King Mountain Trail
Credit: Gatineau Park
King Mountain Trail is known for its forest diversity, as well as the hilly landscape that contributes to the Canadian Shield. The lookout points you’ll find here truly demonstrate the beauty of Canada’s escarpments.
Address: King Mountain Trail, Chelsea
Details