Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

New This Winter! Route de la Vallée will be open to vehicles up to the Discovery and Visitors Centre (km 10).Two parking options are available: the gatehouse parking lot (km 0) or the Discovery and Visitors Centre parking lot (km 10).

From now on, several trails near the Discovery and Visitors Centre will be accessible on snowshoes, such as Le Confluent, Les Cascades, and La Rivière-Sautauriski.

The park has a network of 11 snowshoeing trails totalling 56.3 km. Take advantage of the freshly renovated Discovery and Visitors Centre to warm up or enjoy some delicious soup. The park offers snowshoe rental.

Period: December 16, 2011 to March 18, 2012

Table of trails

General map of trails

Map of trails - south of the Vallée Sector

Baggage transport service

This winter, skiers can circulate on Route de la Vallée starting at km 10. You can also take a number of trails from the Discovery and Visitors Centre at km 10, such as Le Draveur Sud, La Rivière Sautauriski, and La Voie du Bûcheron.

Have you ever had the pleasure of being the first person to hear your skis glide gently over freshly fallen snow early in the morning?  It’s possible on the park’s 55 km of backcountry skiing trails.  This 2-night and 3-day trek is physically demanding, but it’s the ultimate Québec winter experience.  Start your stay with the Voie du bûcheron trail in the heart of the Laurentian mountain plateaus. After a good night’s sleep at Le Balbuzard rustic shelter, ski the Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier on the new 10-km trail, l’Incursion, and spend the night at one of La Cachée rustic shelters. On the third day, return to the plateaus along Rivière à l’Épaule.

To help you keep track of your progress, you can check the mileposts every 2 kilometres. La Voie du bûcheron trail is identified with even numbers (km 2, km 4, etc.), and the Rivière-à L’Épaule trail is identified with odd numbers (km 1, km 3, etc.)

Period: December 16, 2011 to March 18, 2012

Table of trails

Long circuit suggestions

General map of trails

Map of trails - south of the Vallée Sector

Baggage transport service

Dress warmly and hike the snowy Valley Road from the Discovery and Visitors Centre to Pont Banc (8-km hike). This trail runs along the Jacques-Cartier River and features breathtaking views on the surrounding mountains and the Sautauriski River delta.

Period: December 16, 2011 to March 18, 2012

Over 100 km of hiking trails will show you the park's most scenic landscapes. As you walk by a turbulent river or through a yellow birch stand, the trail may open out on to an exceptional view.

Period: year-round

Table of trails

Three mountain bike trails will show you the park's splendours. You have at your disposal over 30 km of trails, ranging in level from easy to very difficult.

Period: May 13 to October 23, 2011

Table of trails

Paddling Down the River

What a great way to discover the dazzling scenery of Vallée de la Jacques-Cartier! The Fédération québécoise de canot-camping recognizes the Jacques Cartier as a river school because of its sections of rapids and calmer waters.

A 26-km section of calm river punctuated by a few rapids is an perfect spot for learning the basic maneuvers. Short, marked portages make bypassing the rapids possible if you don’t feel at ease about crossing them. A number of different itineraries of varying lengths and difficulty levels are also available.

Our vast choice of watercraft (canoes, recreational kayaks, mini-rafts, inflatable canoes and inner tubes) and circuits, give both experienced and beginning paddlers alike a chance to see the park from another angle! A shuttle service is available to take passengers and their equipment to the boat launch ramps. Reserve your spot: 1 800 665-6527.

Equipment rental period: May 14 to October 10, 2011

Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

A Trip through Calm Waters

Families and couples will love paddling through a section of the river that has no rapids. Please note that the end of the canoe circuit, located at km 3, is the only place where the park offers watercraft rental (canoe/kayak) to adults accompanied by children under the age of 5.

Equipment rental period: June 23 to August 29, and September 3, 4, 5, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To relive the ambiance of fishing camps from the early 20th century, reserve a fishing stay with accommodations. Best pick: the Devlin cabins (5) or the renowned Lac à l'Épaule Lodge! They sleep 4 to 14 people and offer a very attractive fishing plan.

Periods:

• May 24 to September 9, 2012 (Devlin cabins)
• May 24 to September 7, 2012  (Lac à l'Épaule Lodge)

You can fish for speckled trout on Rivière Jacques-Cartier and on some lakes in the l'Épaule, Jumeau and Sautauriski sectors. Occasionally, you might catch a parr (young salmon). Throw it back in the water. Salmon fishing is prohibited in the park. A right of access for day fishing and a fishing licence are mandatory.

Period: May 18 to September 9, 2012 or until the annual catch quota is filled.

A place for conservation and education, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier 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 six 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)

Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is home to Lac-à-l'Épaule Lodge, from which comes the expression faire son lac-à-l'épaule. In Québec, this expression means to hold a meeting behind closed doors, away from curious outsiders. Come and hold your own meeting in this enchanting site.