National park · Canada
Grands-Jardins National ParkParc national des Grands-Jardins
Go for one full day: drive Route 381 to the Arthabaska or Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes gate, walk Mont du Lac des Cygnes (3–4 h) or La Chouenne (2 h), and arrive before 9:00 in Jul–Aug when the lots fill; pay the SÉPAQ daily fee unless you hold an annual park card.Go for one full day: drive Route 381 to the Arthabaska or Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes gate, walk Mont du Lac des Cygnes (3–4 h) or La Chouenne (2 h), and arrive before 9:00 AM in Jul–Aug when the lots fill; pay the SÉPAQ daily fee unless you hold an annual park card.
- 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
310 km² (120 sq mi)120 sq mi (310 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 310 km² (120 sq mi)120 sq mi (310 km²)
- Land area only; the park has no marine zone.
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Grands-Jardins protects 310 km² of Canadian Shield on the north rim of the Charlevoix crater, about 30 km inland from Baie-Saint-Paul. At this altitude the forest thins into lichen and spruce that looks like northern Québec, which is why the area was named the 'great gardens' in the 19th century. It is one of the two core areas of the Charlevoix UNESCO biosphere reserve, alongside Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie. SÉPAQ runs it: gates, fees, camping and most services are SÉPAQ's, not Parks Canada's.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1988Charlevoix biosphere reserve; Grands-Jardins is one of its two central areas (check).
Size and age
310 km² (120 sq mi)120 sq mi (310 km²) · national park since 1981
Land area only; the park has no marine zone.
Why go
- A summit walk with a 980 m top and open views over the Charlevoix crater rim.
- Northern-style lichen barrens and spruce at an altitude you can reach by car in half a day from Québec City.
- Quiet lakes for canoeing and kayaking, with rentals at two service centres.
- Winter access: 41 km (25 mi) of marked snowshoe trails and ungroomed cross-country ski routes.Winter access: 25 mi (41 km) of marked snowshoe trails and ungroomed cross-country ski routes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecGo
- JanSnowshoe and ski season; check road and trail conditions
- FebCold, deep snow; refuge stops open 09:00–16:00Cold, deep snow; refuge stops open 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- MarIce fishing on Lac Étang-Malbaie until late March
- AprThaw; trails icy and muddy, some services closed
- MayTrails open late May; blackflies start
- JunLong days, wildflowers, full trail network open
- JulWarmest; busiest, arrive before 9:00Warmest; busiest, arrive before 9:00 AM
- AugWarm; afternoon storms possible
- SepCool, dry, fewer people after Labour Day
- OctColour early in the month; trails close around mid-October
- NovBetween seasons; most services closed
- DecIce fishing starts mid-December; snowshoe trails open
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou (reintroduced herd)Dec–Mar · Rare and far from trails; do not leave routes to look for them. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Moose and black bearMay–Sep · Dawn and dusk along Route 381 and forest roads; drive slowly. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesJun–Jul · Worst near wetlands; repellent and long sleeves help. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Lichen and alpine wildflower carpetJun–Aug · Stay on marked trail; the cover is fragile and slow to recover. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | 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 Baie-Saint-Paul
Route 138 north, then Route 381 (chemin du Parc-des-Grands-Jardins) to the reception desk.
30 min
From Québec City
Route 138 east to Baie-Saint-Paul, then Route 381 north.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Tadoussac
Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry, Route 138 west to Baie-Saint-Paul, then Route 381 north.
2 h 20 min
From Laurentides Wildlife Reserve
Forest roads link the reserve to the park's west side; conditions vary, check before using them.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Arthabaska sector | Discovery and visitors centre, Lac Arthabaska, canoe and kayak rentals, the lake-to-Wabano dam paddle. | Open with a park ticket; services seasonal. |
| Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes sector | Km 21 on Route 381: trailhead for the summit walk, boat rentals, climbing registration. | Open with a park ticket; the summit trail is the busiest in the park. |
| Lac Étang-Malbaie and La Galette | Ice fishing lake and refuge at km 34.5 (mile 21), plus cross-country ski access.Ice fishing lake and refuge at mile 21 (km 34.5), plus cross-country ski access. | Winter activity permit or fishing licence required. |
| Thomas-Fortin service centre | Km 31 on Route 381; winter trailhead for snowshoe and ski routes. | Open in winter; check hours. |
Sketch map
- 1Arthabaska service centre · Headquarters≈47.683, -70.850Approximate; main reception and discovery centre.Map ↗
- 2Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes trailhead (km 21) · Trail≈47.666, -70.603Approximate; start of the summit walk.Map ↗
- 3Mont du Lac des Cygnes summit · Summit≈47.666, -70.603Approximate; about 980 m.Map ↗
- 4Lac Étang-Malbaie · Beach≈47.727, -70.754Approximate; ice fishing lake, access via chemin 3.Map ↗
- 5Camping Le Pied-des-Monts · Sleep≈47.648, -70.623Approximate; on Route 381.Map ↗
- 6Baie-Saint-Paul · Town≈47.441, -70.499Approximate; nearest town with full services.Map ↗
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.
Approximate positions along Route 381 and the park's east side, 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 entry, adult | CAD 9–10 (≈ US$7–8) | person | 2026 estimate; SÉPAQ daily rate, higher in peak summer (check) |
| Daily entry, child (under 18) | CAD 0–5 (≈ US$0–4) | person | 2026 estimate; children often free or reduced (check) |
| Annual SÉPAQ park card | CAD 60–90 (≈ US$45–70) | person | 2026 estimate; pays off after about 7–8 visits (check) |
| Canoe or kayak rental, half day | CAD 30–60 (≈ US$25–45) | boat | 2026 estimate; at Arthabaska or Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes service centre (check) |
| Camping, unserviced site | CAD 30–45 (≈ US$25–35) | night | 2026 estimate; serviced and ready-to-camp sites cost more (check) |
| Ice fishing, day permit | CAD 20–40 (≈ US$15–30) | person | 2026 estimate; a Québec fishing licence is also required (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Québec fishing licence permit or guide
Climbing access right permit or guide
Via ferrata permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$9–10≈ US$7–8
- C$60–90≈ US$45–70
- C$30–60≈ US$25–45
- C$30–45≈ US$25–35
- C$20–40≈ US$15–30
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 — Parc national des Grands-Jardins before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- The lichen barrens and summit vegetation are fragile; walking off-trail damages them.
- Dogs
- Allowed in some areas only and never on the main hiking trails; check the SÉPAQ rules for the sector you are visiting.check
- Fires
- Only in provided fire rings at campgrounds and refuges; no backcountry fires.
- Fishing
- A Québec fishing licence and the park's daily catch and possession limits apply.
- Winter trails
- Snowshoes or crampons required on winter routes; ski trails are marked but not mechanically groomed.
Where to stay
In the park
Camping Le Pied-des-Monts
Unserviced and serviced sites plus ready-to-camp units on Route 381; pets accepted.
In the park
Camping de l'Étang-Malbaie
Campground reached via chemin 3; open year round, pets not accepted.
In the park
Rustic camps and refuges
Benjamin-Simard, Joseph-Girard and Lac Pointu refuge no. 2 (day use 09:00–16:00).Benjamin-Simard, Joseph-Girard and Lac Pointu refuge no. 2 (day use 9:00 AM–4:00 PM).
Near the park
Baie-Saint-Paul
Hotels, gîtes and restaurants about 30 min from the gate.
Safety
Cold, wind and sudden rain on exposed summits medium
Moose on Route 381 at dawn and dusk medium
Icy trails in shoulder season medium
No phone signal in parts of the park 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
- Service centres, campgrounds and the Arthabaska lakeshore area are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Mont du Lac des Cygnes, La Chouenne and the climbing approaches are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy your entry online and carpool: parking at the summit trailhead is the park's tightest constraint.
- Keep to marked trails on the lichen barrens; footprints last for years at this altitude.
- Use the park's canoe and kayak rentals rather than bringing a boat to lakes where private craft is not allowed.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Grands-Jardins National Park?
A SÉPAQ daily entry fee per person, roughly CAD 9–10 for an adult in 2026 (about USD 7), with children free or reduced. Camping, canoe rental, fishing permits and the via ferrata cost extra. If you plan several Québec national parks in one year, the annual SÉPAQ card is usually cheaper.
What are the best hikes in Grands-Jardins National Park?
Mont du Lac des Cygnes is the signature walk: 3–4 hours to a 980 m summit with open views. La Chouenne is the short option at about 2 hours. Le Pioui and Gros-Pin give longer forest and ridge routes, and the flat lakeside paths around Arthabaska suit an easy afternoon.
When is the best time to visit Grands-Jardins National Park?
Late June to early October for hiking, with September the sweet spot for dry weather and fewer people. July and August are warmest but busiest. December to March is for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing; April, May and November are between seasons with limited services.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
Not for day entry, but you pay at a service centre or online. Camping, ready-to-camp units, refuges and the via ferrata should be booked ahead through SÉPAQ, especially for July and August weekends.
How do I get to Grands-Jardins without a car?
There is no park shuttle from Baie-Saint-Paul, so a car is the practical option: Route 138 to Baie-Saint-Paul, then Route 381 north to the gates. Tours from Charlevoix towns sometimes include the park; check locally.
Is Grands-Jardins the same as Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie?
No. They are two separate SÉPAQ parks and the two central areas of the Charlevoix biosphere reserve. Hautes-Gorges is downstream on the Malbaie River, about an hour away, and is known for its cliff-walled valley and the Acropole-des-Draveurs trail.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go