6 Famous Provincial Parks in Quebec

The capital of the Canadian province of Quebec is Quebec City. It is renowned for its vast history, diverse culture, European-inspired building design, and famous provincial parks.
Among the oldest cities in North America, it was founded in 1608 by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Several provincial parks surround Quebec City, providing opportunities for outdoor activity, natural splendour, and environmental connection.
Here Are the 6 Famous Provincial Parks in Quebec:
1. Forillon National Park
Quebec’s Gaspésie area is home to the Forillon National Park. It was established in 1970 with the intention of preserving the Notre Dame Mountains, establishing it as Quebec’s first national park and one of the most famous provincial parks in Quebec.
More than 225 bird species and several mammals, including the black bear as well as beaver, can be found in the area’s scenery, which includes shores along the cliffs, Atlantic Ocean, salt marshes, dunes, beaches, woodlands, and portions of the Quebec Appalachians.
Forillon National Park offers a variety of activities, such as camping, hiking, boating, kayaking, and much more. You can swim in the hottest water in the vicinity while viewing a blue whale, the biggest animal on the earth.
The best-guided tour for viewing the park’s wildlife, which includes numerous types of seagulls, harbour seals, grey seals, and more are also available.
During the 3-hour sea kayaking journey, you will paddle with your guide at a relaxed pace which will enable you to appreciate nature and take in the breathtaking sunset.
The Les Graves trail is one of the top hiking routes in Quebec’s first national park.
The walk will take you to Gaspeg, which means the land’s end in the native tongue, which is located at the edge of the Gaspé Peninsula. Additionally, the lighthouse identifies the location so it is difficult to miss.
Hikers can readily cross a few tasks off the bucket lists whilst exploring the park because several of the trekking trails are also a component of the Appalachian Trail.
Ten various types of rock formations, seabird colonies, and mysterious arctic-alpine vegetation are what give this region its distinctive personality.
On the park’s website, you can find the entrance fees broken down by season as well as age groups.
2. La Mauricie National Park

La Mauricie National Park is a stunning place to explore and is situated in the Laurentian Mountains close to Shawinigan and about 2.5 hours from Montreal.
It was established in 1977 having the intention of safeguarding its domain. Its area is 536 square kilometres.
Over fifty species of mammals, such as black bears and wolves, in addition to reptiles and numerous kinds of birds, can be found in the area’s coniferous forests, waterfalls, and lakes.
You can spot beavers as well as endangered Canadian wood tortoises in the park has more than 150 ponds and lakes. This is the ideal spot if you enjoy canoeing or kayaking.
In the park, there are several captivating vantage points. You may access spectacular panoramic views by using one of the several snowshoeing trails. The ski tracks will allow you to savour the moment as well as establish a connection with the preserved nature.
Enjoy activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and photography, making it one of the most famous provincial parks in Quebec.
All along Parkway, there are a number of picnic sites. You can stop there for a quick bite, start a hiking trail, or just take in the beautiful views.
The Park also provides amazing chances to stay longer and enjoy the night amidst the magnificence of nature.
When the frozen streams entice snowshoers and ice skaters, the Laurentian Mountains entertain skiers from all over the region, making the park crowded in the winter.
Plan a weekend getaway for late spring to experience the park in its full beauty when the ice and snow have melted and the pathways are lined with waterfalls.
3. Parc National Tursujuq
The largest national park in Quebec, Parc National Tursujuq, is situated at the meeting point of the Inuit and Cree civilizations in the area between the tundra and the boreal forest.
It has more than 100 ancient sites, and its extensive system of relatively undiscovered rivers and lakes serves as a true haven for belugas. People have lived on this undeveloped land for around three thousand years.
A double-meteor crater lake, untamed beauty, and unique species, including polar bears musk-ox, belugas, and caribou, are some of its most impressive natural characteristics.
Spend the day travelling to Clearwater Lake from Umiujaq, an Inuit settlement, or go hiking or sea kayaking along the shore. Witness the finest Aurora Borealis after sunset. Additionally, camping is permitted year-round in the park.
Kayakers have a wide variety of terrain to explore, including a 5 km long cataclinal valley, islands, asymmetrical slopes, basalt rock, channels, and tide currents. It is highly recommended to go kayaking in Richmond Gulf, an interior bay with interesting geology.
Five significant freshwater rivers feed Richmond Gulf, resulting in a saline water body that is filled with a diverse range of marine life as well as plants. Also, female beluga frequently takes care of her babies in the warmer waters of the Gulf.
4. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
The Quebec province’s Minganie region is home to the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. To safeguard its archipelago, it was established in 1984.
Its size is 150 square kilometres and thousands of limestone islands dot the landscape.
Whales, seabirds, and seals are just a few of the many wildlife that may be found there. It’s an incredibly beautiful sight, mainly at dusk, and one of the most famous provincial parks in Quebec.
The archipelago’s islands inspire exploration as well as offer several opportunities to spot waterfowl, bird colonies, whales, dolphins, and seals.
In the nesting season, the park is overrun by over ten different bird species. Remarkably, Mingan has a community of Atlantic puffins every year; these creatures are frequently referred to as parrots of the sea.
Before you go, stop by the acclaimed Interpretation Centre and Havre-Saint-Pierre Reception to get a feel for everything you will encounter.
Spectacular paddling experiences can be had on a hundred kilometres of navigable rivers filled with reefs and islets and a tidal zone alive with marine life.
A multi-night expedition could be supported by the size of the archipelago. On 9 of the islands, hiking is allowed, as well as free wilderness camping is accessible.
5. Parc National du Mont-Tremblant

The second-largest as well as the oldest provincial park in Quebec is Mont-Tremblant. For 121 years, its magnificence has been acknowledged and safeguarded.
The park is a serene haven, with round peaks, tiny lakes, and wavy canals, as well as a mix of hardwood and boreal trees dotting the terrain.
With hundreds of streams and lakes scattered across the park, 3 sub-watersheds, and 6 major rivers, canoeing is the logical means of adventure. A canoe voyage through the backwoods is like a Canadian safari, with 206 types of birds, and 40 animal species, such as the iconic eastern wolf.
Landlubbers may start by picking a trail from the 1,510 sq kilometre park’s 82 complete kilometres of trail. For the casual hiker, there are a few one-day and one-night hikes available.
La Diable Loop, The Big Hike, and The Park Crossing are the three main options for backpackers looking for a multi-night circuit. All have a medium difficulty rating.
You can also spend some days biking on one of the 8 circuits, which together cover 124 km of route. At the Via Ferrata Du Diable, there are bridges, skirt beams, as well as footpaths two hundred meters well above the Diable River.
Camp a tent in a backcountry wilderness campground, stay at Lac-Provost or Lac-Monroe or stay in communal huts for uncomplicated lodging.
Furthermore, there are various outfitters providing woodland adventure and lodging for those seeking additional modern conveniences or rustic elegance.
6. Parc National de la Jacques Cartier
A provincial park titled Parc National de la Jacques Cartier is situated 50 kilometres north of Quebec City. The Laurentian massif’s wildlife is protected by the park.
It is located in the eco-region of the Eastern forest-boreal transition and is one of the most famous provincial parks in Quebec.
The 550-meter-long Jacques Cartier River carves a passage into the plateau, resulting in stunning slopes.
Glaciers and time have flattened the scenery, but the river still has many different sides, making some sections thrilling for rafting rapids as well as others calmly suitable for SUP.
A multi-sport outdoor trip is a fantastic time to pitch up camp in Parc National de la Jacques Cartier. In a kayak or raft, pass the day navigating the river.
Enjoy a few more days exploring the park’s hundred kilometres of hiking paths, taking in the scenery and quiet forests. Be sure to visit Scotora Trail.
Set out along the 30 kilometres of well-maintained biking tracks if you rented a motorbike. They have a total of 113 campsites, from rustic to developed.
The park is also filled with wildlife, and when you spend sufficient time there, you’ll almost certainly see a moose. Beaver, porcupines, and white-tailed deer are to be on the lookout for.
In the End
These were the 6 famous provincial parks in Quebec.
The provincial parks in Quebec City provide a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities and breathtaking natural beauty. These parks offer opportunities to commune with nature and take advantage of the great outdoors, including hiking, camping, kayaking, and fishing.
They provide a tranquil retreat from the city and an opportunity to take in the spectacular beauty of Quebec’s wildness thanks to its varied landscapes, which include woods, lakes, and rivers.
These parks are a must-see for everybody in Quebec City, regardless of whether you’re an experienced adventurer or just seeking a pleasant day excursion.
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