UPDATE | On June 11, 2026, the National Capital Commission announced that the campground at Lac Philippe would resume operations the following day.
At Lac Philippe, Canada geese gracefully glide across the water on tranquil mornings, accompanied by the cheerful chirping of birds in the lofty trees lining the shoreline.
In the vicinity, wild turkeys meander across the numerous trails leading to various campsites.
Next month, individuals will have the opportunity to reconnect with nature in this section of Gatineau Park, a longstanding favorite spot for tourists, as the primary campground is scheduled to open for the first time since 2022.
Describing it as a national attraction, Guillaume Lamoureux, mayor of La Pêche, Quebec, expressed his disappointment when the campground closed just as it was beginning to reopen after two years of pandemic-related closures.
After being shut down for the past three summers due to renovations that were initially projected to take only a year, the campground is now slated to reopen on June 12.
Lamoureux expressed his delight at the imminent return of more visitors to the region, emphasizing the positive impact on the local economy. He stated, “The more, the merrier. It’s beneficial for our economy. Over the last few years, post-pandemic, while some local businesses have thrived, others have faced challenges. Therefore, this is great news for all of us.”
Increased Costs
Originally constructed in the late 1950s, the campground had become outdated despite several past renovations. The National Capital Commission has now implemented various upgrades, including modernized facilities with 30 sites now equipped with electricity and water, along with 10 mini-chalets, one of which is accessible.
Additional enhancements include a new lakeside amphitheater and a revamped kitchen shelter.
Calina Ellwand, the NCC’s public programs and communications manager for Quebec urban lands and Gatineau Park, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming campers back to the area.
In addition to planting over 4,000 evergreen and deciduous trees and bushes, such as white spruce, balsam fir, eastern white cedar, white birch, ironwood, as well as pine, maple, and oak trees, the NCC has significantly increased the estimated cost of rehabilitating the campground from $19 million in 2022 to $29.7 million.
The funding for the project is part of the $228.6 million allocated to the NCC by the federal government over five years for essential work on key assets with high impact and value, as stated in a French-language release from the commission.
Kitigan Zibi Elders’ Contributions
Ellwand mentioned that even those camping in tents will notice increased privacy at their campsites, with landscaping around each site and dedicated wooden tent platforms.
Visitors will encounter signage in Anishin
