Free parks and trails in Ottawa

Any day

Andrew Haydon Park on the Ottawa River

A big City park on the Ottawa River shore, off Carling Avenue.

Andrew Haydon Park, 3127 Carling Ave, Nepean, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Any day

Beryl Gaffney Park on the Rideau River

A large natural City park on the Rideau River south of Barrhaven.

Beryl Gaffney Park, 3901 Rideau Valley Dr, Nepean, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Any time a branch is open, while passes are in

Borrow a free museum or ski pass from the library

With an Ottawa library card you can borrow a pass for free entry to the Museum of Nature, National Gallery, History and War museums, Ingenium museums, Mooney's Bay ski trails, Gatineau Park ski trails and Ontario Parks.

Any Ottawa Public Library branch, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Ottawa Public Library card holders

The catch: Passes can't be put on hold: check availability, then pick one up in a branch. One pass at a time, up to 7 days.

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Any day

Britannia Park

A large City park on the Ottawa River at the west end of Carling Ave.

Britannia Park, 2805 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Every day; lot P22 open 8 am to sunset (no later than 9 pm)

Mer Bleue Bog boardwalk

A flat, stroller-friendly boardwalk across a 7,700-year-old bog with a storytelling route. Free parking.

Mer Bleue Bog Trail (NCC Greenbelt), parking lot P22, Ridge Rd, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

The catch: No dogs on the Bog Trail

Checked Nov 15 · National Capital Commission

Any day

Mooney's Bay Park

A large City park on the Rideau River off Riverside Drive.

Mooney's Bay Park, 2960 Riverside Dr, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Any day

Petrie Island Park

A City park on Petrie Island in the Ottawa River, in Orléans.

Petrie Island Park, 727 Tweddle Rd, Orléans, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)

Usually January to early March, weather permitting

Rideau Canal Skateway (not open yet)

7.8 km of free outdoor skating through downtown, open 24 hours a day when the ice is ready. Usually opens in January.

Rideau Canal Skateway, Rideau Canal, downtown Ottawa to Dow's Lake, ON · Everyone

The catch: Not open yet; the season depends on the weather

Checked Nov 15 · National Capital Commission

Winter, when there is enough snow

Sledding at Carlington Park hill

One of the biggest sledding hills in the city: long, steep runs, lit at night. Park at J. Alph Dulude Arena.

Carlington Park, 937 Clyde Ave, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · City of Ottawa open data (maps.ottawa.ca)