Outdoor Activities - Summer and Fall

Parc national du Saguenay extends on both shores of the fjord. It is important to take into account the, at times, major distances separating the three sectors in which the various attractions are located.


Cruise on the Saguenay

Offered as part of a partnership with Croisière Marjolaine, this activity is sure to delight both young and old. Three times a day, the Cap Liberté, hosted by professional guides, cruises into the heart of the fjord and treats guests to spectacular views of the steep cliffs and the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue. Please note that this is not a whale observation cruise.

The Cap Liberté riverboat offers 180 degrees of observation windows on the passenger's deck, making for unique visibility in good weather or bad. The deck is even heated for excursions on cooler days. Seats 72 passengers. Harbour seal haulouts, geological faults, soaring cliffs, magnificent water falls, and exceptional phenomena related to the glacial valley are just some ot the themes you'll discover on the Cap Liberté as you cruise the fjord.


Introduction to Sailing Cruise

Learn about sailing at the rhythm of the sea. The Croisière Mercator School invites you for a memorable cruise on the fjord aboard an inhabitable sailboat, offering four short introductory excursions with an experienced captain. They vary in length from 2 hours to a full 7-hour day. Learn sailing techniques while navigating the fjord. No experience necessary. In this learning environment, you will have the chance to feast your eyes on some exceptionally beautiful scenery, which both boaters and nature lovers are sure to appreciate. Package with overnight stay also available upon request.



Short Excursion in a Sea Kayak or Zodiac

In partnership with Québec Hors-Circuits, the park proposes short guided excursions in a sea kayak or zodiac. Experienced guides will help you discover the fjord's geomorphology as well as the resident wildlife and plant life in complete safety. Excursions that last two to three hours, with several departures per day in the summer.



Sea Kayaking and Kayak-Camping

A kayaking excursion on the Saguenay Fjord is simply amazing. As you paddle alongside capes, sheer cliffs and beaches, you are sure to fall under the spell of this breathtaking natural environment. Thirteen primitive campgrounds have been set up for kayaking enthusiasts along the fjord. You must reserve your primitive campsite to obtain a visitor's permit. Please bear in mind that the Saguenay is a very unusual watercourse with tides, changing winds and currents. Several ecotourism companies offer safe sea kayak excursions on the fjord. However, if you have your own sea kayak and have extensive experience with this type of recreational activity, the following information will prove useful. There are several launching sites: Saint-Fulgence (Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux), Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, Baie-Éternité, L'Anse-Saint-Jean, L'Anse-de-Roche and L'Anse de Saint-Étienne (Village Vacances Petit-Saguenay). For obvious safety reasons, we strongly advise against venturing out on the fjord in a river kayak or a canoe.

We also strongly advise against launching kayaks at Baie Sainte-Marguerite, given the regulation on sea observation activities.

A kayaker's route map is available at the park's Discovery and Visitors Centre, and at various points of sale. In addition, copies of the brochure entitled Safety Guide to Sea Kayaking are available free of charge from the Canadian Coast Guard, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park or the Fédération Québécoise de Canot et de Kayak. The code of ethics and the regulations for observation activities at sea are available. Kayak-Camping Circuits
Period: From the end of May to the end of September

Day Fishing

Brook trout (speckled trout) fishers can practice their favorite pastime on a network of 5 lakes. Anadromous brook trout (sea trout) may also be fished on Rivière Éternité. The bodies of water are accessible by light-duty truck. Fishing licence mandatory, along with fishing access rights and park admission. Please note that the north shore lakes are closed.

New in 2008 : It is now possible to reserve your day fishing activity 4 months in advance. For example, if you want to fish on June 24, you should reserve on February 24. Online reservations and phone reservations start at 8:30 AM (1 800 665-6527). See Reservation Terms and Conditions and the 2008 Day Fishing brochure.

Hiking

Several itineraries lasting a day or less allow you to walk alongside the fjord atop its capes. The scents of the sea and the forest will intoxicate your senses. Table of Trails
Period: From the end of May to the end of October



Backpacking

A network of over 100 km of trails offers you the possibility of getting away from it all for a period of 2 to 9 days while discovering both coastal and mountain landscapes on both shores of the fjord. A sample of the numerous itineraries available is provided below to give you a foretaste of what you can expect. Vehicle transfer services, as well as water taxi services, are offered. Several primitive campsites and huts are available during your expeditions. Suggested itineraries
Period: From the end of May to the end of October

Please note that the Saint-Thomas road entrance for the trail leading to Montagne Blanche (a section of the trail that is outside the park) is closed from September 21 to October 14, 2008 for the hunting season.