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

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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:

• 2012 Season
• May 24 to September 9, 2012 (Devlin cabins)
• May 24 to September 7, 2012  (Lac à l'Épaule Lodge)
• 2013 Season
• May 23 to September 8, 2013 (Devlin cabins)
•  May 23 to September 6, 2013  (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 and may be purchased at the Discovery and Visitors Centre

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

Like the first explorers of the Jacques-Cartier River, discover this watercourse 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:

• May 18 to May 27: Weekends
• May 28 to June 21: Wednesday to Sunday
• June 22 to September 16: daily
• September 17 to October 8: weekends

Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

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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:

• May 18 to May 27: weekends
• May 28 to June 21: Wednesday to Sunday
• June 22 to September 16: daily
• September 17 to October 8: weekends.

Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

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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.

On Saturdays and Sundays from June 23 to September 3, 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. $25/adult , $18.75/child.

You can rent minirafts by the day.

Periods:

• May 18 to May 27: weekends
• May 28 to June 21: Wednesday to Sunday
• June 22 to September 16: daily
• September 17 to October 8: weekend

Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

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 half day or full day.

Periods:

• May 18 to May 27: weekends
• May 28 to June 21: Wednesday to Sunday
• June 22 to September 16: daily
• September 17 to October 8: weekends

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 accompanied by an adult can also participate in this unique activity.

You can rent inner tubes for 3-hour periods.

Period: June 22 to September 3: daily

Information on shuttle routes and schedules

Advice for a day on the river

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 11 to October 21, 2012

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 7 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).

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 14, 2012 to March 17, 2013

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 14, 2012 to March 17, 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 14, 20112 to March 17, 2012

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.

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