Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This vast and scenic Ottawa park is ideal for walking, biking or cross-country skiing and also houses the MacKenzie King Estate, once the home of Canada's former Prime Minister.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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19 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,053 reviews
Excellent
772
Very good
249
Average
15
Poor
10
Terrible
7
haveboozewilltravel
Murrieta, CA666 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Gatineau Park is accessed by car from Ottawa just a few miles north in Quebec. My wife and I spent most of a day there. Try to avoid weekends when parking is restricted and plan not to visit most major portions of the park until after 12Noon as many of the main access roads are closed to cars in the morning (only hikers and bikers)
On weekdays, parking is free except for the Mackenzie Estate. When we arrived at the Gatineau south entrance, we only then realized the park road to continue north has closed until noon. Many locals were not aware of this and were very unhappy.
We took some advice and then drove north on Route 5 east of Gatineau Park to Wakefield Covered Bridge (just outside the park) which is well worth the trip especially if you go during fall foliage. We went yesterday, October 5, 2022 and the fall colors were spectacular all along Route 5. There were access points into Gatineau connecting with Route 5 that were open before 12Noon. The one we took was a dirt road. We arrived at the gate to Mackenzie Estate about 15 minutes before Noon. Cars were already lined up.
Mackenzie Estate was well worth the visit because of the fall colors. When we went to use the parking ticket machine, several visitors wished us good luck as the machines were not working properly. One couple who had purchased a ticket and were leaving, gave me theirs which I put on my car dash. I would have purchased my own ticket if it had been feasible.
We then drove to Pink Lake which was nice, but had very few parking spaces. If I could have accessed this in the morning, the light would have been better. The lookout itself was disappointing because a tree was blocking the view.
When we were shut out of the park from the south entrance yesterday morning, we did have the bonus of seeing a black bear on the road as we were leaving. God works in strange ways!
On weekdays, parking is free except for the Mackenzie Estate. When we arrived at the Gatineau south entrance, we only then realized the park road to continue north has closed until noon. Many locals were not aware of this and were very unhappy.
We took some advice and then drove north on Route 5 east of Gatineau Park to Wakefield Covered Bridge (just outside the park) which is well worth the trip especially if you go during fall foliage. We went yesterday, October 5, 2022 and the fall colors were spectacular all along Route 5. There were access points into Gatineau connecting with Route 5 that were open before 12Noon. The one we took was a dirt road. We arrived at the gate to Mackenzie Estate about 15 minutes before Noon. Cars were already lined up.
Mackenzie Estate was well worth the visit because of the fall colors. When we went to use the parking ticket machine, several visitors wished us good luck as the machines were not working properly. One couple who had purchased a ticket and were leaving, gave me theirs which I put on my car dash. I would have purchased my own ticket if it had been feasible.
We then drove to Pink Lake which was nice, but had very few parking spaces. If I could have accessed this in the morning, the light would have been better. The lookout itself was disappointing because a tree was blocking the view.
When we were shut out of the park from the south entrance yesterday morning, we did have the bonus of seeing a black bear on the road as we were leaving. God works in strange ways!
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdt282
Pickering, Canada43 contributions
Dec 2022
The roads are closed in the winter so that they can use them for cross country skiing. Unfortunately there wasn't any snow so we did some hiking. In the section around the city there is a lot of paved bike/walking trails. We did some of this combined with the bush trails. We have also hiked at the north end of the park and around the Mackenzie King Estate which would be my preference as the scenery is nicer.
Some day I want to get there when we can ski the trails.
Some day I want to get there when we can ski the trails.
Written December 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarAway752596
41 contributions
Oct 2019
A must to visit! Gatineau park is just beautiful. Close to Ottawa, with so many lakes including Pink lake (green), trails, wildlife, breathtaking views especially from Belvèdere where you can see as far as the Outaouais River. Good variety of restaurants (Chelsea) it does not matter the season of the year, each one is unique in its own way. In Autunm enjoy the colors is just magic!!! My favorite place in the Outaouais.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MW
Trenton, Canada50 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Had a great time in the park and treated very well by the staff. However we have now received via mail a $500 ticket for an expired sticker on our licence plate from the visitor centre parking lot. Per ontario covid regulations the sticker is not expired, it is legal ! Upon investigation such tickets are rampant in gatineau, and Ontarians need to be aware. This is how they treat tourists ? We wont ever be back. Theres nothing in gat park that you cant experience at home in trustworthy ontario. Stay away.
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer P
Quebec City, Canada2 contributions
Aug 2020
We camped for 3 nights at Taylor Lake. We hesitated between camping here or at Lake Philippe, but decided on Taylor because we wanted to be a little more secluded. First, we are not allowed to swim in Taylor Lake due to the snapping turtles. (I did not read this information anywhere on the website). Also - though the map clearly states that there is no water on site, I did not find it to be so clear with regards to the dry washrooms. (the symbol on the map should show an outhouse - not a different coloured bathroom symbol that is the same a the regular bathroom symbol).
But, what was worse was the very pesky family of raccoons who were not afraid of us one bit. They would come right to our table while we were eating and try to take some food. At night, we would hear them snarling and fighting which each other for left over crumbs on the ground. They got trapped in my kitchenette in the middle of the night (6 of them) and ripped up my table clothes with their dirty claws. To say they were a nuisance is an understatement. Had we had food in our tent, they would have tried to rip their way in. Needless to say, we didn't sleep much despite cleaning our site thoroughly before bed.
But, what was worse was the very pesky family of raccoons who were not afraid of us one bit. They would come right to our table while we were eating and try to take some food. At night, we would hear them snarling and fighting which each other for left over crumbs on the ground. They got trapped in my kitchenette in the middle of the night (6 of them) and ripped up my table clothes with their dirty claws. To say they were a nuisance is an understatement. Had we had food in our tent, they would have tried to rip their way in. Needless to say, we didn't sleep much despite cleaning our site thoroughly before bed.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephen j
Gatineau, Canada228 contributions
Oct 2021
this is a must place to visit when the fall colours are full , its just so beautiful. Parking is plentiful so you can walk the routes or just drive thru the park if you wish. The scenery is breathing taking with the fall colours
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill in Webster, NY
3 contributions
Oct 2022
A huge park with great hiking trails and beautiful vistas. The most southern entrance is just minutes from downtown Gatineau, but the northern, more remote entrances are further away. The northern areas have great views of downtown Ottawa in the distance to the south. Wonderful hiking trails, even near the southern entrance.
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
challst
Jackson, MS38 contributions
Feb 2020
Recently travelled to Gatineau to participate in the Gatineau Loppet - a cross-county ski race. The day before the race we went skiing on our own in the park and had a wonderful day. The trails, even those which weren't being prepared for the race, were wonderfully groomed. The forest is pristine and very beautiful. Our group talked about coming back in the future.
The Gatineau Loppet was well organized and great fun for us - even though we are casual skiers. As an example it took me 3 hours to go 15 km (I wasn't at my best, but the point is I am far from elite and still able to enjoy the event). The portion of the forest for the race was just as beautiful as the rest.
We stayed in Wakefield, as small town on the Gatineau river about 20 minutes north of the town of Gatineau. We had a nice AirBnB there. The town is welcoming with a number of small local restaurants, a surprisingly complete little grocery store and a bakery that we visited every day! Wakefield also provided super easy access to more northernly portions of the park.
Highly recommend visiting this park in winter!
The Gatineau Loppet was well organized and great fun for us - even though we are casual skiers. As an example it took me 3 hours to go 15 km (I wasn't at my best, but the point is I am far from elite and still able to enjoy the event). The portion of the forest for the race was just as beautiful as the rest.
We stayed in Wakefield, as small town on the Gatineau river about 20 minutes north of the town of Gatineau. We had a nice AirBnB there. The town is welcoming with a number of small local restaurants, a surprisingly complete little grocery store and a bakery that we visited every day! Wakefield also provided super easy access to more northernly portions of the park.
Highly recommend visiting this park in winter!
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig N
Huntsville, Canada25 contributions
Mar 2022
Most people had snowshoes, but if there is no fresh snow and it is below zero, the trails are usually quite easy to cover in boots. We did the hike up to Healy Shelter which was beautiful, and we ate lunch in the shelter while watching the myriad birds feeding at the feeder outside. There was already a nice fire crackling inside when we arrived.
I have done many hikes and explorations of Gatineau Park and I have never been disappointed. There are a wide variety of winter and summer trails and some fantastic ruins, caves, cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls to find. The cabins are a lot of fun for overnight stays in the winter.
I have done many hikes and explorations of Gatineau Park and I have never been disappointed. There are a wide variety of winter and summer trails and some fantastic ruins, caves, cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls to find. The cabins are a lot of fun for overnight stays in the winter.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennis B
Ottawa, Canada994 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
This is a small lake in the middle of Gatineau Park. The lake has a well maintained walking trail which goes completely around its perimitter. There is a relatively small parking lot, including two "go huts", which becomes full very quickly on weekends and particularily in the fall when everyone is out to view the fall foliage. The parking lot also serves as the starting point for another trail to the Mackenzie King estate.
The walk around the lake takes between 60 & ninety minutes depending on your level of fitness and how many stops you make at the numerous lookouts. There are a series of well maintained stairs to climb and descend. There is an abandoned mica mine about half way around the left hand side. Take the time to read the signs regarding the special nature of the area.
If you are coming from Ottawa I suggest you use Alexandre Taché Blvd/Chemin D'Alymer and turn onto Promenade de la Gatineau to reach the site. If you program the GPS to 45.439937N 75.762214W you will arrive at the south visitors centre before continuing on to Pink Lake.
A wonderful family outing.
The walk around the lake takes between 60 & ninety minutes depending on your level of fitness and how many stops you make at the numerous lookouts. There are a series of well maintained stairs to climb and descend. There is an abandoned mica mine about half way around the left hand side. Take the time to read the signs regarding the special nature of the area.
If you are coming from Ottawa I suggest you use Alexandre Taché Blvd/Chemin D'Alymer and turn onto Promenade de la Gatineau to reach the site. If you program the GPS to 45.439937N 75.762214W you will arrive at the south visitors centre before continuing on to Pink Lake.
A wonderful family outing.
Written September 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simone B
2 contributions
I would like to visit Gatineau Park on Tuesday August 23rd afternoon, but I red that on summer popular attractions along the parkways are accessible by car only on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (at certain times).
I would like to visit The Pink Lake and The Champlain Lookout, how could I reach them easily?
Thank you
joyfortraveling
Vail, Colorado114 contributions
I will be in Ottawa 9/28 for 4 nights. I won’t have a car, but am thinking about taking an Uber or taxi to the park, hiking around a bit (about 1 1/2 hours) and then walking over to the Nordik Spa. What trail at the park would be best for me to take for this short time (either a loop, or up and back)?
stephen j
Gatineau, Canada228 contributions
Hi Jayfortra
I am not sure how much help I can be but from what I could find out, if you were to hike from the visitor centre to the Nordic Spa it would be approx 1.2 KM . which would be just under 2 miles. I hope this helps
C27
27 contributions
Would anyone know which area the beach is closest to in Lake Philippe? Staying in the 300 area but can't seem to locate on map how far the beach is. Thanks.
brigitohari
Ottawa, Canada4 contributions
How much for wood to make fire at the campsites?
fgnadbun
Ottawa, Canada95 contributions
We bought a bag of kindling only I believe about $6 nice and dry.
Meve S
Montreal, Canada16 contributions
Bonjour, je voudrais savoir si nous pouvons pêcher avec notre embarquation et comment savoir qu'elles sont les lacs avec un débarquadaire? Nous serions en campeur avec un moteur électrique? merci
Valerie B
3 contributions
Family of 4 (kids 11, 13). We would love to do a fairly easy hike/trail but see plenty of nature and beauty. We are going the first week of July. What would you recommend and how can we be prepared? Fees? Should we worry about pests and ticks?
Thank you in advance!
Bonjour,
Savez-vous s’il est possible de louer des vélos pour visiter le parc de la Gatineau ?
Merci d’avance !
I'm planning to go by public transport (bus 33) but then I have to walk. I do not know how much I can visit the place just walking ... I want to know if it is worth the effort, confirmation that I will go and I will be able to see and do things and Im not wasting my time
James W
Somers, NY1,161 contributions
Sorry I didn't see this question before, TA just brought it to my attention recently. You can still visit the southern part of the park, and it's still worth going, in my opinion, but of course it depends on how much you're willing to walk. If you bring up the route 33 map, and launch the Gatineau Park interactive trail map, you can survey your options. It's easy to get to Lac des Fees, and you can walk as little or as much as you like. The Pioneers loop is also close by, if you want to see some history. If you'd like to walk more, you can get off the bus further up, and head over to Pink Lake. It's probably going to be 10-ish km to walk over to the lake, around it, and back (with some hills too), but it's pretty nice if you're up to that much walking. Of course this is just the southern tip of the park, but still worth seeing. Have fun!
Gatineau Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Gatineau Park
- Gatineau Park is open:
- Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Sun 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Gatineau Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Gatineau Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Gatineau Park:
- (0.27 mi) Loft Du Village
- (0.32 mi) Auberge Old Chelsea
- (8.41 mi) Auberge The King Edward Bed and Breakfast
- (3.03 mi) Auberge Tom B&B
- (8.71 mi) Australis Guest House
- Restaurants near Gatineau Park:
- (0.05 mi) Palmier
- (0.16 mi) La Cigale
- (0.15 mi) Biscotti & Cie
- (0.16 mi) Tonique
- (0.39 mi) L'Oree Du Bois
- Attractions near Gatineau Park:
- (0.00 mi) Centre Des Visiteurs Du Parc De La Gatineau
- (0.19 mi) Paddlefit
- (0.34 mi) Cafe Chat Siberien
- (0.49 mi) Nordik Spa-Nature Chelsea
- (0.54 mi) Dunn-D's Mini Golf