National park · Canada
La Mauricie National ParkParc national de la Mauricie
Day trip from Shawinigan: pay the Parks Canada entry fee (about $12 adult in 2026), drive the 64 km parkway, and walk one trail — Wapizagonke or Lac-Étienne. Book canoe and campsites months ahead for July–August.Day trip from Shawinigan: pay the Parks Canada entry fee (about $12 adult in 2026), drive the 40 mi parkway, and walk one trail — Wapizagonke or Lac-Étienne. Book canoe and campsites months ahead for July–August.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
536 km²207 sq mi
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jun–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
- 536 km²207 sq mi
- Land area only; the park has no marine zone.
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
La Mauricie protects 536 km² of the southern Laurentians north of Shawinigan: 150 lakes, regrown mixed forest and low ridges of the Canadian Shield. It is a paddling and camping park more than a sightseeing one — the road crosses it in about 64 km, but the real park is reached by canoe across Lac Wapizagonke. No dogs are allowed anywhere in the park, which is unusual for Canada.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
536 km²207 sq mi · national park since 1970
Land area only; the park has no marine zone.
Why go
- Paddle Lac Wapizagonke to cliff-side Indigenous rock paintings reachable only by water.
- A 64 km parkway with short walks, beaches and picnic stops if you have one day.A 40 mi parkway with short walks, beaches and picnic stops if you have one day.
- Canoe-camping circuits link a dozen backcountry lakes and about 200 boat-only campsites.
- Moose, beaver and loons are common; the common loon is the park's emblem.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- Jan−14 °C average; only the Saint-Jean-des-Piles side is open for winter use7 °F average; only the Saint-Jean-des-Piles side is open for winter use
- FebDeep snow; snowshoe and ski only
- MarStill winter; ice on lakes
- AprThaw and mud; some facilities closed
- MayQuiet; black flies start late in the month
- JunLong days, warm, busiest paddling month
- JulWarmest (about 25 °C highs); book everything aheadWarmest (about 77 °F highs); book everything ahead
- AugWarm; campsites and canoes sell out
- SepCool nights, colour starting, fewer people
- OctPeak fall colour early in the month; cold rain possible
- NovMost services closed; between seasons
- DecWinter season starts; check which entrance is 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; drive slowly on the parkway. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Beaver and otterMay–Sep · Lakes and ponds at dusk. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Common loon (park emblem)May–Sep · Nests on the quieter lakes. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Songbird migrationMay–Jun, Sep · Over 180 bird species recorded, at least 81 nesting. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | no | no | no |
| Black flies and mosquitoesJun–Jul · Worst near water in early summer; bring repellent. | 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 Shawinigan
Drive Highway 55 to exit 226 (Saint-Jean-des-Piles) or exit 217 (Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc), then follow the park road to the gate.
20–30 min
From Trois-Rivières
Highway 55 north to either park exit.
45–60 min
From Montréal
Drive via Highway 40 and 55; or the summer Park Bus shuttle from 1255 (≈ US$950) Peel Street to the Rivière-à-la-Pêche service centre.
2–2.5 h
From Québec City
Drive via Highway 40 west and 55 north.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Jean-des-Piles side (west) | Main gate, Rivière-à-la-Pêche service centre, campground and the start of the parkway. | Open year-round; winter access point. |
| Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc side (east) | Second gate, Lac-Édouard beach area and the eastern end of the parkway. | Open in the summer season only. |
| Lac Wapizagonke | The long narrow lake in the centre of the park, with cliffs and rock paintings. | By canoe or on foot; no road along the shore. |
| Backcountry lakes | About a dozen interior lakes linked by portages, with boat-only campsites. | Canoe-camping permit required. |
Sketch map
- 1Saint-Jean-des-Piles entrance · Gate≈46.685, -72.750Map ↗
- 2Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc entrance · Gate≈46.607, -72.921Map ↗
- 3Rivière-à-la-Pêche service centre · Headquarters≈46.755, -72.809Map ↗
- 4Lac-Édouard beach area · Beach≈46.796, -72.967Map ↗
- 5Lac Wapizagonke · Dive site≈46.750, -73.058Map ↗
- 6Shewenegan picnic area · Trail≈46.665, -72.995Map ↗
- 7Shawinigan · Town≈46.567, -72.750Map ↗
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, adult | CAD 11–13 | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada adjusts annually — check the current rate. |
| Entry, senior | CAD 10–12 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Entry, youth (17 and under) | Free | person | Free. |
| Entry, family/group (up to 7 in one vehicle) | CAD 22–26 | vehicle | 2026 estimate. |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 75–80 | adult | 2026 estimate; pays off on about 6–7 park visits. |
| Canoe, kayak or paddleboard rental | CAD 43–49 | day | From the on-site rental operator; reserve online. |
| Camping, unserviced site | CAD 28–32 | night | 2026 estimate; toilets and showers. |
| Camping, serviced with electricity | CAD 36–42 | night | 2026 estimate. |
| oTENTik ready-to-camp tent | CAD 130–160 | night | 2026 estimate; taxes included at some rates. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry canoe-camping permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Park rules
- No dogs
- Dogs are not permitted anywhere in La Mauricie National Park, including in vehicles and on the parkway. This differs from most Canadian national parks.
- Fires
- Only in provided fire pits at campsites; check for fire bans in dry spells.
- Fishing
- Quebec licence plus park rules; some lakes are closed or catch-limited.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; food and coolers must be stored out of reach at campsites.
- Leave no trace
- Pack out all rubbish; backcountry campsites have no bins.
Where to stay
In the park
Rivière-à-la-Pêche campground
224 sites, 62 with electricity; closest to the hiking and cycling trails and open in winter.
In the park
Wapizagonke campground
219 sites, 29 reachable only on foot; beaches nearby and a store 1.5 km away.219 sites, 29 reachable only on foot; beaches nearby and a store 0.9 mi away.
In the park
Mistagance campground
108 sites about 1 km from the Shewenegan picnic area.108 sites about 0.6 mi from the Shewenegan picnic area.
In the park
oTENTik tents
Ready-to-camp tents at Rivière-à-la-Pêche (4-season) and Mistagance (3-season).
In the park
Domaine Wabenaki – Andrew
Historic lodges on Lac à la Pêche, reached only by a 3.5 km walk, ski, bike or paddle.Historic lodges on Lac à la Pêche, reached only by a 2.2 mi walk, ski, bike or paddle.
Near the park
Shawinigan
Hotels and motels 20–30 min from the gate; the practical base if you are not camping.
Safety
Cold water high
Moose on the road medium
Black bears low
Weather changes medium
Accessibility
- The Lac-Édouard area and its interpretive trail meet universal-access standards.
- One oTENTik site (F-7 at Rivière-à-la-Pêche) has universal access.
- The parkway has accessible viewpoints and picnic areas; backcountry portages do not.
Visiting lightly
- Reserve campsites and canoes online so the park can cap use on the busiest lakes.
- Use the fire pits and pack out everything; backcountry sites have no bins.
- Do not move firewood between regions — it spreads invasive insects.
- Keep to marked trails and portages to protect regrowing forest and shoreline plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter La Mauricie National Park?
In 2026 an adult day entry is roughly $11–13 CAD, a senior slightly less, and youth 17 and under are free. A family or group in one vehicle pays about $22–26 CAD. Rates are set by Parks Canada and change each year, so check the current fee before you go. Camping, canoe rental and backcountry permits are extra.
What are the best hikes in La Mauricie National Park?
For a short visit, the Lac-Étienne interpretive loop near Lac-Édouard and the Shewenegan trail network are easy and signed. The best full day is the Wapizagonke trip: about 13 km of canoeing and at least 10 km of walking with no portages, past cliffs and waterfalls. Longer routes into the backcountry lakes are for canoe-campers.
When is the best time to visit La Mauricie National Park?
June to September for paddling and camping, with July and August the warmest and busiest. Late September and early October give fall colour and quiet trails but cold nights. Winter is for snowshoeing and skiing from the Saint-Jean-des-Piles side; the Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc gate opens only in the summer season.
Can I bring my dog?
No. La Mauricie is one of the few Canadian national parks where dogs are not allowed at all, including in the car on the parkway. Leave pets at home or at a kennel in Shawinigan.
Do I need to book canoes and campsites in advance?
Yes for July and August. Campsites, oTENTik tents and the backcountry canoe circuits are reserved through the Parks Canada reservation service and sell out on summer weekends. Day-use entry does not need a reservation.
How do I get there without a car?
In summer a Park Bus shuttle runs from downtown Montréal to the Rivière-à-la-Pêche service centre, leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon. Without it, the park is a drive from Shawinigan or Trois-Rivières; there is no regular public bus to the gates.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go