Major city · Canada
Saint-Urbain
Base here only if you have a car and want Grands-Jardins and the Traversée trailhead: 1–2 nights. Without wheels, sleep in Baie-Saint-Paul and day-trip.
Saint-Urbain is a village of about 1,470 people in the Gouffre river valley, 15–20 min north of Baie-Saint-Paul on route 381. It is the southern gateway to Parc national des Grands-Jardins and the start of the 75 km Traversée de Charlevoix hike. There is almost no town life: you come for trails, fishing, mountain biking and forest cabins, and you need a car to do any of it.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking, biking and fishing; late Sep–early Oct for fall colour; Jan–Mar for snowshoeing and snowmobile trails
- avoid Nov (trails muddy, little open) and the April thaw, when forest roads and trails are soft or closed
- Airports
- YQB · YUL
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Urbain911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Urbain, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are driving route 381 at night, weather turning on exposed trails, and no phone signal north of the village.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 1 h 20 min by car via route 138 and route 381; the nearest practical airport).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry in Baie-Saint-PaulC$5–9 (≈ US$4–7)
- Sit-down mealDinner main in CharlevoixTipping 15–20% is expected.C$25–45 (≈ US$19–35)
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch, soup or sandwichC$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
- BeerLocal cider or craft beer, 500 mlC$8–14 (≈ US$6–11)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedGîte or B&B room, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 1 h 20 min by car via route 138 and route 381; the nearest practical airport) · YUL Montréal-Trudeau (About 4 h by car; most overseas arrivals land here, then drive or take the train to Québec City)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Best
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Mar
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best*
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best*
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
not flagged
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Saint-Urbain: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
14 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
11 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
12 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
12 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
14 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required. Route 381 runs north from Baie-Saint-Paul through the village toward Grands-Jardins and Saguenay; route 138 along the St. Lawrence is the coast road. There is no local bus inside the municipality. Fill up in Baie-Saint-Paul: fuel and groceries thin out fast north of the village.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Parc national des Grands-Jardins
goDoor to door: About 30–50 min to the main trailheads
Drive route 381 north from the village, then the park access road
Entry fee per vehicle; book day access in peak summer and fall.
Door to door: 15–20 min
Drive route 381 south, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Drive route 381 south, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Restaurants, galleries, the contemporary art museum and the Intercar stop.
Door to door: About 45–55 min
Route 138 east along the coast
Astrobleme interpretation centre and the Manoir Richelieu area.
Door to door: About 30 min
Route 362 or 138 south-east
Crater-centre views over the St. Lawrence; combine with a coast drive.
L'Isle-aux-Coudres
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min including the crossing
Drive to Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, then the free ferry
Ferry runs year-round; check the sailing times before you leave.
Saint-Hilarion
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Route 138 east, then the local road
Small village with valley views; little to do beyond a short stop.
Door to door: About 40 min
Route 362 along the coast
Beach and Domaine Forget concerts in summer.
Saint-Siméon
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Route 138 east, then the Tadoussac ferry
Whale-watching base; too far for a relaxed return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (rue St-Édouard)
Gîtes, a butcher, a cidermaker and the emu farm; walkable, but you still need a car for trails.
Rang St-François / route 381 north
Chalets, the Traversée de Charlevoix trailhead and Camping des Pointes; quiet, dark at night, no services.
Lac Moreau area (about 55 km north on route 381)
Outfitter lodge and fishing circuit; the last stretch is a 14 km (8.7 mi) forest road, high-clearance helps.Outfitter lodge and fishing circuit; the last stretch is a 8.7 mi (14 km) forest road, high-clearance helps.
Baie-Saint-Paul (15–20 min south)
The practical base if you have no car: restaurants, shops, buses and more beds.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gîte or B&B room1 × 2 nights × C$160 | C$320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$160 | C$640 |
| Car hire, one day, compact1 × C$70 | C$70 |
| Fuel, about 120 km of local driving1 × C$18 | C$18 |
| Parc national des Grands-Jardins day entry, per vehicle1 × C$12 | C$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$110 |
| Trip total≈ C$303 per person per day, bed included | C$1,210≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; car hire, fuel and park fees excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry in Baie-Saint-Paul | C$5–9 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Casual lunch, soup or sandwich | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Dinner main in CharlevoixTipping 15–20% is expected. | C$25–45 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Local cider or craft beer, 500 ml | C$8–14 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Gouffre river fishing day permitSold through the river association; confirm the current rate. | C$30–60 (≈ US$25–45) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No car means no trails: there is no local transit and taxis are limited.
- Cell coverage drops on route 381 north of the village and on forest roads; download offline maps.
- Moose and deer on route 381 and 138 at dawn and dusk, especially Sep–Oct.
- Winter: many chalets have no running water or electricity, and forest roads may need winter tyres or snowshoes.
- Trail and park closures after heavy rain: check Parc national des Grands-Jardins and Traversée de Charlevoix status before setting out.
- Small earthquakes are felt in Charlevoix; they are usually harmless, but know the 911 number.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Saint-UrbainSaint-Urbain
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (24 h health advice)811
Embassy
No embassies in the village. US consulate general in Montréal or Québec City; other countries: embassies in Ottawa, consulates in Montréal.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Québec City → Baie-Saint-Paul, Intercar bus: about 1 h 30 min; check the timetable and fare
- Baie-Saint-Paul → Saint-Urbain: no public bus; taxi or your own car, about 15 km (9.3 mi)no public bus; taxi or your own car, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
- Ferry Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive → L'Isle-aux-Coudres: free for passengers and cars; about 15 min
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay VOO ahn-GLEH)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kohn-BYEN)
- Où est le départ du sentier ? — Where is the trailhead? (oo ay luh day-PAR doo sahn-TYAY)
- J'ai une réservation — I have a reservation (zhay oon ray-zair-vah-SYON)
Print this card before you drive route 381: signal is patchy north of the village.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Urbain. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking, biking and fishing; late Sep–early Oct for fall colour; Jan–Mar for snowshoeing and snowmobile trails · avoid Nov (trails muddy, little open) and the April thaw, when forest roads and trails are soft or closed · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YQB: drive times to the village, car-hire desks, and a Baie-Saint-Paul fallback if you arrive after dark.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, rang St-François trailheads, rang St-Jérôme bike parking, Lac Moreau.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Grands-Jardins entry, Traversée trailhead, Gouffre fishing reception) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixtures: snowmobile trail status, chalet water and power notes, and road-closure checks for route 381.
Sources
- officialMunicipality of Saint-Urbain
- officialTourisme Charlevoix
- officialLa Traversée de Charlevoix
- officialRivière du Gouffre fishing association
- officialIntercar
- secondaryWikivoyage: Saint-Urbain, revision 5240643 (CC BY-SA 4.0)