Gatineau Park is a 361 square kilometre protected area in the Gatineau Hills, beginning about 4 km north of downtown Ottawa and extending into the Quebec interior. It is one of the largest urban parks in Canada and one of the most accessible wilderness areas in the country, offering a genuine taste of the Canadian Shield within striking distance of the national capital.
The park has 165 km of hiking trails, 90 km of mountain biking trails, and nearly 200 km of groomed cross-country ski trails in winter. Swimming beaches on Lac Philippe and Meech Lake are popular in summer. The Champlain Lookout, reached by a scenic parkway, gives panoramic views across the Ottawa Valley. Pink Lake, a rare meromictic lake, is a short walk from the parking area. The Mackenzie King Estate at Kingsmere, the former summer retreat of Canada's longest-serving prime minister, is within the park and open to visitors during the warmer months. The park entrance is a short drive from central Gatineau.