Major city · Canada
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
Go for one day in September or October for orchards and the squash farm, or skip it: no train, no hotel, no evening.
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac is an apple-and-squash farming municipality of about 6,200 people on the lower Laurentians, 40 km west of Montréal on Autoroute 640. There is no lodging and almost no public transport, so it works as a half-day or full-day drive from Montréal, Laval or Oka, and only in the harvest window. Outside September and October there is little reason to come.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Sep–Oct (harvest); Mar–Apr for the sugar shack
- avoid Nov–Apr outside sugaring season (closed farms, no colour, no services)
- Airport
- YUL
- Nights
- 0–1
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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-Joseph-du-Lac911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)310-4141
- Info-Santé / health advice (24 h)811
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-Joseph-du-Lac, 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 safe; the real risks are driving the 640 and farm roads, harvest-weekend traffic, and walking between farms after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 310-4141 Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency) · 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.
- AirportYUL Montréal–Trudeau International (About 45 min by car via Autoroute 40 and 640; no direct transit to the village.).
- 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 at a farm caféC$5–10 (≈ US$4–8)
- Budget bedMotel or budget hotel room, Saint-Eustache or Mirabel, a night, per roomC$110 (≈ US$80)
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget hotel room, Saint-Eustache or Mirabel, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or budget hotel room, Saint-Eustache or Mirabel, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$60 (≈ US$45) · Mid C$120 (≈ US$90) · High C$220 (≈ US$160)
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
- YUL Montréal–Trudeau International (About 45 min by car via Autoroute 40 and 640; no direct transit to the village.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Care
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
Care
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Sep–Oct. Mixed: Mar–Apr. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
12 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
10 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
11 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
13 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. Autoroute 640 crosses the municipality and chemin Principal and chemin d'Oka link the farms, but they sit 2–6 km apart with no useful bus. exo runs a train from Montréal's Central Station to Deux-Montagnes (about 37 min, $6–9) and a bus onward toward Oka a few times a day; from the bus stop the farms are still a long walk. Taxis from Saint-Eustache are the fallback.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive chemin d'Oka west, about 15 min
Beach, abbey and park; combine with a farm morning.
Mirabel
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Autoroute 15 or 640 to Boulevard Arthur-Sauvé, about 20 min
Parc régional Bois de Belle-Rivière has about 27 km (17 mi) of trails, daily 09:00–17:00.Parc régional Bois de Belle-Rivière has about 27 km (17 mi) of trails, daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.Parc régional Bois de Belle-Rivière has about 17 mi (27 km) of trails, daily 09:00–17:00.Parc régional Bois de Belle-Rivière has about 17 mi (27 km) of trails, daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Door to door: About 35 min
Autoroute 15 north, about 30 min
Real town with restaurants and a train back to Montréal.
Door to door: 45–75 min
Autoroute 640 east then 13 or 40, about 45 min off-peak
Rush hour on the 640 and 13 can double the time.
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.
No lodging in the municipality
Sleep in Saint-Eustache, Oka, Mirabel or Laval and drive in; all are 15–30 min away.
Saint-Eustache
Closest full-service town with hotels and restaurants, about 15 min east.
Oka
Village and park on the lake, 15–20 min west; pairs well with a farm day.
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$60–100 (≈ US$45–75) excl. bed (picnic lunch, one paid activity, own car)
- Mid
- C$100–180 (≈ US$75–140) excl. bed (farm-shop lunch, two activities, cider and wine)
- High
- C$180 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed (restaurant meals, full shop haul, taxi)
Trip budget
| Motel or budget hotel room, Saint-Eustache or Mirabel1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$120 | C$240 |
| Rental car, one day1 × C$90 | C$90 |
| Fuel, Montréal return1 × C$20 | C$20 |
| Pick-your-own apples, per person2 × C$18 · usually charged by weight or by bag | C$36 |
| eSIM, a few days of data2 × C$12 | C$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$57 |
| Trip total≈ C$314 per person per day, bed included | C$627≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; a car is assumed. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry at a farm café | C$5–10 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Pick-your-own applesusually charged by weight or by bag | C$10–30 (≈ US$8–25) per person |
| Cider tasting or a bottle at the vineyard | C$10–25 (≈ US$8–19) |
| Poutine or a burger at a casse-croûte | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| Sugar-shack meal, spring only | C$30–50 (≈ US$25–40) per adult |
| Fuel, Montréal return | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hotel, motel or campground in the municipality: book elsewhere.
- Harvest weekends are crowded; arrive at opening or after 15:00.Harvest weekends are crowded; arrive at opening or after 3:00 PM.
- Many farm shops and the squash centre close outside Sep–Oct; check before driving.
- Some farm roads have no shoulder and no lighting: do not walk between farms at dusk.
- Sales tax is added at the till; posted prices are before tax.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)
- 310-4141
- Info-Santé / health advice (24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
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Saint-Joseph-du-LacSaint-Joseph-du-Lac
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sûreté du Québec (non-emergency)310-4141
- Info-Santé (24 h)811
Embassy
No embassies here; they are in Ottawa, with consulates in Montréal. US citizens: US Consulate General, Montréal (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- exo train, Montréal Central Station → Deux-Montagnes: about C$6–9 (≈ US$5–7), about 37 min
- Bus onward toward Oka: a few departures a day, about 30 min
- Taxi, Saint-Eustache → Saint-Joseph-du-Lac: about C$20–30 (≈ US$15–25)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mer-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le verger ? — Where is the orchard? (oo eh luh ver-ZHAY)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where are the toilets? (oo son lay twa-LET)
Most farm staff speak French first; a bonjour before your question goes a long way.
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-Joseph-du-Lac. 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: Sep–Oct (harvest); Mar–Apr for the sugar shack · avoid Nov–Apr outside sugaring season (closed farms, no colour, no services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Field-check the exo Deux-Montagnes train and the Oka bus times, then publish a car-free route with the walk distances from the stop.
- Verify 2026 opening dates and hours for the squash centre, the vineyard and the pick-your-own orchards, and mark which are Sep–Oct only.
- Add a harvest-weekend crowd fixture: arrival times, parking, and which farms take reservations.
- Add a winter and spring page state so the sugaring-season version is not confused with the autumn one.
Sources
Ask about Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
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