National park · Canada
Des Grèves Regional ParkParc régional des Grèves
Go for a half-day: parking and trail access are free, the 14 km of flat multi-use trails suit all ages, and the river walk plus the Ruisseau boardwalk are the two must-do stretches. Come on a weekday morning in May–October; the two lots fill by 10:00 on summer weekends.Go for a half-day: parking and trail access are free, the 14 km of flat multi-use trails suit all ages, and the river walk plus the Ruisseau boardwalk are the two must-do stretches. Come on a weekday morning in May–October; the two lots fill by 10:00 AM on summer weekends.Go for a half-day: parking and trail access are free, the 8.7 mi of flat multi-use trails suit all ages, and the river walk plus the Ruisseau boardwalk are the two must-do stretches. Come on a weekday morning in May–October; the two lots fill by 10:00 on summer weekends.Go for a half-day: parking and trail access are free, the 8.7 mi of flat multi-use trails suit all ages, and the river walk plus the Ruisseau boardwalk are the two must-do stretches. Come on a weekday morning in May–October; the two lots fill by 10:00 AM on summer weekends.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km²0 sq mi
approximate
Established
2006
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
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 km²0 sq mi
- About 83 ha under conservation agreements after the 2020 expansion; the protection zone itself is roughly 60 ha (check).
- Established
- 2006
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Contrecoeur
Des Grèves Regional Park is a small riverside park on the St. Lawrence in Montérégie, split between two free access points: the Contrecoeur reception on the west side (10350 route Marie-Victorin) and the Sorel-Tracy reception at Chalet Jean-Paul Dubois (3100 chemin du Golf) about 12 km east. Together they hold roughly 83 ha under conservation agreements and about 14 km of flat, multi-use trails that run in all seasons. The draw is not scale but access: free parking, a 0.6 km river walk to a belvedere, a boardwalk over a kilometre long through wetland, and a 10 ha bog with a lookout. It is a half-day stop, not a destination park — pair it with Contrecoeur or Sorel-Tracy, and use the national park passes page only if you are also visiting Parks Canada sites, since the Discovery Pass does not apply here.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2006.
Size and age
1 km²0 sq mi · national park since 2006
About 83 ha under conservation agreements after the 2020 expansion; the protection zone itself is roughly 60 ha (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Contrecoeur.
Why go
- Free parking and free trail access, which is rare for a managed park in Québec.
- A 14 km network of flat, all-season trails that works for families, strollers and casual walkers.A 8.7 mi network of flat, all-season trails that works for families, strollers and casual walkers.
- The Ruisseau trail's elevated wooden boardwalk runs over a kilometre through wetland, with interpretation panels.
- Real biodiversity close to Montréal: a century-old pine stand, a red oak grove, a 10 ha bog and 79 recorded bird species.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanSnowshoe and ski trails; tube sliding near Bernard-Landry
- FebCold but groomed; check snow conditions
- MarThaw; trails icy and muddy
- AprMud season; boardwalk best option
- MayMigration, fresh green, few people
- JunLong days; mushrooms and flowers
- JulHot; go before 10:00, mosquitoes near waterHot; go before 10:00 AM, mosquitoes near water
- AugWarm; busiest weekends
- SepDry, clear, quiet weekdays
- OctFall colour along the river
- NovGrey and wet; short daylight
- DecEarly snow; seasonal café at Contrecoeur reception
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring and fall bird migration (79 recorded species, some boreal)Apr–May, Sep–Oct · The river shore and wetland boardwalk are the best vantage points. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Frogs, salamanders and reptiles (ten species recorded)May–Aug · Listen along the Ruisseau wetland; do not handle animals. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Mushrooms and rare flora (about 360 fungus species, 260 plant species)Aug–Oct · Foraging is not permitted; look and photograph only. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and ticks in wet woodsMay–Aug · Repellent and long trousers help on the Ruisseau and Sablières trails. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Montréal
Autoroute 30 east to exit 135, then Chemin du Golf and Route Marie-Victorin (Route 132) to the Contrecoeur reception.
50–70 min
From Sorel-Tracy
Autoroute 30 to exit 135, left on Chemin du Golf for about 300 m to the Sorel-Tracy reception (Chalet Jean-Paul Dubois).
20–30 min
From Contrecoeur village
Route Marie-Victorin west to the Contrecoeur reception at 10350 (≈ US$8,000) route Marie-Victorin.
10 min
From Québec City
Autoroute 20 west then Autoroute 30; park at the Sorel-Tracy reception.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Contrecoeur reception (Colonie des Grèves) | West gate, interpretation site, river promenade and observation belvedere, hebertism area, mini-farm, climbing wall. | Open 09:00–17:00; in summer the reception serves the Colonie des Grèves camp clientele (check).Open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; in summer the reception serves the Colonie des Grèves camp clientele (check). |
| Sorel-Tracy reception (Chalet Jean-Paul Dubois) | East gate at 3100 chemin du Golf; interpretation site and two EV charging stations. | Open 09:00–17:00.Open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. |
| Ruisseau wetland corridor | Elevated wooden boardwalk over a kilometre long, with nature interpretation stations. | Open; stay on the boardwalk. |
| Sablières and Savoyance bog | Eastern trails leading to the Savoyance observatory over a peat bog marsh. | Open; no off-trail walking into the bog. |
Sketch map
- 1Contrecoeur reception (Colonie des Grèves) · Headquarters≈45.977, -73.18110350 route Marie-Victorin; west gate and interpretation site.Map ↗
- 2Sorel-Tracy reception (Chalet Jean-Paul Dubois) · Gate≈45.998, -73.1523100 chemin du Golf; east gate, EV charging. Approximate.Map ↗
- 3River promenade and belvedere · Viewpoint≈45.974, -73.179Short shore path near the Contrecoeur reception. Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Ruisseau boardwalk · Trail≈45.979, -73.165Raised walkway through wetland. Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Savoyance observatory · Viewpoint≈45.983, -73.148Lookout over the peat bog, east side. Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Contrecoeur · Town≈45.850, -73.233Map ↗
- 7Sorel-Tracy · Town≈46.033, -73.117Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking and trail access | Free | vehicle | Free at both reception stations (check current signage). |
| Canoe rental (summer) | Free | hour | Offered in summer; rate not confirmed — check at the reception desk. |
| Café Au Cœur des Grèves (Contrecoeur reception) | Free | person | Seasonal, roughly mid-December to mid-March; menu prices not confirmed. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Group or guided activity no permit
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Numbered markers along the trails give emergency instructions; off-trail walking damages the bog and oak grove.
- Dogs
- Check current park signage before bringing a dog; rules vary by trail and season (check).check
- Foraging and collecting
- No picking plants, mushrooms or flowers in the conservation zone.
- Winter trail use
- Do not walk on groomed ski tracks; snowshoe and winter-walking trails are separate.
- Litter and fires
- No fires; carry out everything you bring in.
Where to stay
In the park
Colonie des Grèves holiday camp
Cabins, two inns and the 40-bed Robert-Moore dormitory at 10350 route Marie-Victorin; up to 170 people, open year round, founded 1912.
Near the park
Contrecoeur
Small riverside town with limited lodging; the closest base to the west gate.
Near the park
Sorel-Tracy
Larger city with more hotels and restaurants, 20–30 min from the east gate.
Safety
Ice and mud on trails in shoulder season medium
Riverbank and cold water medium
Heat and insects in July–August low
Short daylight in November–February low
Accessibility
- The flat, gravel multi-use trails and the Ruisseau boardwalk suit wheelchairs and strollers in dry conditions; confirm surface state at the reception desk.
- Both reception stations have parking close to trailheads, cutting the walking distance to the river promenade.
- The belvedere and boardwalk are the easiest viewpoints to reach without climbing.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to the boardwalk over the bog; foot traffic compresses peat that took centuries to form.
- Do not feed the mini-farm animals or the waterfowl along the shore.
- Carry out all rubbish — the park has minimal waste facilities.
- Use the two EV charging stations at the Sorel-Tracy reception if you drive electric.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Des Grèves Regional Park?
Nothing. Parking and trail access are free at both reception stations, and there is no entry ticket. Paid extras are limited to seasonal services such as canoe rental and the winter café — confirm rates on site.
What are the best hikes in Des Grèves Regional Park?
The 0.6 km river walk to the belvedere for the shortest river view, the Ruisseau boardwalk for wetland and birdlife, and the 3.8 km Des Sablières trail to the Savoyance bog observatory. All are rated beginner; the longest linked route is about 11 km.
When is the best time to visit Des Grèves Regional Park?
May, June, September and October: mild, dry and quieter. July and August are hot and busy at weekends, so arrive before 10:00. Winter is good for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on groomed trails.
Where do I park and which entrance should I use?
Two free lots: the Contrecoeur reception at 10350 route Marie-Victorin (west, closest to the river promenade) and the Sorel-Tracy reception at 3100 chemin du Golf (east, with EV charging). They are about 12 km apart by road.
Do I need a Parks Canada Discovery Pass here?
No. This is a regional park run by the towns of Contrecoeur and Sorel-Tracy with partners, not a Parks Canada site, so the Discovery Pass does not apply. Access is free.
Can I bring a dog or a bike?
The trails are multi-use and shared by walkers, skiers and snowshoers; bike and dog rules vary by trail and season, so check the signage at the reception station before you set out.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go