11+ great picnic spots in Ottawa and beyond

6K

Pack those picnic baskets, road trip lovers, because I’ve rounded up gorgeous picnic spots in Ottawa, scenic picnic grounds in Eastern Ontario, pretty picnic places in the Outaouais, and even one or two jaw-dropping picnic areas a bit further afield for you to check out. And if you don’t want to bring your own food, I also have lots of suggestions for places where you can buy food en route or pre-order a picnic.

By the way: What is it about a picnic that just makes food taste better? Is it the fresh air, the scenic views, the sense of being on vacation? Is it the ants? I’m sure someone has done a scientific study of the phenomenon, so I’m going to leave those questions to the experts and dive right into the subject of this post: pretty picnic spots in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond.

Ottawa and Outaouais picnic spots

The spots below are truly just the tip of the iceberg. I’m going to keep adding to this post, once I have more photos. Let me know your favourites in the comments and I’ll do my best to check them out!

Commissioners Park, Ottawa

There aren’t many picnic tables in Commissioners Park on the edge of Dows Lake, so you may have to be quick to nab one, but you can always bring a picnic blanket to spread on the grass. If you come in May during the Canadian Tulip Festival (above), even grass may be at a premium! Show up before 11am for the best selection of spots during the tulip festival. And swing by Preston Street in Little Italy en route to pick up cannoli, prosciutto and other Italian treats for your picnic.

Carleton University, Ottawa

Probably not the first picnic spot that pops to mind for most people, Carleton University has a few picnic tables beautifully situated next to some photogenic Rideau River rapids. Because most people don’t know about this place, it’s often possible to snag a table, especially in the summer and on weekends, when the campus is quieter. (OK, I know I’ve sort of spoiled that advantage by posting here—the eternal travel writer’s dilemma.)

You’ll find a Tim Hortons inside nearby Richcraft Hall, but it isn’t usually open when classes aren’t in session. It’s probably easiest just to bring your own snacks. Also, construction crews are currently working on the nearby O-Train bridge over the Rideau River, so you may have to detour around some closed roads or paths to get to the picnic spot.

Britannia Park, Ottawa

Britannia Park has it all—kayak and paddleboard rentals, beach volleyball, washrooms, a snack bar, a big beach, grassy spaces and picnic tables, lots of free parking, and more. It’s easy to reach via bike paths along the Ottawa River from downtown, by car or by OC Transpo. But here’s the pièce de résistance: Beachconers Microcreamery and the Britannia Coffeehouse are just beyond the park’s eastern edge, meaning you can easily add ice cream cones, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and tea and coffee to your picnic.

Petrie Island, Orleans (Ottawa)

In Ottawa’s east end, Petrie Island in the Ottawa River offers three beaches, seven kilometres of flat hiking trails, a turtle pond, beach volleyball and lots of other amusements, as well as a snack bar. It’s a great place to watch the sunset. You’ll find it at the north end of Trim Road.

Parc des Cèdres, Aylmer (Gatineau)

If cycling to your picnic spot is your goal, Parc des Cèdres in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau should be high on your list. You can bike there from downtown Ottawa and Hull via the scenic Voyageurs Pathway along the Ottawa River, and you can reward yourself with a swim on the beach, too. Showers, change rooms, washrooms, a snack bar, beach volleyball courts, a bike repair station and children’s play structures are among the park’s many amenities. There’s also a boat launch, a marina and free parking, if you’d rather get here by car or boat. Parc des Cèdres is particularly nice early in the morning (before it gets too busy) and at sunset (there are great views to the west).

Want to pick up your picnic goodies in Aylmer? Get baguettes, croissants and delish chocolatines at Boulangerie aux Deux Frères. Peruvian restaurant Amazonas is a 10-minute walk from the park.

Other good picnic spots in Ottawa-Gatineau

I need to get out and take some decent picnic photos of these scenic places. I’ll add them to this post when I have pix!

• Mooney’s Bay Beach
• Rockcliffe Park
• Vincent Massey Park
• Gatineau Park
• Lac Leamy

Eastern Ontario parks and Eastern Ontario picnic spots

Looking for picnic places in Lanark County, Renfrew County, the Rideau Lakes, the Thousand Islands and elsewhere? Here are a few suggestions.

Bonnechere Provincial Park, Killaloe

Bonnechere Provincial Park near Killaloe has lots of campsites and cabins, but you can also come just for the day. While you’re there, you can hike the gentle 2km McNaughton Trail or explore a network of 10 trails along the nearby Little Bonnechere River. Paddlers can bring canoes and kayaks, or rent them at the park. Humans can swim at the beach (but there are no lifeguards), and dogs are allowed to swim at the boat launch.

Pick up cheeses, deli meats and spreads for a picnic feast at Ullrich’s deli in Pembroke, and drop by Pembroke’s Klaesis Bakery for bread, mini mousse cakes and other yummy desserts. (Pembroke is about a 35-minute drive from the park.)

Westport Harbour, Westport

Smack dab in the middle of the Rideau Lakes, Westport is a popular hub for cottagers and Rideau Canal boaters. As a result, the small harbour is a fun place to set up your picnic basket and watch people come and go. There’s no shortage of nearby restaurants and shops where you can get picnic provisions, including Kudrinko’s supermarket and Rosie Yumski’s Fine Foods (mainly a kitchenware store, but you can also buy mustards, sauces, chocolates and other treats)

If it’s rainy, this cute little picnic shelter opposite the harbour may come in handy.

Confederation Park, Gananoque

A stone’s throw from the tourist office and the town hall, Confederation Park in Gananoque borders a small, one-time mill pond. The park is studded with contemporary sculptures (a local Rotary Club project), as well as picnic tables. It’s a bit quieter than the Gananoque waterfront along the St. Lawrence River, and it’s right across the street from Lighthouse Provisions, where you can pick up fresh-made deli sandwiches, bread, spreads, cheeses, fancy sodas and more. (I also have a whole post of tips on things to see and do in Gananoque and nearby Chaffeys Lock.)

Robert Simpson Park, Arnprior

When I popped by Robert Simpson Park in Arnprior with a friend a few weeks ago, it was full of happy-looking swimmers, Frisbee-players and picnickers. Fortunately, it’s a big park, so it didn’t feel crowded. The park has pretty gardens, a beach on the Ottawa River, a play structure, washrooms, a splash pad, a snack bar and free parking (but around noon on that sunny Sunday, we got one of the last parking spots, so come early for best results). As well as picnic tables in the sun, there’s a large gazebo overlooking the beach and the river. (Extra fees apply to rent the gazebo; see the park website linked above for prices and booking information.)

Check out my post about Arnprior, White Lake and Burnstown for more ideas for things to see and do in that area, including lots of shops, bakeries and restaurants where you can get picnic fare.

Mille Roches Beach, Long Sault

The Long Sault Parkway, just west of Cornwall, meanders over 11 islands and past three beaches. One of the largest is Mille Roches Beach, a long stretch of sand with a sweeping view of the St. Lawrence River. As well as lots of picnic tables, you’ll find a snack bar, washrooms and change rooms, boat rentals and a boat launch, and a big playground.

Don’t want to bother packing a picnic? Contact Cornwall Food Tours to pre-order a picnic basket packed with everything from breakfast poutine to pad Thai (depending on the option you choose). The basket comes complete with dishes and utensils, and you just need to return it to the company when you’re done.

Iroquois Beach, Iroquois

Less than an hour south of Ottawa at Iroquois Beach, you can watch oceangoing ships that have just passed through the nearby Iroquois Locks continue their journey to the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Along with picnic tables, you’ll find change rooms, washrooms and lots of free parking. Check out my post about Iroquois and nearby Morrisburg for tips on shopping and restaurants in the area (sadly, the Morrisburg Thai restaurant where I bought the treats in the photo above closed the week after my visit).

A few further-flung picnic spots

Sure, you’re not going to try these picnic spots on the spur of the moment, as reaching them from Ottawa will take some time and planning. But, hey, isn’t that what road tripping is all about? Pack up the cooler and hit the highway!

Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca, New York

I couldn’t resist adding gorgeous Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. Doesn’t this picnic table have an amazing view? You can work up an appetite by exploring the 9.4 kilometres (5.9 miles) of trails in the park, including a stunning one that parallels the waterfall.

Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes, Ithaca is about four hours from Ottawa and is surrounded by wineries where you can pick up a nice bottle of wine for your picnic.

Lake Superior Provincial Park, near Wawa, Ontario

OK, I’ll concede that this one is a long road trip from Ottawa—about 10 and a half hours, to be precise. But if you’re headed that way anyway, let me offer one last recommendation: the picnic area at Old Woman Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park. The picnic area, on a combined rocky/sandy beach, gives you some nice views of Lake Superior, but the key reason to stop there is to tackle the moderately challenging Nokomis Trail (the trailhead is directly across Highway 17 from the picnic area).

I’m not the fittest or most skilled hiker, so I did get a bit breathless on a few steep sections of the five-kilometre (three mile) loop. But check out those views of Lake Superior in the photo! It’s worth the exertion.

Bring your picnic with you for this one (from Sault Ste. Marie or Wawa), as this is a rugged park with not many food options nearby.

Did I miss your favourite?

The list above is just a selection of the picnic places I like—but, of course, I’ve only discovered a fraction of the great picnic spots in and around Ottawa. If I missed your favourite, let me know in the comments. I’ll try to check it out!

Finally, beaches are usually good places for picnics, and I have a huge post listing more than 40 beaches in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais.

Looking for more tips for things to see and do around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or buy my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.