Pink Lake (Canada) Lake

Meromictic lake in Gatineau Park with unique ecology

Located in Gatineau Park near Gatineau, Pink Lake offers a boardwalk, forested trails and a clear, bowl-shaped shoreline. People come for short hikes, canoeing and birdwatching close to Ottawa.

Main image

Pink Lake (Canada) at a Glance#

Address: Pink Lake (Lac Pink), Gatineau Park, Chelsea / Gatineau area, Quebec, Canada

Website: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/pink-lake

Hours: Open daily (park access subject to Gatineau Park rules)

Admission: Free (park/lake)

Tips for Visiting Pink Lake (Canada)#

  • Visit first thing on a weekday morning for calmer water (better reflections) and far fewer visitors; weekends and mid-afternoon see the most local traffic.
  • Use the dedicated parking and boardwalk/interpretive trail at the site and stay on the marked path - the lake is ecologically sensitive and the boardwalk provides the best viewpoints.
  • Walk the whole loop and read the interpretive panels; some of the best outlooks are off the busiest entry point and are easily missed if you only stop at the main platform.

Best Time to Visit Pink Lake (Canada)#

Late spring through early autumn is the best time to visit Pink Lake (Quebec) for unfrozen conditions and easy trail access.

Summer (peak season)
June-August · 20-27°C
Warmest, most accessible time for walking the trails and enjoying the lake; water and shoreline are unfrozen.
Spring / Autumn (shoulder)
April-May, September-October · 0-15°C
Crisp days with fewer visitors-good for quieter walks though conditions can be cool and changeable.
Winter
November-March · -10-0°C
Cold with ice and snow likely; the lake is typically frozen and access may be limited or icy.

Weather & Climate near Pink Lake (Canada)#

Climate

Pink Lake (Canada)'s climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (990 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
-17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -17° - -7° -18° 69 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
February - -16° - -5° -16° 64 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
March - -9° - 1° -9° 69 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
April - -1° - 9° 1° 73 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
May - 6° - 18° 12° 88 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
June - 11° - 23° 17° 89 mm - - 2.8 m/s - -
July - 14° - 26° 20° 91 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
August - 13° - 24° 19° 94 mm - - 2.5 m/s - -
September - 9° - 19° 14° 89 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
October - 3° - 12° 6° 90 mm - - 3.1 m/s - -
November - -3° - 5° -2° 90 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
December - -12° - -3° -13° 84 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -