Activities Just for You
Are you and your group looking to discover the park for the first time? Perhaps you are already familiar with its beauty and you would like to understand it better or explore its secrets. Take advantage of our guided activities to make your visit an enjoyable, enriching experience! Contact us now!
*NATURE INTERPRETATION HIKES* (MAY TO OCTOBER)
*Sensational Animals* (ages: 5 to 8)
Information
Duration: 2h
Group size: maximum 30 (larger groups can be divided into sub-groups) |
Location: Sugarbush trail
Trail length: 1.9 km (partially hiked) Cost: Please see the current rates at the bottom of the page. |
How do wild animals use their senses to survive?
Did you know that red squirrels can smell a pine cone buried under four meters of snow? All animals depend on their senses to survive. While hiking the Sugarbush trail, the participants will take on the roles of wild animals found in the Park and discover that seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting is essential to life in the wild.
*Green Magic* (ages: 8 to 10)
Information
Duration: 2h
Group size: maximum 30 (larger groups can be divided into sub-groups) |
Location: Sugarbush trail
Trail length: 1.9 km Cost: Please see the current rates at the bottom of the page. |
How do Plants Function?
Explore the forest of Gatineau Park with us and discover some of its characteristic vegetation; simple mosses, majestic trees, and more. From food to reproduction, with this activity you will take a trip back in time to learn how plants meet their needs.
*Dive Into Diversity* (ages: adults and 11+)
Information
Duration: 2h
Group size: maximum 30 (larger groups can be divided into sub-groups) |
Location: King Mountain trail
Trail length: 2.5 km Cost: Please see the current rates at the bottom of the page. |
Why Does Biodiversity Exist?
Discover the magnificent King Mountain trail and its rich mosaic of habitats. While hiking in the shade of a hemlock grove, to the edge of the Eardley escarpment, you will discover how the different elements of habitats shape the communities of species that live there.
*Historical Site Tours* (May to October)
*Tales from the Mackenzie-King Estate* (ages: adults and youth)
information
Duration: 1.5 to 2h
Group size: maximum 30 (larger groups can be divided into sub-groups) |
Location: Mackenzie-King Estate
Cost: Please see the current rates at the bottom of the page. |
Great Prime Minister, skilled botanist, and passionate Romantic, William Lyon Mackenzie King bequeathed to Canadians a unique heritage in the heart of what would become Gatineau Park. Follow our heritage interpreters into the footsteps of Winston Churchill and many other visitors, to discover the history... and underlying tales of the Mackenzie-King Estate.
Photos: Moorside and gardens (© National Capital Commission)
Header photo: © National Capital Commission
*Guided Bus Tours* (May to October)
Enjoy spectacular views and discover the riches of Gatineau Park with us, in the comfort of your bus! During this interpretive visit, you will learn about the Park's history, its biodiversity, and the protection of its environment.
Note: this is a step-on guide service and does not include bus rental.
Note: this is a step-on guide service and does not include bus rental.
Option 1 - (adults)
information
Duration: 1.5h
Departure: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre |
Cost: $170
|
This option includes interpretation in your bus and at the following stops:
Photos: Champlain lookout and Pink Lake (© National Capital Commission)
- Champlain lookout: While enjoying the magnificent view of the valley, you will learn about the Eardley escarpement and its unique ecosystem.
- Pink Lake lookout: Pink Lake is known for its beauty, its unique ecological characteristics, and the constant challenge of its preservation. You will discover one of Gatineau Park's jewels.
Photos: Champlain lookout and Pink Lake (© National Capital Commission)
Option 2 - (adults)
information
Duration: 2h
Departure: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre |
Cost: $200
|
This option includes interpretation in your bus and at the following stops:
Photos: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, Pink Lake and Champlain kookout (© National Capital Commission)
- Gatineau Park Visitor Centre: Here, you will start to discover Gatineau Park with a tour of the Visitor Centre and its animal exhibit.
- Champlain lookout: While enjoying the magnificent view of the valley, you will learn about the Eardley escarpement and its unique ecosystem.
- Pink Lake lookout: Pink Lake is known for its beauty, its unique ecological characteristics, and the constant challenge of its preservation. You will discover one of Gatineau Park's jewels.
Photos: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, Pink Lake and Champlain kookout (© National Capital Commission)
Option 3 - (adults)
information
Duration: 2.5h
Departure: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre |
Cost: $230
|
This option includes interpretation in your bus and at the following stops:
Photos: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, Pink Lake, Champlain lookout, and Mackenzie-King Estate (© National Capital Commission)
- Gatineau Park Visitor Centre: Here, you will start to discover Gatineau Park with a tour of the Visitor Centre and its animal exhibit.
- Champlain lookout: While enjoying the magnificent view of the valley, you will learn about the Eardley escarpement and its unique ecosystem.
- Mackenzie-King Estate: Make a fascinating historical visit of Moorside and the gardens, where you will learn about the Canadian Prime Minister that spent the longest time in power.
- Pink Lake lookout: Pink Lake is known for its beauty, its unique ecological characteristics, and the constant challenge of its preservation. You will discover one of Gatineau Park's jewels.
Photos: Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, Pink Lake, Champlain lookout, and Mackenzie-King Estate (© National Capital Commission)
Header photo: © National Capital Commission
*Nature Interpretation Hikes* (January to mid-March)
*Life Below Zero* (ages: adults and 8+)
information
Duration: 2h
Group size: maximum 20 (larger groups can be divided into sub-groups) |
Location: Sugarbush trail
Cost: Please see the current rates at the bottom of the page. |
How do Wild Animals Survive Winter?
Put on your snowshoes! In winter, the best adapted animals and plants have incredible adaptation capabilities. Their physical and behavioural traits allow them to face winter. You will join our nature interpreters in the forest around the Sugarbush trail to discover how the animals of Gatineau Park suvive this cold and dry season.
Snowshoes provided.
Photos: hare (© Gershon Rother), deer (© Estelle Rother)
*Icy Insects* (ages: adults and 10+)
information
Duration: 2h
Group size: maximum 20 (larger groups can be divided into sub-groups) |
Location: Sugarbush trail
Cost: Please see the current rates at the bottom of the page. |
How do Insects Survive Winter?
Ever wondered what happens to insects during winter? On this snowshoeing hike in the forest around the Sugarbush trail, you will learn how the winter climate affects insects and other invertebrates. You may even see one or two!
Snowshoes provided.
Header photo: © National Capital Commission
Booking
To verify availability and to book an activity, please contact us:
- by phone: 819-827-3113, or
- by e-mail: info@friendsofgatineaupark.com
Regular Rates (spring, summer, fall)
*Note: for the guided bus tour fees, please refer to the descriptions. Children (12 and under) / students (13+) / seniors (65+): $7 Adults : $10 Minimum amount per group or sub-group: $120 |
Winter Regular Rates
Children (12 and under) / students (13+) / seniors (65+): $10 Adults : $12 Minimum amount per group or sub-group: $120 Snowshoes included |