If you’re craving a taste of the great outdoors, Quebec has you covered. The province has a vast national park network — green spaces, forests and water bodies— perfect for a quick weekend jaunt or an extended camping trip. We’ve created a foolproof guide to some of the province’s most beautiful parks so you can experience nature at its finest and make memories to last a lifetime.
Parc national du Mont-Tremblant
Open year-round and just a couple of hours from the Ontario border, Mont-Tremblant’s 1,510-square kilometres of pristine territory await you.
Attractions: With six rivers and 400 streams and lakes, this park is a favourite amongst fans of canoeing, paddling, kayaking and fishing. More than 40 kinds of mammals can also be seen here. Hiking is another popular activity at this national park, with over 82 kilometres of trails at varying difficulty levels up for grabs.
Backpackers looking to spend the night at Mont-Tremblant can do so at one of 10 group huts that each accommodate up to 18 people. There’s also EXP. cabins available for couples looking for an intimate experience with nature. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows bring the nature indoors making for truly unique vacation.
Fun fact: Parc national du Mont-Tremblant is home to the spectacular Via Ferrata Du Diable, an experience which allows visitors to safely scale a mountain while clipped into a steel cable.
Parc national du Bic
Located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, Parc national du Bic and its 33-square kilometres of magnificent trails, capes and bays will charm any visitor.
Attractions: There’s almost nothing you can’t do in this park, from sea kayaking to wildlife watching in the summer. The sea breezes and breathtaking cliffs will call your name. Fully take in all that Parc national du Bic has to offer by staying in one of 11 yurts, a rounded tent-like structure. It’s truly an experience you will never forget.
Fun Fact: Parc national du Bic is a great destination for wildlife watching, particularly birds and seals.
Parc national des Grands-Jardins
Grands-Jardins, translated to the Great Gardens, got its name from visitors in the early 20th century who were taken aback by the ground lichen that grew in the area -- a rarity for the park’s northern latitude. The Great Gardens have become a prime destination for hikers, campers and explorers looking to see the stunning land for themselves.
Attractions: Jump in a kayak or take a hike through the multitude of landscapes. If you’re seeking adventure, this is the place for you. Take on the via ferrata, a landscaped climbing route on Mont du Lac des Cygnes, if you want to see the park from a different vantage point. Keep an eye out for woodland caribou and red foxes while trekking through this national park too.
Pied-des-Monts campground in Grands-Jardins has 17 Huttopia tents for those looking to stay the night. Unwind in one of these ready-to-camp structures and have a good night’s rest under the stars.
Fun Fact: A meteorite two kilometres in diameter hit Grands-Jardins 360 million years ago, leaving a crater that is best viewed on top of Mont du Lac des Cygnes.
Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata
Tranquil water and sandy shores make Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata a must-visit destination. It’s namesake is the second largest lake south of the St. Lawrence River and is a body of water formed by the power of glaciers.
Attractions: Water lovers will appreciate the idea of canoe camping on Grand lac Touladi. Wooden platforms are installed on the water’s edge to accommodate freestanding tents so you can glide through the water during the day and set up camp by the water overnight. You can also roam through the trees by foot or bike on one of many trails.
Fun fact: There are more than 60 archaeological sites in Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata with some of them dating back to the Archaic period.
Experience Quebec’s breathtaking nature and make memories that last a lifetime in Quebec’s national park network.