We love hitting up far-flung parks and extreme destinations as much as the next person, but sometimes it’s great to stay local. Be it day trips, over-nighters or multi-day trips, this list proves you don’t have to go far to have an AMAZING time!

We’ve included the distance from Carleton and possible activities at some of our favourite local spots! Pair this with trip planning 101 - the PCOCC official guide to insane trips, and if you’re short on gear check out our gear rentals! For more specialized gear like kayaks and skis, check online for rentals on site!

***Please be responsible out there! Respect park regulations and follow leave no trace (LNT) guidelines!***

Parks

These parks offer hiking, camping, biking and canoe/kayaking for DAYS. They are also great places to check out meteor showers away from the city lights!

  • Gatineau Park (10 km)

  • Fitzroy Provincial Park (60 km)

  • Murphy’s Point Provincial Park (100 km)

  • Silver Lake Provincial Park (100 km)

  • Sharbot Lake Provincial Park (120 km)

  • Thousand Islands National Park (130 km)

  • Bon Echo Provincial Park (200 km)

  • Algonquin Provincial Park (300 km)

Trails

Whether for a day hike, bike ride, bird walk or snowshoe, Ottawa and the valley have you covered.

  • Greenbelt (15 km)

  • Mer Blue Bog - birding (20 km)

  • Camp Fortune - mtn biking (25 km)

  • Trans Canada Trail (30 km)

  • Mill of Kintail (50 km)

  • Luskville Caves (50 km)

  • Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail (50 km)

  • La Foret Trail - mtn biking (50 km)

  • Calabogie - hiking, mtn biking, climbing (100 km)

  • Bonnechere Caves - SPELUNKING (120 km)

Rivers and Lakes

Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding…we’ve got it all. These are all day-trip appropriate locations, for canoe and kayak camping check out our parks list above!

  • Ottawa River (0 km)

  • Jock River (30 km)

  • Mississippi River (50 km)

  • La Peche Lake - Gatineau Park (60 km)

  • Murphy’s Point Provincial Park (100 km)

  • Silver Lake Provincial Park (100 km)

  • Sharbot Lake Provincial Park (120 km)

  • Forester Falls - RAFTING (120 km)

Snow Sports

To anyone who claims to hate winter: PCOCC is here to change your mind! Ottawa is a great place to go skiing (downhill or cross country), snowboarding, sledding, skating and snowshoeing, with fun opportunities right in your backyard...

  • Rideau Canal - skating, cross country (0 km)

  • Arboretum - sled (0 km)

  • Conroy Pit - NCC sledding hill (10 km)

  • Bruce Pit - NCC sledding hill (16 km)

  • Nakkertok - cross country, snowshoe (20 km)

  • Camp Fortune - ski/board (25 km)

  • Sommett Edelweiss - ski/board, tubing (50 km)

  • Mount Pakenham - ski/board, tube, snowshoe (60 km)

  • Blueberry Mountain - snowshoe (100 km)

  • Mont Tremblant - ski/board, advanced tubing (170 km)