Photo Credit: 1,000 Island Kayaking
Summer in Ottawa brings a burst of outdoor excitement—hiking, swimming, and joyous moments. Discover an array of delightful summer adventures scattered around the city, perfect for creating cherished memories with friends and family. Embrace the warmth, apply sunscreen generously, gather your friends, and prepare for an unforgettable season of summer fun.
Rock Dunder Hiking Trail
Rock Dunder, a hidden gem within the UNESCO Thousand Islands Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, rises 275 feet above Morton Bay, offering awe-inspiring views of lakes and woodlands. Shaped by natural forces over a billion years, the Lyndhurst granite showcases its beauty.
Embrace the three trail loops: The Cabin Trail (1.3 km) boasts a beaver pond and mixed forest. The Morton Bay Loop (2 km) features moderate inclines and a peninsula outlook. The Summit Loop (3.9 km) treats you to forest trails, rocky cliffs, and a panoramic Rideau Waterway view. Details
Rock Dunder
1,000 Island Kayaking
Experience world-class kayaking at the stunning 1,000 Island natural charm, a member of UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful wildlife, landscape and an excellent workout on the water.
Here, choose from many different tours and trips, including day trips, lessons or specialty programs with a professional guide who will add a professional and instructional element to your day trip! Details
Murphy’s Provincial Park – Explore the Mica Mine
Murphys Point Provincial Park, situated on Big Rideau Lake along the historic Rideau Waterway, encompasses the fascinating Silver Queen Mine—a mica mine from the early 1900s. With a blend of forest, wetland, and three lakes, it’s a haven for wildlife. The 2 km Silver Queen Mine Trail leads to the restored mine, heritage displays, and the miner’s bunkhouse. The Beaver Pond Trail offers an easy 1 km loop.
Guided tours of the mine and interpretive programs are available from June to Labour Day. Details
O’Kenny River Tubing
Experience the thrill of river tubing at Muskrat River in Pembroke with O’Kenny River Tubing. Nestled on O’Kenny Craft Spirits’ 4-acre property, this adventure offers a delightful mix of tranquillity and excitement, with both calm stretches and exhilarating rapids. All necessary gear is provided, making it a perfect activity for tubing enthusiasts. The river’s shallow spots with rocks may pose a challenge for inexperienced kayakers but create a fun and safe self-guided tubing experience. Details
Great Canadian Bungee
Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush at Great Canadian Bungee, Canada’s highest bungee jump at 200 feet. Plunge into the quarry lagoon for an exhilarating adventure.
This site boasts the highest rebound compared to any other bungee jump in the US or Canada. Known for world-record breaking stunts and appearances on popular TV shows like “Ripley’s: Believe it or Not” and MTV’s “Road Rules.” Additionally, enjoy a thrilling 1015 ft. zipline adventure with a 150 ft. drop and ziplining at 85 km/hr speed. Details
Cruise the Historic Napanee River
Hop aboard the custom-built 45-foot pontoon boat, Norman Paul, and embark on a joyous adventure along Napanee River. Located just south of Napanee’s vibrant downtown, the river offers a unique tidal phenomenon known as the ‘seiche’ effect, where water rises and falls between six to sixteen inches due to winds from Lake Ontario.
The 16-kilometer round trip takes about 1.5 hours, and onboard, you can enjoy a premium bar rail with a variety of wines, ales, and soft drinks. Savour a diverse menu, including shareable boards, individual platters, and delicious wraps, complemented by a selection of beverages. Details
Chutes Coulonge Park
Chutes Coulonge Park offers a historical journey with walks along Coulonge River, mesmerizing waterfall views, and a museum showcasing log trade artifacts. For adventure seekers, the park presents thrilling experiences like zip lines, obstacle courses, and Via Ferrata—a cable-guided canyon rock climb. Discover aerial activities, tree obstacle courses, and giant zip lines over the river. Additionally, explore the region’s logging history through self-guided hikes with interpretive panels and exhibitions on old-time logging tools and methods. Details
Calypso Water Park
Discover aquatic thrills at Calypso Water Park, the largest in Canada! Explore over 35 slides, 100 water games, and two theme rivers. Experience the tallest waterslide tower in Canada and float along the tropical currents of theme rivers. Don’t miss the colossal wave pool, Calypso Palace, offering a day of sun-soaked fun for wave riders and beach lovers alike. Details
Skydive Gananoque
Get ready for the adventure of your life as you jolt yourself off a plane soaring high above the earth while you soar like a bird! Open since the 1970s, this company offers an experience of a life time, with guaranteed excitement and safety wrapped up into the perfect experience. Details
Marble Rock Conservation Area
Marble Rock, a woodsy hamlet north of Gananoque, Ontario, has a fascinating history intertwined with its imposing natural edifice. The community, once flourishing with mills, a post office, store, cheese factory, and a tavern, even had a short-lived quartz mine during World War I. Today, Marble Rock Conservation Area attracts hikers seeking challenging and picturesque terrain, offering two connected loop trails of seven or 11 kilometres. Trekkers will enjoy breathtaking lookouts and shaded paths under a lush canopy, providing a medium to high-difficulty hiking experience.
Details
Camp Fortune
Featuring challenging aerial courses and zip lines that test your bravery, endurance and strength that will surely test your and your friend’s fear of heights! Here you and your friends can prepare for the excitement of tree-top heights, where you will test your agility through tree-top challenges, aerial steel wires, rope bridges, suspended walkways and net gangs! Choose to explore freely or try a 2 hour trek of a lifetime. Get ready for a full day of high excitement in the treetops! Details
Eco-Odyssée
Reach natural paradise only 30 minutes from Ottawa, in the natural picturesque beauty of Wakefield, where you can explore, discover and marvel at different adventures such as water maze, walking trail, paddle boat, canoe, observe beaver, volleyball, and much more! Details
OWL Rafting
Embark on the thrilling great Canadian river trip, tracing a path steeped in history by First Nations, fur traders, and foresters. Delight in a full-day whitewater rafting experience, guided by passionate experts. Paddle as a team while your skilled guide steers from the stern. Enjoy body surfing, cliff jumping, and floating along the river’s course. After the adventure, savor a grilled buffet on signature Pontoon Boats. Relax and cruise back to OWL Resort, relishing the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield. The day’s memories come alive through a video presentation, capping off an unforgettable journey. Details
OWL Rafting
Gatineau Park Scenic Lookouts
The stunning Gatineau Park is a natural heritage and cultural park in Canada, with long history. You and your friends can enjoy hiking, swimming and enjoying wildlife and ecosystems while you snap pictures of the stunning landscape so your memories will last a lifetime.
Gatineau Park boasts several scenic lookouts offering breathtaking views. Champlain Lookout, the most popular, offers stunning vistas on the Champlain Parkway. Étienne Brûlé Lookout provides a picturesque view of the Ottawa River and connects to hiking and biking trails. Huron Lookout showcases Gatineau’s Aylmer section and Ottawa’s west end. Pink Lake Lookout reveals the intriguing Pink Lake and its unique ecology, with a trail encircling the lake for further exploration of the captivating landscape.
Parc Omega
At this natural wild habitat, this massive 2200-acre territory is an all-encompassing experience of nature, culture, history and an array of wild animals for you to enjoy from the comfort of your car. A safari adventure for all ages! Details
Parc Omega
Kingston Penitentiary
This 1.5 hour is a unique peek into the spooky life inside a prison, led by experienced correction officers, for an authentic experience. The G range cells are preserved as they were during the prison’s operation. The tour delves into the penitentiary’s history, including extreme rules and regulations, such as silence and corporal punishment. Even children faced harsh treatment. Despite such methods, the prison saw riots and the effects of such conditions drove some inmates insane. Learn about amusing escape stories too, making the tour a unique and informative experience. Details
Sharbot Lake
Experience the beauty of two clear lakes at this park, perfect for swimming, canoeing, boating, and fishing. The park’s amenities are conveniently located, making it ideal for families with young children. Nature trails offer picturesque scenery and varying landscapes, such as the 1.2 km Discovery Trail with maple, oak, and birch stands, providing views of both lakes. The 0.5 km Ridgeview Trail rewards hikers with a stunning vista. Enjoy swimming at the two sandy beaches on Black Lake. Details
Jabulani Vineyard and Winery
Celebrate life at the lively Jabulani Vineyard and Winery not far from Ottawa, where you can spend the day experiencing the fresh, fabulous wine from the local area. Fun fact – Jabulani means ‘happiness’ in Zulu, so you and your friends will indeed have a happy day in this natural wine paradise! Details
South Frontenac Ride
Both on and off-road cycling offered at this World Heritage Site is an experience you won’t soon forget. This area is full of character, rich in landscape with terrains for all abilities to enjoy through forest and parallel fresh water. Details
Lac Simon
Relax on the warm sand and pristine water for swimming, games and water sports in the hot months. With a 2 km beach boasting crystal clear waters and warm sand, it guarantees unforgettable summer memories. On vast Lac Simon, water sports abound. The nearby woodland presents 17 km of versatile trails for walking and cycling. Children can delight in trampoline bouncing, climbing games, slides, and organized activities, ensuring endless fun for all. Details
Mont Tremblant
Despite being known as a winter holiday must do, Tremblant offers an array of activities catering to all interests, from water sports on Lake Tremblant to the thrill of Ziptrek Écotours down the mountain. Golf enthusiasts can tee off at the stunning Tremblant Golf Courses, while Tonga Lumina provides a relaxing, illuminated nighttime forest walk.
The Panoramic Gondola takes visitors to Tremblant’s summit for breathtaking views, hiking, and a Birds of Prey show. Once the sun sets, the vibrant nightlife takes center stage, with chic dining at Central Tapas & Nightclub, après-ski fun at Le P’tit Caribou, and locally crafted beers at Microbrasserie La Diable. Tremblant’s diverse offerings ensure an unforgettable experience for everyone. Details
Bonnechere Caves
Bonnechere Caves, a prominent cave exploration site in Ontario, captivates visitors with its stunning fossils and unique cave system. Guided tours run every 20-40 minutes, taking you beneath a limestone hill, once a tropical sea bottom 500 million years ago. Witness the wonders of nature as stalactites, formed at a rate of one cubic inch in 150 years, hang from the ceiling, illuminated by electric lights. Preserved fossils of ancient coral and sea creatures, predating the age of Dinosaurs, add to the thrill of exploring these caves, millions of years in the making. Details
Credit: Bonnechere Caves
The Beach at Big Sandy Bay
Firstly, hop on the small ferry for the fun journey over to Wolfe Island leaving from Kingston, which leads to an adventure-filled day on Big Sandy Bay Beach! Here enjoy a full day of hikes or biking. Details
Rideau Canal Drive
The Rideau Canal, stretching 202 km from Kingston to Ottawa, offers a captivating journey through charming towns, lakes, rivers, and 19 km of canals carved into the landscape. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, built between 1812 and 1832, showcases North America’s best-preserved slackwater canal, employing European technology on a grand scale.
Witness lock stations operating as they did in 1832, encounter historic properties and explore natural parks. With 45 locks at 23 stations, this waterway remains a testament to the early 19th-century North American canal-building era.
Split the drive into multiple days and explore the historic engineering marvel that is Rideau Canal. Details