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Do you want to experience the thrill of a trip down Rivière Jacques-Cartier? Here’s what you need to know to plan your adventure.
Rivière Jacques-Cartier is the only river in Quebec to be part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. Since 1981, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier has been protecting the course of this river for a 54 km stretch, including a 26 km section that’s simply one of a kind. Surrounded by steep walls rising to a height of nearly 500 metres, the river offers calm water sections and class R-I to R-III short rapids. In addition to being accessible to all, this section offers a perfect balance between adventure and contemplation.
The watercraft rental centre, located at km 10 of Chemin du Parc-National, offers all services facilitating the practice of nautical activities on Rivière Jacques-Cartier. The centre features, in particular, the rental of specialized watercraft for river navigation as well as safety equipment rental (wetsuits, life jackets, helmets, etc.).
A water shuttle service is also available to facilitate transportation to the different launch sites.
Whether it's for white water activities in a canoe, kayak, miniraft, or inner tube, your activity must be booked in advance. When you book, you’ll select the watercraft and circuit that tickle your fancy.
To book an activity, you must contact our team at 1-800-665-6527.
You must register at the rental centre 45 minutes before the departure of your shuttle. You'll then have 20 minutes to collect your equipment and prepare for your activity.
You're doing some canoe-camping? Make sure to also arrive 45 minutes before your departure time!
At your scheduled departure time, you'll board a bus to go to your launch site. An employee from the rental centre will accompany you during the trip and will provide the safety instructions related to your activity.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can retrieve your watercraft. From that moment on, you'll be on your own for the rest of the activity. Have fun!
When you get back to the rental centre, you'll return all equipment to the place indicated by the rental centre employees.
The 26 km stretch of river that separates La Jetée (km 29) from the hourly rental centre (km 3) is characterized by extensive sections of calm water interspersed with 13 class R-I to R-III rapids, each of which is identified on the right bank and has a portage trail allowing you to bypass the section of rapids.
There’s only one class R-III segment of white water rapids, the famous #11 Rapids. Located at km 16, these rapids are off limits to anyone who has rented a watercraft from the park. The portage trail is easily accessible and visible from a distance. You can' t miss it.
Along the valley path, there are a number of launch sites providing easy access to the river. The watercraft rental centre (km 10) offers shuttle transportation to a number of these sites. Depending on the destination, the circuits vary in length and level of difficulty. Some are reserved for certain types of watercraft.
La Jetée is the longest circuit offered. It starts with a nice segment of R-I rapids before reaching a 7.5 km long panoramic calm water section. The circuit then offers a more challenging 10 km section, including 8 class R-I to R-III rapids.
Authorized watercraft: canoes, solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, and dinghies
Ekwatek is the best compromise between length and scenic beauty. The circuit starts with 3.5 km of panoramic calm water, then offers a more challenging 10 km segment including 8 class R-I to R-III rapids.
Authorized watercraft: canoes, solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, and dinghies
Pont-Banc is the gateway to the white water segment for the athletically inclined. Upstream from the bridge, a calm stretch of water allows you to get used to the watercraft. Downstream from the bridge, a beautiful section of four class R-I to R-III rapids begins.
Authorized watercraft: minirafts, canoes, solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, and dinghies.
La Maubèche is the circuit set aside for white water inner tubing. It's a calm circuit interspersed with gentle currents, ideal for letting the river carry you merrily along.
Authorized watercraft: inner tubes
Parcours Sud is the only circuit where the launch is directly at the rental centre (km 10), so you’ll take the shuttle back to the rental centre at the end of the activity. The circuit begins with a 2 km section of calm water, then offers a 5 km section interspersed with white water and 3 class R-I and R-II rapids.
Circuit accessible only in autonomy (without shuttle).
To navigate safely on a river with rapids, it's important to have a watercraft designed for this purpose. In the end, each model offers a compromise between stability and maneuverability. This is why the rental centre offers a variety of watercraft to meet the different needs and experience of visitors.
Renting a watercraft always includes the loan of a wetsuit, a life jacket, and one paddle per person. You must wear a wetsuit when the water temperature is below 15o Celsius. Because of their level of difficulty (R-III), Rapids # 11 are off limits to all visitors who rented a watercraft at the rental centre.
Canoes are the traditional watercraft used by First Nations since the dawn of time. A canoe is an open-type vessel that can carry all sorts of cargo. Swift and sleek in calm water, they can quickly become unstable in white water. Canoes are always rented for two people and each person uses a single paddle.
The rental centre offers open “sit-on-top” type kayaks, so they’re easy to board and disembark. Shorter than sea kayaks, their shape is specially designed for river navigation. Kayaks are easy to maneuver. Solo kayaks are for one person and tandem kayaks are for two. Each participant uses a twin-blade double paddle.
A dinghy is an inflated watercraft midway between a canoe and a raft. These unsinkable vessels have been designed to travel down extensive sections of rapids. In the calmer waters of the park, they offer a good compromise between comfort, thrills, and safety. Dinghies are always rented for two people, and each participant can use a single or double paddle.
Minirafts are inflated watercraft designed to navigate class R-IV and R-V rapids. In the calmer waters of the park, minirafts are safe enough for children five years of age and older to paddle about. The miniraft 5 model is rented to groups of 3 to 5 people, and the miniraft 7 to groups of 5 to 7 people. Each participant uses a single paddle.
Inner tubes are an inflated doughnut-shaped watercraft with a fabric cover and a netted bottom. Used without any means of propulsion, you sit comfortably in the middle and let the river current carry you merrily along. Inner tubes are rented for one person. Elastics are available to attach the inner tubes together (mandatory for children of 10 years old and under).
Period of the season | Shuttle departure schedule | |
---|---|---|
May 18 to June 21, 2024 | Saturdays and Sundays |
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June 22 to September 2, 2024 | Every day |
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September 3 to 29, 2024 |
Saturdays and Sundays |
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There’s limited space on the shuttles, and schedules may change without notice. You must arrive at the rental centre 45 minutes prior to the time of departure to register, fill out a rental contract, and choose your equipment (wetsuit, paddle, life jacket, and more).
The booking of a white water activity generally includes two items: the watercraft and shuttle transportation. If you have your own watercraft, you can just book the shuttle. It's also possible to rent a watercraft without taking the shuttle. It is not possible to book in advance and there is no specific time for the return of the watercraft without the shuttle. Go to the km 10 nautical rental center and validate the possibilities on site.
The table below shows the three circuits offered in 2024, as well as the choice of watercraft available for each circuit. Taxes aren’t included.
Mandatory booking at 1-800-665-6527.
Circuit | Watercraft available | Rate per watercraft | Rate for the shuttle (for all customers in the watercraft) | Package (watercraft and shuttle) |
---|---|---|---|---|
La Jetée | ||||
19 km circuit (4 to 5 hours) La Jetée is the longest circuit offered. It starts with a nice segment of R-I rapids before reaching a 7.5 km long panoramic calm water section. The circuit then offers a more challenging 10 km section, including 8 class R-I to R-III rapids. |
Canoe (2 people) |
$60 |
$41.25 |
$101.25 |
Solo kayak (1 people) |
$52.25 | $20.75 | $73 | |
Tamdem kayaks (2 people) |
$67.75 | $41.25 | $109 | |
Dinghy (2 people) |
$47.50 | $41.25 | $88.75 | |
L'Ekwatek | ||||
15 km circuit (3 to 4 hours) Ekwatek is the best compromise between length and scenic beauty. The circuit starts with 3.5 km of panoramic calm water, then offers a more challenging 10 km segment including 8 class R-I to R-III rapids. |
Canoe (2 people) |
$60 |
$33 |
$93 |
Solo kayak (1 people) |
$52.25 | $16.50 | $73 | |
Tamdem kayaks (2 people) |
$67.75 | $33 | $100.75 | |
Dinghy (2 people) |
$47.50 | $33 | $80.50 | |
Le Pont-Banc | ||||
8 km circuit (1 h 30 to 2 h 30) Pont-Banc is the gateway to the white water segment for the athletically inclined. Upstream from the bridge, a calm stretch of water allows you to get used to the watercraft. Downstream from the bridge, a beautiful section of four class R-I to R-III rapids begins. |
Canoe (2 people) |
$44 | $20.75 | $64.75 |
Solo kayak (1 people) |
$38 | $10.50 | $48.50 | |
Tandem kayak (2 people) |
$49.50 | $20.75 | $70.25 | |
Dinghy (2 people) |
$35 | $20.75 | $55.75 | |
Miniraft 5 (3 to 5 people) |
$72.50 | $41.25 | $113.75 | |
Miniraft 7 (4 to 7 people) |
$112 | $51.50 | $163.50 | |
Le Maubèche | ||||
5 km circuit (1 h 30) La Maubèche is the circuit set aside for white water inner tubing. It's a calm circuit interspersed with gentle currents, ideal for letting the river carry you merrily along. |
Inner tube | $13.25 | $7.75 | $21 |
Visitors renting a watercraft at the rental centre must comply with the rules in effect at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, in particular
White water excursions are nautical activities, and you're sure to get wet. So it’s important dress accordingly.
Don't forget to bring your sunscreen, a bottle of water, and a snack. These items can be purchased at the rental centre. Waterproof barrels and dry bags can also be rented on site.
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