When the summer heat kicks in, there's nothing like escaping to the great outdoors. Luckily, Ottawa is surrounded by some seriously breathtaking natural wonders that you don't have to go far to see.
From sparkling waterfalls to epic cliffside views, these dreamy spots are all less than three hours away from the city, making them perfect for a spontaneous day trip or a weekend escape.
Whether you're chasing adventure or just want an easy outing, these spots offer plenty of things to do, including hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and more.
Here are eight stunning natural wonders that are an easy day trip from Ottawa to check out this summer.
Moulin Falls
Price: $10.10 per adult
When: Opening June 21, 2025
Address: 100, Rang Malo, Plaisance, QC
Why You Need To Go: This stunning waterfall can be found just under an hour from Ottawa in the Outaouais region of Quebec.
Located in Plaisance National Park, the falls feature a vertical drop of over 114 feet and are surrounded by lush greenery for a picture-perfect setting.
A 2-kilometre round-trip hiking trail leads to an observation deck where you can admire the mighty falls. Picnic tables and interpretation services are also available on site. You could also rent a canoe or kayak and take a trip on the Petite-Nation River to the foot of the falls.
In the park, there are a number of other hiking and biking trails to explore after you've had your fill of the waterfall.
King Mountain
Price: Free admission
Address: King Mountain, Gatineau Park, Gatineau, QC
Why You Need To Go: Located in Gatineau Park, King Mountain is a must-visit spot for an easy hike with great payoff.
Sitting at an elevation of 344 metres, the mountain is the highest point in Gatineau Park, and the hilly landscape around it is part of the Canadian Shield, one of the oldest and hardest rock formations in the world.
Hike up the 1.9-kilometre King Mountain Trail, which has 10 scenic viewpoints on the way to the top and will take you through multiple kinds of forests. Once you reach the top, you'll discover amazing views of Ottawa and the Ottawa River Valley.
If you want to have some lunch while you're here, picnic tables are available by the trail.
Bonnechere Caves
Price: $25 per adult
Address: 1247 Fourth Chute Rd., Eganville, ON
Why You Need To Go: Tucked away in the Ottawa Valley, about an hour and a half from Ottawa, the Bonnechere Caves offer a unique underground adventure.
These limestone caves were formed around 500 million years ago and are packed with fossils, cool rock formations and narrow passageways that feel straight out of a movie.
You can take a guided tour to explore the winding tunnels, learn about the prehistoric creatures that once lived there, and may even spot bats during certain times of the year.
Above ground, there's a picnic area and a picturesque waterfall right next to the caves.
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: 16151 Hwy. 41, Cloyne, ON
Why You Need To Go: Bon Echo Provincial Park is a beautiful summer destination about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Ottawa.
Here, you can see wonders like Mazinaw Lake, the seventh deepest lake in Ontario, and over 260 Indigenous pictographs on Mazinaw Rock, the largest visible collection in Canada.
You can paddle right up to the rock by canoe or kayak, or take the Cliff Top Trail for a scenic hike that ends with sweeping views over the lake.
There are also three sandy beaches here where you can take a dip.
Morrison's Quarry
Price: $20 per adult
Address: 1780 Route 105, Old Chelsea, QC
Why You Need To Go: About 30 minutes from Ottawa, Morrison's Quarry is a limestone swimming hole that's a dreamy turquoise oasis in the summer.
This spot is popular for scuba diving, thanks to the submerged planes and cars that can be explored underwater. If you're feeling bold, it's also home to the tallest bungee jump in Canada — a 200-foot plunge over the sparkling blue water.
Besides these adrenaline-inducing activities, you can also relax on the small beach, take a dip in the clear water, or just soak up the views.
Lusk Cave
Price: Free entry
When: Openings from spring until fall
Address: Trail 54, Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham, QC
Why You Need To Go: Lusk Cave is a unique spot just under an hour from Ottawa.
The cave, which features marble walls, is a geological phenomenon that has been thousands of years in the making -- it was formed during the last ice age, about 11,000 years ago, when melting glaciers eroded the marble and formed the cave.
A creek still flows through it today and continues to erode the soluble marble that forms the cave's walls. For this reason, you'll want to be prepared to get wet when visiting.
The cave is open from spring until fall, when the water level is safe. It's recommended that visitors bring a swimsuit, extra footwear or water shoes, a protective helmet and a waterproof flashlight with them.
Be aware that the only way to access the cave is by a 5-kilometre hike.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Price: $10.84+ per vehicle
Address: Highway 60, ON
Why You Need To Go: As Ontario’s oldest and most iconic provincial park, Algonquin is a must-visit natural wonder.
Just under 3 hours from Ottawa, the park offers rugged beauty, crystal-clear lakes and endless pine forests to explore this summer. With hundreds of waterways, it's also the perfect spot for canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.
There are tons of hiking trails to choose from in the park. Take the Lookout Trail, a moderate hike with a short but steep climb, which leads to an incredible view of the park's rolling hills and dense forest.
Pink Lake
Price: Free admission
Address: Pink Lake, Gatineau Park, Gatineau, QC
Why You Need To Go: Called Gatineau Park's "most outstanding" lake, Pink Lake is a beautiful spot to visit less than 30 minutes from Ottawa.
The lake is meromictic, meaning that its upper and lower layers of water never mix. Despite its name, the lake takes on a beautiful turquoise-green hue, making it an especially scenic spot to visit in the summer and a rare beauty in the park.
The Pink Lake Trail is a 2.3-km loop trail around the lake with several sets of stairs and interpretation panels to explore. Or, head to the Pink Lake Lookout for a spectacular view of the lake.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
