Need to beat the heat? Here are the best swimming spots in the National Capital Region.
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National Capital Commission's Canadian Museum of History Dock Swimmers jump in the Ottawa River at the launch event for the National Capital Commission's Canadian Museum of History Dock, in Gatineau, Que., on Friday, July 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
NCC Dock in Gatineau The NCC swimming dock on the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Que., behind the Canadian Museum of History. July 10, 2026. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)
NCC Dock in Gatineau Officials including the Mayor of Gatineau and the CEO of the National Capital Commission, take the plunge into the Ottawa River from the NCC's new swimming dock near the Canadian Museum of History. July 10, 2026. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)
National Capital Commission's Canadian Museum of History Dock Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette gives a high five as she swims in the Ottawa River during the launch event for the National Capital Commission's Canadian Museum of History Dock in Gatineau, Que., on Friday, July 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
National Capital Commission's Canadian Museum of History Dock A swimmer dives off a floating dock in the Ottawa River at the launch event for the National Capital Commission's Canadian Museum of History Dock, in Gatineau, Que., on Friday, July 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Mooney's Bay Mooney's Bay in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa heat Tatiana Martynova enjoying a dip in the water at Mooney's Bay with her family. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa
Family at Mooney's Bay Beach A family enjoys the beach at Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Mooney's Bay, Ottawa Sunbathers at Mooney's Bay beach in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)
East Wharf Dock People cool off at the newly opened East Wharf Dock on Canada Day in Ottawa amid a heat warning on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Keito Newman
River House Graeme Siderius, 12, left, and Kai Lebel, 12, jump into the Ottawa River from the dock at the NCC River House in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
River House Families enjoying the hot weather at the NCC River House dock. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
Dow's Lake The National Capital Commissions recreational dock at Dow’s Lake in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)
NCC opening new swimming docks on Ottawa River Kids jump off the NCC swimming docks. (CTV News Ottawa)
Dow's Lake People sit on the recreational dock at Dow's Lake on Thursday. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Dow's Lake The National Capital Commission dock at Dow’s Lake. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)
Commissioners Park The NCC's new recreational dock in the water at Dows Lake. Muskoka chairs have been set up for people to sit. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
Dows Lake A look at the new NCC recreational dock at Dows Lake. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
Dow's Lake Bob Rinfret jumps into Dow's Lake for a swim. The NCC opened a swimming section off the recreational dock. (Tyler Fleming/CTV News Ottawa)
Dow's Lake The National Capital Commission recreational dock at Dow's Lake. There are chairs for seating and the dock can be used to access the water by a kayak or paddleboard. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
NCC recreational dock The National Capital Commission recreational dock in the water at Dow's Lake. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
Dows Lake in Ottawa A dog lies on a dock as a person rests in a lawn chair at the marina at Dows Lake in Ottawa. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Westboro Beach People enjoy Westboro Beach in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Keeping cool at Westboro Beach A lifeguard looks on from beside a station offering free life jackets to borrow, as people swim at Westboro Beach, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Keeping cool at Westboro Beach A lifeguard looks on as people swim at Westboro Beach in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Keeping cool at Westboro Beach A boy pours water into a sand castle with his grandmother Anna at Westboro Beach, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Keeping cool at Westboro Beach Lillian, 8, floats on her back in the water of the Ottawa River as she cools off at Westboro Beach, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Keeping cool at Westboro Beach A mallard duck bobs among the swimmers at Westboro Beach, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Britannia Beach A lifeguard is seen at Britannia Beach as people take to the waters and shores of the Ottawa River in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Ottawa sunny beach Beachgoers in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)
Victoria Day Canada People swim in the Ottawa River at Britannia Beach in Ottawa. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)
Ottawa beach A lifeguard patrols an Ottawa beach. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)
Britannia Beach Lifeguards work at Britannia Beach of the Ottawa River in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Britannia Beach Swimmers at Britannia Beach on a hot summer day in Ottawa. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)
Britannia Beach The swimming area at Britannia Beach during a heat wave in Ottawa. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)
Britannia Beach Youssef Ismail, left, and Andre Gallant leap into the water to catch a frisbee tossed by a friend as they cool off at Britannia Beach in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Britannia Beach A lifeguard works at Britannia Beach in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Ottawa wading pool Children enjoy a wading pool in Ottawa. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa wading pool A child enjoying one of Ottawa's wading pools. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa hot weather summer splash pad Kids cool off at a splash pad in Ottawa. (Maddison de Varennes/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa heat Kids cool off at an Ottawa splash pad. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa splash pad The city of Ottawa's first solar-powered splash pad in Cyrville Park in the city's east end.
Splash pad in Ottawa Lexie F. plays at a splash pad in Ottawa. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Ottawa splash pad Lexie F. plays at a splash pad in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Hannah Davis splash pad Hannah Davis running though a sprinkler at an Ottawa splash pad. (Dave Charbonneau / CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa splash pads People cool off at an Ottawa splash pad. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)
Ottawa splash pad Kids cool off at a splash pad in Ottawa. (Dave Charbonneau / CTV News Ottawa)
Petrie Island Beach Petrie Island Beach in Ottawa’s east end. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)
Petrie Island Several flocked to Petrie Island to enjoy the beach. (Jackie Perez/CTV News Ottawa)
Heat wave in Ottawa Kevin Benoit-Simard and Taylor Endicott take dog Buddy for a cool down swim in the Ottawa River across from Ottawa in Gatineau, Que. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
