Estimated time to read: 2 minutes

Stéphanie Quinn

Information Officer Student

Summertime — warm weather, sunshine, picnics, and enjoying the company of family and friends! It’s the perfect time to get away from the daily grind, and get out and have fun in nature.

Gatineau Park beaches, on three lakes in the Park, are great places to enjoy summer. Here’s a snapshot of each of the Park’s beaches, to help you choose your favourite spot.

* We suggest that you consult the state of the beaches before travelling. On weekends, parking lots fill up early.

Philippe Lake

Breton Beach

Breton Beach
Breton Beach

Located at Philippe Lake, Breton Beach — with its long, sandy strip that is perfect for making sandcastles — is also a great place for barbecues with family and friends. There are washrooms, change rooms, charcoal BBQs and picnic tables. Breton Beach also has a wheelchair access ramp into the water. A chair lift is also available.

Park at the Philippe Lake parking lot ($) OR take the free Philippe Lake Shuttle on weekends!

Nearby attraction: Lusk Cave (Trail 50 is partially closed due to construction)

Parent Beach

Parent Beach
Parent Beach

Parent Beach is also located at Philippe Lake. Equipped with a playground, it’s a great spot for children. It also has washrooms, change rooms, picnic tables and a boat launch for non-motorized watercraft.

Park at the Philippe Lake parking lot ($) OR take the free Philippe Lake Shuttle on weekends!

Nearby attraction: Lusk Cave (Trail 50 is partially closed due to construction)

A non-motorized boat rental service (canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards) is offered near both beaches at Philippe Lake.

La Pêche Lake

La Pêche Lake Beach

La Pêche Lake Beach
La Pêche Lake Beach

The large beach at La Pêche Lake, the largest lake in Gatineau Park, offers a more peaceful and less busy spot, compared with the other Park beaches. It has washrooms*, change rooms, picnic tables, a boat launch for non-motorized watercraft, and a canoe and kayak rental service.

Park at the La Pêche Lake parking lot ($).

Nearby attraction: Camping at La Pêche Lake (canoe-camping).

Meech Lake

Blanchet Beach

Blanchet Beach
Blanchet Beach

On the shore of beautiful Meech Lake, Blanchet Beach offers a natural spot close to the city. A large lawn area borders the beach, and several facilities, such as outhouses, change rooms and picnic tables, are available for users.

Park at parking lot P13 ($).

Nearby attraction: Wolf Trail (No 62)

O'Brien's Beach

Also located at Meech Lake, O’Brien Beach is an ideal spot for young families. This sandy beach, which also has outhouses, change rooms and picnic tables, will delight both young and old.

Park at parking lot P11 ($)

Nearby attractions: Carbide Willson ruins and the Trans Canada Trail.


All Gatineau Park beaches have lifeguards on duty from 10 am to 6 pm. Parking fees are $13.50 per day. Have a great summer!

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