Frequently Asked Questions

Québec national parks

Our team has compiled a list of the most frequent requests. Your answer may already be there.

Daily access and activities in national parks

  • How do I obtain my daily access right?
    • It is strongly recommended to purchase it online within 30 days before the day visit or when purchasing a stay. This guarantees you access to the chosen national park, will ensure a smoother arrival at the site and avoid unnecessary travel when the maximum capacity is reached. Make sure the park is open at the time you want to go there before you buy. It is important to note that the right of access has a validity date. If you have an Annual Québec National Parks Card, you do not need to register online. Both the daily access and the annual card must always be kept with you, as an employee may ask to see them.

      Please also note that that access to a sector, a trail, or an activity may unfortunately be refused if a parking lot is full, or if the maximum capacity established in order to preserve the quality of the experience for visitors and employees is reached. Tip: arrive early in the morning and visit lesser-known places. 
  • Why is there a daily limit on the number of people allowed in national parks?
    • In order to preserve the quality of the natural environment and the experience of visitors and employees, Sépaq must limit the number of visitors who can access a given territory in a single day. It is possible to purchase your daily access for a national park online up to 30 days in advance. This help to plan your outing. N.B. The right of access to a park cannot be modified or refunded, even in case of bad weather on the day of the visit.

      Access to a sector, a trail, or an activity may unfortunately be refused if a parking lot is full, or if the maximum capacity established is reached. Tip: arrive early in the morning and visit lesser-known places.
  • If I’m an annual card holder, must I also book online? Do I have priority access?
    • If you have an Annual Québec National Parks Card, you don’t have to register online. The maximum number of daily access rights sold online has been established in order to receive the maximum number of annual card holders. The annual card provides access to national parks and not specifically to an activity. The rest of the park territory remains accessible, except on rare occasions. The “first come, first served” principle applies to everyone concerning access to a sector, a trail, or an activity. Arrive early!
  • Why is it recommended to book your parking space online for national parks with high volume beaches such as Mont-Orford, Yamaska, and Oka?
    • A beach parking permit purchased online prior to arrival guarantees the holder access to the beach. It also improves traffic flow at the park's access booths by reducing the number of on-site transactions. This way you can also find out if there are still spaces available and therefore avoid unnecessary trips when the maximum capacity is reached.
  • What are the terms and conditions of the beach access parking fee?
    • You can book your parking space up to 30 days before your visit. It is only refundable if the beach is not accessible. The beach parking fee must be paid in addition to the park entrance fee. Both daily fees can be purchased online. Annual card holders must also purchase a beach parking permit online prior to arrival.
  • Why is there an additional fee for beach parking on top of the park entrance fee?
    • This is not new. The purpose of charging for parking at high volume beaches is to cover the increased administrative burden (parking management, more lifeguards, cleanup) that this offer entails.

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