Join us for...

bicycling ♦ canoeing ♦ cross-country skiing ♦ hiking ♦ skating ♦ snowshoeing ♦ walking ♦ day outings ♦ evening outings ♦ weekend trips ♦ social events

Become a member!

We invite you to become a member and support the OOC. A membership bought now will be valid until the end of 2020.

COVID-19 - June 22

With the gradual opening of activities in both Ontario and Quebec, we are happy to say that we now feel that it's safe to start offering hikes again, keeping the guidelines recommended by the public health officials uppermost in our planning.

Not surprisingly (and sadly), we now have a list of restrictions that we normally don't have. We normally accept non-members, but, with the limitations that COVID-19 imposes on us, you must be a member to participate in our activities. We will not offer carpooling, so you will have to provide your own transportation to the trailhead. The group size is limited in Ontario to fewer than the number of people we many times have on a hike, and, due to health considerations, you must pre-register for outings. Details will be provided in each schedule entry. Regarding COVID-19 potential exposure, we will not accept anyone on an outing whom public health officials would normally ask or require to self-isolate or self-quarantine.

As circumstances continue to evolve, we may open up other activities.

Our complete list of COVD-19 guidelines and requirements is available on our schedule page, where they will be updated as circumstances change.

The Ottawa Outdoor Club organizes daytime, evening, and multi-day, environmentally-sound, outdoor recreational activities year-round at minimal cost for residents of and visitors to the Ottawa and Gatineau communities. Daytime outings are planned for nearly every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Weekend trips are typically to destinations in Ontario, Quebec, and the mountain ranges in New York and New England.

COVID-19 restriction. Most outdoor activities are open to everyone. If you're not a member, we still look forward to seeing you; we'll ask you for the non-member activity fee, which you can apply fully to your membership fee when you join within a week. (Some caveats: the evening walks and Friday evening skates are free to all; some special outings, such as subsidized bus trips, are available to members only.) If you don't have a car, we carpool. Join us at the meeting location for the event, and we'll go from there.

Come alone or with friends. It's easy to join in:

  • consult the events page to see what interests you
  • check the requirements for the trip. A reasonable degree of—but not extreme—fitness is expected for most of our outings, as well as appropriate clothing, footwear, food, and liquid. If you have any questions about a trip, contact the trip leader in advance at the phone number, e-mail address, or Twitter handle provided
  • meet at the indicated starting location at the time listed for instructions and arranging carpooling (COVID-19 restriction)

Members of the Club enjoy added benefits, such as Club discounts of up to 12% at local outdoor equipment shops; free general instruction of various activities; occasional subsidized courses in leadership training and wilderness first aid; and notification of social events throughout the year, including parties, movie outings, and other events.

We are a volunteer-run club and, as a result, prices are at cost.

Become a member!

We invite you to become a member and support the OOC. A membership bought now will be valid until the end of 2020.

Who we are

Club members and visitors range from post-high-school to retirement age and, like Ottawa itself, are of many nationalities. We welcome children who are with their parent(s) or guardian(s).

Follow our Facebook group Follow our Facebook group

Member or non-member, follow our Facebook group to join our conversation and view photos of past activities.

Join us for...

bicycling ♦ canoeing ♦ cross-country skiing ♦ hiking ♦ skating ♦ snowshoeing ♦ walking ♦ day outings ♦ evening outings ♦ weekend trips ♦ social events

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