The Rideau Canal
Quick Facts
- Location
- Canada, Ottawa
- Category
- Sightseeing
- Duration
- About 1–2 hours (incl. stroll)
- Opening Hours
- Daily 6:00-22:00 · Parks Canada prohibits access to lockstations between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am and does not staff them after hours. The navigation season runs from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving (roughly mid-May to mid-October); 2026 lockstation hours were Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-19:00 from May 15 to June 18, Monday to Thursday 9:00-18:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-19:00 from June 19 to September 7, and Monday to Friday 10:00-16:00 and Saturday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 from September 8 to October 12. The lockstations closed for the season on October 12, 2026, and aids to navigation may be off-station or inoperable until spring.
- Ticket Price
- Free Admission: No admission fee for walking the canal path and lockstations; the winter Rideau Canal Skateway is free to skate · The Skateway is operated by the National Capital Commission (NCC), not Parks Canada. Pleasure boating requires a Parks Canada lockage permit (per-pass or seasonal), and youth 17 and under are free at places Parks Canada manages.
- Address
- Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Coordinates
- 45.4223, -75.6903
Introduction
The Rideau Canal runs ~202 km between Ottawa and Kingston, built in the early 19th century for defence and still operating—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Its most famous stretch crosses downtown Ottawa: in summer for boating, cycling and strolls; in winter it freezes into the 'world's largest skating rink' (Rideau Canal Skateway), nearly 8 km long. Year-round it is Ottawa's signature green corridor and leisure artery.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 6:00-22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00-22:00 |
| Wednesday | 6:00-22:00 |
| Thursday | 6:00-22:00 |
| Friday | 6:00-22:00 |
| Saturday | 6:00-22:00 |
| Sunday | 6:00-22:00 |
Parks Canada prohibits access to lockstations between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am and does not staff them after hours. The navigation season runs from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving (roughly mid-May to mid-October); 2026 lockstation hours were Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-19:00 from May 15 to June 18, Monday to Thursday 9:00-18:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-19:00 from June 19 to September 7, and Monday to Friday 10:00-16:00 and Saturday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 from September 8 to October 12. The lockstations closed for the season on October 12, 2026, and aids to navigation may be off-station or inoperable until spring.
Ticket Information
| Free Admission | No admission fee for walking the canal path and lockstations; the winter Rideau Canal Skateway is free to skate |
|---|
The Skateway is operated by the National Capital Commission (NCC), not Parks Canada. Pleasure boating requires a Parks Canada lockage permit (per-pass or seasonal), and youth 17 and under are free at places Parks Canada manages.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of The Rideau Canal?
Monday: 6:00-22:00; Tuesday: 6:00-22:00; Wednesday: 6:00-22:00; Thursday: 6:00-22:00; Friday: 6:00-22:00; Saturday: 6:00-22:00; Sunday: 6:00-22:00; Parks Canada prohibits access to lockstations between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am and does not staff them after hours. The navigation season runs from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving (roughly mid-May to mid-October); 2026 lockstation hours were Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-19:00 from May 15 to June 18, Monday to Thursday 9:00-18:00 and Friday to Sunday 9:00-19:00 from June 19 to September 7, and Monday to Friday 10:00-16:00 and Saturday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 from September 8 to October 12. The lockstations closed for the season on October 12, 2026, and aids to navigation may be off-station or inoperable until spring.
How much is the admission for The Rideau Canal?
Free Admission: No admission fee for walking the canal path and lockstations; the winter Rideau Canal Skateway is free to skate; The Skateway is operated by the National Capital Commission (NCC), not Parks Canada. Pleasure boating requires a Parks Canada lockage permit (per-pass or seasonal), and youth 17 and under are free at places Parks Canada manages.
Any practical tips for visiting The Rideau Canal?
Bring your own skates and warm gear in winter. Summer pedal-boats make a relaxed river ride.
How long should I spend at The Rideau Canal?
A typical visit takes About 1–2 hours (incl. stroll).
