First pick
Bruce Pit
Park or garden
180 ha23 km of path
5 h 5 minto walk all 23 km of path
8.2 km south-westfrom the centre
Greenbelt Pathway WestTrail 29
Directionsto a point inside
Photo: Harleyd613 · CC BY 4.06.5%protected within 10 km
Outdoors in Ottawa · parks, protected land & trails
Ottawa has 16 walking routes on the map
177 protected areas lie within 10 km. For a swim, Baxter Beach is the nearest of 42 beaches within 5 km. For a national park, Thousand Islands National Park is 45 km away.
Protected land
6.5%
of the land within 10 km
Typical Canadian town: 2.3%
Protected areas
177
within 10 km, 73 public
Typical Canadian town: 14
Nearest national park
45 km
Thousand Islands National Park
Nearest provincial park
At the edge
Fitzroy Provincial Park
Walking routes
16
named, within 2 km (OpenStreetMap)
Beaches
42
within 5 km (OpenStreetMap)
Character
What sets Ottawa apart outdoors
Each figure against Canadian towns of 2,500+; tap a tile for the detail.
Walking routes16 named routes within 2 kmBeaches42 beaches within 5 kmMany protected areas73 public areas within 10 kmProtected land all round6.5% of the land within 10 km, more than 76% of Canadian towns
Ottawa is strongest on its choice of walking routes, with its beaches close behind.
Against other towns
Ottawa against other Canadian towns
Each figure against the 2,611 Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+ (not city hubs or reserves), with the town marked and the typical one’s line. Outdoors isn’t graded in Canada. The page compares each figure with other towns and leaves it there.
Protected within 10 km6.5%Share of the land and water within 10 km of the town’s edge in a protected or conserved area
Protected in town3.5%Share of the town’s own area in a protected or conserved area
Public protected areas73Areas within 10 km held by a government or an Indigenous nation
Walking routes16Named OpenStreetMap walking and hiking routes with 300 m+ within 2 km
Beaches42Beaches mapped on OpenStreetMap within 5 km
CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC, 2026), OpenStreetMap (November 2026). Distances from the town’s outline.
Towns its size
Ottawa has the 12th most protected land nearby of 40 towns its size
The 40 Canadian towns nearest in population (106,752 to 1,188,114 residents), by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected. Hover for each one’s figures; click for its page.
Protected within 10 km
Ottawa6.5%
Towns its size3.7%
Towns in Ontario2.3%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
Public protected areas
Ottawa73
Towns its size15
Towns in Ontario4
Typical Canadian town4
Walking routes
Ottawa16
Towns its size2
Towns in Ontario1
Typical Canadian town0
For walking routes, Ottawa tops all 39 other towns its size.
Every town in the comparison
| Town | Protected within 10 km | In town | Areas | Routes | Beaches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coquitlam BC | 25% | 28% | 130 | 5 | 69 |
| 2 | Delta BC | 24% | 17% | 181 | 9 | 19 |
| 3 | Richmond BC | 21% | 3.2% | 73 | 2 | 31 |
| 4 | Kamloops BC | 14% | 13% | 16 | 0 | 11 |
| 5 | Kelowna BC | 13% | 3.8% | 36 | 0 | 42 |
| 6 | Saanich BC | 11% | 9.4% | 43 | 7 | 56 |
| 7 | Strathcona County AB | 9.4% | 1.4% | 38 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 | Trois-Rivières QC | 8.4% | 1.2% | 44 | 1 | 10 |
| 9 | Cape Breton NS | 8.2% | 8.6% | 176 | 1 | 74 |
| 10 | Pickering ON | 7.6% | 11% | 46 | 1 | 11 |
| 11 | Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury ON | 6.7% | 3.5% | 43 | 5 | 18 |
| 12 | Ottawa ON | 6.5% | 3.5% | 177 | 16 | 42 |
| 13 | Saguenay QC | 6% | 6.1% | 29 | 0 | 11 |
| 14 | Kingston ON | 5% | 6.2% | 54 | 2 | 5 |
| 15 | Ajax ON | 4.9% | 5.8% | 31 | 1 | 8 |
| 16 | Lévis QC | 4.1% | 0.6% | 62 | 1 | 8 |
| 17 | Sherbrooke QC | 4.1% | 0.8% | 23 | 2 | 3 |
| 18 | Whitby ON | 3.9% | 4.7% | 37 | 1 | 3 |
| 19 | Abbotsford BC | 3.9% | 0.5% | 37 | 2 | 10 |
| 20 | Terrebonne QC | 3.8% | 3.6% | 60 | 0 | 3 |
| 21 | Langley BC | 3.5% | 2.9% | 144 | 8 | 10 |
| 22 | Barrie ON | 2.6% | 0% | 9 | 0 | 8 |
| 23 | Burlington ON | 2.5% | 1.6% | 27 | 2 | 17 |
| 24 | Oshawa ON | 2.4% | 0.3% | 30 | 1 | 4 |
| 25 | St. John's NL | 2.2% | 1.2% | 6 | 1 | 41 |
| 26 | Richmond Hill ON | 1.9% | 8.4% | 51 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | Nanaimo BC | 1.9% | 6.7% | 42 | 2 | 33 |
| 28 | Cambridge ON | 1.7% | 0.4% | 33 | 10 | 2 |
| 29 | Bowmanville ON | 1.6% | 3% | 25 | 2 | 9 |
| 30 | Milton ON | 1.3% | 0% | 38 | 15 | 3 |
| 31 | St. Catharines ON | 1.2% | 1.7% | 15 | 4 | 7 |
| 32 | Niagara Falls ON | 1.1% | 1.7% | 15 | 3 | 4 |
| 33 | Chatham ON | 1% | 1% | 21 | 0 | 8 |
| 34 | Guelph ON | 0.9% | 3.1% | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 35 | Oakville ON | 0.9% | 4.1% | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| 36 | Red Deer AB | 0.7% | 1.2% | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Waterloo ON | 0.6% | 0% | 17 | 12 | 1 |
| 38 | Lethbridge AB | 0.4% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | Brantford ON | 0.3% | 0% | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| 40 | Thunder Bay ON | 0.1% | 0.4% | 3 | 0 | 4 |
The map
Ottawa on the map: green space, protected land and paths
Green space, woods, protected areas and footpaths in and around the city; tap a number for its park or wood.
Green: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, playing fields and woods. Hatched: CPCAD protected areas.© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); CPCAD (OGL-Canada)
Places to walk
30 named parks and woods to walk in near Ottawa
Bruce Pit is the largest, at 180 ha; the rest follow by size, numbered as on the map.
30 named parks and woods, 4,911 ha in all
Parks & gardens 1,101 haWoods 3,810 ha
Carp Hills and Pine Grove Forest together hold 71% of it.
Carp Hills
Wood or forest
3,224 ha8.6 km of path
1 h 55 minto walk all 8.6 km of path
31 km westfrom the centre
Crazy Horse TrailDUC ExtensionCrazy Horse Side Loop+3 paths
Directionsto a point inside
Wesley Clover Parks
Park or garden
98 ha1.1 km of path
15 minto walk all 1.1 km of path
11 km westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Pine Grove Forest
Wood or forest
242 ha5.4 km of path
1 h 10 minto walk all 5.4 km of path
9.6 km eastfrom the centre
Trail 44Greenbelt Pathway EastGreenbelt Pathway East / Trail 44+1 path
Directionsto a point inside
Hurdman Park
Park or garden
66 ha8.8 km of path
1 h 55 minto walk all 8.8 km of path
6.1 km north-eastfrom the centre
Rideau River Eastern PathwayHospital Link Multi Use Pathway
Directionsto a point inside
Conroy Pit
Park or garden
60 ha8.6 km of path
1 h 55 minto walk all 8.6 km of path
6.6 km eastfrom the centre
Main RoadHunt Club GladesLilac Lane+5 paths
Directionsto a point inside
Leitrim Wetlands
Wood or forest
223 ha0.5 km of path
9.7 km south-eastfrom the centre
Findlay Creek Boardwalk
Directionsto a point inside
Petrie Island Park
Park or garden
51 ha3.6 km of path
45 minto walk all 3.6 km of path
22 km north-eastfrom the centre
Bill Holland TrailBasswood TrailCycling Bypass+5 paths
Directionsto a point inside
All 30 named parks and green spaces
Bruce PitPark or garden · 180 ha · 23 km of path
DirectionsCarp HillsWood or forest · 3,224 ha · 8.6 km of path
DirectionsWesley Clover ParksPark or garden · 98 ha · 1.1 km of path
DirectionsPine Grove ForestWood or forest · 242 ha · 5.4 km of path
DirectionsHurdman ParkPark or garden · 66 ha · 8.8 km of path
DirectionsConroy PitPark or garden · 60 ha · 8.6 km of path
DirectionsLeitrim WetlandsWood or forest · 223 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsPetrie Island ParkPark or garden · 51 ha · 3.6 km of path
DirectionsSheila McKee Memorial ParkPark or garden · 48 ha · 3.8 km of path
DirectionsWalter Baker ParkPark or garden · 45 ha · 4.9 km of path
DirectionsBritannia ParkPark or garden · 39 ha · 5.9 km of path
DirectionsBeryl Gaffney ParkPark or garden · 42 ha · 3.8 km of path
DirectionsParliament HillPark or garden · 35 ha · 6.3 km of path
DirectionsBruce Pit Dog ParkPark or garden · 31 ha · 8.6 km of path
DirectionsNepean Creek ParkPark or garden · 40 ha · 3.8 km of path
DirectionsRockcliffe ParkPark or garden · 34 ha · 6.2 km of path
DirectionsDominion ArboretumPark or garden · 33 ha · 5.1 km of path
DirectionsMillennium Sports ParkPark or garden · 36 ha · 3.1 km of path
DirectionsCumberland Village Heritage MuseumPark or garden · 39 ha · 1.4 km of path
DirectionsRideau HallPark or garden · 32 ha · 2.3 km of path
DirectionsMooney's Bay ParkPark or garden · 31 ha · 3.1 km of path
DirectionsParc Jacques-CartierPark or garden · 29 ha · 3.7 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsAndrew Haydon ParkPark or garden · 23 ha · 4.4 km of path
DirectionsHog's Back ParkPark or garden · 22 ha · 4.5 km of path
DirectionsMonaghan ForestWood or forest · 71 ha · 4.2 km of path
DirectionsVincent Massey ParkPark or garden · 22 ha · 3.3 km of path
DirectionsStonebridge TrailPark or garden · 23 ha · 2.8 km of path
DirectionsBilberry Creek RavineWood or forest · 50 ha · 6.7 km of path
DirectionsBrewer ParkPark or garden · 22 ha · 2.6 km of path
DirectionsBeaverpond ParkPark or garden · 21 ha · 2.8 km of path
DirectionsSource: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, commons and woods with a name, in the town or within 400 m, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Sizes are the mapped outline’s.
Close to home
9 in 10 people in Ottawa live near a park
Residents of each 2021 dissemination area, at a point inside it, within 400 m (about a 5-minute walk) of a park or playing field mapped on OpenStreetMap.
Within 400 m (87%)Further (13%)
Ottawa87%
Towns in Ontario90%
Typical Canadian town83%
That leaves about 151,000 people more than a short walk away. It is above the typical Canadian town (83%).
Protected areas
6.5% of the land around Ottawa is protected
Every protected and conserved area in CPCAD within 10 km of the town’s edge: parks, reserves, wildlife areas and conservation land.
Inside Ottawa3.5%
Within 10 km6.5%
Towns in Ontario2.3%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
73 of the 177 belong to a government or an Indigenous nation. At 588 ha, Aylmer (Lac Deschênes) Water Fowl Gathering Area is the largest. 25 more areas within 10 km are private land, held by landowners or conservation groups: counted here, not named.
Aylmer (Lac Deschênes) Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 588 ha · reaches Ottawa
Baie Noire (Luskville) Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 528 ha · reaches Ottawa
Burnt Lands Provincial ParkProvincial park · 516 ha · reaches Ottawa
Breckenridge Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 438 ha · reaches Ottawa
Aylmer (Rapides Deschênes) Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 307 ha · reaches Ottawa
Luskville (Plage-Albert-Tremblay) Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 262 ha · reaches Ottawa
Baie de Breckenridge (Est) Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 258 ha · reaches Ottawa
Baie Clément (section E. de la) Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 249 ha · reaches Ottawa
Fitzroy Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 219 ha · reaches Ottawa
Baie Pontiac Water Fowl Gathering AreaWildlife area · 215 ha · reaches Ottawa
5 more named areas within 10 km are in the figures.
Source: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
National & provincial parks
45 km to Thousand Islands National Park
National parks (Parks Canada) and provincial or territorial parks by direction and distance from the town’s edge: every one within 10 km, and the nearest of each within 100 km.
National parkProvincial park
Provincial park
Burnt Lands Provincial Park
At the edge5.2 km²since 2003
Provincial park
Fitzroy Provincial Park
At the edge2.0 km²since 1963
Provincial park
Rideau River Provincial Park
At the edge1.0 km²since 1963
National park
Thousand Islands National Park
45 km south24 km²since 1904
There are 3 provincial parks within 10 km.
Source: CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC): areas and outlines, distances outline to outline; directions from the town’s centre point.
Footpaths and woods
Ottawa has 2,637 km of footpaths in and around it
OpenStreetMap footpaths, paths, bridleways and steps, and tracks open on foot, in the town and 1 km around it; woods as mapped (landuse=forest, natural=wood).
Footpaths
2,637 km
in and around the town (3,260.1 km²)
Woodland
32%
about 1,044.2 km² of mapped woods
Footpaths · km per km²
OttawaTowns in OntarioTypical Canadian town
Footpaths0.8
01.53 km per km²
Share of the land · mapped woods and forest
OttawaTowns in OntarioTypical Canadian town
Woodland32%
0%50%100%
Woods cover more of it than in 75% of Canadian towns. It has fewer paths per km² than 60% of Canadian towns.
Source: OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Mapping varies by place: a dense figure can mean keen local mappers as much as many paths.
Walking routes
Walks near Ottawa
Named walking and hiking routes on OpenStreetMap with at least 300 m within 2 km of the town, longest first; national routes lead.
RegionalLocalOther waymarked
Rideau Trail - Ottawa Section110.1 km
RT Richmond Blue Loops17.5 km
RT Blue Connector9.8 km
RT Lime Kiln Blue Loop8.9 km
RT Bells Corners Blue Loop8.2 km
Crazy Horse Trail4.5 km
Confederation Boulevard4.3 km
Alf Campbell Trail3.7 km
Confederation Boulevard - Sussex Drive2.9 km
Mud Lake Trail2.4 km
Tip-To-Tip Trail2.2 km
RT Rogers Pond Blue Loop2.1 km
Plus 4 more waymarked walks on the map.
At 110.1 km, the Rideau Trail - Ottawa Section is the longest local route. 8 are short walks under 3 km.
Source: OpenStreetMap (route relations hiking, foot and walking), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Trans Canada Trail sections as OSM maps them.
When to get out
Walking season in Ottawa: May and July to September
Daylight at the town’s latitude and ECCC’s 1991–2020 normals (Ottawa (City), 2.3 km away). Good months: long days, highs of 15–30 °C, light rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.1 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 13.5 | 14.9 | 15.6 | 15.3 | 14.1 | 12.5 | 10.8 | 9.4 | 8.7 |
| High (°C) | -5 | -3 | 3 | 11 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 13 | 6 | -2 |
| Rain & snow (mm) | 65 | 52 | 62 | 81 | 80 | 95 | 92 | 87 | 87 | 90 | 72 | 74 |
Summer highs reach 27 °C in July; in January they stay near -5 °C. Most rain and snow falls in June, 95 mm; February sees 52 mm. Some 185 cm of snow falls each winter. The climate in Ottawa →
Beaches
Beaches near Ottawa: 42 within 5 km
Beaches on OpenStreetMap within 5 km of the town’s edge, nearest first, with directions.
Baxter Beachsand · in town
DirectionsBritannia Beachsand · in town
DirectionsBritannia Watersport Beachsand · in town
DirectionsConstance Bay Beachsand · in town
DirectionsMooney's Bay Beachsand · in town
DirectionsPetrie Island Beachsand · in town
DirectionsThe Pond Beachin town
DirectionsWestboro Beachsand · in town
DirectionsPlage de la Pointe Indienne0.7 km from town
DirectionsPlage Tremblay0.7 km from town
Directions28 more are mapped without a name. OpenStreetMap marks 8 as sandy. Canada publishes no open register of beach water tests; the local public health unit posts swimming advisories.
Source: OpenStreetMap (natural=beach), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Things to do
Ottawa has 108 viewpoints and 7 waterfalls nearby
Viewpoints, peaks, waterfalls, picnic sites, nature reserves, playgrounds, dog parks, campsites and boat launches mapped within 2 km of the town.
108Viewpoints3Hills and peaks7Waterfalls28Nature reserves65Picnic sites2358Playgrounds22Dog parks18Campsites49Slipways
Ottawa's Highest Point tops the hills nearby, 166 m. Playgrounds lead the count with 2,358.
Every named place, with directions
Viewpoints 108
Airport Viewing Areain town
DirectionsBonk Pointin town
DirectionsCarlington Ski Hill / Pump Station Reservoirin town
DirectionsChaudière Fallsin town
DirectionsDeschênes Rapids Lookoutin town
DirectionsKìwekì Point Lookoutin town
DirectionsMarsh lookoutin town
DirectionsOttawa Airport Plane Spottingin town
DirectionsPlus 100 viewpoints without a name on the map.
Hills and peaks 3
Ottawa's Highest Point166 m · in town
DirectionsPlus 2 hills and peaks without a name on the map.
Waterfalls 7
Hog's Back Fallsin town
DirectionsKeeley Fallsin town
DirectionsPrincess Louise Fallsin town
DirectionsRideau Fallsin town
DirectionsPlus 3 waterfalls without a name on the map.
Nature reserves 28
Baxter Conservation Areain town
DirectionsBill Teron Parkin town
DirectionsBrown Natural Areain town
DirectionsHidden Lake Parkin town
DirectionsInnis Point Bird Observatoryin town
DirectionsMarlborough Forestin town
DirectionsMonaghan Forest Parkin town
DirectionsMonk Environmental Parkin town
DirectionsPlus 20 nature reserves more.
Picnic sites 65
Al Tweddle Picnic Areain town
DirectionsLong Island Locksin town
DirectionsPicnic Areain town
DirectionsPicnic Area Ain town
DirectionsPicnic Area Bin town
DirectionsPicnic Area Cin town
DirectionsPicnic Area Din town
DirectionsPicnic Area Ein town
DirectionsPlus 57 picnic sites without a name on the map.
Playgrounds 2358
Clare Gardensin town
DirectionsClark Park Playgroundin town
DirectionsDalhousie Community Centre Playgroundin town
DirectionsGiver 150 playgroundin town
DirectionsGreenlawn Playgroundin town
DirectionsJérémie J. Audette Splash Pad - Portobello Parkin town
DirectionsJohn Paul II Catholic School Parkin town
DirectionsJudy Laughtonin town
DirectionsPlus 2350 playgrounds without a name on the map.
Dog parks 22
Bruce Pit Dog Parkin town
DirectionsCountry Canines Play Park - Cumberlandin town
DirectionsFairmont Dog Parkin town
DirectionsJack Purcell Dog Parkin town
DirectionsMcKenna Casey Dog Parkin town
DirectionsMystery Parkin town
DirectionsOff-Leash Areain town
DirectionsStanley Park dog beachin town
DirectionsPlus 14 dog parks without a name on the map.
Campsites 18
Breezy Hill Camping & RV Parkin town
DirectionsCamp Hither Hillsin town
DirectionsCamp Woolseyin town
DirectionsFitzroy Park - Pine Grove Campgroundin town
DirectionsFitzroy Park - Two Rivers Campgroundin town
DirectionsPoplar Grove Campgroundin town
DirectionsRCMP Long Island Campin town
DirectionsRecreationland Campgroundin town
DirectionsPlus 10 campsites without a name on the map.
Slipways 49
Blair Road Boat Launch (NCC)in town
DirectionsBoat Launchin town
DirectionsEcoLands Parkin town
DirectionsManotick Boat Launchin town
DirectionsNo public accessin town
DirectionsShirley's Bayin town
DirectionsPrivate (Dion Boat Ramp)0.7 km from town
DirectionsPlus 42 slipways without a name on the map.
Source: OpenStreetMap (tourism, natural, waterway and leisure tags), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Gardens to visit
5 gardens within reach of Ottawa
Gardens and arboretums within 15 km of the town’s edge, and the historic gardens, parks and estates in the town itself, nearest first.
Maplelawn & GardensNational Historic Site · from 1831 · In Ottawa
Its pageCommissioners ParkGarden or park · at the edge of town
DirectionsMajor's Hill ParkGarden or park · at the edge of town
DirectionsJacques Cartier ParkGarden or park · 0.4 km from town
DirectionsThe Seven GiftsGarden or park · 4.1 km from town
DirectionsOne carries a national designation. Oldest of them: Maplelawn & Gardens, from 1831. Within the town: one of them.
Sources: OpenStreetMap (leisure=garden), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, and Wikidata (CC0), as gathered in TownRatings’ Canadian attractions set; historic places from Parks Canada’s Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, the Canadian Register of Historic Places and Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel.
Next door
Next to Ottawa
The nearest places, coloured by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected; tap one for its outdoors page.
Carleton Heights-Courtland ParkBorden Farm - Fisher GlenFisher HeightsRiverside Park - Mooneys BayRiverside Park South - RevelstokeCarlingtonOttawa
Under 1%1–5%5–15%15–40%40%+
| Town | Protected within 10 km | Areas | Routes | Beaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 6.5% | 177 | 16 | 42 |
| Carleton Heights-Courtland Park 0.6 km | 10% | 37 | 1 | 4 |
| Borden Farm - Fisher Glen 1.2 km | 10% | 31 | 0 | 1 |
| Fisher Heights 1.2 km | 11% | 31 | 0 | 2 |
| Riverside Park - Mooneys Bay 2.0 km | 9.5% | 35 | 1 | 1 |
| Riverside Park South - Revelstoke 2.3 km | 8.3% | 33 | 0 | 1 |
| Carlington 2.6 km | 12% | 33 | 2 | 8 |
No neighbouring place reaches twice Ottawa’s protected share.
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Private land. Land owned by individuals, companies or conservation groups counts toward the figures but is never named: a person’s land isn’t a place to visit.
- National and provincial parks. National parks are Parks Canada’s; provincial parks are the province’s or territory’s, Québec’s parcs nationaux among them.
- Walking routes. A route counts when 300 m or more of it lies within 2 km of the town. Coverage of trails on OpenStreetMap varies by region.
- Beaches. Beaches are OpenStreetMap’s, named or not; in the north many are unnamed shoreline imports.
- Protected land. Measured on CPCAD’s outlines: the part of a 10 km band around the town that lies in a protected or conserved area, water included.
Questions about the outdoors in Ottawa
Is there a provincial park near Ottawa?
Fitzroy Provincial Park begins at the town’s edge.
Where can you swim near Ottawa?
Try Baxter Beach, in town, first of several.
What walking routes are near Ottawa?
The Rideau Trail - Ottawa Section, RT Richmond Blue Loops and RT Blue Connector, among the routes mapped within 2 km.
Are there protected areas near Ottawa?
Within 10 km, 6.5% of the land lies in protected areas.
Which is the biggest protected area near Ottawa?
Aylmer (Lac Deschênes) Water Fowl Gathering Area, a wildlife area of 588 ha.
What is the best season to get outdoors in Ottawa?
May and July to September, on the 1991–2020 normals and the daylight: long days, highs of 15 °C or more, light rain for the place.
Is Ottawa near a national park?
The nearest is Thousand Islands National Park, 45 km away.
Sources
The sources behind Ottawa’s outdoors figures
Protected areas: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2026: every area within 10 km and the nearest national and provincial parks, measured outline to outline.
Walking routes and beaches: OpenStreetMap, November 2026: named hiking, foot and walking route relations within 2 km and beaches within 5 km.
Towns: Statistics Canada 2021 Census boundaries and populations; the comparison is the Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+, not city hubs or reserves.
When to go: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020, from the nearest station that publishes them.
Gardens: OpenStreetMap (leisure=garden) and Wikidata gardens within 15 km, as gathered in TownRatings’ Canadian attractions set; historic gardens and parks from Canada’s heritage registers (Parks Canada DFHD, the Canadian Register of Historic Places, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel).
Green space, paths, woods, things to do: OpenStreetMap (Geofabrik’s Canada extract), November 2026: parks, gardens, playing fields, woods, footpaths, the coastline and things to do in and around each town.
Residents: Statistics Canada 2021 Census dissemination areas (population, boundaries), each at a point inside it.
Walking routes and beaches © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL).
Not on this page: trailheads and trail grades, and beach water quality. No open Canadian dataset gives these for every town yet.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).