The Rideau Canal is North America’s best-preserved “slackwater” canal, and the only one from the great 19th century canal-building era that still operates along its original route with most of its original structures intact. Today, Parks Canada welcomes visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to experience travel along an iconic route. Pleasure boaters and paddlers fill the locks, while other visitors come by land to marvel at the historic locks in action.
Safety notice – The Rideau Canal National Historic Site – including the Ottawa Locks – is not a place for unauthorized activities like ski jumping. Lock stations are closed to the public from October 14, 2025, to May 14, 2026, and are not maintained during this period. Winter conditions can be icy and unpredictable, with concealed hazards. Unauthorized activities are prohibited under the Historic Canals Regulations. For everyone’s safety, enforcement has been increased, and violations may result in fines.