Carp River Conservation Area in Kanata: Trail Report

The trails within the city of Ottawa are diverse, interesting, beautiful, and in abundance. #whoknew So when Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority picked up Carp River as a new Conservation Area right in the heart of city life – it was exciting. Not only is it a a nice wide and relatively flat 4km trail, but it also makes for a stunning sunset backdrop.

Suggested Stops

It’s easy to recommend Carp for shops and stops if you’d like to make this a day trip. In Carp there’s the Crazy Horse trail, Alice’s Cafe, Ridge Rock Brewing Company, other shops and of course, the Deifenbunker museum. You can combine this hike with the Crazy Horse Trail, Sheila McKee Park, South Marsh Conservation Area, or Shirley’s Bay.

Important Insights

The Carp River CA is a great place to promote curiousity become a citizen scientist by using @inaturalistorg⁠ app or @team_ebird. These can be used to complete The Eco Activist Series challenge.⁠ “Consider this new conservation area as a gateway to nature; connecting the community to the pulsing vitality of riparian shorelines: wading birds, pollinators and wildflowers, basking turtles, river otters, and the seasonal rhythm of migrating birds.” – MVCA

Land Acknowledgement

These are the lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) people.⁠ It is important as avid hikers and stewards of the land, to acknowledge and understand the full story our surroundings along with the people that care for her, both past and present. As sourced from native-land.ca, if there are corrections please send to victoria@girlgonegood.com.

Land Management

Carp River Conservation Area is managed by Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. Did you know the area of responsibility for Conservation Authorities are determined by watershed areas. MVCA extends from Bon Echo PP to Fitzroy Harbour! MVCA includes the following conservation areas: ⁠Mill of Kintail: Currently dressed to the nines making it the perfect holiday backdrop, Carp CA located near Tanger Outlet Mall⁠, Purdon CA which is fully accessible, boardwalk, hundreds of wild orchids bloom every June, PCCA: A favourite hike with two vista lookouts and public beach., Morris Island CA: Accessible, looks like a group of 7 painting, and plenty of wildlife, and Roy Brown Park: At MVCA HQ with a 500m trail and off leash dog park.⁠

GPS Coordinates

45.31176888009747, -75.93418743048352

Street Address

Terry Fox Drive (at Kanata Ave), Ottawa, ON

Directions

Take the 417W and exit at Castlefrank. Take Kanata Ave (right) then a left on Goldridge Dr and a left on Insmill Crescent. Park at Insmill Park and walk along Terry Fox drive to Carp River CA.

Parking

None.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

None

Accessibility

Yes

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

Hours of Operation

All seasons. Open dawn to dusk daily.

Trail Map

Available from Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.

Trailhead

Located at the Terry Fox and Kanata Ave.

Number of Trails

Total Distance (km)

Elevation Gain (m)

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Ecological Significance

Activities

Hiking, Birding

Dogs

Permitted on-leash. Absolutely no off-leash permitted. See the Ultimate Guide to Hiking with Dogs in Ottawa and Region.

Trail Description

There is currently 2kms of the planned 4km trail open to the public. Making for a nice loop of the main area around the river and habitat pond. Eventually the trail leading down to Campeau will be completed. The trail itself is wide, mix of paved and small gravel sections, flat, and easy to walk. There is interpretive signs along the pathway. This area really allows to see the winding Carp River in all her beauty. The trail is accessible in that it is flat and wide. There is a habitat pond on the north west end. The trail also features a nice picturesque bridge along the looped section with high grass areas to promote wildlife.

Other Hiking Trails

AOG Gallery Art Trail in Frankville: Trail Report

Trail Map

Trailhead

Carp River Conservation Area in Kanata: Trail Report