The 5 Best Camping Spots in Ottawa
Camping in Ottawa is a great way to experience the scenic landscape of the capital of Canada. You can easily escape the busy city life by traveling just a few minutes out of the city.
If you’re planning for a week-long road trip or a weekend break, you don’t have to travel far. You can enjoy the best camping spots in Ottawa and we’ve curated this list just for you!
How Much Does Camping Cost in Ottawa
We put together the estimated prices of camping grounds, accommodations, and recreational vehicles (RV) parks for your convenience. Keep in mind that the price range differs depending on the facilities available on the camping ground.
Other fees you may also need to pay include additional persons, extra vehicles, late-check outs, and use of facilities in the campgrounds. If you’re low in supplies, most of them have stores inside the parks.
Best Camping Spots in Ottawa
Ottawa has a wealth of camping spots for you to enjoy under a blanket of stars and fresh air. There are different spots and each has its own charm.
We created this list with your leisure and convenience in mind. To ensure a stress-free getaway, we used the following standards in curating this list:
1. Wesley Clover Parks Campground
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Availability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Facilities and Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Activities and Services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Topping the list is the locally famous Wesley Clover Parks Campground. It was formerly known as the Ottawa Municipal Campground and has provided a unique “camping in the city” experience since 1969.
We really love Wesley Clover Parks Campground because they offer trails, places to bike, and varied amenities. It promises a beautiful and unforgettable getaway for anyone who visits.
They boast of having everything an urban camper needs. Wesley Clover Parks Campground also caters to different types of campers, may they stay on RVs, trailers, tents, or in their available cabins.
We’re impressed with their cabins because they provide a glamorous camping or “glamping” experience. Some of the amenities they offer include modern conveniences like microwaves, beds, a mini-fridge, and electricity.
For a truly rustic experience, the breathtaking setting of the natural environment is perfect for tents and mobile homes. You can set up a picnic table and a fire pit and surround yourself with friends and family.
Despite being close to the city, we’re really impressed with how the park offers the “wilderness experience”. They also have a ton of activities to choose from like hiking, horseback riding, forest school for kids, and even skiing during the winter.
We recommend Wesley Clover Parks Campground during the Christmas season to see their Christmas Wonderland Display. Cars line up for hours just to witness all the breathtaking lights and presentations that stretch over 2km long.
They have water, electricity, Wi-Fi, shower rooms, and dump stations throughout the site, what more can you ask for? Drop by the park and see it for yourself!
Pros
- Huge cabins
- Complimentary Wi-Fi spots
- Lots of amenities
Cons
- Max 7 consecutive nights for campers
- Minimum of 2 nights stay for cabins
- No washing of RVs and vehicles in the park
Customer Reviews
The facilities are clean and in great shape
“My sister and her family camped here for a week while visiting Ottawa. They camp quite a bit around the province and said this was one of the nicest for-profit campgrounds they’ve been to. We visited for an evening and it looked lovely. Plenty of tree cover. The facilities are clean and in great shape. There’s a small, old playground that the kids enjoyed. A great campground considering how close it is to city centre.” – John Freamo
One word. Spectacular!
“The place opens at 5pm, but be prepared for at least half an hour wait as the two long car lineups merge into one. Well worth the wait, driving at snail pace to the gate, as the 2 km journey inside takes just under 40 mins with lights display on each side of the one-way drive. Get your camera ready and as you tune in the 100.3FM, your video picks up all the Christmas Carols. Fortunately, it was not too cold and we were able to get lots of shots through the sunroof. Happy is see many Christmas themes in all the truly magic of lights coming alive. As we exit just before 7pm, we see the lineup way longer than we started. A must see annual attraction.” – Sylvio L
2. Ottawa’s Poplar Grove Campground/ RV Park
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Availability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Facilities and Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Activities and Services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
You might have heard about this family-owned establishment, the Ottawa’s Poplar Grove Campground/ RV Park. It’s famous among RV and trailer owners plus they have a direct route to Parliament Hill and all scenic attractions in Ottawa.
One of the things we love most is Ottawa’s Poplar Grove Campground’s indoor heated swimming pool. It’s perfect if you want to take a dip during the winter or try aquafit classes without shivering underwater.
We like that Ottawa’s Poplar Grove Campground/ RV Park offers a quiet and family atmosphere. The park also has a lot of activities to offer like horseback riding, rollerblading, and a playground for kids.
If you have pets, the site welcomes them too! As long as you keep them on a leash and clean up after them, your kids and pets are free and safe to roam around the area with you.
We appreciate how the site also has three sets of washrooms with free hot showers. Not only that, but they also provide 6 laundromats that are available 24/7.
We wondered why they always seem to have a lot of RVs and trailers parked near the playground. The place was actually their RV storing area where you can store your RV, Trailer, Tent Trailer, Boat & Trailer, or Utility Trailer on per weekly, monthly, and even seasonal basis.
Pros
- Lot of activities to choose from
- RV parking/storing area
- Large playground
Cons
- Non-refundable deposits
- Strict checkout time
- One camping unit & one vehicle per site
Customer Reviews
The staff is very friendly
“I really enjoy this campground. It is really well treed and serene, and the sites are all nature and calming. The staff is very friendly too. You do get some noise pollution with planes starting to descend for the Ottawa Airport, but it’s actually kind of cool seeing the different planes at night when you’re hanging out around the campfire. I will definitely come here again.” – Tammy Rediger
The indoor pool was awesome
“If you are looking for a campground to relax this is it. Stayed there for 9 nights and got some of the best sleep I have ever had while camping. The staff was friendly and pleasant. The indoor pool was awesome to cool down on hot days in the pool without being in the hot sun. You can tell this campground has been there for a while but what you need works and is kept clean. If you are looking for a place to party this place may not be for you, but if you are looking for a place to relax in the evening after spending the day in Ottawa (only minutes away) then this is it.” – Sandra Statton
3. Camp Hither Hills
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Facilities and Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Activities and Services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Camp Hither Hills is one of our personal favorites because of their dog park. Most camping grounds are open to pets but are strict on having them on a leash.
We love how pet-friendly the site is as they have a waste disposal station for pets all over the area. They also have a wide area surrounding the camping site which is perfect for playing catch.
We’re impressed with their spacious 30/50 amp sites with new patios that accommodate any RV or trailer size. Each RV site is serviced with electrical, water, sewer, plus it has its own picnic table and fire ring too.
Camp Hither Hills also has a dedicated tent area which we enjoyed and you surely would too. They also provide free Wi-Fi with 5 towers strategically placed throughout the park.
While they may not have a pool guard on duty, we appreciate how they still impose the rules as strictly as possible. The pool only opens from 12 noon to sunset and children under 16 must have adult supervision at all times too for extra safety measures.
The site also boasts a perfect 10 rating of their restrooms and a 9 on their facilities and appeal. They also have friendly campers that are always on their feet to assist anyone.
Pros
- Daily, weekly, and monthly rates available
- Free Wi-FI
Cons
- Doesn’t accommodate calls or reservations on Sundays
- Clotheslines are not permitted
Customer Reviews
Very nice full-service sites with patio
Best place to stay when visiting Ottawa. Family-owned and operated for over 50years! The park has changed with the times offering very nice full-service sites with patio, grass, trees, and a place to park my tow-behind. Adorable and very close to city and amenities like shopping and restaurants but still maintain a rural quiet place to rest and relax. – Pauleewog Millar
Nice grounds, and spacious sites
This park is conveniently located just south of Ottawa, making for easy access into the city. It is also big rig friendly, which is not always the case here in Ontario. The park has nice grounds, spacious sites, and is very quiet. We especially appreciated the concrete patio by our door. The laundry was well equipped and the dog run is always an appreciated feature. Family-owned and operated. Thanks! – Lynne Penniket
4. Sleepy Cedars Family Campground
| Criteria | Rating |
| Availability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Facilities and Accessibility | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Activities and Services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Sleepy Cedars Family Campground started with only 22 campsites in 1992 and now has 130 sites nestled under a cedar forest. It is locally owned and you might just meet the owners who live on-site in their RV and trailer home.
What caught our attention here is their 43 acres nature walk path. You can enjoy the freshest air you’ve ever breathed under the tall cedar trees, which is perfect for nature lovers and we highly suggest you bring bicycles as well.
Sleepy Cedars Family Campground is a great site for those with families. Kids will enjoy the playground, mini-golf course and mini-putt. However, their heated saltwater swimming pool was one of our favorites because it has a dunk tank and a slide for both adults and children to enjoy.
We love their large group tenting space too. It even has nearby toilets and shower rooms available for campers within the tenting area.
Pros
- Large area for trailers
- Tent sites has no services
Cons
- No free/complimentary Wi-Fi
- No cabins for accommodation
Customer Reviews
Very clean with a wide-open space
TENT CAMPER: A great spot, it gives you the feel of the outdoors back wood camping with the bonus of having fully equipped bathrooms, showers, and a pool to cool off in. The tent spots were very clean with a wide-open space to play catch in nearby. Typically staff is a little hesitant to rent a space to a group of teenagers however with mutual respect we were seen as just other campers. Great staff very friendly and helpful. We will be back next summer for sure!! – Emmet Graham
Very nice and inviting
“Just spent a week (Aug 22-29) here and enjoyed it very much. Very clean. The owners are fantastic and sociable and have a great sense of humor. The saltwater pool is great. Miniature Golf, small regular golf course in front, etc. When you first pull up to the Campground, it looks very nice and inviting. A very nice place if you want to stay for a bit or just a few days as you are passing through.” – Jay My
5. Rolling Hills Campground
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Availability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Facilities and Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Activities and Services | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
If you’re looking for a serene, quiet place with a great view of the Ottawa river, Rolling Hills RV Park and Campground are perfect for you. There are marinas where you can launch your boat too.
We love their new upgrades for 2022 under new ownership. They upgraded all their RV sites with modern amenities as well as a brand new sewage system.
You can enjoy their huge tent areas with beautiful scenery from every angle. Tent campers really appreciate the unisex showers and bathroom stalls too.
If you want firewood for your campfire or ice for your drinks, they have a park store ready to provide you with a wide range of products to choose from.
We like that they have free Wi-Fi so you can share your experience in real-time on social media. You can scroll through your feed and enjoy life while lounging by their heated outdoor pool.
Rolling Hills RV Park and Campground also upgraded their electrical system for the safety, reliability, and convenience of their campers. Most of all, we’re big fans of how it was so easy to book accommodations through their website.
Pros
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
Cons
- Selective in dog breeds they permit to enter
- Clothesline are not permitted
Customer Reviews
Substantial upgrades happening at the campground
“I called and left a message and Jean-Yves from the campground called me back quickly. We were researching places to stay this coming summer, he was super knowledgeable, and helpful about the area and activities. Sounds like there are substantial upgrades happening at the campground. The easiest and most friendly/knowledgeable conversation I have had with a campground. It’s nice when management are passionate about what they’re doing, it’s apparent that these guys are; I left the conversation as excited as they are about the campground.” – Brendan O’Hara
Beautiful place
“Under new management. Beautiful place. Friendly and cordial people.” – Pierre Lavigne
FAQs about the Best Camping Spots in Ottawa
We hope this guide helped you on your camping trip. Don’t forget to share and drop a comment if you can recommend a camping spot that deserves to be on the list.
There are so many things you can do in Ottawa for leisure and unplug. Check out our other articles for fun activities you can do in the city: