Ottawa Locks Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Ottawa Locks. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour

• Ottawa Highlights 3.5-Hour Bike Tour

• Ottawa Boat Cruise—Rideau Canal Cruise

There’s no cost to visit the Ottawa Locks. You can take a self-guided walking tour along the Rideau Canal and pass the locks and other points of historical interest along the way. To get a different view, you can take a boat cruise on the canal for about US$40, or a cycle tour from about US$60.

Yes, the Ottawa Locks on the Rideau Canal are definitely worth visiting. They're part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and are an interesting feature of Ottawa's landscape. Take a self-guided stroll past the eight locks, stopping at sites of interest along the way, including historic bridges, 19th-century buildings, and parks. You can also take a guided cycle tour of Ottawa, which passes the locks.

Per one customer who booked the Ottawa Highlights 3.5-Hour Bike Tour, "The bikes were of a very high standard with a comfortable saddle, appreciate that. Our guide, Alison, was friendly and knowledgeable, took us to many interesting places, and told us what to watch out for along the way. Safe city to cycle in. Even had a coffee stop in Little Italy."

It takes at least 1.5 hours to go through the eight Ottawa locks along the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River. This is the first and largest set of locks in the Rideau Lock system; it takes at least two days to complete the entire 47-lock route to Lake Ontario.

There are eight historic locks located in the Ottawa lock system along the channel of the Rideau Canal that runs through the city. This set of locks one through eight are operated by hand. A channel walk lines the locks, so you can admire them by both land and water.

The operating schedule for the locks changes monthly between May and September; the locks do not operate in the winter when the canal freezes. Opening times are generally between 9am and 10am, and closing times are around 4pm on weekdays; the locks close later on weekends and holidays.

Though you can sometimes find last-minute availability for Ottawa Locks river cruises, it’s a good idea to book your tickets at least a few days in advance to avoid finding these popular cruises sold out. You can book Rideau Canal cruise tickets online for dates from May–September.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Ottawa Locks. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Ottawa:

• Ottawa Parliament Hill

• Rideau Canal

• Gatineau

• National Gallery of Canada (Musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada)

• ByWard Market

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Ottawa.