As we all know, the rules for what is permitted in parks and other outdoor spaces in Ontario and Quebec are changing by the day. As of May 21, 2020, here’s what you’re allowed to do—and what you’re not—in provincial parks, national parks, National Capital Commission properties and elsewhere. I also have some details on what’s open and what’s not inside parks, including campgrounds, beaches, parking lots and washrooms.
No matter where you go, remember that social distancing guidelines are still in place. Stay at least two metres (six feet) away from anyone who doesn’t live in your household; bring along masks, gloves and hand sanitizer; and avoid touching things like gates, signs, benches, tables and so on (as well as your face). In particular, even though sports facilities such as baseball diamonds and soccer fields may be open, the limits on group size still apply—so that pickup soccer tournament or family reunion softball game is still forbidden.
Stick to places close to where you live. I’m not encouraging anyone to do a long-distance road trip here!
Note: I’m going to do my best to keep this list as accurate and up to date as possible, but PLEASE check the links in this article before heading out to make sure something hasn’t changed in the interim. This is not legal advice—it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re complying with the latest guidance.
OK, enough with the warnings and caveats—onwards to the outdoors!
What you can do in City of Ottawa parks
For updates and more information, see the City of Ottawa’s website.
As part of Ontario’s phase one reopening, you can use the following amenities in (or on) City of Ottawa-owned parks, trails, beaches, natural areas and greenspaces:
- trails (walking, hiking, cycling)
- off-leash dog areas
- benches
- picnic tables
- picnic shelters
- beaches (for walking or sitting)
- boat launches
- baseball diamonds
- soccer fields
- Frisbee golf locations
- tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
- basketball courts
- BMX parks
- skate parks
The City notes that items such as gates, benches and picnic tables aren’t cleaned frequently, so touch them as little as possible and wash/sanitize your hands frequently. I believe you’re also allowed to bring your own chairs and picnic baskets, but I’m not 100% certain about that.
What you’re not allowed to do in City of Ottawa parks
The following things/activities are still off limits:
- close-contact sports
- play structures, swings and slides
- pools
- splash pads
- exercise equipment
- beach swimming
- camping
- campfires
What you can do in National Capital Commission parks and greenspaces
For updates and more information, see the National Capital Commission’s website. Note that all NCC public parking lots are currently closed, so the NCC emphasizes that people should get to these spaces on foot or by bike.
Here are the things, places and activities you can enjoy in the Greenbelt, Gatineau Park, on NCC trails and pathways, and so on. Update, May 24: As of Friday, May 22, parking lots for many NCC sites are now OPEN. Do check online before leaving home, however, to make sure the spot you’re driving to is one of them.
- dog walking, including off-leash spaces such as Conroy Pit and Bruce Pit
- car-free access to various parkways, including the Queen Elizabeth Driveway between Laurier Avenue and Fifth Avenue (daily, 8am to 8pm, until May 24); the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway between Booth Street and Carling Avenue (weekends, 8am to 4pm, until May 31); and the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway between the Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard (weekends, 8am to 4pm, until May 31)
- Gatineau Park trails, including mountain biking trails, for Outaouais residents only
- Greenbelt and NCC urban park greenspaces and trails
What you’re not allowed to do in NCC spaces
The following things are still off limits:
- day shelters
- picnic areas
- campgrounds (although reservations for Gatineau Park for dates after June 12 are being accepted)
- washrooms and outhouses
- benches
- playgrounds
Outdoor activities you can enjoy under Ontario’s phase one re-opening rules
For updates and more information, check the Government of Ontario’s website.
The Government of Ontario now permits the following outdoor activities, but that doesn’t mean every related business in your area will be opening. If you’re wondering whether your favourite golf courses, marinas and so forth are open, check with them directly. Here’s the list of what may be open:
- golf courses (but clubhouse facilities are limited to washrooms and non-sit-down food services)
- indoor and outdoor golf driving ranges
- marinas and boat clubs (again, no sit-down restaurants, but washrooms, fuel services and other amenities are permitted)
- some leased trailer and RV use in private campgrounds
- baseball diamonds
- soccer fields
- Frisbee (disc) golf facilities
- tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
- basketball courts
- BMX parks
- skate parks
- motorsport tracks
- cycling tracks and bike trails
- indoor and outdoor horseback-riding facilities
- horse-racing tracks (but no spectators allowed)
- indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, including those operated by rod and gun clubs
- related equipment rental services for all of the above
- training facilities, with restrictions (see the above website for more info)
What you can do in Ontario provincial parks and conservation reserves
See the Ontario Parks COVID-19 information page for more details and updates.
All 635 Ontario provincial parks and conservation reserves are now open for limited day use. That means the following activities are permitted:
- walking
- hiking
- biking
- boating
- paddling
- fishing
Note that washroom facilities may be available in some parks. Check each park’s individual web page for information.
Provincial parks in Eastern Ontario include the following (use the park locator to find them):
- Fitzroy
- Rideau River
- Voyageur
- Murphys Point
- Charleston Lake
- Frontenac
- Sharbot Lake
- Silver Lake
- Bon Echo
- Bonnechere
- Algonquin
Conservation reserves in Eastern Ontario include the following (use the conservation reserve locator to find them):
- White Lake
- Constant Creek Swamp and Fen
- Hawkins Property
- Snake River Marsh
- Mud Lake/Creek
- Westmeath Bog
- Silver Creek Peatland
- Kaladar Jack Pine Barrens
- Crotch Lake
- Mellon Lake
- Hungry Lake
- Conroys Marsh
- Little Mississippi River
- Lingham Lake
- Mount Moriah
- Elzevir Peatlands
Note that these are provincial conservation reserves, not to be confused with locally run conservation areas. For details on those, see the subsection “Information on other Eastern Ontario outdoor spaces” below.
What you are not allowed to do in Ontario provincial parks and conservation reserves
The following facilities are currently closed in Ontario provincial parks and conservation reserves:
- campgrounds and backcountry campsites
- playgrounds and play structures
- beaches
- water taps
- roofed accommodations
Information on other Eastern Ontario outdoor spaces
I’ll keep adding to this section—it’s a big one to update!
- Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre: Trails are open, washrooms are closed.
- Ferguson Forest Centre: Trails and dog park are open.
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority: Trails are open, fees are waived, site maintenance is not being done, and boat launches (except at Rideau Canal National Historic Site) are open.
- Raisin River Conservation Authority: Trails are open, amenities are closed.
- South Nation Conservation Authority: Many (but not all) trails and boat launches are open. Findlay Creek Conservation Area in Ottawa is among those that remains closed.
- Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority: All conservation areas are open; I’m still getting information about what facilities, if any, are available.
- Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority: Trails and boat launches at most conservation areas are open. Parking may be limited at some locations.
- Quinte Conservation Authority: Some conservation areas are open for day use. Parking is free. No camping is permitted.
A full list of conservation authorities across Ontario is available at the Conservation Ontario website.
What you can do in City of Gatineau parks
For updates and more information, see the City of Gatineau’s COVID-19 information page.
- tennis and pickleball courts (except those at Lakeview and Saint-Gérard)
- the athletic field at the Mont-Bleu sports complex (for individual training)
- the BMX track at Park Gilles-Maisonneuve
- dog parks and dog exercise areas (note there is a new bylaw)
What you can and cannot do in Quebec’s provincial/national parks
Check the Sépaq website for the latest information and updates. Currently, limited day use—including some hiking and biking trails, and some day fishing—is permitted in some parks. No other activities are permitted. Washrooms and other service buildings are not open. Locations in Western Quebec include the following (you can see their locations on the Sépaq site):
- Parc national de Plaisance
- Centre touristique du Lac-Simon
- Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle
What you can do at Parks Canada national parks and national historic sites
Some Parks Canada parks, national historic sites and other properties will be opening for limited activities, beginning on June 1, 2020. I’ll be updating this post accordingly, but in the meantime, please check the Parks Canada website.
Looking for more ideas and information about Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and West Quebec? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter.
2 comments
This is so comprehensive and valuable. I especially appreciate knowing exactly what is and isn’t open and what we can and can’t do. Finally, we get to spend more time outside!
Thanks so much, Jody–glad you found it useful! (And it’s great to see your smiling face in my comments feed!)