Explore La Mauricie National Park in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains

Canoe Circuits, Laurentian Lakes, and Boreal Wilderness Near Montreal

Two hours from Montreal and barely more from Quebec City, La Mauricie National Park occupies a 536-square-kilometre arc of the southern Canadian Shield in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. Established in 1970 through a federal-provincial agreement and officially designated Canada’s 22nd national park in 1977, the park protects a representative sample of the Precambrian mixed forest ecosystem, where more than 150 lakes, rolling boreal hills, waterfalls, and forested ridgelines create a classic Quebec wilderness experience at a scale that feels genuinely remote despite its proximity to major cities.

Canoeing is the park’s defining activity, and the multi-lake canoe circuit is one of the most celebrated paddling routes in eastern Canada. Linking more than a dozen lakes through roughly 40 kilometres of portage routes, the circuit takes experienced paddlers into the park’s quieter interior, where loons call across still water at dusk and moose wade in shallow lake edges at dawn. Day paddlers can explore Wapizagonke Lake, the park’s largest, from a lakeside put-in. For hikers, more than 30 kilometres of maintained trails and an additional 200 kilometres of routes offer options from short family walks to full-day ridge hikes with panoramic views over the Laurentian hills. The 63-kilometre Parkway Road, fully paved, links the park’s two entrance points and passes lookouts, beaches, and trailheads, making a scenic drive through La Mauricie one of the most rewarding non-hiking ways to experience the park.

Families appreciate the park’s combination of organized facilities and genuine backcountry access. Sandy lake beaches, supervised swimming areas, and picnic spots at developed campgrounds give younger travelers a comfortable base, while older kids and adults who want to paddle deeper into the park can do so without leaving the national park system. Multi-generational groups find the Parkway Road scenic drive particularly inclusive, delivering striking views and wildlife encounters at minimal effort. Moose, beaver, black bear, wolves, and lynx inhabit the park, along with over 180 bird species including the common loon, which remains an iconic sound of La Mauricie evenings. Pet-first travelers should verify current Parks Canada pet rules before visiting, as national park regulations apply throughout.

The Mauricie region surrounding the park offers a warm and welcoming base for overnight stays. Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières are the closest urban centres, while smaller communities near the park entrances at Saint-Jean-des-Piles and Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc offer cozy cabins and vacation homes. Lakeside rentals with kayaks and paddleboards, fire pits, and BBQ grills let groups continue the water theme even off-park. Multi-bedroom vacation homes with full kitchens are available for larger groups who want a comfortable base for multi-day Laurentian exploration.

An entry pass is required for all visitors; purchase in advance through Parks Canada or at the park entrance. Canoe camping and backcountry reservations are essential for summer visits and fill weeks ahead. The Parkway Road is typically open from late May through mid-October; check parks.canada.ca/mauricie for current road and facility status. Drones are strictly prohibited throughout the park. Book your accommodations near La Mauricie National Park through Lake.com.