Quebec’s national parks for families: short trails, beaches and free activities

Hikers can enjoy the park’s five lakes, orchards boasting over 2,000 apple trees, a tea room and miles of trails criss-crossing the forest. Come explore this Montérégie mountain, which is home to some 200 bird species and over 40 types of mammals.

This national park in the middle of the St. Lawrence River just a short distance from the heart of Montréal, boasts green spaces, channels teeming with life and waterside trails for campers, hikers, cyclists and canoeists looking for a breath of fresh air and an escape from noisy city life.

From the Calvaire Hill to Lac des Deux-Montagnes, history abounds. The park is home to some of Québec’s richest heritage, telling part of the story of our roots. Explore the true nature of this park by way of its many educational and outdoor activities available year-round.

Spread over 12.89 km2 (4.98 sq. mi.), this park enchants visitors with its diverse vegetation, its land and aquatic animals, and its arrow-shaped lake surrounded by forests and fields. Relax under tall trees with massive girths and observe the wildlife that abounds in this oasis of green.

This park is home to one of Québec’s most spectacular glacial valleys, the Jacques-Cartier valley. In winter, the park’s splendour is transformed into an enchanting wonderland. Explore the park on foot, snowshoes, Nordic skis or off-trail skis.

The 83 m high waterfall, 30 m higher than Niagara Falls, is surrounded by footpaths and lookouts that invite you to take a breathtaking stroll. Whether you take the cable car, the panoramic staircase, the suspension bridge, the zip line or the via ferrata, the views are nothing short of spectacular.

Located on a series of islands in the Ottawa River, the Parc national de Plaisance is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly birdwatchers: over 250 species can be observed all year. Witness the stunning sight of birds and ducks migrating, and turtles laying their eggs.

Welcome to Mont-Tremblant National Park, the oldest national park in Quebec! This is the land of wolves, mooses and white-tailed deers . As far as the eye can see: a forest dominated by sugar maples, 400 lakes, 6 rivers punctuated by cascading waterfalls and countless streams.

Hiking is definitely the best way to explore this national park. In wintertime, the park is the ideal destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fatbiking enthusiasts.

Explore a land like no other by hiking, skiing or snowshoeing. Take part in activities led by nature and astronomy interpreters and enjoy evenings of astronomy under the stars at the first International Dark Sky Reserve.

Nature, wildlife, boating and camping activities on Grand lac Saint-François.

A memorable getaway awaits you at this park showcasing the beauty of the boreal forest and tundra. Delve into a black spruce forest carpeted in lichen. The summit of Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes offers a unique place to discover the Charlevoix crater. 

The parc is one of Québec’s most beautiful natural monuments. It was named after a series of valleys cut deep into a range of high mountains. Mounts Élie and Jérémie and Montagne des Érables dominate Lac Noir, Ruisseau du Pont, and the Malbaie and Martres river valleys.

Set on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, this 33.2-km2 (12.8-sq.-mi.) national park boasts a stunning landscape of headlands, bays, coves, islands and mountains.

Imagine standing among breathtaking cliffs and steep slopes. At Rivière-Éternité, huge granite walls carved by once roving glaciers stand some 300 m tall. Downstream at Tadoussac, ride through the sand dunes. Come winter, you can discover the park by foot or on Nordic skis or snowshoes.

A unique view onto lake Saint-Jean, an immense inner sea. Be sure to walk along its kilometres of sandy beaches. In the peat bog, thrive orchids, cranberries and carnivorous plants, and among the alders, cattails and water lilies of the marshes, frogs of several species.

Set in the heart of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, this national park boasts peaks over 900 m (2,953 ft.) high, spectacular views, and rivers and other bodies of water ideal for hikers, canoeists and fishing enthusiasts. The diverse boreal flora and fauna.

Located on one of the most magnificent lakes south of the St. Lawrence River, this park lets visitors immerse themselves in a land inhabited by humans for 10,000 years. Between immaculately preserved nature and historical heritage, it’s the place for outdoor enthusiasts.

With 25 peaks over a thousand metres (3,280 ft.) high, this park in heart of the Gaspé peninsula is unique due to its very diverse fauna and flora. Enjoy a hike and discover breathtaking vistas while exploring 140 km (87 mi.) of trails. Accessible year round.

At low tide, walk up to the 5-million-ton monolith shaped by stormy seas, strong gales and severe cold weather. Discover the flora, fauna and history of the island. Hear the raucous calls of 50,000 nesting Northern gannets.

Take a step back in time, discover fossilized plants and fish as old as 380 million years. A guide will tell you where to look for the hidden treasures. Examine them under a microscope, and discuss your findings while picnicking on the cliffs facing Baie-des-Chaleurs.

Come observe traces of the ice age, lava flows and rocks that are 2.7 billion years old. This exceptional protected national park is a haven of tranquility. Moose sightings are not uncommon as this region is home to the largest concentration of this species in all of the Abitibi region.

Experience this brand new national park and explore the pristine rivière and lac Kipawa and the cliffs of lac Témiscamingue. Gather around the fire, under giant pine trees, and listen to Anishinabeg legends. It’s the new remedy for your daily grind!

Imagine a wild and enchanting island, bathed by the transparent light of the north. Imagine white cliffs caressed by the ocean. Imagine breathtaking canyons and the roar of waterfalls. Imagine immense secret caves, white-tailed deer browsing on algae, salmon swimming through emerald-green pits.