Gatineau Park — Attraction in Chelsea

This is a beautiful place to go with family and friends. I when in fall but it was super cold. Highly recommend to go in summer. We went to pink lake it was beautiful. But the service was terrible. We went at 11:30 when we arrived they did not let us in they said “ we open at 12:30” so we parked on the side of the road to program google maps. When we were doing that they let 3 cars in. It was 11:30! So we try backing up to go in the Parc but they were like “no way this is happening” and took out their phone and started filming us! So we left. We can back at 12:45 and they let us in. We drives to the pink lake parking lot. And they blocked the parking lot and said full. At 12:45 it was full! It opened 15 minutes ago! We ask them where to go and they said “find a parking and walk here it’s a sort walk!” Every attraction was like 1-2 km way and steep and they except us to walk that far with kids. And them one kind one said you may park in the front and take shuttle buses to come here. And that what we did. After pink lake we tried to go to another attraction with car again no parking and bad service. They said “ come back another day” so we were like that enough were going home. We parked on the side and programmed google maps for home and they won’t stop asking us to leave. I went on a Sunday. So don’t go on weekends. I’m never going...

Living in Ottawa we are absolutely spoiled rotten having a gorgeous National Park that is a 55 minute 🚲 ride from Downtown Ottawa. I personally don’t need a cottage because I can bike to Meech lake and hang out in one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada IMO.

The amenities are excellent, staff are always really helpful, shuttles and e bikes have really upped accessibility of the Park to all users. They also close down the parkways throughout the summer for Active Transportation uses (which many love…esp 🚲 and 🏃s).

Don’t forget that both Chelsea and Wakefield are two amazing destinations immediately adjacent to both ends...

There are better forests and parks in more central and northern Quebec, and especially in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Better colours, wildlife, tree diversity with more waterfalls and rivers. The visitor centre was wonderful though with fun interactive activities and gallery. Beautiful indoor design and woods. Wonderful washrooms for all abilities and genders. Professional staff. Disability accessible entrances and doors....