10 Amazing Places to Paddle Near Gatineau & Ottawa

The Outaouais region of Quebec is an ideal destination for paddlers. Home to thousands of lakes and rivers, so many options are available to you! It can be hard to choose a location and to know how to have access to it. Here, I present 10 amazing places to paddle near Gatineau & Ottawa. They each offer something a little unique. While some offer proximity to the city, others allow to escape it and take in nature’s tranquility. All 10 locations are great for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and canoeing.

1. Meech Lake (Chelsea, Québec)

Meech Lake is one of my favourite spots to paddle in the region. It offers breathtaking sunrises and sunsets at both ends of the lake. This lake is very calm with almost no boat traffic. The water is usually calm in the morning and at night. Unfortunately, parking is not free. From June 18th to September 6th, parking is $13 from 9a.m. to 3p.m. and half-price afterwards (until 7pm (free after 7pm)). Parking is available at parking lot P12 (or P13) in the Gatineau Park. Parking is limited, especially on the weekend, so arrive early or late in the day. Access to the lake is less than a 100 m from the parking area (at P12). Toilets are available in the parking area.

2. Philippe Lake (La Pêche, Québec)

Philippe Lake is situated in the Gatineau Park in the La Pêche sector at around a 35-minute drive from downtown Gatineau. This lake is very long and narrow with little bays. This lake is very calm with not motorized boat presence on the lake. You can catch a great sunrise and sunset here, but Meech Lake has it beat on that front. Unfortunately, parking is not free here. From June 18th to September 6th, parking is $13 from 8a.m. to 8p.m. and half-price after 5p.m. Parking is available at parking lot P20 (Breton Beach) in the Gatineau Park. This is a fairly big parking lot, but this is a popular destination so plan accordingly. I recommend you park in the far-right corner of the parking area when entering it to have easier access to the lake and a grassed area to inflate your board. Washrooms are available at this location. The Gatineau Park does rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and rowboats at this location (visit their website for more information on pricing).

3. La Pêche Lake (La Pêche, Québec)

La Pêche Lake is probably the biggest lake in the Gatineau Park. It has many wide section and dozens of bays to explore. Because of the width of certain sections, wind can sometimes be an issue, especially for paddle boarders. In those situations, I recommend getting into a nearby bay where the wind should be less intense. Unfortunately, parking is not free here. From June 18th to September 6th, parking is $13 from 8a.m. to 8p.m. and half-price after 5p.m. Parking is available at parking lot P20 (Breton Beach) in the Gatineau Park. Parking at the beach area is limited so either get there early or late on the weekend (other parking areas available). Washrooms are available at this location. The Gatineau Park does rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and rowboats at this location (visit their website for more information on pricing).

4. Leamy Lake (Gatineau, Québec)

Leamy Lake is situated in the heart of the City of Gatineau at the intersection of the Ottawa and Gatineau River. This lake has almost a large oval shape. While not a bi lake, it is perfect for an evening paddle. You can venture onto the two rivers from this lake by heading towards the Gatineau River (be cautious of the current). Free parking is available at the Northwest parking lot situated off Atawe Street. Paid parking can also be found at the East parking area which is run by the National Capital Commission. From June 18th to September 6th, parking is $2/30min or $10 max from 7a.m. to 10p.m. You can rent equipment near the Northwest parking area from the City of Gatineau (visit the city’s website form information).

5. Wakefield – Gatineau River (La Pêche, Québec)

Wakefield is a popular destination for paddlers because it offers easy access to the beautiful Gatineau River. With multiple access points along the Riverside Rd., I personally recommend entering the water near the Wakefield General Store (see map below). You can both head down the River for a few good kilometres or head upstream towards the Wakefield Covered Bridge. At the bride, the current is strong, but you can get past them by walking your board, canoe, or kayak along the shoreline to the bridge. Free parking is available near the Wakefield Steam Train Turntable. Public washrooms are also available near the turntable.

6. Lac de la Ferme (Duhamel, Québec)

This beautiful lake is only accessible to non-motorized equipment. Therefore, the lake is extremely calm and excluded. The lake itself is in the shape of a large oval and surrounded by hills and mountains. This lake is accessible via chemin Lac de la Ferme. Parking is free and the access point is located beside the parking area. Toilets are usually available in the parking area.

7. Cayamant Lake (Cayamant, Québec)

Cayamant Lake is very long and straight. It is accessible to motorized boats so the water can get very active at some times. Access to the water is available via a public ‘beach’ located at the southern end of the lake of Chemin Bellevue. Parking is free and a toilet is present in the parking area. The parking is situated just next to the lake itself. There are other locations to get access to the lake.

8. Picanoc River (Gracefield, Québec)

You can explore this amazing river by completing either a 10 km or a 5 km trip. While you can locate the different access points yourself, I recommend using Carpe Diem Aventures transportation or rental services. For only 15$ +tx per person, they will transport you to the beginning of the journey down the river. For more information on this journey and on their services, consult my blog post on my adventure down the river.

9. Petite-Nation River (Plaisance, Québec)

Situated in the Plaisance National Park, you can paddle up the river from the Discovery Center and head to the Plaisance Waterfalls. You can park your vehicle at the Discovery Center in the national park for free (must have a park pass or annual card) to get in. Access to the river is situated at a few 100 m from the main parking lot. The journey to the falls should take between 2 and 3 hours to complete (10 km round-trip). You can rend a kayak, canoe, or paddle board from the Discovery Center (visit their website for more information on pricing). Washrooms are available at the discovery centre. You can also head down the river and check out the different bays and get an amazing sunrise.

10. Aylmer’s Marina (Gatineau, Québec)

This beautiful marina is a perfect evening paddle location with fantastic views of a sunset. Free parking is available either the corner Xavier and Athur-Croteau Street or at the main parking lot of the marina. Both are only a few hundred metres from the beach head. There is also some free parking at the end of Derwin Street. Washrooms are available at multiple location. This is the Ottawa River, so be aware of the current which can be strong at some moments, especially for paddle boarders. The City of Gatineau also rents kayaks and stand-up paddle boards at the marina.