Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

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, depending on the trails

Table of trails

Discover Park Path Explorer

Like the first explorers of the Jacques-Cartier River, discover this majestic valley by canoe. Ideal for white-water experts, this fast-moving vessel is perfect for long trips and has plenty of room for cargo. This type of boat is open (no deck) and can be used in a river up to class 2 (light current, few rapids). The capacity is 2 people with luggage. The minimum age for this activity is 12, except for the hourly rentals available at km 3.

You can rent canoes  by the hour, half day and full day

Periods: See the Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

Discover Park Path Explorer

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here’s a great way to discover the dazzling scenery of the Jacques-Cartier Valley. The kayaks for rent at the park are of the open “sit-on-top” variety, which are easy to board and disembark. The more flared shape of their hulls and their width makes them stable in white water. Note that the wider tandem kayak is even more stable. The capacity for this kayak is 2 people for the tandem kayak and 1 person for the solo kayak. The minimum age for this activity is 12, except for the hourly rentals available at km 3.

You can rent kayaks by the hour, half day or full day.

Periods: See the Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

Discover Park Path Explorer

In groups or with the family, the miniraft is a popular way to explore the most active part of the river.  With its unsinkability, stability and simplified approach to white-water techniques, this watercraft is great for everyone, including children five and older. It’s big enough to offer plenty of space for carrying daypacks and a picnic. However, it is not as fast in calm water. The capacity is a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 7 people with a daypack and a small cooler.

You can rent minirafts by the half day.

Periods: See the Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

Guided excursions
On Saturdays and Sundays from June 22 to September 2, a guide can accompany you on your trip, teaching you maneuvers and how to read the rapids. You’ll also learn about the characteristics of the park and the river (rates: $34.79/adult, $24.35/child).

The dinghy is an inflatable boat that allows beginners to navigate safely with a maximum of sensation. Its weight of only 18 lbs. facilitates portages. The flat bottom makes for great manoeuverability in the rapids, but this boat is slower in calm water. The minimum age for this activity is 12, except for the hourly rentals available at km 3.

You can rent dinghies by the hour, half day or full day.

Periods: See the Information on shuttle routes and schedules

The rabaska canoe is the perfect watercraft for small group excursions accompanied by a park warden-naturalist. To take part in this activity, see the program guide for guided discovery activities (in French only).

In the hot days of summer, come “trip” on the Jacques-Cartier. Get comfortable on your tube and savour a magnificent summer afternoon drifting gently down the river. Kids, aged more than 5, accompanied by an adult can also participate in this unique activity.

You can rent inner tubes by half day.

Period: June 22 to September 2, 2013 (daily)

Periods: See the Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

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.

Period: see the Fishing Package with Accomodations

You can fish for speckled trout on Rivière Jacques-Cartier and on some lakes in the l'Épaule, Jumeau and Sautauriski sectors. New this summer, you can now go fly fishing on Lac Cook in La Vallée sector. You could also catch a young salmon in Rivière Jacques-Cartier. 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 and may be purchased at the Discovery and Visitors Centre

Period: May 17 to September 8, 2013 or until the annual catch quota is filled.

Day Fishing Plan – 2013

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 17 to October 20, 2013

Table of trails

Discover Park Path Explorer

The forests and bodies of water in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier are home to a wide variety of plant and animals, which with a little patience and attention, can be spotted.

Québec’s 3 big cervidae share the territory. The moose is king of the Jacques-Cartier River valley. Whether you’re hiking or canoeing, keep your eyes peeled! In the summer, visitors report an average of 5 sightings a day. Hikers often spot families of beavers on the Scotora trail. White-tailed deer and porcupines are also seen frequently.

Expert and amateur bird watchers are invited to take part in the summer and winter censuses. Over 130 bird species have been recorded in the park. To find out more, call 418 848-3169.

In spring, get your cameras ready and come take a closer look at the undergrowth on our trails, which is dotted with colourful trilliums, yellow trout lilies, and dicentras.

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 on available at Boutique Nature.

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

Route de la Vallée is 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).

The park has a network of 11 snowshoeing trails totalling 78.7 km. Take advantage of the freshly renovated Discovery and Visitors Centre to warm up or enjoy some delicious soup.

If you want to have a snack or warm up once the trails, drop in to any of the 3 warming huts.

The park offers snowshoe rentals.

Period: December 21, 2012 to April 1st, 2013 (depending on snow conditions)

Table of trails

General map of trails

Map of trails - south of the Vallée Sector

This winter there are several possibilities for backcountry skiing: Route de la Vallée (between km 10 and km 33) and the following trails: Draveur Sud, Rivière Sautauriski, Voie du Bûcheron, Rivière-à-l’Épaule and l’Incursion.

We remind you that the backcountry skiing trails are not groomed, packed or marked.

Backcountry Skiing

Have you ever had a chance to hear your skis gliding along fresh snow early in the morning before anyone else? You can have just such an experience at the park on the 55-km backcountry skiing circuit. It’s very physically demanding, but this 2-night/3-day adventure is a classic way to experience winter in Québec.

More information

Period: December 21, 2012 to March 17, 2013

Table of trails

Long circuit suggestions

General map of trails

Map of trails - south of the Vallée Sector

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 21, 20112 to April 1st, 2013 (depending on snow conditions)

The park offers several routes for geocaching enthusiasts . Find out more on the Geocaching.com Web site or on www.lesmarcheurs.com, the Web site for the volunteers that look after these spots.

A vast plateau overlooking the majestic valleys of the Jacques-Cartier, Chute and Sautauriski rivers, the backcountry of Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is found in a boreal forest, where moose is king.

Summer

On the plateaus of the Sautauriski River, adventure lovers will discover a 350 km2 playground that can be reached on foot or by mountain bike. The altitude varies between 700 m and 900 m.

The heads of Jacques-Cartier and Sautauriski Rivers are accessible to advanced whitewater canoeists and kayakers.

Summer backcountry area (in French only)

Winter

A 430 km2 playground can be reached on snowshoes, or backcountry, alpine touring or telemark skis. The altitude varies between 700 m and 900 m. Roads, old logging trails, summer trails and waterways are the most popular travel routes.

Winter backcountry area (in French only)

Reservation Terms and Conditions

To go into the backcountry, it is mandatory to have an access permit. See Reservation Terms and Conditions for all the important details.

Access and Parking

Periods: May 15 to October 15, 2013

Near the Discovery and Visitors Centre on the west shore of Rivière Jacques-Cartier, you can now enjoy alpine touring, telemark, snowshoeing and snowboarding on a 100-hectare (1 km2) off-track area with an elevation of 300 meters. The area is not patrolled and not suitable for beginners.

Access to these areas requires a long walk. The sector is not maintained or patrolled, but it is marked. This area is for experienced skiers. Exercise caution.

Map off-track area limits (winter) (in French only)

Period: depending on snow conditions

OPEN OR CLOSED?
Contact us to know if this off-track area is accessible: 418 848-3169

Come discover part of the valley few people have explored during winter until now. A Snowcat shuttle service runs between the Discovery and Visitors Centre and the famous Sentier des Loups trail, giving you access to a breathtaking view of the snowy mountains.

Schedule

Rates

Limited number of places. Reservations required 1 800-665-6527.

Periods:

• From December 21, 2012 to March 17, 2013 : service available on Saturdays and Sundays
• From December 24, 2012 to January 4, 2014 and from March 4 to 8, 2013 : service available every day

Visitors of all ages are invited to try the brand new natural toboggan hill in the heart of the valley. Guaranteed laughter for the whole family! Departure from the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

Period: from December 21, 2012 to March 17, 2013 (depending on snow conditions)

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 French only)

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.

Our 100-seat amphitheatre is a magnificent natural setting for all types of presentations. To book, call 418 848-3599, ext. 234