The varied focus of Quebec’s national parks shows what a nature visit can mean: the Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé is known for its rich birdlife, while rivers and lakes shape the landscape of the Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. At the Parc national du Mont-Mégantic, mountain trails meet astronomy. These contrasts can help you shape a trip around your interests—whether that means longer hikes, wildlife, looking up at the sky or discoveries from the Earth’s history.
National parks balancing nature and public access
Quebec’s national parks protect representative natural areas or exceptional natural sites and make them accessible to the public. Quebec’s network of national parks includes 28 areas. Sépaq, for its part, features 23 national parks across Quebec, with more than 6,995 km² of protected areas. The figures refer to different network definitions. These examples show how varied nature and experiences can be across these park landscapes.
Lakes, rivers and trails in Mont-Tremblant
Six major rivers, along with 400 lakes and streams, are part of the landscape at the Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. Those interested in longer hikes will find an 82-kilometre trail network with ten shelters. The Via ferrata du Diable offers another way to discover the park’s mountains: this activity combines elements of hiking and climbing. Long hikes and a climbing-and-hiking experience therefore offer different ways to explore.
Mountain trails and astronomy at Mont-MĂ©gantic
At the Parc national du Mont-MĂ©gantic, you can combine a climb up Mont Saint-Joseph or Mont MĂ©gantic with a visit to the ASTROLab and the astronomical observatories. The park lies at the heart of the first International Dark Sky Reserve. Here, the mountains and the sky are equally part of the experience: you can focus on either summit, on astronomy or on both.
In the Franceville sector, the 20-kilometre Cimes de Franceville trail includes the Des Escarpements trail. Views from here take in a mountain-stream valley and distinctive peaks. In winter, 20 kilometres of snowshoe trails for all skill levels add to the park’s offerings. The options therefore vary by activity and season: the snowshoe trails are explicitly a winter option, while Franceville is described as offering a long hiking route and scenic views.
Seabirds and boat access on ĂŽle Bonaventure
More than 200,000 breeding seabirds from eleven species live in the Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé. The park is North America’s most important migratory bird sanctuary. The Île-Bonaventure sector has four hiking trails, covering a total of 15 kilometres. Île Bonaventure is accessible only by boat. Factor this into your plans and check current boat access options in advance.
Fossils and military history
The choices also include discoveries beyond hiking trails. At the Parc national de Miguasha, an exhibit presents animal and plant fossils, offering visitors of all ages a scientific discovery experience. Those interested in history will find a different focus at Artillery Park: from June to September, visitors can explore more than three centuries of military and social history there. This timeframe is relevant when planning a visit.
Quebec’s natural and cultural attractions can be distinguished by specific interests: long trails and shelters, snowshoeing, astronomy, seabirds, fossils or military history. Each place has its own focus; choose the one that will enrich your trip most.
Discover more destinations: Argenteuil, Rivière-Du-Loup, Champlain, La Jacques-Cartier, Les Chutes-De-La-Chaudière, La Côte-De-Beaupré, Sept-Rivières--Caniapiscau, Memphrémagog, Pointe-Lebel, Sacré-Coeur-Saguenay, Le Centre-De-La-Mauricie, Communauté-Urbaine-De-Québec, Les Collines-De-L'outaouais, Beauce-Sartigan, La Mitis, Les Pays-D'en-Haut, Brome-Missisquoi, Thérèse-De Blainville, La Haute-Gaspésie, Maskinongé, Bécancour, Antoine-Labelle, La Haute-Yamaska, Arthabaska, La Rivière-Du-Nord, Francheville, Le Fjord-Du-Saguenay, Le Haut-Richelieu, Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Le Domaine-Du-Roy, Lac-Saint-Jean-Est, Matawinie, Le Granit, Drummond, Charlevoix-Est, La Haute-Côte-Nord, Nicolet-Yamaska, Matane, Maria-Chapdelaine, La Côte-De-Gaspé, Desjardins, Communauté-Urbaine-De-Montréal, Kamouraska, Rouyn-Noranda, D'autray, Bonaventure, Les Laurentides, Deux-Montagnes, La Vallée-Du-Richelieu, Le Rocher-Percé, Bellechasse, L'islet, Montmagny, Avignon, Témiscouata, Mirabel, Les Maskoutains, La Nouvelle-Beauce, Papineau, Laval, Communauté-Urbaine-De-L'outaouais, Joliette, Lajemmerais, Rimouski-Neigette, La Région-Sherbrookoise, La Vallée-De-La-Gatineau, L'assomption, Les Etchemins, Mékinac, Beauharnois-Salaberry, Charlevoix, Portneuf, Senneterre, Pontiac, L'amiante, Asbestos, Les Îles-De-La-Madeleine, Le Val-Saint-François, Rouville, Pierre-De Saurel, Lotbinière, Les Jardins-De-Napierville, Manicouagan, Minganie--Basse-Côte-Nord, Saint-Simon-De-Rimouski, Témiscamingue, Les Moulins, Robert-Cliche, L'érable, Vallée-De-L'or, Abitibi-Ouest, Abitibi, Le Haut-Saint-Maurice, Les Basques, Le Haut-Saint-François Regional County Municipality, Nord-Du-Québec, Les Appalaches Regional County Municipality, L'île-D'orléans, La Matapédia, Coaticook, Montcalm, Acton Regional County Municipality, Saint-Léon-De-Standon, Saint-Sylvestre, Saint-Blaise-Sur-Richelieu, Val-Des-Monts, Saint-Denis-De-Brompton, Blainville, Saint-Philémon, Saint-Casimir, New Carlisle, Lotbinière, Nouvelle, La Pocatière, Roussillon, Marguerite-D'youville, Le Bas-Richelieu, Le Haut-Saint-Laurent, Asbestos, Montreal
Back to the main travel overview: Canada.
