Britannia Beach

About Britannia Beach

Britannia Beach sits on the Ottawa River about 15 km west of downtown, at the western end of the Ottawa River cycling pathway. It combines a large sandy beach with one of the most ecologically important natural areas in urban Ottawa — the Mud Lake Conservation Area, a 60-hectare wetland that draws birders from across the region.

The Beach

Britannia Beach is a spacious sandy beach on the Ottawa River with supervised swimming from mid-June through late August. Lifeguards are on duty daily from noon to 7 PM during the summer season.

The beach is known for its shallow water — swimmers can walk well out toward the pier without going above chest height, making it a good choice for families with young children. Facilities include washrooms, outdoor showers, and change areas.

Water quality is tested throughout the summer by Ottawa Public Health.

Mud Lake Conservation Area

Adjacent to the beach, the Britannia Conservation Area (commonly called Mud Lake) is a 60-hectare provincially significant wetland managed by the NCC. It's one of the premier birding sites in all of Canada:

• 248+ bird species recorded — 74% of the Ottawa regional total
• 34 warbler species, including rare Connecticut, Yellow-throated, and Cerulean warblers
• Britannia Point offers Ottawa's best gull-watching, with 19 of the region's 21 gull/tern species documented
• 44 rare and 15 uncommon plant species

The conservation area has 3–5 km of trails through mature forest, wetlands, and along the river. Trails are natural surface with some boardwalk sections.

Note: Dogs and pets are not permitted in the Mud Lake conservation area. Cycling is also not allowed on the conservation trails (erosion concern) — only on the main Capital Pathway.

Cycling Connection

Britannia Beach is directly on the Capital Pathway (NCC), which runs continuously from downtown Ottawa through Westboro Beach to Britannia and onward to Andrew Haydon Park. A roundtrip ride from downtown is approximately 30 km.

See our cycling trails guide → for route details.

Food and Dining

• Baja Burger Shack (100 Greenview Ave) — Seasonal burger restaurant, typically open May through fall
• Beachconers Microcreamery — Small-batch frozen treats with seasonal flavours
• Britannia Coffeehouse — Year-round café nearby with coffee and baked goods

Getting There

• By Transit: OC Transpo Route 51 from Tunney's Pasture to Britannia Park Loop
• By Car: Free parking in lots off Greenview Avenue. Can fill up quickly on summer weekends — arrive early
• By Bike: On the Ottawa River Pathway / Capital Pathway, ~15 km from downtown