Quebec lakes across the river, canal locks, river islands and Algonquin’s wilderness, from 15 minutes to about three hours from Ottawa, closest first.
Few capitals have cottage country this close. Cross the bridge to Gatineau and in 15 minutes you are among the lakes and forests of Gatineau Park; an hour south-west, boats lock through the Rideau Canal; an hour west, the Ottawa Valley rises toward Calabogie and Algonquin. Head south to the St. Lawrence and the Thousand Islands, or west into the quiet rocky lakes of Land O’Lakes.
Here are six regions, ordered by driving time from Ottawa. Looking for a winter getaway instead? See our guide to ski chalets near Ottawa.
Right across the river, Gatineau Park’s forests and lakes start 15 minutes from downtown: swim at Lac Philippe or Meech Lake, or unwind at the Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea. Further north and east, Wakefield, Val-des-Bois and the Petite-Nation have chalets on Lac Simon and Blue Sea Lake, and Parc Omega’s wildlife drive is near Montebello, about an hour away. Every Quebec listing shows its CITQ number.
Best for: short weekends, swimming, a Quebec chalet
About an hour away, the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, links clear, deep lakes like Big Rideau and Upper Rideau. Watch boats pass through the hand-operated locks at Jones Falls and Chaffey’s Lock, and browse the shops of Westport, Perth and Merrickville. Relaxed and family-friendly, with boating from late May to mid-October.
Best for: families, boating, historic towns
An hour west, the Ottawa Valley follows the wide river upstream through farmland and forest. Rent on Calabogie, Golden or Kamaniskeg Lake, raft some of the best whitewater in North America near Beachburg, explore the Bonnechere Caves and ski at Calabogie Peaks in winter. Expect fiddle music, step dancing and a warm, down-home welcome.
Best for: rafting, lakes, four seasons
About an hour and a half south, more than 1,800 islands dot the St. Lawrence where it leaves Lake Ontario. Take a cruise from Gananoque or Rockport, kayak through Thousand Islands National Park and visit historic Kingston. September is warm and calm on the water, and island cottages make a stay you will remember.
Best for: boating, kayaking, island cottages
One and a half to two hours away, north of Kingston, hundreds of rocky, clear lakes and small hamlets mean few crowds. Paddle under Mazinaw Rock in Bon Echo Provincial Park, a 100-metre cliff with Indigenous pictographs, or simply settle into a quiet cottage on Sharbot, Big Gull or Skootamatta Lake.
Best for: quiet lakes, canoeing, good value
About three hours to the East Gate, Algonquin is Ontario’s most famous wilderness: moose along Highway 60, public wolf howls and endless lakes to paddle. Cottages around the park’s edges, in Whitney, Dwight and Oxtongue Lake, put you minutes from the trails. Late September brings some of the best fall colours in Canada, so book early.
Best for: wildlife, paddling, fall colours
Every cottage on our site is rented directly from its owner, with no booking fees. Open a region above to see cottages for rent there, read the full local guide and write to the owner about your dates.
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Updated 2026-10-22
