Parc national de Frontenac

Go for a walk in the great outdoors! Parc national de Frontenac offers 12 trails that are rated from easy to difficult and range in length from 1 km to 8 km. Whether your hike takes you away to the rolling hills of the Winslow Massif, deep into a coniferous forest, through a vast peat bog, or near a gurgling stream, all of the park trails will provide a journey through interesting forest habitats and ecosystems. To make your forest outing easier, we offer a self-guiding trail, lookout towers, and picnic areas. Enjoy your hike!

Table of Trails

Discover Park Path Explorer

Period: mid-May to mid-October

The third biggest lake south of the St. Lawrence River, Grand Lac Saint-François is a place where soft adventure buffs can paddle from bay to bay and discover a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Canoes can be rented by the hour, half day and full day at the following places :

• Escale (Baie Sauvage campground)
• Discovery and Visitors Centre (Southern sector)
• By the 2 lakes inside the park, Lac à la Barbue and Lac des Îles (Southern sector)
• Visitors Centre (Saint-Daniel sector)

If you have your own light-weight non-motorized boat, you can launch it in the following places :

• Southern Sector:
• Escale (Baie Sauvage campground)
• Discovery and Visitors Centre (Southern sector)
• By the 2 lakes inside the park, Lac à la Barbue and Lac des Îles (Southern sector)
• Saint-Daniel Sector:
• Harbour Master’s office

Enjoy rocking gently on the sparkling waves as you explore three water circuits that invite observation and relaxation. Inquire when you get here.

Have your ever gone canoe-camping? Parc national de Frontenac offers 8 canoe-camping sites, which vary in distance from a few minutes to over 2 hours of canoeing on calm, even mirror-like waters! For this activity, you can camp at Baie Sauvage, Lac à la Barbue or Lac des Îles. Package also available. Experience nature at its purest!

Period: May 18 to October 8, 2012

Discover Park Path Explorer

The third biggest lake south of the St. Lawrence River, Grand Lac Saint-François is a place where soft adventure buffs can paddle from bay to bay and discover a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Solo or tandem recreational or sea kayaks can be rented by the hour, half day and full day at the following places:

• Escale (Baie Sauvage campground)
• Discovery and Visitors Centre (Southern sector)
• Visitors Centre (Saint-Daniel sector)

If you have your own light-weight non-motorized boat, you can launch it in the following places :

• Southern Sector:
• Escale (Baie Sauvage campground)
• Discovery and Visitors Centre (Southern sector)
• At the 2 lakes inside the park, Lac à la Barbue and Lac des Îles (Southern sector)
• Saint-Daniel Sector:
• Harbour Master’s office

Enjoy rocking gently on the sparkling waves as you explore three water circuits that invite observation and relaxation. Inquire when you get here.

Have you ever gone kayak-camping? Parc national de Frontenac offers 8 kayak-camping sites, which vary from a few minutes to over 2 hours of paddling on calm, even mirror-like waters! For this activity, you can camp at Baie Sauvage, Lac à la Barbue or Lac des Îles. Experience nature at its purest!

NEW: Kaking at Dusk. You’ve never gone kayaking? In the company of one of our park warden-naturalists, learn basic navigation techniques and have a unique experience at nightfall. In the magical environment of Baie Sauvage, explore the fascinating world of fully awakened nocturnal life.

Period: May 18 to October 8, 2012

Discover Park Path Explorer

In the St-Daniel sector, take a break in one of the picnic areas on the 8-km cycling path and enjoy the surprising immensity of Grand Lac Saint-François! In the Southern sector, take the new trail, a gently hilly circuit wind through the forest and others offer a view of Baie des Ours and Lac à la Barbue. Bikes can be rented.

Table of Trails

Discover Park Path Explorer

Period: mid-May to mid-October

At Grand lac Saint-François, holders of a provincial fishing licence angle for fish in accordance with Zone 4 regulations.

Fishing in Lac des Îles, Lac à la Barbue and Lac des Ours is only authorized for holders of a cabin-stay permit. Please note that specific conservation regulations apply, and that fishing closes as soon as the lake’s quota is reached. A fishing right of access issued by the park and a provincial fishing licence are mandatory.

Main species:

• Walleye
• Pike
• Yellow Perch
• Landlocked Salmon
• Bass

Period: May 22, 2012 (from June 15, 2012 for bass) until the quota is filled for each lake (Lac des Îles, Lac à la Barbue, Lac des Ours).

The pedal boat is a great way to explore the bays of Grand lac Saint-François with family or friends. Leaving from either Baie Sauvage or Baie aux Rats-Musqués, you’ll float along calm water near the shores, which are teeming with life, and enjoy this magical natural setting to the max. Pedal boats are easy to handle, and you can choose either a 2-seater or a 4-seater. With this aluminum pontoon-style craft you’ll spin along quickly, easily reaching farther-off shores where you can always find a peaceful little spot for a great picnic.

Enjoy rocking gently on the sparkling waves as you explore three water circuits that invite observation and relaxation. Inquire when you get here.

Period: May 18 to October 8, 2012

You and your family would like to spend some time on the water, but you’re not sure what kind of equipment to choose?  The rowboat is very stable and offers plenty of fun and pleasure, whether for fishing or a simple outing Treat yourself to fun-filled moments on the water in Baie aux Rats-Musqués in the Saint-Daniel sector and Baie Sauvage in the Southern sector.

Row boats can be rented by the hour, half day and full day at the following places:

• Escale (Baie Sauvage campground)
• Visitors Centre (Saint-Daniel sector)

Period: May 18 to October 8, 2012

The forests, wetlands and bodies of water at Parc national de la Frontenac are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, which with a little patience and attention, can be spotted.

Several animal species share the area. Moose are especially abundant in the Southern sector, while white-tailed deer are often seen throughout the park. Whether you’re hiking or canoeing, keep your eyes peeled! Hikers often spot families of beavers along the many trails in the Southern sector. The Bald Eagle, the Great Blue Heron and the Common Loon are also seen frequently.

Expert and amateur bird watchers are invited to tell us about their observations. Over 195 bird species have been recorded in the park.

In spring, get your cameras ready and come take a look at the magnificent scenery around the peat bog where many flower species bloom in succession. Rhododendron, laurel and Labrador tea colour the edges of the trails, giving way to orchids in June.

Our park warden-naturalists offer many discovery activities focussing on plant and animal life. See program (in French only)

Flora and fauna observation and identification guides are available at Boutique Nature.

See the list of wildlife species that live in the park (in French only).

Snowshoeing buffs can enjoy all of the park’s roads and trails, except for the Tourbière trails, to appreciate the beautiful and tranquil scenery. The park has a network of 3 trails that total 12 km. The Érablière trail, near the Southern Sector entrance, offers dazzling views of Grand lac Saint-François. Limited services are available in the winter. You can get into the park using self-registration or with an annual Park or Parcs Québec Network card. Snowshoe rental available upon reservation.

Period: mid-December to the end of March

Trails map (in French only)(pdf : 676 KB)

A place for conservation and education, Parc national de Frontenac is a laboratory in a natural setting. Come to class with our dedicated park wardens or welcome them to your school! The beauty, integrity, and cultural/historical characteristics of this territory have inspired five recreational/educational activities. Aimed at young people in elementary or high school, these activities will help them get in touch with their environment, make them understand its fragility, and take them through a memorable real-world experience ...

Consult the brochure School activities in the Sépaq network (in French only) (pdf: 4 MB)