Ottawa's Outdoor Community · 613 Outings

Nature is for Everyone

We remove barriers to the outdoors in Ottawa so every community can explore nature safely and joyfully.

Join next outing Our story
NNEA
100Outings Completed
10Outings 2026
Coming up

Upcoming outings

This outing is made possible by
Manjot Singh Manjot Singh
Next outing · In 4 days
Hike
AUG 30 SUN

Hike

  • Sun, 30 Aug · 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Lusk Caves
  • Free
  • 28 of 30 spots left

Volunteer-led guided hike · Carpool coordination from Ottawa · Trail briefing for first-timers

Register now Full details
Sand Banks
SEP 18 FRI

Sand Banks

  • Fri, 18 Sep · 8:00 AM Sat – 2:00 PM Sun
  • $199 per person
  • 20 spots

Three meals · Camping equipment · Bonfire, fireside chat and jam …

Register · $199 Full details
Our community in action

See what we do

Moments from our outings, workshops and community events.

Hover to pause · tap a photo to enlarge · full gallery →

What we do

Breaking barriers, one trail at a time

🚗

Transportation

Carpools and shared rides to trailheads across Ottawa — no car needed.

🥾

Guided outings

Beginner-friendly, volunteer-led hikes and walks for every skill level.

🎶

Community events

Jam nights, cultural gatherings and game nights beyond the trails.

📚

Workshops

Hiking basics, trail safety and what to pack — built for first-timers.

Support our mission

Help us keep the outdoors open to everyone

Your support covers transportation, volunteer training and community events.

Donate
Who we are

About NNEA

Ottawa's volunteer-run outdoor community.

Our story

Nature should be for everyone

NNEA began as a small group in Ottawa with a singular vision: to make the beauty and benefits of nature accessible to all.

We recognised that barriers like transportation, unfamiliarity with the trails, and lack of experience keep many people — especially newcomers and students — from enjoying the outdoors.

Everything we do is volunteer-led and community-funded.

Our mission

We aim to remove barriers to outdoor recreation by providing essential access, resources and community support. Outdoor spaces should not be for a select few — they should welcome everyone, whatever their background or skill level.

Our vision and values

We picture a city where outdoor spaces are not only reachable but genuinely welcoming. Five values guide the work: inclusivity, community, safety, wellness and respect for the land.

  • Inclusivity
  • Community
  • Safety
  • Wellness
  • Environmental respect
The people behind NNEA

Our volunteer team

AA

Anirudh Arora

Camp Leader & Director

EB

Eshaan Bansal

Camp Leader & Director

Common questions

Frequently asked

Who can join an outing?+

Anyone. Our outings are designed for all skill levels, including people heading out on a trail for the very first time.

What if I do not have a car?+

We organise carpools and shared rides for our outings. Transportation is one of the biggest barriers to getting outdoors in Ottawa, so we plan around it.

How do I hear about new outings?+

Follow our social links or get in touch and we will make sure you hear about the next one.

Can I volunteer?+

Yes — we are entirely volunteer-run and always looking for outing leaders, drivers and helping hands. Send us a message and we will find you a spot.

Ready to explore with us?

Whether you want to hike, volunteer, or support the mission — there is a place for you.

Join an outing Support us
What we offer

Our Programs

Every program removes one more barrier between you and the outdoors.

Program 01

🚗Transportation

Carpools and shared rides to trailheads across Ottawa — no car needed.

Program 02

🥾Guided outings

Beginner-friendly, volunteer-led hikes and walks for every skill level.

Program 03

🎶Community events

Jam nights, cultural gatherings and game nights beyond the trails.

Program 04

📚Workshops

Hiking basics, trail safety and what to pack — built for first-timers.

Want to take part?

Get in touch and we will point you to the next outing.

See what is coming up
Coming up

Events

Outings, workshops and community nights across Ottawa and Gatineau.

30 AUG Hike Hike Sun, 30 Aug · 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Lusk Caves Free 28 left Tap for full details →

Supported by

Manjot Singh Manjot Singh
Hike

What's included

  • Volunteer-led guided hike
  • Carpool coordination from Ottawa
  • Trail briefing for first-timers

Not included

  • Food and snacks
  • Personal hiking gear
  • Park entry where it applies

What to bring

  • Reusable water bottle
  • Hiking shoes with grip
  • Snacks for the trail
  • Layers — it is cooler in the woods
  • Bug spray
  • Rain jacket if the sky looks unsure

Good to know

  • We leave from the meeting point on time, so please arrive ten minutes early
  • The pace is easy — nobody gets left behind
  • Dogs on a leash are welcome unless the trail says otherwise
Register
18 SEP Sand Banks Sand Banks Fri, 18 Sep · 8:00 AM Sat – 2:00 PM Sun $199 20 spots Tap for full details →
Sand Banks

What $199 includes

  • Three meals
  • Camping equipment
  • Bonfire, fireside chat and jam
  • Guided hike
  • Camping permit
  • Paddle boards

Not included

  • Transportation — gas and parking are split between the car
  • Alcohol and personal drinks
  • Personal toiletries and medication
  • Travel insurance

What to bring

  • Reusable water bottle
  • Jacket for the evening
  • Toiletries
  • Covered clothes for the campsite — mosquitoes
  • Swim, beach or canoe clothing
  • Hiking shoes and sandals
  • Light meal or snacks for the road
  • Poly bag for wet clothes
  • Power bank
  • Bug spray suited to your skin
  • Blanket if you feel the cold

Good to know

  • Departure Saturday 8 AM, back in Ottawa around 2 PM Sunday
  • Vault toilets are close to the campsite
  • Comfort stations with running water and showers are a five minute drive
  • Sleeping bags are rated to 5C — bring a blanket if you sleep cold
  • Guides teach you how to pitch a tent, so no experience is needed
Register · $199
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What to expect

All skill levelsBeginners are genuinely welcome, first-time hikers included.
Trained leadersEvery outing is led by volunteers who know the route.
Carpools arrangedNo car needed — we organise rides to the trailhead.
Newcomer friendlyNew to Canada or new to Ottawa, you will find your footing here.

Questions before you join? Email info@nnea.ca or call +1 (343) 988-8722.

Outings we have already run

A hundred outings and counting. This is what the last few looked like.

24 Jul 2026 Sherbet Lake
What it adds up to

Community impact

NNEA brings people together through nature — connection, wellness, and a stronger Ottawa.

100Outings Completed
10Outings 2026
Our services

Where the work goes

🌱

Youth outdoors

Programs built to spark curiosity and respect for nature in young people.

♿

Accessible trails

We look for and share paths that welcome every ability and age, so nobody is left at the trailhead.

🥬

Community gardens

Gardens that bring neighbours together, growing food and friendships in shared green space.

🚶

Wellness walks

Guided walks at an easy pace, for mental health as much as for the exercise.

Come and see for yourself

The next outing is the easiest way to understand what we do.

See what is coming up
Lend a hand

Get involved

Two ways to be part of this — give your time, or back it as a business.

🙋

Volunteer with us

Join our community of outing leaders, event hosts, drivers, photographers and helping hands. No outdoor experience is needed — just some enthusiasm for helping other people get outside.

Roles we always need

  • Outing leader
  • Event host
  • Driver for carpools
  • Photographer
  • General helping hand
Offer to help
🤝

Partnerships and sponsorships

We work with organisations, cultural groups and businesses that share our aim of accessibility, community wellness and outdoor education. Partners help us reach further and do more.

What a sponsor gets

  • Your logo on the outings you back
  • A credit on every registration page for those outings
  • A mention to our community on Instagram and WhatsApp
  • Figures you can use — heads, outings, photos

1 outings run · 3 places booked · 2 coming up

Talk to us about sponsoring

Not sure which one fits?

Send a message and we will work it out together — most people start by just coming on an outing.

Get in touch See the outings
Moments from the trail

Gallery

Photos and videos from our outings, workshops and community events.

Hover to pause · tap any photo to enlarge

Support our mission

Donate

Every dollar removes one more barrier between someone and the outdoors.

Where your money goes

Help us keep the outdoors open to everyone

Your support covers transportation, volunteer training and community events.

Other ways to help

Volunteer as an outing leader · Offer your car for carpools · Help run a community event · Share our outings with your network

Make a donation

One thing worth knowing. On the last screen Zeffy asks for a tip of its own, and fills in a suggested amount. It is optional — set it to 0 in the dropdown if you would rather everything came to us. Either way your donation to NNEA is the amount you chose.

The donation form is not connected yet.

In the meantime, email info@nnea.ca and we will sort it out with you directly.

Get in touch

Contact us

Have a question about an outing, want to volunteer, or interested in partnering with us? We would love to hear from you.

Emailinfo@nnea.ca
Phone+1 (343) 988-8722
LocationOttawa, ON
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