Moorside cottage closure
Moorside (the main cottage) is closed for repairs for the 2026 season.
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.
On site, at the Moorside garage, you will also find a gift shop and a kids’ corner with games. Tour the estate with our guide-interpreters, explore it on your own with our escape backpack game, or go back in time with a “Hands on History” activity.
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. In the winter, the museums are closed.
Kingswood cottage museums, gift shop and kids’ corner
May 16 to September 7, 2026
- Daily except Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10 am to 5 pm
September 8 to October 25, 2026
- Weekends and Thanksgiving Monday, from 10 am to 5 pm
Escape Backpack Game
May 16 to September 7, 2026
- Daily, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10 am to 10:45 am and from 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm
NEW: “Hands on History” activity
June 20 to September 7, 2026
- Thursday to Monday, from 10 am to noon and from 2 pm to 5 pm
Life unplugged: Did you know that doing laundry at Kingswood used to take an entire day? Discover how clothes were washed and dried without electricity. Roll up your sleeves and get your hands wet!
Build a ruin: Discover Mackenzie King’s architectural vision, and design your own ruin inspired by the Estate’s landscapes.
Guided tours
June 20 to September 7, 2026
- Thursday to Monday, 2 pm in English and 3 pm in French
Facilities
- Parking lot: P6, open year-round. From mid-June to October, parking fees apply.
- Picnic area: There are picnic tables near the Moorside cottage.
- Toilets: The outhouse near the parking lot is open year-round; Washroom facilities near Moorside cottage are open from May to October. A toilet in the Kingswood cottage is accessible during museum hours.
- Water: There is a water fountain onsite from May to October.
- Food and beverage: A new food and beverage offering is coming soon. More details to follow.
- Gift shop: NCC and Mackenzie King Estate merchandise for sale at the Moorside garage.
- Kids’ corner: Indoor and outdoor games at the Moorside garage.
- Hands on History: Outdoor activity near Moorside garage.
Getting here
Location: Mackenzie King Parkway, Chelsea, Quebec
The Gatineau Park shuttle is the most convenient way to get to the Estate. Hop in, and don’t worry about road schedules and paid parking.
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.
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, three manual wheelchairs are available upon request. Please ask one of the guide-interpreters.
In winter, none of the trails are plowed.
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 exhibits. There are also interpretation panels inside the cottages.
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.
Weddings
The Mackenzie King Estate is a popular place for small weddings. A reservation is required, and fees are applicable.
