Enjoy the shoreline of the Ottawa River at this century-old heritage building with a public dock, enclosed swimming area and outdoor patio.
Located on the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, the NCC River House has become one of Ottawa’s favourite year-round recreation spots. Launch a kayak or canoe from the public dock or beat the heat with a dip in the free, supervised swimming area including two 25-metre lap lanes. Grab a snack at the Bytown Catering kiosk or bring your own lunch to eat on the outdoor patio, and be sure to take in the panoramic river views at golden hour.
In winter, you can ski, snowshoe, bike and walk on a multi-use winter trail that leads to the NCC River House. Winter trail users can stop in for a snack at the Café & Bistro and warm up during business hours.
A designated heritage site, the NCC River House is universally accessible year-round, allowing visitors to learn about the river’s conservation.