Parc national du Mont-Orford - Parcs Québec

News

Fishing and vacation getaways for 2013: Reserve as of April 28, 2012

Hiking is definitely the best way to discover Parc national du Mont-Orford. It's the perfect way to get access to numerous viewpoints, which are said to be among the most spectacular of the Eastern Townships region. In the fall, the forest presents a show featuring the flamboyant colours of the sugar maples. The park is notably home to white-tailed deer and Great Blue Heron, which you can observe in their natural habitat. There is also a large variety of amphibian and reptile species. Come winter, the park is a destination of choice for cross country skiing and snowshoeing fans.

Download the park journal

Activities
Accommodations
Packages

Outdoors
School

Hiking

Hiking trails form a network of over 80 km of trails laid out to offer you memorable moments of discovery. They are classified from easy to difficult.

You can also go backpacking on a portion of the trail network called Les Sentiers de l'Estrie, which crosses the park from north to south. The star attraction is the spectacular Des Crêtes trail. Primitive tent platforms ensure hikers peaceful nights. Reservations required.

Table of trails

Period: early May to the end of November 2012 (depending on snow conditions)

Route 1 (the road to the campground) closes December 1 (depending on weather conditions)

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Swimming

The Stukely and Fraser beaches are supervised and designed for recreation with playgrounds for the kids. Glass containers are prohibited.

Period: mid-June to Labour Day

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Cycling

A section of Route Verte, the TransQuébec cycling network, crosses the park from east to west. It is over 10.4 km in length and is classified as difficult.

Period: early May to late October

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Canoe

Come discover 2 crystal clear lakes, Lac Stukely and and Lac Fraser. Imagine drifting along the water surrounded by mountains. The scenery is spectacular!

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

Le Cerisier Discovery and Visitors Centre
Lac Stukely beach
Lac Fraser beach

Periods:

Lac-Fraser sector: mid-May to Labour Day
Lac-Stukely sector: mid-May to mid-October

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Kayak

Whether you choose a solo or tandem kayak, Lac Stukely and Lac Fraser are great places for this sport. Kayaking is an ideal way to explore the shores and make fabulous discoveries!

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

Le Cerisier Discovery and Visitors Centre
Lac Stukely beach
Lac Fraser beach

Periods:

Lac-Fraser sector: mid-May to Labour Day
Lac-Stukely : mid-May to mid-October

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Pedal Boat

Explore the shores of Lac Stukely and Lac Fraser (2-seater or 4-seater). Perfect for a family outing!

You can rent pedal boats by the hour, half day or full day at the following places:

Le Cerisier Discovery and Visitors Centre
Lac Stukely beach
Lac Fraser beach

Periods:

Lac-Fraser Sector: mid-May to Labour Day
Lac-Stukely sector: mid-May to mid-October

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Row Boat

Looking for a family activity? How about renting a row boat and having a picnic on the water?

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

Le Cerisier Discovery and Visitors Centre
Lac Stukely beach
Lac Fraser beach

Periods:

Lac-Fraser sector: mid-May to Labour Day
Lac-Stukely sector: mid-May to mid-October

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Rock Climbing

The Pic aux Corbeaux rock climbing cliff is for intermediate and expert climbers (some routes are also accessible to beginners. A 1,100-m approach path leads to the climbing area. No supervision on the site.

Types of Climbing

Bouldering: Boulder climbing is prohibited, except at the base of the cliff.

Cliff: Sports routes equipped with fixed anchors (bolted anchors and plates). Some 5.5 to 5.7 routes. A large variety of 5.9 to 5.12 b routes (difficult). Some mixed routes, with manual chocks and anchors. Sector of extremely difficult overhangs: for experts only. Some 5.13 b routes. In certain places calculate more than one length of rope. Highest route: 35 m.

Guidebook available at Boutique Atmosphère in Sherbrooke: 819 566-8882.

General Recommendations

Have training from an accredited organization specialized in the teaching and mastery of rock climbing techniques.
Never climb alone.
Bring your own specialized safety equipment for this sport. This equipment must be in good condition (rope, helmet, harness, climbing shoes, carabiners, descenders, crash pads, etc.).
Bring a first aid kit.
Bring a cell phone.
Be familiar with the emergency procedures displayed in the parking lot and at the base of the cliff.
Be ready to ensure your own evacuation, without outside assistance from the park and/or local emergency services.

Access

Parking lot off Route 112 as you head east, right after Motel du Rond-Point. Exit 115, Highway 10.

Period: May 1 to November 30, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Note: The site is likely to be closed each year from late May to late July during the Peregrine Falcon nesting period.

Wildlife Watching

In the summer, explore Étang aux Cerises on an audio-guided ecological tour. Pick up your guide at Le Cerisier Visitors Centre and then follow the numbered buoys on the water. There are many different birds to see, including loons.

In the winter, check out our self-guided snowshoeing trails (Le Pékan and Le Coyote). Keep your eyes peeled…you may see some deer!

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Cross Country Skiing

Cross country skiing fans can ski to their hearts' content on 13 trails totalling 50 km, including 26 km for skate skiing. Beginners and experts alike will discover suitable trails that are marked, groomed and packed.

Period: mid-December 2011 to the end of March 2012 (depending on snow conditions)

Table of trails

Map of trails (in French only) (pdf: 720 KB)

Ski School

To give you an opportunity to try, develop and improve your classic or skate skiing techniques, Parc national du Mont-Orford has joined up with Le Coureur cross country skiing school to offer private, semi-private (2 to 4 people), and group lessons on weekdays or weekends.

Reservation Elsewhere at Sépaq

Snowshoeing

The park offers 10 circuits classified from easy to difficult, ranging in length from 2.5 km to 16 km. They give snowshoers access to some beautiful scenery.

Period: mid-December 2011 to the end of March 2012 (depending on snow conditions)

Table of trails

Map of trails (in French only) (pdf: 720 KB)

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Snow Walking

A short marked trail of 1.6 km is accessible near the Lac-Stukely Visitors Centre. You can also enjoy this activity on the Chouette trail.

Period: mid-December 2011 to the end of March 2012 (depending on snow conditions)

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Ski-Vel

To make winter hiking trails accessible to the mobility impaired, an all-new product has been introduced to Bic, Îles-de-Boucherville, Mont-Orford, Mont-Saint-Bruno, Mont-Tremblant and Oka national parks: the Ski-Vel. Designed by the Tri-Vel company, Ski-Vel can be easily adapted to people’s wheel chairs (not included) so they can enjoy exploring the snow trails. A Ski-Vel is available for free at each park’s Visitors Centre.

The School of Nature

A place for conservation and education, Parc national du Mont-Orford 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)

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Cabin

Unique in the Parcs Québec network, you'll love the Le Bowen cabin's comfort, decor and conveniences. It is located in the Lac-Stukely sector, is accessible in the winter on cross country skis (5.9 km, 2 ½ hrs), snowshoes (5.7 km, 3 or 4 hrs) or on foot (5.7 km, 3 or 4 hrs) depending on snow conditions), and can accommodate up to four people. Baggage transport is available. Accessible by car from mid-May until the end of November.

Period: year-round

Accommodation table

Reservation Elsewhere at Sépaq

Hut

You can easily hike to the 3 huts in the summer or cross country ski or snowshoe to them in the winter. These huts, which sleep from 6 to 24 people, are heated with propane stove and have no running water or electricity.

Period: year-round

Accommodation table

Elsewhere at Sépaq

Camping

Whether you are looking for the comfort of a serviced campground or the rustic charm of more basic sites, a camping stay in the park is your guarantee of peaceful nights.

The Lac-Stukely sector offers:

326 serviced campsites, partially shaded sites
14 tent platforms for primitive camping Le Vallonier (accessible on foot, cross country skis or snowshoes).

Winter camping is authorized on Le Vallonier campground (4-km of snowshoeing from the Lac-Stukely Discovery and Visitors Centre).

Lac-Stukely sector: May 11 to October 8, 2012
L'Entremont: April 30 to December 1, 2012
Le Vallonnier: year-round

The Lac-Fraser sector offers:

149 serviced campsites in a deciduous forest. Fifty of the sites have electricity.

The primitive camping platforms L'Entremont are in the southern part of the park. You can reach them from the Ruisseau-des-Chênes trail (Estrie trail).

Period: Lac-Fraser sector: June 8 to September 3, 2012

Reservation Elsewhere at Sépaq

Huttopia (ready-to-camp)

At the heart of the activities, the Lac-Stukely campground has everything you need with its 15 Huttopia tents in Le Mélèze (loop). They are located 200 meters or less from the parking lot and are only accessible on foot. Five Huttopia tents are also available on the Le Jaseur loop of Lac-Fraser Campground.

Periods:

Lac-Stukely sector: May 11 to October 8, 2012
Lac-Fraser sector: June 8 to September 3, 2012

Reservation Elsewhere at Sépaq

Tent-Trailer (ready-to-camp)

To meet our campers' needs, 2 tent-trailers located close to the outdoor activities, are available at the Lac-Stukely campground.

Period: May 11 to October 8, 2012

Reservation Elsewhere at Sépaq

Winter Escape Package

$246.00

/4 pers./2 nights

Regular rate: $328

Come and discover Le Bowen cabin and brighten up the season with your favourite winter activities: cross country skiing or snowshoeing!

The package includes:

2 nights of accommodations at the Le Bowen cabin

Details:

Available from Sunday to Thursday inclusively
Accessible on cross country skis (5.9 km) or snowshoes (5.7 km)
Please note that baggage transport is not included
Bed linens and towels not included

Rates:

Prices include discounts "2nd Night Half Price!". (Regular rate: 328 $/2 night)

Period: December 1, 2011 to April 1, 2012 (depending on snow conditions)

Reservation

Family Ski Package

$54.99

/family
(2 adults and children
under 18 years old)

New! This winter, take advantage of the Christmas holidays to introduce your family to cross country skiing.

The package includes:

The package includes admission to the trails and equipment for each member of the family.

Details:

Parc national du Mont-Orford: 819 843-9855
Parc national du Mont-St-Bruno: 450 653-7544
Parc national du Mont-Tremblant: 819 688-2281
Parc national d'Oka: 450 479-8365
Camp Mercier (Réserve faunique des Laurentides): 418 848-2422
Station touristique Duchesnay : 418 875-2711
May not be combined with any other offer.

Informations

Period: Monday to Friday, December 25, 2011 to April 13, 2012 (depending on snow conditions)

Reserve Online

Cabin 1 cabin unit available Take a tour of the information sheets and reserve!
Campsite 475 campground units available on-line Reserve now!
Huttopia Tent 20 Huttopia tent units available Reserve now!

Multimedia

Featuring

Visit the Eastern Townships This Summer

During your vacation, don’t miss your chance to explore the 4 national parks in the Eastern Townships: Frontenac, Mont-Mégantic, Mont-Orford and Yamaska. Some awe-inspiring nature awaits you!

Give…And Nature Will Give Back

The Parcs Québec network is officially launching the Parcs Québec Fund. Donations will be used for a variety of conservation projects: research, monitoring, and inventory. Discovery how to participate in maintaining the ecological integrity of the national parks.

Wood Carriers!

Parcs Québec has heard you. For transporting your supply of campfire wood, we now offer reusable log-carriers, which are made in Québec from scraps of window blinds. Carrying your firewood has never been easier or more eco-friendly!

Important

Don't move firewood

Moving firewood, even just a few kilometers away, can spread invasive insects and diseases to our forests. Buy it locally. Burn it on site. Never bring it back home. For more information: www.inspection.gc.ca.