Parc national de Plaisance

The Zizanie-des-Marais trail runs for 1 km and has a floating boardwalk and a lookout tower. The marsh edge bustles day and night with the life of birds, fishes, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. From the Discovery and Visitors Centre, you can also walk along 3 hiking trails that will show you other habitats.

For cyclists or hikers who wish to discover the park at their own pace, a pontoon boat, the Weskarini, also provides a shuttle service between the park's two sectors.

Period: April 27 to October 8, 2012

Table of trails

Guided pontoon boat cruises on calm waters are an invitation to discover the world of birds and treat your eyes to some beautiful bucolic scenery.

Period: May 19 to October 6, 2012 (Details, in French only)

Take your time biking through different habitats, with no cars or traffic lights, while breathing the sweet fragrances of the Ottawa River. For 26 km, you'll be enchanted by the Petite Presqu'île and Grande Presqu'île trails or those of the Thurso sector. Bike can be rented.

For cyclists or hikers who wish to discover the park at their own pace, a pontoon boat, the Weskarini, also provides a shuttle service between the park's two sectors.

Period: April 27 to October 8, 2012

Table of trails

Campers and visitors have access to a supervised swimming pool. Entry fee for visitors.

Periods:

• June 23 to August 26, 2012
• September 1 and 2, 2012

Rent a canoe and glide peacefully over the water in the land of ducks, irises, turtles and dragonflies. The park’s marshes and deep-cut bays are perfect for this soft adventure.

Canoes can be rented by the hour, half day or full day at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

If you have your own canoe, you can launch it from the following spots :

• Discovery and Visitors Centre wharf
• Wharf near the Petite Presqu’Île campground

Period: May 19 to October 8, 2012

Rent a kayak and head for Baie Noire or Baie de la Pentecôte. You can also paddle up Rivière la Petite-Nation to the magnificent Chutes de Plaisance, a round trip of about 4 hours.

Recreational kayaks (solo or tandem) can be rented by the hour, half day or full day at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.

If you have your own kayak, you can launch it from the following spots :

• Discovery and Visitors Centre wharf
• Wharf near the Petite Presqu’Île campground

Period: May 19 to October 8, 2012

You and your family want 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.

Rowboats can be rented by the hour, half day or full day at the Baie Parisien wharf (near the campground).

Period: May 19 to October 8, 2012

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).

Wherever you are in the park, there’s wildlife nearby! The park is a major migratory stopover. Over 250 species can be observed in different habitats. At day’s end, the beaver shows up on the bodies of water. All summer, when the sun at its peak, turtles can easily be seen in the many wetlands. Look for tree trunks or branches that come out of the water and you’ll probably see some.

To help you get a handle on some wildlife-watching tricks, we offer discovery activities specific to the park’s wildlife, such as:

• Cockle stop (in French only)
• Mysterious turtles (in French only)
• Signs of beaver (in French only)
• Fishing for freshwater mussels! (in French only)
• This week’s featured bird (in French only)

Click here for the calendar and registration information.

Plant and animal observation and identification guides are sold at Boutique Nature.

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

A place for conservation and education, Parc national de Plaisance 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 elementary, high school or college students, 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)