Ottawa and area feature a range of natural attractions, from quaint city parks, conservation areas, wild forests, waterfalls, lookouts, and provincial parks.
Whether you want to go bird watching, enjoy the lakes and beaches, take a stroll under shady canopies, or find a new adventure, this list will direct you to many destinations to do so.
Morris Island Conservation Area
The Morris Island Conservation Area is a rural nature spot with tons of interesting sights like bird species, shoreline landscapes, and towering trees.
This exciting conservation area was once a historic transportation route for early Canadian settlers and offers fantastic canoeing opportunities.
Address: 156 Morris Island Dr, Fitzroy Harbour
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Chapman Mills Conservation Area
The Chapman Mills Conservation Area is 23-acres by the Rideau River. This recreational area provides a variety of river shorelines, flood plain areas, wetlands, trails, and boardwalks to enjoy the river within the city.
Address: 253 Winding Way, Nepean
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Andrew Haydon Park
Andrew Haydon Park is famous for its beautifully landscaped greenery and migrating Canada geese, shorebirds, and ducks by the marsh near the river. It is also known for its bandshell for outdoor concerts.
Address: 3169 Carling Ave, Nepean
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South March Highlands Conservation Forest
This unique conservation forest features outcroppings of the Canadian Shield and several wetland areas. Many visit the area to hike, go trail running, and mountain bike in the summer months, and go snowshoeing or skiing in the winter.
Address: S March Highland Trails, Kanata
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Fletcher Wildlife Garden
The Fletcher Wildlife Garden treasures its wildlife and plants, emphasizing the importance of creating friendly habitats. The garden features an amphibian pond, a butterfly meadow, and evergreen woodlands.
Address: 865 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa
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Dominion Arboretum
Established in 1889, these 64 acres of rolling land showcase an extensive plant collection of 4000 species. The Dominion Arboretum is Canada’s oldest arboretum, with 1000 tree species, several microclimates, and fantastic panoramic views.
Address: Arboretum, Ottawa
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Vincent Massey Park
Vincent Massey Park is a family-friendly park in the heart of Ottawa with picnic tables, barbecue pits, and more, acting as a perfect destination outdoors for family outings or simply a relaxed day out in nature.
Address: Heron Rd, Ottawa
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Hog’s Back Falls Lookout
Hog’s Back Falls is an urban nature park with a renovated heritage pavilion and is home to the Hog’s Back Falls, a 60-foot waterfall for a peaceful walk and a photo op.
Address: Rideau River
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Baxter Conservation Area
Sat along the shores of the Rideau River, meadows, wetlands, hardwood forests, and other landscapes and plants in the area set the scene for environmental education programs, summer day camps, picnicking, and other activities.
Address: 7498 Carter Rd, Kars
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Pinhey Forest
Pinhey Forest is home to the Pinhey dune complex and a unique ecosystem where you can find numerous plant and animal species. Here, you will find 6.4-kilometres of trails for snowshoeing, hiking, and exploring.
Address: 7498 Carter Rd, Kars
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Mer Bleue Bog
People flock to the Mer Bleue Bog to check out its unique northern boreal landscape just minutes from the city. You’ll find tons of wildlife and flora in this 7700-year-old bog, as well as interpretive boardwalks.
Address: Ridge Rd, Ottawa
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Fitzroy Provincial Park
The Fitzroy Provincial Park is a family camping park near the Carp and Ottawa Rivers. The park offers a century-old White Pine forest and hiking, swimming, and beach opportunities.
Address: 5201 Canon Smith Dr, Fitzroy Harbour
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Princess Louise Falls
Part of a buried river system, Princess Louise Falls is a serene, family-friendly waterfall spot for casual walks and a charming, down-to-earth photo opportunity.
Address: St. Joseph Blvd, Ottawa
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Pine Grove Trail
The largest forest in the Greenbelt, Pine Grove Trail, offers a self-guided tour along a forestry interpretation trail, trails for horseback riding, and an off-leash dog park.
Address: St. Joseph Blvd, Ottawa
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Jacques Cartier Park
Located just on the other side of the Quebec/Ottawa border, Jacques Cartier Park is great for cycling, nature watching at Leamy Lake, and simply enjoying the beauty of this celebrated city park.
Address: 285 Laurier St, Gatineau
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Mill of Kintail Conservation Area
Exploring the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area means exploring several trails on a 154-acre site with places to hike and enjoy a fitness trail with activity points. The area is named after an 1832 sandstone grist mill.
Address: 2854 Ramsay Concession 8, Almonte
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Robert Simpson Park
Robert Simpson Park is a family-day outing paradise with a splash pad, a play structure, a guarded beach, a large play area, gardens, and a snack bar. Additionally, several events and live entertainment are held annually at the park.
Address: 400 John St N, Arnprior
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Britannia Park and Beach
Brittania Park is a park and beach spot for a classic summer experience enjoying the water with white water rafting and other watersports, a picnic lunch, and spending time in the shaded park.
Address: 2805 Carling Ave, Ottawa
Hampton Park
Hampton Park is a neighbourhood park with a long history in the city. Many played baseball in the park as far back as 1916, and now people enjoy the wooded area, paths, and the flat grassy area.
Address: 512 Island Park Dr, Ottawa
Strathcona Park
Strathcona Park is a green oasis by the west bank of the Rideau River. This respite has a unique play structure, mature trees, and trails to relax and enjoy the outdoors, also hosts theatre in the park during the summer.
Address: 25 Range Rd, Ottawa
Confederation Park
Confederation Park is another significant park in Ottawa, an urban park with pathways, monuments, and a lawn for relaxing. The Ottawa International Jazz Festival’s main events are held here in the summer.
Address: Queen Elizabeth Dr & Preston Street, Ottawa
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Major’s Hill Park
Major’s Hill Park is a big name in Ottawa, known as the park by the Parliament Buildings. This calm green space is close to the ByWard Market and many museums and galleries and offers some fantastic lookout spots where you can see the Ottawa River and the Ottawa Locks.
Address: 25 Range Rd, Ottawa
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Wesley Clover Parks
Wesley Clover Parks is an innovative outdoor recreation hub that promotes the great outdoors and connects people with nature. With outdoor education opportunities, programs, events, and sustainable facilities, visitors can camp, go horseback riding, and practice field sports.
Address: 401 Corkstown Rd, Nepean
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Stony Swamp
Stony Swamp is the most ecologically diverse protected area in the Ottawa Valley, with a wetland that is an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and has a bedrock that dates back to the earliest geological era.
Address: 4897 Old Richmond Rd, Nepean
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Commissioners Park
Commissioners Park is known for its colourful tulip gardens with over 250,000 tulips and scenic views of Dows Lake. It was built in the 1920s – 1950s on the site of a former lumberyard.
Address: Queen Elizabeth Dr & Preston Street, Ottawa
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Purdon Conservation Area
Have you ever dreamed of surrounding yourself with thousands of wild, stunning Orchids? Now you can, with an exciting day at Purdon Conservation Area! Each Spring, some 16,000- 18,000 Orchids blossom, inviting guests to explore this unique wetland, native particularly to the large Showy Lady Slipper Orchids. A site of such size is rare in Canada, and it is regarded as the largest in the country. So, it’s a must-see for any mother nature lover!
Address: Concession Rd 8, Lanark Highlands
Gatineau Park
Just 15 minutes from the famed Parliament Hill, this conservation park spans 36,131 hectares of land. There are a ton of notable places to visit, such as the Eardley Escarpment – home to an incredibly fragile ecosystem, and the Mackenzie King Estate – a legacy that belonged to Canada’s longest-serving prime minister.
Address: 33 Scott Road, Chelsea