One - Day Trips From Ottawa: A Sunny Family Escape to Aylmer Beach & Marina, Gatineau (30 mins. from Ottawa)
- Anu ranasinghe
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
#Travel Canada with Us #DayTripsFromOttawa #2
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Some of our favourite family adventures aren't planned weeks in advance, they happen almost by accident.
Just two days before Canada Day, we decided to pack a picnic and head somewhere close to Ottawa. With the weather forecast promising plenty of sunshine, Aylmer Beach in Gatineau felt like the perfect choice for a last-minute summer getaway.
If you're someone who loves spending time by the water, relaxing on a sandy beach, soaking up the summer sunshine, or simply sitting quietly and watching the boats drift by, then Aylmer is a destination you'll want to add to your list.
Since it was Canada Day, we expected it to be busy, and it certainly was! It was one of those classic July days with blue skies, warm sunshine, and families everywhere enjoying the holiday. Many people had arrived early to claim the shaded picnic tables, while others were busy grilling delicious meals at the BBQ areas. The park was filled with laughter, children playing, and families making the most of a beautiful summer day.
Whether you're planning to cool off with a swim, let the kids enjoy the beach and playgrounds, have a picnic with your family, or simply spend a relaxing day outdoors, Aylmer Beach and Marina offer the perfect setting.
Read on to discover what makes this one of our favourite one-day trips and pick up a few tips to help you plan your own visit..
At a Glance
📍 Location: Aylmer, Gatineau, Quebec
🚗 Drive from Ottawa: 20 -30 minutes
🏖️ Best For: Families, couples, picnics, swimming, relaxing by the water
🧺 Picnic Areas: Yes, with shaded picnic tables and BBQ areas
🛝 Playground: Yes
🏊 Swimming: Yes (supervised during the summer season)
🚻 Washrooms & Change Rooms: Available during the beach season
🚗 Parking: Limited spaces at the main beach entrance. A larger parking lot is available on the right-hand side of the park, with an easy walk through the park to the beach and picnic areas.
💰 Cost: Beach access is free, though parking fees may apply during the summer season depending on the day and parking area.
🐶 Dogs: Dogs are not permitted on the beach, but they are welcome in other areas of the park when kept on a leash.
☀️ Best Time to Visit: June to early September. Arrive early on weekends and holidays to secure parking and a shaded picnic table.
Location
Aylmer Beach & Marina are located in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau, Quebec, just across the Ottawa River from Ottawa.
Drive from Downtown Ottawa: Approximately 20–30 minutes (depending on traffic)
What Families Can Enjoy
🏖️ Relax at the Beach
The sandy beach is perfect for spending a warm summer day. Parents can unwind by the water while children splash in the shallow areas, build sandcastles, or simply enjoy playing on the beach.
🛝 Playgrounds for the Kids
If your little ones need a break from the water, there are playgrounds nearby where they can climb, slide, and burn off even more energy before heading back to the beach.
🧺 Have a Picnic or BBQ
Bring along your favourite picnic foods or enjoy a family barbecue in one of the designated picnic areas. There are plenty of shaded tables throughout the park, although they fill up quickly on weekends and holidays.
⛵ Take a Walk to the Marina
After lunch, enjoy a peaceful walk to the Aylmer Marina. Watching the boats and taking in the waterfront views is a relaxing way to spend part of your afternoon, and it's also a lovely spot for family photos.
🍦 Explore Old Aylmer
Before heading home, consider stopping in Old Aylmer for an ice cream, coffee, or dinner at one of the local cafés or restaurants. It's a charming area to stroll around and end your day.
What to Bring
To make the most of your visit, we recommend packing,
Picnic lunch or BBQ supplies
Picnic baskets and picnic blankets
Table cloth for picinic tables, cuttlery, plates, cups and other utensils
Plenty of drinking water : Multiple Tumbler Carrier Caddy
Quick Dry Camping Towels / beach towels & Dry bag
Hats and sunglasses
Beach toys and sand toys
Change of clothes for the kids and adults
Coolers/ Cooler Bags, for freezies, ice creams and pop drinks and juices
Parking Tips
There is a parking lot near the main entrance to the beach, but spaces there are limited and fill up very quickly, especially on sunny weekends and holidays like Canada Day.
If the front parking lot is full, don't worry. There is another larger parking area toward the right-hand side of the park, where you'll usually find plenty of parking. From there, it's an easy walk through the beautiful park to the picnic areas and beach. We found it well worth the short walk, especially since we could bring all our picnic gear and beach essentials along with us.
A Few Helpful Tips
Arrive early if you're visiting on a weekend or holiday.
Bring plenty of water, especially during the hot summer months.
If you want one of the shaded picnic tables, try to get there in the morning.
Don't forget your sunscreen,the beach has limited natural shade.
Our Thoughts
We love discovering places that are close to Ottawa yet feel like a mini vacation, and Aylmer is definitely one of them.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach day, a family picnic, a place for the kids to swim and play, or simply somewhere to unwind by the water, Aylmer Beach has something for everyone. It's affordable, family-friendly, and only a short drive from Ottawa, making it an easy destination for a spontaneous summer adventure.
Sometimes the best memories come from the simplest plans. For us, all it took was a last-minute idea, a picnic basket, and a sunny Canada Day to create another wonderful family memory.
Explore More One-Day Adventures
If you enjoyed this family day trip, don't stop here!
Be sure to check out the other posts in our One-Day Trip Series, where we share family-friendly destinations, hidden gems, and affordable adventures across Ontario and Quebec. Whether you're looking for beaches, small towns, scenic train rides, nature escapes, or unique places to explore, we've got plenty of inspiration for your next weekend getaway.
Every trip is based on our own family's experiences, with practical tips, what to bring, parking information, and ideas to help you make the most of your day.
Happy exploring, and we'll see you on our next adventure!
Happy Reading!
Anu
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