National park · Canada
Monts-Valin National ParkParc national des Monts-Valin
Give it one full day: drive to the Discovery Centre, walk the 3 km Le Mirador loop or the 8 km Tête-de-Chien trail, and in winter book the shuttle to the Vallée des Fantômes; skip it if you only have a half-day from Saguenay.Give it one full day: drive to the Discovery Centre, walk the 1.9 mi Le Mirador loop or the 5 mi Tête-de-Chien trail, and in winter book the shuttle to the Vallée des Fantômes; skip it if you only have a half-day from Saguenay.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
154 km²59 sq mi
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Feb–Mar, Jul–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
- 154 km²59 sq mi
- About 15,360 hectares (154 km²) on the north shore of the Saguenay River (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Feb–Mar, Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Saguenay
Monts-Valin is the high massif north of the Saguenay River, run by SÉPAQ, Quebec's provincial park agency. It is not a Parks Canada site, so the Canada Discovery Pass does not cover it. The park holds about 150 lakes, a salmon river valley and the highest summit of the massif, Pic Dubuc at 984 m. Summer is for short summit trails and canoeing on the Valin River; winter brings heavy snow and the tracked shuttle that drops snowshoers at the foot of the Vallée des Fantômes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1982.
Size and age
154 km²59 sq mi · national park since 1982
About 15,360 hectares (154 km²) on the north shore of the Saguenay River (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Saguenay.
Why go
- Summit trails that reach open rock and wide views over the Saguenay valley in a few hours.
- A boreal forest with moose, beaver and 134 recorded bird species, close to the road.
- Winter snow cover deep enough for a shuttle drop-off at the Vallée des Fantômes and a 3 km climb to Pic Dubuc.Winter snow cover deep enough for a shuttle drop-off at the Vallée des Fantômes and a 1.9 mi climb to Pic Dubuc.
- Canoeing and paddleboarding on the meanders of the Valin River from the Discovery Centre.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecGo
- JanDeep snow; snowshoe and ski season
- FebBest snow cover; coldest nights
- MarLong days, still full winter
- AprThaw; trails icy and muddy
- MayBlackflies start; some snow left
- JunTrails open; shuttle starts mid-month
- JulWarmest; blackflies easing
- AugStable weather; warm lakes
- SepDry, cool, few people midweek
- OctColours; shuttle ends mid-month
- NovWet, dark, between seasons
- DecSnow builds; ski trails open
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MooseMay–Jun, Sep–Oct · Dawn and dusk near wetlands; keep distance. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| BeaverMay–Sep · Lakes and ponds in the evening. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black bearMay–Sep · Store food properly; never feed. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Brook troutJun–Sep · Fishing season with a SÉPAQ right. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesJun–Jul · Peak in early summer; repellent and long sleeves. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Saguenay (Jonquière or Chicoutimi)
Drive north via Saint-Fulgence and Chemin du Lac-Léon to the Discovery Centre.
45–60 min
From Saint-Fulgence
Chemin du Lac-Léon, the main park road along the Valin River.
20–25 min
From Saint-David-de-Falardeau
Chemin Lévesque, then the Route Panoramique to the park entrance.
30–40 min
From Québec City
Drive north via the Saguenay region; no direct public transport to the park gate.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Tadoussac
Drive west through the Saguenay region, then north to the park.
2.5–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery and Visitors Centre | Reception, nature boutique, rentals, trailhead for Le Mirador and the Valin River. | Open with a ticket; main services here. |
| Monts-Valin massif | The high peaks, including Pic Dubuc at 984 m and the Tête-de-Chien trail. | Summer on foot; winter by shuttle or on skis. |
| Sainte-Marguerite River valley | The deep eastern valley of a salmon river, forested and quiet. | Trails and backcountry routes; check access before going. |
| Lac Martin-Valin sector | Lake network used for canoe-camping, fishing and cabins. | With a fishing or lodging booking. |
| Vallée des Fantômes | A high, snow-buried valley of stunted trees, reached by shuttle in winter. | Winter only, by shuttle plus a 3 km snowshoe or ski climb.Winter only, by shuttle plus a 1.9 mi snowshoe or ski climb. |
Sketch map
- 1Discovery and Visitors Centre · Headquarters≈48.580, -70.880Approximate; main services and trailheads.Map ↗
- 2Chute à Savard · Viewpoint≈46.619, -70.932Approximate; falls on the Saint-Louis River.Map ↗
- 3Pic Dubuc · Summit≈48.617, -70.800Approximate; highest summit of the massif at 984 m.Map ↗
- 4Lac Martin-Valin · Beach≈48.650, -70.750Approximate; canoe-camping and fishing sector.Map ↗
- 5Saint-Fulgence · Town≈48.450, -70.900Approximate; nearest village on the park road.Map ↗
- 6Saguenay · Town≈48.430, -71.070Approximate; main city and base for the park.Map ↗
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily park entry, adult | CAD 9–10 | person | 2026 estimate; SÉPAQ rate, varies by season (check). |
| Daily park entry, child | CAD 0–5 | person | 2026 estimate; young children usually free (check). |
| Annual SÉPAQ park pass | CAD 60–90 | person | 2026 estimate; covers entry to SÉPAQ parks for a year (check). |
| Vallée des Fantômes shuttle, adult | CAD 30–45 | person | 2026 estimate; winter only, reservation required (check). |
| Canoe or paddleboard rental | CAD 25–60 | half day | 2026 estimate; depends on boat type (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Vallée des Fantômes shuttle permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Backcountry winter travel permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs are not allowed on the park trails; check the current SÉPAQ rule before bringing one.check
- Fishing
- Only with a SÉPAQ fishing right, in permitted lakes and rivers, brook trout only.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings at authorised sites; check the provincial fire ban before lighting one.
- Camping
- Only at designated sites and cabins; no wild camping outside the permitted backcountry zones.
- Winter backcountry
- Permitted in winter only, for prepared parties with map and compass.
Where to stay
In the park
Baie d'Alexis cabins
Nine cabins for 2 to 8 people inside the park; book through SÉPAQ.
In the park
Le Pionnier and Le Fantôme mountain huts
Two backcountry huts for hikers on the long routes.
In the park
Le Septentrional campground
Park campsites, including fishing-camping packages.
Near the park
Saguenay (Jonquière, Chicoutimi)
Full range of hotels and motels, 45–60 min from the gate.
Safety
Cold and sudden weather change on the summits medium
Winter travel and avalanche terrain medium
Blackflies and mosquitoes low
Patchy phone signal medium
Accessibility
- The Discovery Centre, nature boutique and some short paths near it are reachable with limited walking.
- Summit trails such as Tête-de-Chien and the Vallée des Fantômes climb rough, uneven ground and are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; alpine and bog plants on the summits recover slowly.
- Pack out all rubbish, including fishing line and food scraps.
- Book cabins and campsites through SÉPAQ so fees fund trail upkeep.
- Keep distance from moose and never feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Monts-Valin National Park?
Expect roughly CAD 9–10 per adult per day in 2026, with children cheaper or free; these are SÉPAQ rates and change by season, so check the current price before you go. The Canada Discovery Pass does not cover this park because it is provincial, not federal.
What are the best hikes in Monts-Valin National Park?
For a short walk, the 3 km Le Mirador loop from the Discovery Centre. For a half-day summit, the 8 km Tête-de-Chien trail. In winter, the shuttle plus the 3 km climb to Pic Dubuc in the Vallée des Fantômes is the signature route.
When is the best time to visit Monts-Valin National Park?
July to September for hiking, canoeing and stable weather, with September quieter midweek. February and March are best for snowshoeing and the Vallée des Fantômes shuttle. Avoid November, which is wet and dark between seasons.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes for the winter Vallée des Fantômes shuttle, for cabins, huts and campsites, and for fishing packages. Day entry in summer normally does not need a booking, but check before a holiday weekend.
How do I get to Monts-Valin National Park without a car?
It is hard. The park is about 30 km northeast of Saguenay with no direct public transport to the gate; most visitors drive via Saint-Fulgence or Saint-David-de-Falardeau. Check whether any shuttle runs from Saguenay in your season.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are generally not allowed on SÉPAQ park trails; check the current rule for Monts-Valin before you travel with a pet.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go