Nestled in the heart of Gatineau Park, the Mackenzie King Estate is a special place where you can spend the entire day enjoying nature. From the moment you enter the Estate, you will feel as though you have been taken back to the early 1900s. It is the precious legacy of former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, who owned the property for close to 50 years.
The magnificent English and French gardens, historical ruins, trails, and museums make this historic site well worth visiting.
Yours to protect. Yours to enjoy.
Help us protect Gatineau Park’s ecological integrity and cultural heritage.
- Stay on official, marked trails.
- Do not climb on the stone walls or ruins.
- Keep dogs and other pets on leash.
Featured
Visit the Mackenzie King Estate
Hours of operation
The Mackenzie King Estate grounds are open year-round. Free access.
The former cottages, now turned into museums, are open and are staffed by historical interpreters on the following schedule:
- May 18 to September 2: Every day except Wednesday, from 10 am to 5 pm
- September 7 to October 27: Weekends and Thanksgiving Monday (October 14), from 10 am to 5 pm
The Friends of Gatineau Park offer free guided tours of the Estate on the following schedule:
- June 22 to September 2:
- Thursday and Friday at 10:15 am (in English) and at noon (in French)
- Saturday and Sunday at 11 am (in English) and at 2 pm (in French)
The guided tours last an hour (60 minutes) and take place outdoors. No registration required.
Getting here
Location: Mackenzie King Parkway, Chelsea, Quebec
You can drive to the Mackenzie King Estate using the parkways (limited access) or municipal roads. There are parking fees from mid-June to October.
Via the parkways
Important: Private vehicle access is limited at times on the parkways (periodic closures). See seasonal schedule.
Take Gatineau Parkway from Gatineau Park’s south entrance (Boulevard des Allumettières or Alexandre-Taché Boulevard) or from Chelsea (Old Chelsea Road and Meech Lake Road). Follow the signage for the Estate, which indicates a turn on Champlain Parkway. The entrance to the Estate is on the right, on Mackenzie King Road.
Via municipal roads
Take Kingsmere Road from Chelsea. Follow the signage for parking lot P6, which indicates a left turn at Swamp Road, and then right on Barnes Road. The entrance to the Estate is on the left.
Tour buses are not allowed on these municipal roads.
Facilities
- Parking lot: P6, open year-round. From mid-June to October, parking fees apply.
- Picnic area: In summer, there are picnic tables near the Moorside cottage. Tables and chairs are also available inside the Moorside cottage, now turned into a day shelter.
- Toilets: The outhouse near the parking lot is open year-round; washroom facilities near Moorside and Kingswood cottages are open in summer.
- Water: There is a water fountain onsite.
Accessibility
Most of the buildings, including washrooms, and the paths between them, are universally accessible. The hiking trails are not wheelchair accessible.
The path leading from the parking lot to the buildings and Abbey Ruins is partially accessible to wheelchair users. Because the path has some steep slopes and is not paved, wheelchair users may need some assistance to hike this trail. The ground floors of some of the museums are wheelchair accessible. The Mackenzie King Estate parking lot is paved and has two parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
In summer, five manual wheelchairs are available upon request. Please ask one of the guide-interpreters.
Points of interest
Ruins and gardens
King’s estate bears an enduring mark of his complex personality and romantic nature. His gardens, the collection of ruins, and other features that he created stand as reflections of King’s ambitions and passions.
Trails
Parking lot P6 is the starting point for hiking trails and mountain biking trails from spring to fall. In winter, it’s the starting point for winter hiking, cross-county skiing and snowshoeing.
The Waterfall and Lauriault trails are a popular year-round hiking loop where leashed pets are allowed.
Museums
The Kingswood and Moorside cottages, faithfully restored and rich in artifacts, are now museums that contain interactive exhibits. There are also interpretation panels inside the cottages and around the property.
About the Mackenzie King Estate
This 231-hectare country estate belonged to Canada’s tenth and longest-serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. After spending almost 50 years (1903–1950) beautifying and expanding his property, King bequeathed his beloved estate to all Canadians.
Did you know? William Lyon Mackenzie King welcomed many dignitaries to his summer home, including Winston Churchill and Yousuf Karsh. Discover other interesting facts and see historical photos on our interactive map.
The Mackenzie King Estate is a favourite attraction on the Chemins d’eau tourist route.