Ontario Parks Near Ottawa You Need To Visit

Adventure is never far with the incredible Ontario Provincial Parks you can visit near Ottawa. From beautiful trails, wildlife, relaxing beaches, and more, here are some highlights of parks you need to visit and helpful tips for when you go. 

Helpful Tips Before You Visit Ontario Parks

How To Choose A Trail

One thing I love about Ontario Parks is the diversity of trails. Whether you’re looking for short and easy, challenging, or something to take you to the best views, they’ve got them all.

Before choosing a trail I always think of my goal. Am I looking for something easy today or do I have a specific destination like a lookout? Below you’ll find some highlights of each park. Know your level and pick something within that range. Each Ontario Park has its own webpage that labels the trails as easy, moderate, or hard. I always use this as my guide before heading out. You may just be looking for a relaxing day at the beach and they have parks that are great for that too. 

Leave No Trace

Ontario Parks Pack in Pack Out means bringing everything you brought in with you. This means leaving no litter, cleaning after your pup, etc. It’s so important to be respectful for other people using the park but also the wildlife that call these parks home.

Each park has proper waste bins so dispose of your garbage. I try to bring items in reusable containers to help cut down on waste during my trip. 

Hiking Tips and Etiquette

Here are some hiking etiquette tips for when you’re on the trails in Ontario Parks: 

Hiking Etiquette

You’ll pass people on the trail so why not smile and say hi. I’ll keep to the right to let people pass and stop on the side of the trail is more narrow to let people pass by. 

Bringing your pup? Make sure to keep them on a leash (mandatory at all Ontario Parks) and clean up after them.

Ontario Parks has more hiking etiquette tips here.

Trail Safety

Bring a buddy. This is a good thing for safety, especially if you’re a newer hiker, but it’s also more fun to enjoy the experience with others. If you are hiking alone, send a text to a loved one beforehand to let them know where you’re going with trail information and time estimates.

Stay on the trail! There is no reason to go off trail. Ontario Parks has clearly labeled trails that will take you to the best destinations within the park. Going off trail makes it easier to get lost, harder to find you in the event something happens, makes you more susceptible to ticks, etc. 

Check out these 4 tips from Ontario Parks for a safe hike.

What To Bring Hiking

Wear something comfortable. I always opt for athletic gear, especially the moisture-wicking kind. I’ll either wear running shoes or hiking boots if it’s a more challenging hike. Bring extra socks in case it gets a bit wet.  

I always bring a day pack with essentials: water, snacks/meals, mini first aid kit, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket. 

Plan Your Trip To Ontario Provincial Parks in Advance

Camping

With so many beautiful spots to disconnect in nature, it’s no wonder why Ontario Parks is such a popular spot for camping. 

Lots of campsites are already booked up for summer but with a little searching, you’ll be able to find reservations. I recommend re-checking park web pages in case there have been cancellations. Weekday and non-electrical sites are easier to find. With so many close to Ottawa they are also a great option for a day trip. 

Day Trips

With so many Ontario Parks close to Ottawa they are also a great option for a day trip. This year Ontario Parks has implemented advanced daily vehicle permits. There are 17 Ontario Parks where you’ll need to book your day trip in advance, including Sandbanks. These parks are high traffic areas so booking your day trip in advance will allow everyone the chance to visit. 

You can get your day permits for Ontario Parks here. Most day permits are valid from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm but can vary by park. Buy your day permit in advance to guarantee your spot. If you are a season permit holder you’ll also need to reserve a spot in advance. At all other parks advanced daily vehicle permits are available on a first-come first served basis upon arrival at the gatehouse or at a pay and display machine.

Use this guide to see how to book your day permit in advance. 

Wildlife in Ontario Parks

One of the great things about Ontario Parks is being able to see and appreciate wildlife in person. I was lucky to see a deer and her two babies this summer at Fitzroy Provincial Park and a Moose and her baby at Canisbay in Algonquin Park.

All kinds of wildlife call Ontario Parks their home including deer, turtles, rabbits, bears, and more. We’re in their home so make sure to be respectful and safe with these tips: 

• Always keep a safe distance to not scare the animals. Moose are beautiful creatures to admire from afar but they will attack if they feel threatened. 
• Leave no trace rules will also keep the animals safe from litter, etc. 
• Black Bears are generally timid and afraid of humans but it’s still important to follow tips if you do come across them. You can give them a heads up that you’re in the area by talking on trails, don’t hike alone or wear headphones, and keep dogs on leash at all times. Ontario Parks has more tips here, especially helpful for camping. 

Kayak, Canoe and SUP Rentals

I’ve labeled below which parks offer rentals and what they have to offer. Ontario Parks offers great prices and beautiful locations to get out on the water. It’s worth the drive to canoe, kayak, or SUP at these parks. From canoe trails to island adventures there are lots to explore. It’s first come first serve so I recommend getting there early for rental. Spend a few hours exploring and then cool off at the beach afterward.

Make sure to be safe on the water and bring a buddy and wear your PFD.

Ready to Explore? Here Are Ontario Parks Near Ottawa 

There are lots of incredible Ontario Provincial Parks to choose from. Visit for the day or make it into a staycation with camping. Here’s Ontario Parks within 2 hours of Ottawa: 

Fitzroy Provincial Park

• 56 minutes away from downtown Ottawa
• Address: 5201 Canon Smith Drive, Fitzroy Harbour
• Open May 14th, closes October 12th
• Camping available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks
• Dogs: Yes 

This park is the perfect distance. You’re less than an hour away from Ottawa but still be able to disconnect in nature. It has beautiful trails and a wonderful beach. This Ontario Park is a great place for swimming, biking, hiking, and spotting wildlife. Fitzroy Provincial Park is also home to a century-old forest of white pine trees and a great place to spot wildlife! I have a full guide to Fitzroy Provincial Park here.

Voyageur Provincial Park

• 1 hour away from downtown Ottawa
• Address: 1313 Front Road, Box 130, Chute-à-Blondeau
• Open May 14th, closes October 12th, December 11, 2021 to March 13, 2022
• Camping available (May 14, 2021 to October 12, 2021), book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboats
• Dogs: Yes

Enjoy a day on the water at one of Voyageur Provincial Park’s 4 beaches. There’s also plenty of picnic tables so bring a lunch and enjoy the views.

Silver Lake Provincial Park 

• 1 hour away from downtown Ottawa
• Civic # 22726 Hwy 7, R.R.#2, Maberly
• Open May 20th, closes September 19th
• Camping available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks
• Dogs: Yes

Silver Lake is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with its picturesque lake that offers great swimming, canoeing, boating, and fishing. 

Murphy’s Point Provincial Park

• 1 hour and 16 minutes away
• 2243 Elmgrove Road, R.R. 5, Perth
• Open May 14, 2021 to October 12, 2021, December 10, 2021 to March 13, 2022
• Camping available (May 14, 2021 to October 12, 2021), book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks
• Dogs: Yes

Murphy’s Point Provincial Park was once home to an active mica mine from the early 1900s! It has a great mix of wildlife habitat: forest, wetland, old fields and three lakes you can enjoy. This Ontario Park is located on Big Rideau Lake that’s part of the historic Rideau Waterway. 

Sharbot Lake Provincial Park

• 1 hour and 32 minutes away
• Civic # 25467 Hwy 7, R.R.#2, Sharbot Lake
• Open May 14, 2021 to October 12, 2021
• Camping available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, SUP
• Dogs: Yes, special dog beach

Enjoy a beautiful clear lake and dog-friendly beaches at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. Spend your day on the water or enjoying the nature trails. 

Charleston Lake Provincial Park 

• 1 hour and 38 minutes away
• 148 Woodvale Rd., Lansdowne
• Open May 14, 2021 to October 12, 2021
• Camping available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, SUP.
• Dogs: Yes, special dog beach

Charleston Lake Provincial Park has a great mix of trails each with its own unique features like Sandstone Island Trail with a rock shelter that was used some 1,200 years ago by Indigenous peoples of the area. On Blue Mountain Trail you can enjoy scenic vistas where you’ll reach the highest point in Leeds County. 

I loved exploring this park. It’s definitely somewhere I’d love to come back and camp. Next time I’m renting a canoe or kayak and going to make my way over to one of the islands. There’s 75 km of shoreline and numerous bays and coves to explore.

There’s a great mix of trails and difficulty levels here. We were feeling an easy-moderate trail when we visited so checked out the following two trails that I would recommend for the sights you’ll see along the way.

Sandstone Island Trail: 2.6 km loop, moderate

Not only can you get some incredible water views from this trail but there’s a unique landscape you can explore as well. You’ll feel so small standing under the rock shelter on this trail (pictured below). It was used some 1200 years ago by Aboriginal peoples of the area.

The rocks on this trail reveal a history of mountains, immense sand dunes, tropical seas, and rock shelters.

Quiddity Trail: 2.4 km non-looping trail, easy

We started off our time in Charleston Lake Provincial Park with this trail. Enjoy a long boardwalk and be rewarded with a lookout of the beach at the top.

Bonnechere Provincial Park

• 2 hours away from downtown Ottawa
• 4024 Round Lake Rd., Killaloe
• Open May 14, 2021 to October 12, 2021
• Camping and roofed accommodation available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, SUP
• Dogs: Yes

Canoe or kayak through the Bonnechere River to Jack’s Chute (3km) at this Ontario Park. You can also enjoy the trails where you can learn about the history of the area while taking in views at the same time. You can purchase a booklet at the park office to guide your visit.

Frontenac Provincial Park

• 2 hours away from downtown Ottawa
• 6700 Salmon Lake Rd, Sydenham
• January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021
• Camping available, book here 
• Rentals: none
• Dogs: Yes 

This Ontario Park is located on 5,355 hectares on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. Enjoy canoeing through 22 lakes or hiking through 100 km of trail options. 

Frontenac Provincial Park has an incredible network of trails for hiking and canoeing. Cool off with a dip in one of the many lakes at this Ontario Park. If you’re a more ambitious hiker they have lots of hikes where you can add on more routes. We had limited time so we went for one of the shorter trails but it did not disappoint.

Doe Lake Loop – 3 km loop, easy

I took my camera out so many times on this trail because there were plenty of picturesque viewpoints. Doe Lake Loop will take you by the water. Budget some extra time to sit and take in the view. You’ll hike along the shores of South Otter Lake and Doe Lake with a lookout over Doe Lake.

Bon Echo Provincial Park

• 2 hours away from downtown Ottawa
• 16151 Hwy. 41, Cloyne, Ontario
• Open May 14, 2021 to October 17, 2021
• Camping and roofed accommodation available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboat, SUP
• Dogs: Yes, special dog beach

This park is known for the 100 meter high Mazinaw Rock featuring over 260 Indigenous pictographs. Go on an interpretive boat tour or do a canoe trip. 

Sandbanks Provincial Park

• 2 hours 53 minutes from downtown Ottawa
• 3004 County Rd. 12 RR#1, Picton
• Open April 30, 2021 to October 31, 2021, January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021
• Camping and roof accommodation available, book here 
• Rentals: Canoes, Kayaks, SUP
• Dogs: Yes, special dog beach
• Make sure to get you day use pass in advance here

This is an incredible destination but make sure you book your day permit in advance because this spot gets packed! If this park is booked up, explore one of the amazing beaches at one of the other Ontario Parks near Ottawa. Even with a pass I recommend showing up early. Read this guide for Sandbanks Provincial Park before going.

We went camping overnight and I think this was the best way to enjoy the park. It can get pretty packed so we were able to go to the beaches at off times and go at our own pace.

There are 3 incredible beaches you can visit at this Ontario Park.

Dunes Beach

This is the most unique beach I’ve ever been to. The water is lined with incredible dunes. Explore the dunes and then cool off in the water. We went here for sunset to avoid crowds.

Outlet Beach

This is the longest and most popular beach. we went here during the day and just before sunset. It was the perfect spot to cool off from our day adventures.

Lakeshore Beach

This is the perfect beach for sunset. We were so lucky to catch the vibrant sunset below.

Kayak, Canoe or SUP at Sandbanks Provincial Park

We rented SUPs and it was only $25 for 4 hours. Such a great deal. You can paddle your way to Lake Ontario or East Lake. I recommend East Lake because it’s a smoother paddle and Lake Ontario can get choppy and there are restrictions for how close you can get to the beach. On your way to East Lake, you’ll paddle by lots of cottages and then can cool off in the water once you reach the lake.

Willing to Go Farther? Here’s some more Ontario Parks to check out:

Algonquin Park Achray Campground: enjoy a scenic view from the top of a canyon or do day-trip canoeing through it. Look forward to lots of beautiful water views at this part of Algonquin Park.

Algonquin Park Canisbay Campground: enjoy lots of trails with scenic lookouts that will give you panoramic views. 

Ragged Falls Provincial Park: make a day trip to this Ontario Park and kayak to a waterfall

Now it’s time to explore! Make sure to keep the tips above in mind before your visit and have fun.

This post was sponsored by Ontario Parks. As always, all opinions are my own. I hope you enjoy exploring the parks as much as I do 🙂