National park · Canada
Mastigouche Wildlife ReserveRéserve faunique de Mastigouche
Go for a day of forest lakes and easy trails from the Pins Rouges gate (about 2.5 h from Montréal); buy a daily access right at the gate, walk the marked trails before 11:00, and skip it if you want a serviced national park — this is a working forest with gravel roads and no restaurants.Go for a day of forest lakes and easy trails from the Pins Rouges gate (about 2.5 h from Montréal); buy a daily access right at the gate, walk the marked trails before 11:00 AM, and skip it if you want a serviced national park — this is a working forest with gravel roads and no restaurants.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
- Approximate; the reserve spans the Matawinie (Lanaudière) and Maskinongé (Mauricie) regions and its boundary follows forest roads, so figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mastigouche is a SÉPAQ wildlife reserve, not a national park: about 1,500 km² of boreal forest and roughly 100 lakes across the Matawinie (Lanaudière) and Maskinongé (Mauricie) regions of Québec, run for hunting, fishing, camping and quiet forest walks rather than for scenery. It was created in 1971 to open land that private clubs — Saint-Bernard (1872) and Mastigouche (1901) — had controlled, and forestry and mining still happen inside it, so it is a working forest with gravel roads, three seasonal reception stations and no restaurants. The Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve, 8.5 km² of sugar maple and yellow birch near Shawinigan Lake, is the one protected stand inside the boundary.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1971.
Size and age
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²) · national park since 1971
Approximate; the reserve spans the Matawinie (Lanaudière) and Maskinongé (Mauricie) regions and its boundary follows forest roads, so figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Boreal forest, around 100 lakes and gravel roads with almost no traffic — the opposite of a busy national park.
- Easy marked hiking trails and canoe-camping on lakes where you can fish with a permit.
- Three reception stations sell licences, bait and firewood, and rent canoes, kayaks and boats.
- The Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve, a small sugar maple and yellow birch stand, sits inside the reserve near Shawinigan Lake.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecCaution
- JanDeep snow; access by snowmobile only on forest roads
- FebCold; snowmobile and ice-fishing season
- MarThaw starts late; roads soft
- AprMud season; gates and trails often closed
- MayReception stations open; blackflies
- JunLong days, fishing season, green forest
- JulWarmest; swimming and canoe-camping
- AugWarm; book campsites and chalets early
- SepDry, cool, few people midweek
- OctFall colour; stations close at month end
- NovBetween seasons; most services shut
- DecSnow; hunting seasons end, snowmobile access begins
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MooseMay–Jun, Sep–Oct · Most often seen at dawn and dusk along gravel roads. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bearMay–Sep · Keep food in the car or a locker; never feed them. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| White-tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Loons and boreal waterbirdsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesMay–Jul · Worst in early summer; bring repellent and long sleeves. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Montréal
Highway 40 east, Chemin Caron north, route 138 to Louiseville, then Rang Barthélemy north through Sainte-Angèle-de-Prémont and Saint-Alexis-des-Monts to the Pins Rouges station.
2.5–3 h
From Québec City
Highway 40 west past Trois-Rivières, highway 55 north, then routes 350 and 349 through Saint-Paulin to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts and the Pins Rouges station.
2.5–3 h
From Trois-Rivières
Highway 55 north then local roads via Saint-Étienne-des-Grès and Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.
1.5–2 h
From Saint-Michel-des-Saints
Route 131 east to the Bouteille reception station.
30–40 min
From Mandeville
Routes 347 and 348 north to the Catherine reception station.
25–35 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pins Rouges sector | Main reception station north of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts; licences, rentals, firewood and the Saint-Bernard campsite access. | Open May–October; access right required. |
| Bouteille sector | Eastern reception station near Saint-Michel-des-Maints; Lac-Bouteille campground and fishing lakes. | Open May–October; access right required. |
| Catherine sector | Southern reception station near Mandeville; gateway to the Lac-Soufflet and Au Tonnerre 2 campgrounds. | Open May–October; access right required. |
| Basses-Collines-du-Lac-au-Sorcier | Proposed biodiversity reserve at the centre of the territory, with Lac Régis, Lac de la Rencontre, Grand Lac des Îles and Lac au Sorcier. | No visitor services; check before entering. |
| Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve | 8.5 km² (3 sq mi) of sugar maple and yellow birch near Shawinigan Lake.3 sq mi (8.5 km²) of sugar maple and yellow birch near Shawinigan Lake. | Protected area; access rules differ (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Pins Rouges reception station · Gate≈46.573, -73.140North of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts on rang des Pins Rouges; approximate.Map ↗
- 2Bouteille reception station · Gate≈46.680, -73.520East of Saint-Zénon on route 131; approximate.Map ↗
- 3Catherine reception station · Gate≈46.510, -73.350North of Mandeville via routes 347 and 348; approximate.Map ↗
- 4Lac au Sorcier · Trail≈46.700, -73.450Centre of the proposed biodiversity reserve; approximate.Map ↗
- 5Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve · Trail≈46.620, -73.250Near Shawinigan Lake; approximate.Map ↗
- 6Saint-Alexis-des-Monts · Town≈46.408, -73.135Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from the reserve centre and the three reception stations, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily access right (droit d'accès), adult | CAD 10–15 (≈ US$8–11) | person | 2026 estimate; SÉPAQ wildlife reserves charge a daily access right separate from fishing or hunting permits (check current rate). |
| Daily access right, child | CAD 0–8 (≈ US$0–6) | person | 2026 estimate; children are usually free or reduced (check). |
| Québec fishing licence (annual, resident) | CAD 20–40 (≈ US$15–30) | person | 2026 estimate; sold at the reception stations; non-resident rates are higher (check). |
| Canoe or kayak rental | CAD 30–60 (≈ US$25–45) | day | 2026 estimate; available at the reception stations. |
| Chalet rental | CAD 120–250 (≈ US$90–190) | night | 2026 estimate; chalets are named after the lake they are allotted for fishing. |
| Campsite, tent, per night | CAD 25–45 (≈ US$19–35) | night | 2026 estimate; seasonal packages also exist. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Access right permit or guide
Fishing permit permit or guide
Hunting permit permit or guide
Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$10–15≈ US$8–11
- C$20–40≈ US$15–30
- C$30–60≈ US$25–45
- C$120–250≈ US$90–190
- C$25–45≈ US$19–35
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SÉPAQ — Réserve faunique de Mastigouche before you go.
Park rules
- Access right
- Everyone on the reserve must hold a paid daily or seasonal access right; buy it at a reception station.
- Fishing and hunting
- Only with a valid Québec licence and the reserve's own right; each lake is allotted to a specific chalet or campsite.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided fire pits; check the provincial forest-fire ban before lighting anything.
- Forest roads
- Gravel roads shared with logging trucks and ATVs; keep right, slow down and expect dust.
- Litter and food
- Pack out all rubbish; food left out attracts bears and ends the season for everyone.
- Dogs
- Allowed in most sectors but must be leashed; check rules for the ecological reserve (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Chalets (Aubry, Brochard, du Cap, Hollis, Jouet, Mastigou, Orignac, St-Bernard and others)
Rustic rented chalets, each named after the lake allotted for fishing; book through SÉPAQ.
In the park
Camping Saint-Bernard
The main campsite, suited to tent trailers, trailers and RVs; reach it via the Pins Rouges station.
In the park
Camping Lac-Bouteille
At the end of the bay on the north side of Lac de la Bouteille, a fishing lake.
In the park
Camping Lac-Soufflet
Midway along the north shore of Lac du Soufflet; daily rates or seasonal packages.
In the park
Camping Au Tonnerre 2
At the end of a bay on the west shore of Lac au Tonnerre.
Near the park
Saint-Alexis-des-Monts
Village inns and outfitters about 24 km (15 mi) south of the Pins Rouges station.Village inns and outfitters about 15 mi (24 km) south of the Pins Rouges station.
Safety
Remote gravel roads medium
Logging trucks medium
Bears and food medium
Cold water high
Weather changes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The reception stations and the main campgrounds are reached by car on gravel roads.
- Trails are forest paths with roots and rocks; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Check with SÉPAQ about accessible campsites or chalets before booking (check).
Visiting lightly
- This is a working forest, not a protected area: logging and mining are permitted, so stay on marked routes.
- Buy your access right and licences — the money funds the reserve's maintenance and wildlife work.
- Keep lakes clean: no soap, fuel or fish guts in the water.
- Respect the Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve, a small protected hardwood stand inside the territory.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve?
You pay a daily access right per person, roughly CAD 10–15 for an adult in 2026 (check the current SÉPAQ rate). Fishing and hunting cost extra: you need a Québec licence plus the reserve's own right, bought at a reception station. Children are usually free or reduced.
What are the best hikes in Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve?
The reserve's trails are short forest walks rather than mountain routes; SÉPAQ publishes a trail map showing them by sector. Most people pair a 1–4 hour walk from the Pins Rouges or Catherine sector with a lake visit, and the Marie-Jean-Eudes Ecological Reserve inside the territory has its own short paths.
When is the best time to visit Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve?
June to September. Reception stations open May to October; July and August are warmest for swimming and canoe-camping, September is dry and quiet midweek, and October brings fall colour before the stations close. April and November are between seasons, with mud or closed services.
Do I need a permit to fish or hunt?
Yes. Fishing needs a Québec licence and the reserve's fishing right, and each lake is allotted to a specific chalet or campsite. Bear, moose and small-game hunting run by draw or package through SÉPAQ, so arrange it before the season.
Can I camp or rent a chalet inside the reserve?
Yes. There are four campsites — Saint-Bernard, Lac-Bouteille, Lac-Soufflet and Au Tonnerre 2 — plus rustic camping areas, and about a dozen rented chalets named after their fishing lakes. Book through SÉPAQ, especially for July and August.
Is there anywhere to eat in the reserve?
No. There are no cafés, restaurants or kiosks in the reserve and no public bar. The Saint-Bernard campsite convenience store sells basic groceries, ice, firewood and bait, so bring your own food and water.
How do I get to Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve?
By car. From Montréal it is about 169 km and 2.5–3 hours via highway 40, Louiseville and Saint-Alexis-des-Monts to the Pins Rouges station; from Québec City about 221 km via Trois-Rivières and Saint-Paulin. Roads inside the reserve are gravel.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go