Best Places to See Fall Colours Around Ottawa
Fall colours around Ottawa are one of the best parts of the season.
For a few short weeks, the whole city feels golden. The trees change, the air gets crisp, and suddenly even a simple afternoon walk feels like a fall outing. Whether you’re looking for bright Ottawa fall leaves, beautiful fall foliage near the city, a scenic trail, or a family-friendly place to take autumn photos, there are so many gorgeous spots to explore.
As someone who has lived in Ottawa for most of my life, I’ve slowly built a list of favourite places to visit when the leaves start to change. Some are right in the city, some are just outside it, and all of them are worth adding to your autumn list.
Whether you’re looking for:
- fall colours in Ottawa
- the best fall foliage around Ottawa
- pretty places to see Ottawa fall leaves
- scenic autumn trails
- family-friendly fall activities
- or beautiful places to take fall photos
These are some of the best places around Ottawa to see the fall foliage.
Dominion Arboretum
📍 Address: The Dominion Arboretum is located at 72 Arboretum, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, situated within the Central Experimental Farm between Prince of Wales Drive and the Rideau Canal.
The Dominion Arboretum is one of the prettiest places in Ottawa to see fall colours.
It has that peaceful, almost storybook feeling in autumn, with winding paths, mature trees, open green space, and beautiful views near Dow’s Lake. It’s the kind of place where you can wander without much of a plan and still feel like you found something lovely.
Ottawa Tourism notes that the Arboretum is home to more than 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs, which makes it especially beautiful for fall photos once the leaves begin to change.
I especially love it for a slower fall afternoon, when the light is soft, the trees are golden, and the whole area feels calm and peaceful.
Perfect for:
- fall photos
- slow autumn walks
- family outings
- seeing Ottawa fall leaves
- bringing a coffee
Gatineau Park
📍 Address: The main Gatineau Park Visitor Centre is located at 33 Chemin Scott, Chelsea, QC J9B 1R5.
Gatineau Park is one of the most popular places near Ottawa to see fall foliage, and for good reason.
Once the trees start changing, the park turns into one of the most beautiful autumn destinations in the region. The hills, trails, lookouts, and forested roads make it feel like a real fall escape, even though it’s close to the city.
The NCC’s Fall Rhapsody celebrates fall colours throughout Ottawa-Gatineau, and Ottawa Tourism notes that Gatineau Park is especially popular during this season, with some access limits and shuttle options during peak times.
This is a great choice if you want a bigger fall outing and don’t mind crossing over into Quebec for the afternoon.
Perfect for:
- fall foliage
- scenic lookouts
- hiking
- weekend adventures
- autumn photos
Tip: Gatineau Park can get very busy during peak fall colours, so check the NCC updates before you go.
Major’s Hill Park
📍 Address: Major’s Hill Park is located at the corner of Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Avenue, in Ottawa.
Major’s Hill Park is one of those downtown Ottawa spots that feels beautiful in every season, but fall makes it feel extra special.
You get views of Parliament, the National Gallery of Canada, the Ottawa River, and so many pretty trees along the pathways. It’s also a great option if you want to see fall colours in Ottawa without leaving the downtown core.
This is a lovely spot to pair with a ByWard Market visit, a coffee stop, lunch, or a little afternoon wandering.
Perfect for:
- downtown fall photos
- Ottawa sightseeing
- easy autumn walks
- visitors
- pairing with coffee or lunch
Mer Bleue Bog
📍 Address: Ridge Rd, Ottawa, ON
Mer Bleue Bog is one of the most unique places around Ottawa to see fall colours.
The boardwalk makes it easy to explore, and the landscape feels completely different from other trails in the city. In autumn, the colours are quieter and more natural, with golden grasses, changing trees, and wide open views.
The NCC describes Mer Bleue Bog as one of the most outstanding natural features of the Greenbelt, and its boardwalk trail is a popular way to explore the area.
This is a beautiful option if you want something peaceful, scenic, and a little different from your usual neighbourhood walk.
Perfect for:
- boardwalk walks
- nature lovers
- peaceful fall outings
- family-friendly exploring
- fall photos with a natural backdrop
Hog’s Back Park
📍 Address: 600 Hog’s Back Road (at Riverside Drive)
Hog’s Back Park is a beautiful place to enjoy Ottawa fall leaves with a little more movement and sound.
Between the waterfalls, walking paths, trees, and open park space, it feels like a mini escape without going far from the city. It’s especially pretty on a crisp fall day when the leaves are changing and the water is rushing.
Ottawa Tourism highlights Hog’s Back Falls as one of Ottawa’s photogenic fall spots, especially because of the waterfall and surrounding autumn scenery.
This is a great one for families, casual walks, and anyone who wants a fall outing that feels a little more outdoorsy.
Perfect for:
- families
- waterfall views
- nature walks
- fall afternoon outings
- easy Ottawa exploring
Rideau Canal
📍 Multiple walking points through Ottawa
The Rideau Canal is one of Ottawa’s most classic walking routes.
In the fall, the trees along the canal turn such beautiful shades of yellow and orange, and it’s one of those places that makes the city feel calm even when life is busy.
You can choose different sections depending on your mood, whether you want a short walk downtown, a longer walk toward Lansdowne, or a scenic stroll near Dow’s Lake.
This is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fall colours in Ottawa without needing to plan a full day trip.
Perfect for:
- walking with coffee
- bike rides
- fall photos
- peaceful solo walks
- casual weekend outings
Dow’s Lake
📍 Address: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Dr, Ottawa, ON
Dow’s Lake is such a good fall foliage spot because it connects easily to other beautiful areas, including the Arboretum and the Rideau Canal.
In autumn, it’s lovely for a walk along the water, especially if you want something scenic but not too far from coffee, restaurants, or Little Italy.
Ottawa Tourism has also mentioned Dow’s Lake as a place to enjoy fall colours from the water, including by canoe, kayak, or boat rentals when available.
This is a great choice when you want a pretty fall outing that still feels close to the city.
Perfect for:
- water views
- casual walks
- coffee and a stroll
- pairing with Little Italy
- family-friendly fall outings
Rockcliffe Park
📍 Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, ON
Rockcliffe Park is such a beautiful area for a fall drive, walk, or scenic lookout stop.
The mature trees, quiet streets, and river views make it feel peaceful and timeless. It’s not quite the same as a trail walk, but it’s lovely if you want a calm autumn outing close to the city.
This is one of those Ottawa neighbourhoods that feels extra charming when the leaves are changing.
Perfect for:
- quiet walks
- scenic drives
- river views
- fall photos
- peaceful weekend outings
Mackenzie King Estate
📍 Gatineau Park, Chelsea, QC
Mackenzie King Estate is one of the most beautiful fall foliage spots near Ottawa.
Located in Gatineau Park, it has walking paths, historic ruins, gardens, and forested areas that feel especially magical in autumn. If you love fall photos, this is one of those places that gives you so many pretty backdrops in one visit.
The NCC includes Mackenzie King Estate in its fall colour recommendations for Gatineau Park, and it’s a classic stop during fall foliage season.
This is a lovely option for a more intentional fall outing, especially if you want something that feels scenic, historic, and a little bit romantic.
Perfect for:
- fall photos
- historic scenery
- Gatineau Park exploring
- autumn day trips
- scenic walks
Save This Ottawa Fall Foliage List for Your Next Autumn Outing
One of my favourite things about Ottawa is how beautiful the city becomes when the seasons change.
Fall here doesn’t last forever, which somehow makes it feel even more special. One week the leaves are just starting to turn, and the next the whole city feels golden.
Whether you’re planning a weekend outing, looking for a pretty place to take photos, or simply hoping to enjoy the season before it disappears, these are some of the best places around Ottawa to see fall colours.
Save this list for your next autumn adventure, and enjoy the fall leaves while they last.
FAQs About Fall Colours Around Ottawa
- Best Places to See Fall Colours Around Ottawa - September 24, 2026
- 100 Things to Do This Fall with Teens - September 7, 2026
- The Ultimate Canadian Summer Bucket List - July 13, 2026
