Ottawa winters are long enough that the city has an actual approved list of sledding hills, complete with risk assessments and, in some cases, night lighting. This roundup pulls together ten of the most consistently recommended spots across the city, from steep former ski hills to gentle slopes built for toddlers, based on the City of Ottawa's own sledding hills program and the National Capital Commission's Greenbelt tobogganing sites.
A quick note before you go: conditions change fast. The city can close a hill mid-winter if a thaw or ice buildup makes it unsafe, so check current status before loading up the car.
1. Carlington Park
Area: Carlington, 937 Clyde Avenue
Carlington Park sits on one of the highest points in the city and used to operate as an actual ski hill, which explains why it's consistently named the steepest and fastest tobogganing run in Ottawa. It's lit at night and has parking at the nearby J. Alph Dulude Arena, but the runs are long and fast enough that most guides steer younger kids elsewhere. Sledding is restricted on the east side of the hill, so stick to the main slope.
2. Walter Baker Park
Area: Kanata, near Terry Fox Drive and Hazeldean
This is a man-made hill built specifically for sledding, and it's often described as the longest run in the city. It's lit at night, has parking at the Kanata Recreation Complex, and the slope is moderate enough to suit a wide range of ages rather than just thrill-seekers. Its size and lighting make it one of the more heavily used hills in the west end.
3. Mooney's Bay Park
Area: 2960 Riverside Drive
Mooney's Bay is a large, man-made hill with a gradual-to-semi-steep slope, wide sightlines and long run-off areas, which makes it easier to keep an eye on multiple kids at once. It isn't lit at night, so plan for daytime visits, and parking is available at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. Some coverage notes a chain-link fence on the north side, so it's worth sledding away from that edge.
4. Green's Creek
Area: Gloucester, National Capital Greenbelt
Green's Creek turns up on nearly every list of Ottawa sledding spots because it's a big, multi-level hill that's wide and clear of obstructions, with parking at the P26 lot. It's one of the National Capital Commission's designated Greenbelt tobogganing sites and is lit in the evenings, which keeps it busy well after dark in peak winter.
5. Bruce Pit
Area: Nepean, Stony Swamp section of the Greenbelt
Bruce Pit is a former sand and gravel pit that now doubles as an off-leash dog park and a large sledding hill. The NCC notes it offers great daytime sliding but isn't lit at night, so this is a sunlight-hours destination. It sits in the Stony Swamp section of the Greenbelt, one of the largest protected natural areas in the region, and parking near Cedarview Road across from Bell High School fills up fast on weekends.
6. Conroy Pit
Area: Hunt Club, Pine Grove Forest section of the Greenbelt
Another former gravel pit repurposed by the NCC, Conroy Pit is known for steep, fast runs and, unlike Bruce Pit, it's lit at night from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. That makes it one of the better after-dark options in the south end. It's a short walk in from the P17 parking lot through Pine Grove Forest, so bring a flashlight for the approach even if the hill itself is lit.
7. Loyola Park
Area: Gloucester
Loyola Park has a large, natural hill with multiple levels, mixing steeper drops with gentler stretches so it works for a range of comfort levels in the same group. Parking is on surrounding residential streets rather than a dedicated lot, so expect to walk a short distance on busy days.
8. Craig Henry Park
Area: Nepean
Craig Henry is a medium-sized, man-made hill with a gradual slope, which puts it firmly in the beginner-friendly category. It's not lit at night, but the easy climb and forgiving grade make it a good pick for younger kids who aren't ready for Carlington or Conroy Pit.
9. Ski Hill Park
Area: Gloucester
Despite the name, this is a family-oriented hill rather than a high-speed run. It's large, with gentle turns and gradual slopes, and it isn't lit at night. On-site parking makes it a straightforward option for a quick after-school sledding trip.
10. Marcel Lalande Park
Area: Cumberland
This is one of the smallest, gentlest hills on the list, purpose-built for toddlers and young children who are just starting out. There's no night lighting, and parking is generally at nearby schools rather than a dedicated lot, but for a first sledding trip with a small child, the low-stakes slope is the point.
