Gatineau Park Guide: Ottawa's Natural Playground Year-Round

Last Updated: October 13, 2026

Gatineau Park is a 36,100-hectare conservation park in Gatineau, Quebec, a short drive from downtown Ottawa, with more than 200 km of summer hiking trails, Pink Lake, Lusk Cave, the Mackenzie King Estate, and one of North America's largest cross-country ski networks, all managed by the National Capital Commission.

Gatineau Park is the National Capital Region's largest green space and, according to the NCC, the second-most visited park in Canada. Its forests, lakes, valleys, and lookouts cover more than 361 square kilometres. Whether you want a challenging hike, a lakeside beach, a groomed ski trail, or a fall foliage drive, it is a short trip from the city. Check the NCC's Gatineau Park page and its trail map before you go.

Key Highlights

TL;DR: Gatineau Park is a 361-square-kilometre conservation park a short drive from Ottawa, with hiking, swimming, camping, cycling, cross-country skiing, and scenic parkways across four seasons. There is no entrance fee, but summer beach parking, the Mackenzie King Estate lot, and winter trail passes all cost money.

Getting to Gatineau Park from Ottawa

Gatineau Park sits just across the Ottawa River from downtown, which makes it easy to visit for a day trip, a weekend, or a morning outing. The NCC says the park spans about 50 km across four municipalities (Gatineau, Chelsea, La Pêche and Pontiac) and, unlike a national park, has many entry points. One sector, with the south entrance (parking lot P3), is reachable from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau. The main activity hubs are the Relais plein air, the Mackenzie King Estate, Camp Fortune, Meech Lake, Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake.

From downtown Ottawa, cross into Gatineau and follow the signs to the park, or use the NCC's directions page for each entrance. The Gatineau Park Visitor Centre is in Old Chelsea, and the northern sectors, including Meech Lake and Philippe Lake, are a longer drive.

Public transit and the free NCC shuttle both reach the park. From May 16 to October 25, 2026, the free Gatineau Park shuttle runs every 30 minutes, six days a week (no service on Wednesday), from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau on weekends and holiday Mondays. On weekdays it runs from the Montcalm Rapibus station in Gatineau. It stops at Pink Lake, the Mackenzie King Estate, King Mountain, and Champlain Lookout. OC Transpo, STO and Transcollines also have routes that pass near the park; use their trip planners listed on the NCC's bus page. The NCC says several local roads and 21 of its parking lots are always open to private vehicles. Most Gatineau Park lots are free, but you pay at the beach, boat launch and Mackenzie King Estate lots in summer, and at the Visitor Centre lot from September 1, 2026 (see the fees section below).

Hiking Trails: From Easy Walks to Challenging Treks

Gatineau Park has over 200 kilometres of summer hiking trails, and access to them is free. They range from gentle lakeside strolls to steep climbs up the Eardley Escarpment with views over the Ottawa Valley. The distances and ratings below come from the NCC's hiking page.

Pink Lake Trail is one of the park's most popular stops. The 2.3-kilometre loop circles Pink Lake, a meromictic lake whose upper and lower layers of water never mix. Despite the name, the lake is actually green; it was named after the Pink family who settled the land in 1826. The NCC rates the trail difficult because of its several sets of stairs, and it has interpretation panels and a lookout. Swimming is not allowed, and dogs are not permitted on the trail. Pink Lake's parking lots are free but reached by the Gatineau Parkway, so access follows the parkway schedule, and the free shuttle stops there every day except Wednesday. The NCC notes that the lake often reaches visitor capacity in fall, so a weekday visit is easier.

King Mountain Trail is a 1.8-kilometre loop that the NCC rates most difficult. It climbs to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, about 300 metres above the Ottawa Valley, and has 10 lookouts and interpretation panels along the way. The First Geodetic Survey Station National Historic Site, the first triangulation point set up in Canada for land surveys, sits on King Mountain at 344 metres. Dogs are not allowed on this trail. The trailhead is next to the King Mountain parking lot on the Gatineau Parkway, and from P7 you can hike in via Trails 30, 8 and 37 (about 5.7 km round trip including the loop).

Lusk Cave is a marble cave in the Philippe Lake sector, formed about 11,000 years ago along Lusk Creek, which still flows through it. The NCC lists an 8.5-kilometre loop from the Parent Beach parking lot (about 4.5 hours, most difficult). The cave is open from spring until fall, when the water level is safe. Water inside can reach a metre or more, so you cannot get through without getting wet. The NCC recommends a bathing suit, water shoes, a helmet, and a waterproof flashlight, plus a wetsuit early and late in the season. It does not advise exploring the cave with children under seven.

Luskville Falls is a 4.2-kilometre loop with a 290-metre climb up the Eardley Escarpment to a fire tower and a wide view of the Ottawa Valley. The NCC rates it most difficult and allows no dogs. The NCC lists about 2.5 hours for the loop.

Wolf Trail (Trail 62) is a 10.1-kilometre loop from P13 near Blanchet Beach on Meech Lake. It climbs about 220 metres through mature forest to the Tawadina Lookout and has a picnic area. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail but not at the beach or the picnic area.

For an easier outing, the NCC lists the 1.0-kilometre Lac des Fées trail, the 1.3-kilometre Pioneers loop from P3, and the 1.9-kilometre Sugarbush loop near the Visitor Centre. All three are rated easy and allow leashed dogs.

Trail conditions vary seasonally. Spring brings muddy sections as snowmelt saturates paths, though it also offers waterfalls and wildflowers. Summer is the driest season, so bring plenty of water. Fall colour makes any trail spectacular but crowded on weekends. In winter, Pink Lake Trail and King Mountain are closed to hikers, and many trails become cross-country ski, snowshoe, or snow bike routes that need a pass (see the winter section below).

Summer Activities: Swimming, Camping, and Biking

Summer in Gatineau Park centres on its lakes, beaches, campgrounds, and trail networks. For more on the estate's grounds, see our guide to the Mackenzie King Estate.

Swimming and Beaches are the main summer draw. The NCC lists six beaches on three lakes: Blanchet and O'Brien on Meech Lake, Breton and Parent on Philippe Lake, La Pêche on La Pêche Lake, and Smith on Philippe Lake, which is a campers-only beach. In 2026, lifeguards were on duty daily from June 12 to September 7, from 10 am to 7 pm, with weekly water testing and buoys marking the swimming areas. The beaches have change rooms and picnic tables, with outhouses or washrooms on site; there is no drinking water at any of them, so bring your own. Dogs and pets are not permitted on the beaches.

Access to the swimming areas is free, but parking at the beach lots is not. The fees and dates are in the fees section below. The NCC says beaches are only partly wheelchair accessible, and a beach wheelchair is available on request at Blanchet, Parent, and La Pêche. Check the NCC's swimming page for current beach status and water quality.

Camping is by reservation only, and the NCC runs two summer campgrounds. Philippe Lake Campground, open June 12 to October 12 in 2026, has three sectors (Philippe Lake, Renaud Lake, and Taylor Lake). After modernization work it now has ten mini-chalets, more tent sites with level pads, shared day and kitchen shelters, a waterfront amphitheatre, and about 30 sites with both electricity and drinking water. The campground is close to the beaches and the boat launch, and you can reach hiking trails from it, including the one to Lusk Cave. La Pêche Lake is the park's only canoe-camping campground, in the northwest, with sites a 30- to 90-minute paddle from the boat launch. Reservations for 2026 opened on February 28 at 9 am through the NCC reservation site. Rates vary by season and type of accommodation, so check the NCC's camping page for current prices.

Cycling takes three forms in the park. The Gatineau Park Pathway (Trail 5, part of the Capital Pathway) is a 12.5-kilometre paved path with many steep hills. The three parkways add 32.5 kilometres of winding, hilly road, shared with motor vehicles outside of special programming, and cyclists can use them at all times, including when they are closed to cars. Mountain biking usually runs from mid-May to late November depending on conditions, on about 90 kilometres of trails shared with hikers. Biking is not allowed on any trail not marked on the NCC's summer trails map. Camp Fortune also opens its ski slopes for mountain biking in summer, and fees may apply there.

Picnicking is possible at developed areas in the park. Examples named by the NCC include tables near the Moorside cottage at the Mackenzie King Estate, the Étienne Brûlé Lookout (a popular picnic spot that connects to hiking and mountain biking trails), and the picnic areas at Old Chelsea (P4), Penguin, and Church Hill. Dogs are not permitted in picnic areas. The NCC says the southern sector often reaches capacity on sunny weekends, with full parking lots and crowded trails, so a weekday visit is easier.

Winter Wonderland: Cross-Country skiing and Snowshoeing

Winter turns Gatineau Park into one of the largest and best-maintained cross-country ski networks in North America, according to the NCC, with more than 200 kilometres of classic, skate, and backcountry ski trails. From October 26, 2026, the parkways close to private vehicles and become ski trails, and there is no shuttle service.

Cross-Country Skiing trails range from easy to very difficult. The NCC updates its interactive map and conditions table twice a day during the ski season, so check them before you head out. Fifteen parking lots serve as ski starting points, and winter parking at Gatineau Park lots is free. Trails are groomed by machine and patrolled daily. Keep to the right, yield to skiers coming downhill when you are climbing, and control your speed on descents.

A pass is required to ski, snowshoe, or snow bike. The NCC's 2026-2027 daily passes for skiing, snowshoeing and snow biking are $21.40 for adults (18 to 59), $16.93 for youths (13 to 17), students and seniors (60 and up), and $47.25 for a family, all plus tax. Season passes for adults cost $159 from October 15 to November 9, $180 from November 10 to 30, and $210 from December 1 (plus tax), so buying early saves money. Children 12 and under are free. You can also borrow a daily pass with a library card from Ottawa Public Library and other partner libraries. Full prices are on the NCC's winter passes page.

Day shelters along the trail network, such as the Huron Shelter, the Western Shelter, and the Keogan Shelter, give skiers a place to rest. The Relais plein air, a main starting point close to downtown, has the Café des sentiers, washrooms, and classic ski, snowshoe, and fat bike rentals. Pass holders park free there after registering at reception. Bring snacks and a hot drink for the trails.

Snowshoeing is a quieter way to explore. The NCC lists more than 90 kilometres of snowshoe trails, from easy to very difficult, and about half are shared with snow bikers. Thirteen parking lots serve as starting points. Snowshoes are required on these trails except when the surface is very hard, and you must keep off ski trails except at marked crossings. A pass is needed: the snowshoe and snow bike pass is cheaper than the full ski pass ($12.48 a day for adults and $62 for a season pass from December 1, plus tax). Snowshoe rentals are available at the Relais plein air and local shops.

Snow Biking (fat biking) has over 60 kilometres of trails, rated from easy to very difficult, and all are shared with snowshoers, who have right of way. The trails are not groomed, so conditions vary, and you should only ride when the surface is hard-packed. Tires must be at least 9.4 cm (3.7 inches) wide with pressure of 10 psi or less. The NCC updates the conditions table daily.

Winter safety matters. Check the forecast and trail conditions before heading out. Dress in layers, bring extra warm clothing and high-energy snacks, carry water, and tell someone your route and expected return time. Cell coverage varies by provider and location in the park, so do not rely only on your phone. The NCC has safety tips for the park.

Fall Colours: Peak Viewing Times and Scenic Drives

Gatineau Park is one of the region's best places for fall colour. The NCC says hundreds of thousands of visitors come each fall for its Fall Rhapsody season, and the park often reaches capacity, with traffic jams and full parking lots in the busiest areas, especially in the south sector on weekends.

The park's 36,000 hectares contain mixed hardwood forest, with sugar maples that turn red and orange, birches that turn yellow, and aspens that add gold. Colour usually peaks from late September into mid-October, but the timing shifts from year to year with the weather, so check the NCC's Fall Rhapsody page for the current season.

Peak Viewing Times are best on weekdays. The NCC's own advice is to visit popular spots such as Pink Lake, the Mackenzie King Estate, and Champlain Lookout during the week, head for less busy areas such as Meech Creek Valley or Philippe Lake, or take the free shuttle. In fall 2026, the parkways are open to private vehicles every day from noon to dusk (September 21 to October 25) and on Wednesdays from 8 am to dusk. Weekends are the busiest, so if they are your only option, go early.

Champlain Lookout is the best-known viewpoint in the park. It sits at the top of the Eardley Escarpment on the Champlain Parkway and rises about 270 metres above the Ottawa Valley. The accessible lookout has an iconic stone wall, and stairs lead down to the Champlain Trail, a short interpretive loop that the NCC rates difficult. The lot is free but follows the parkway schedule, and the free shuttle stops here every day except Wednesday.

The Parkways (Gatineau Parkway, Champlain Parkway, and Fortune Lake Parkway) run through the centre of the park from Gatineau to Chelsea and give direct access to Pink Lake, King Mountain, and Champlain Lookout. Together they total 32.5 kilometres. Private vehicle access is limited and changes by season, and from October 26, 2026 the parkways close to cars and become cross-country ski trails. On weekends in fall, expect slow traffic as drivers stop for views. Never park on the shoulder, because the NCC prohibits it at all times, and use the marked lots instead.

Étienne Brûlé Lookout and Huron Lookout are two more stops on the Champlain Parkway, on the Eardley Escarpment. Étienne Brûlé looks out over the Ottawa River, is a popular picnic spot, and connects to hiking and mountain biking trails. Huron Lookout is the first one you pass on the way to Champlain Lookout and looks toward the Aylmer sector of Gatineau and the west end of Ottawa.

Photography Tips for capturing Gatineau Park's fall glory include visiting during "golden hour" (the hour after sunrise or before sunset) when angled light makes colours glow, using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colour saturation, including foreground elements like rocks or logs to add depth, and shooting on slightly overcast days when clouds diffuse light evenly across the landscape.

Beyond passive viewing, fall offers excellent hiking opportunities with cooler temperatures and fewer bugs than summer. The same trails that attract crowds in summer become even more spectacular under autumn's colour palette. Popular fall hikes include Pink Lake, King Mountain, and any routes accessing elevated viewpoints.

Mackenzie King Estate: Historic Retreat and Beautiful Grounds

The Mackenzie King Estate was the country retreat of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's tenth and longest-serving prime minister. He spent almost 50 years (1903 to 1950) beautifying and expanding the property, then bequeathed it to all Canadians.

The 231-hectare estate has English and French gardens, historic ruins, walking trails, and two cottage museums, Kingswood and Moorside. It is on Mackenzie King Parkway in Chelsea, Quebec, and its grounds are open year-round with free access. The museums close in winter.

The Gardens reflect King's ambitions and passions, including his collection of ruins. The NCC calls the gardens, ruins, and other features he created a reflection of his complex personality and romantic nature. Please stay on marked trails, and do not climb on the stone walls or ruins.

The Cottage Museums are the restored Kingswood and Moorside cottages, with exhibits and interpretation panels inside. In 2026, Moorside, the main cottage, is closed for repairs, so only Kingswood is open. Kingswood, the gift shop, and the kids' corner were open daily except Tuesday and Wednesday from May 16 to September 7, and from September 8 to October 25 are open weekends and Thanksgiving Monday, 10 am to 5 pm. Guided tours run on the same fall schedule, at 2 pm in English and 3 pm in French. The estate also has an Escape Backpack game and a "Hands on History" activity. Check the NCC's Mackenzie King Estate page for the latest hours.

Food and drink: The NCC lists a new food and beverage offering for the estate with details to follow, so check its page rather than counting on a tea room. There are picnic tables near Moorside, a water fountain from May to October, and washrooms near Moorside from May to October. The outhouse by the parking lot is open year-round.

Walking Trails start from parking lot P6. The Waterfall and Lauriault trails form a popular year-round 4.5-kilometre loop (rated difficult) that passes a lookout and, in spring, Bridal Veil Falls. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail but not at the picnic area. In winter, P6 is also the start for winter hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, and none of the estate's trails are plowed.

Getting there: The shuttle is the simplest way, since it avoids parkway schedules and paid parking. By car, use the parkways when they are open or take Kingsmere Road from Chelsea and follow signs for P6. P6 is open year-round, and in 2026 parking there was paid from June 5 to October 26, from 9 am to 7 pm.

Gatineau Parkway: Scenic Drives Through the Hills

Three parkways run through the park's centre from Gatineau to Chelsea: the Gatineau Parkway, the Champlain Parkway, and the Fortune Lake Parkway. They give direct access to Pink Lake, King Mountain, Champlain Lookout, and the Mackenzie King Estate.

Summer and Fall Schedule. To protect nature and offer different ways to enjoy the park, the NCC limits private vehicles on the parkways, and the rules change by season. From May 2 to September 20, 2026, cars were allowed on Wednesdays from 8 am to dusk and on weekends and holiday Mondays from noon to dusk. From September 21 to October 25, 2026, cars can drive the parkways from noon to dusk every day, plus Wednesdays from 8 am. Dusk means about 30 minutes after sunset, which is around 7 pm in the second half of October. Hikers, cyclists, and people using mobility aids can use the parkways at all times. The NCC publishes next season's schedule on its parkways page.

The Free Shuttle covers the same route when cars are limited. It runs every 30 minutes through October 25, six days a week and not on Wednesday, so you can skip the parking hunt entirely.

Winter Access is simple: from October 26, 2026 until spring 2027, the parkways are closed to private vehicles and used as cross-country ski trails, with no shuttle. The NCC closes them early in the season for safety, because it does not salt or grit the road and ice builds up as temperatures drop. Between seasons, you can walk, cycle, skate, or roller ski on them until the first snowfall.

Roller skiing and in-line skating are banned by Quebec's Highway Safety Code on any road open to private vehicles, including when the shuttle runs. The NCC suggests the 3.5-kilometre segment between P8 and P9 (North Loop), which neither cars nor the shuttle use.

Wildlife can be on the road at any time, along with service and emergency vehicles. The NCC lists porcupines, bears, fishers, raccoons, and coyotes among the animals in the park, so keep your distance and never feed animals. Do not park on shoulders: the NCC prohibits it at all times, and municipal roads too. Use the marked lots.

Fees, Permits, and Regulations

Understanding Gatineau Park's fee structure and regulations ensures smooth visits and helps support park operations and conservation.

Entrance and Trails. There is no entrance fee for Gatineau Park, and walking and hiking trails are free at all times. Fees apply to some parking lots in summer, to winter trail passes, and to camping.

Parking Fees apply in summer at the beach lots, boat launches, and the Mackenzie King Estate lot, and, from September 1, 2026, at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre lot. In winter, all parking is free. The NCC's daily rate is $3 per 30 minutes, to a maximum of $16 a day, taxes included, for a vehicle with up to eight passengers. In 2026 the paid periods ran from June 5 to September 13 at Meech Lake (9 am to 7 pm), Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake (8 am to 8 pm), and from June 5 to October 26 at the Mackenzie King Estate (9 am to 7 pm). Visitors with an accessible parking permit get four hours free at paid lots, and the Visitor Centre gives 30 free minutes. Machines take credit cards and, at some lots, exact change, so check the NCC's parking lots page for payment details at your lot.

A seasonal parking permit cost $110.38 in 2026, taxes included, plus a $5.17 card issuance fee for a first-time smart card and $2.87 postage if mailed. It works at all paid Gatineau Park and Leamy Lake Park lots, and can be shared between two vehicles registered to the same address. It does not guarantee a space. See the NCC's parking permits page for next season's dates and price.

Winter Trail Passes cover cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow biking. For 2026-2027, adult daily passes are $21.40 and adult season passes start at $159 if bought by November 9 (both plus tax). Youths, students, and seniors pay less, and children 12 and under are free. See the winter section above and the NCC's winter passes page.

Camping Fees at the Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake campgrounds depend on the season and type of accommodation, and a reservation is required. Check the NCC's camping page for current rates. Winter camping (cabins, yurts, and four-season tents in the Philippe Lake sector, reached on skis or snowshoes) is reserved separately, and the NCC says 2026-2027 reservations will open at a later date.

Park Regulations protect both visitors and the natural environment. The NCC's outdoor ethics code asks visitors to:

• Stay on official marked trails and obey signs, because unofficial trails damage sensitive habitat
• Pack out your garbage if there are no waste receptacles nearby, including food scraps and fruit peels
• Keep dogs on a leash and only where they are allowed (see below)
• Leave plants, rocks, and other natural items where you found them, and do not climb on stone walls or ruins
• Keep your distance from wildlife and never feed animals
• Stay inside the buoyed swimming areas at beaches

Dogs on a leash of two metres or less (maximum two pets on leash) are allowed on most official trails from April 15 to November 30, but never on the Pink Lake, King Mountain, or Luskville Falls trails, at beaches, in picnic areas, at campgrounds, or on shuttle buses. From December 1 to April 14, leashed dogs are only allowed on four walking trails: Sugarbush, Lauriault, Pioneers, and the Capital Pathway. See the NCC's dog walking page.

Accessibility features include accessible lookouts at Pink Lake and Champlain, a beach wheelchair on request at Blanchet, Parent, and La Pêche beaches, and a partly accessible path at Blanchet Beach. At the Mackenzie King Estate, most buildings, washrooms, and the paths between them are universally accessible, but the hiking trails are not. Contact the NCC or read its accessibility page for details.

Conservation Ethic underpins all park operations. As a conservation area first and recreation area second, Gatineau Park prioritizes ecosystem protection while providing recreational access. Visitors play a crucial role in conservation by following regulations, staying on trails, and minimizing environmental impact.

FAQ

The park's south entrance (parking lot P3) is on the edge of downtown Ottawa-Gatineau, a short drive from Ottawa. The Visitor Centre in Old Chelsea and the northern sectors, such as Meech Lake and Philippe Lake, are farther. The NCC's free shuttle runs from downtown on weekends and holiday Mondays from May to October, and the NCC has directions for each entrance.

Q: When is the best time to visit Gatineau Park for fall colours?

Colour usually peaks from late September into mid-October, though timing shifts with the weather. The NCC says the park often reaches capacity in fall, especially on weekends in the south sector. Visit on a weekday, try quieter areas such as Meech Creek Valley or Philippe Lake, or take the free shuttle.

Q: Do I need a permit to hike in Gatineau Park?

No. Walking and hiking trails are free at all times, and there is no entrance fee. You pay for parking at the summer beach lots, boat launches, and the Mackenzie King Estate lot ($3 per 30 minutes, to a $16 daily maximum), and for winter passes if you ski, snowshoe, or snow bike.

Q: Are dogs allowed in Gatineau Park?

Yes, on a leash. From April 15 to November 30, leashed dogs may use most official trails, but never the Pink Lake, King Mountain, or Luskville Falls trails, beaches, picnic areas, campgrounds, or shuttle buses. From December 1 to April 14, only four walking trails allow leashed dogs, including Sugarbush and Lauriault.

Q: Can I swim in Pink Lake?

No. Swimming, boats, and dogs are not permitted at Pink Lake, which the NCC calls very fragile. Swim at one of the park's six beaches on Meech Lake (Blanchet and O'Brien), Philippe Lake (Breton, Parent, and Smith for campers), and La Pêche Lake. Lifeguards were on duty from June 12 to September 7 in 2026.

Q: What's the best hiking trail for beginners in Gatineau Park?

Start with an easy trail. The NCC rates Lac des Fées (1.0 km), Pioneers (1.3 km loop from P3), and Sugarbush (1.9 km loop near the Visitor Centre) as easy, and all three allow leashed dogs. Pink Lake is a popular short walk, but the NCC rates its 2.3-kilometre loop difficult because of several sets of stairs.

Q: Is Gatineau Park open in winter?

Yes. The park is open year-round, and winter is cross-country ski season, with more than 200 kilometres of classic, skate, and backcountry trails. Snowshoe and snow bike trails also need a pass. From October 26, 2026, the parkways close to cars and become ski trails, and all parking is free.

Q: Where can I see the best views in Gatineau Park?

Champlain Lookout is the park's best-known view, rising about 270 metres above the Ottawa Valley on the Champlain Parkway. Étienne Brûlé Lookout overlooks the Ottawa River, and King Mountain Trail has 10 lookouts over the Eardley Escarpment. Luskville Falls ends at a fire tower with a wide view of the valley.

Final Thoughts

Gatineau Park is one of the National Capital Region's greatest assets, with 361 square kilometres of forest, lakes, and escarpment a short trip from Ottawa's urban core. From steep summit hikes to lakeside beaches, and from groomed ski trails to fall colour drives, it offers something in every season.

Its proximity makes spontaneous visits practical, whether that is a morning ski, a weekday hike, or a swim after work. The park's size and its seasonal rules, from the parkway schedule to the dog restrictions, are also why a quick check of the NCC pages pays off.

Whether you are new to Ottawa or a longtime resident, the park changes with the seasons. Check current conditions, fees, and parkway hours before you leave, follow the outdoor ethics code that protects this conservation park, and pack for the weather.

Source: National Capital Commission, Gatineau Park; Gatineau Park parkways schedule; Rates; Winter passes