Waterfalls
Ottawa, Ontario
Rideau Falls
Twin falls where the Rideau River meets the Ottawa River.
Explore this placeRideau Canal in Ottawa
Historic locks and a waterside route through the capital.
Photo credits
Photos are resized and may be cropped for display. They do not represent current conditions.
- Rideau Canal in Ottawa: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY-SA 2.5
Discover Rideau Canal in Ottawa
The Rideau Canal links Ottawa and Kingston along a historic waterway of lakes, rivers and locks. In Ottawa, a visit can focus on the canal-side setting and the lockstations that reveal how the route works. Use the capital as one stop on a wider canal journey, or explore a section during a city break. Boating and winter activities follow separate seasons and operating conditions.
What to explore
- Historic lockstations
- Canal-side exploring
- Ottawa-to-Kingston waterway
Plan before you go
Check Parks Canada for navigation and lock information. Winter skating is weather-dependent; confirm Skateway conditions with the National Capital Commission.
Check the official operator for current hours, fees, reservations, accessibility and closures. ShopLocal provides trip ideas; attraction tickets and reservations are handled by the operator.
Visitor information reviewed September 11, 2026. Select the correct entrance or trailhead on the official map.
Explore the community
Shop local in Ottawa
A community to explore as part of your trip. These listings are in Ottawa; check each address and travel time from your destination.
ASC Ink - Tattoo & ART
Arts & Culture · Ottawa
Cubanocanadian - Art from Cuba
Arts & Culture · Ottawa
Perspective Art Gallery
Arts & Culture · Ottawa
Snow Goose Canadian Arts & Crafts
Arts & Culture · Ottawa
Ten Sushi
Restaurants & Food · Ottawa
Sushi Shop
Restaurants & Food · Ottawa
More in Ottawa & Eastern Ontario
More ideas from this region. Check distances before combining them in one trip.
Landmarks
Ottawa, Ontario
Parliament Hill
Canada's parliamentary precinct and the stories behind it.
Explore this placeMuseums & heritage
Ottawa, Ontario
National Gallery of Canada
An art-focused stop in the heart of the capital.
Explore this placePhoto credits
Photos are resized and may be cropped for display. They do not represent current conditions.
- Rideau Falls: R Prazeres · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Parliament Hill: Wladyslaw · CC BY-SA 3.0
- National Gallery of Canada: – Wladyslaw [Disk.] · CC BY-SA 3.0