National park · Canada

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife ReserveRéserve nationale de faune du cap Tourmente

Go for a half-day: 2–4 hours on the marsh boardwalks and the Cime belvedere, 48 km (40 min) from Québec City. Come in late April or October for the snow goose flocks; skip the climb if you only have an hour.Go for a half-day: 2–4 hours on the marsh boardwalks and the Cime belvedere, 30 mi (40 min) from Québec City. Come in late April or October for the snow goose flocks; skip the climb if you only have an hour.

Not field-verifiedRamsar wetland 1981Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

27 km²10 sq mi

approximate

Established

1978

Best months

Apr–May, 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: 27 km²10 sq mi; Roughly 27 km² of marsh, plain, forest and escarpment on the north shore of the St. Lawrence; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Established: 1978
Best months: Apr–May, Oct
Permits: For some areas
Base: Quebec City

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve protects a tidal bulrush marsh on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, 48 km northeast of Québec City, where tens of thousands of greater snow geese stop on spring and fall migration. It was the first Ramsar wetland designated in North America (1981) and is managed federally by Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Canada Wildlife Act. Beyond the marsh, about 20 km of summer trails run through forest and maple grove to the Ruisseau de la Friponne falls and up the escarpment toward the 580 m Cap Tourmente summit. The reserve sits at the junction of the Canadian Shield, the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Appalachians, facing the northeast end of Île d'Orléans.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

Ramsar wetland · 1981American bulrush marsh; the first Ramsar site designated in North America.

Size and age

27 km²10 sq mi · national park since 1978

Roughly 27 km² of marsh, plain, forest and escarpment on the north shore of the St. Lawrence; boundary figures vary by source (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Quebec City.

Why go

Tens of thousands of greater snow geese stop here on migration — the reason the reserve exists.
A 20 km trail network runs from tidal marsh to maple grove to a 580 m escarpment summit.A 12 mi trail network runs from tidal marsh to maple grove to a 580 m escarpment summit.
The Cime belvedere looks over the St. Lawrence, Île d'Orléans and the flats of Pointe aux Prêtres.
It is the closest real wilderness to Québec City: 48 km and about 40 minutes by car.It is the closest real wilderness to Québec City: 30 mi and about 40 minutes by car.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanCaution
FebCaution
MarGo
AprBest
MayBest
JunGo
JulGo
AugGo
SepGo
OctBest
NovCaution
DecCaution

JanSnowshoe trails only; check opening
FebWinter walking, feeders and a heated shelter
MarLate snow; first geese arrive
AprSnow goose peak; cold wind off the river
MayWarblers and songbirds; trails open
JunGreen, quiet weekdays
JulWarm; mosquitoes in the woods
AugWarm; few birds on the marsh
SepFall migration builds
OctSecond snow goose peak; best light
NovCold, wet; geese mostly gone
DecWinter schedule; check before driving

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Greater snow geese (spring migration)Mar–May · Peak numbers in April; the marsh fills with white flocks.	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	no
Greater snow geese (fall migration)Sep–Nov · Second gathering, usually October.	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no
Waterfowl and marsh birdsApr–Jun, Sep–Oct · Ducks, blackbirds and sparrows in the bulrush marsh.	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes	yes	no	no
Warblers and songbirdsMay–Jun · Spring passage through the forest edge.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no
Winter residentsDec–Feb · Chickadees, jays and owls around the feeders.	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Québec City

Route 138 east, cross the Sainte-Anne river bridge, right on Route des Carrières to Saint-Joachim, then Chemin du Cap Tourmente east to the reception desk.

40 min

Open the page →

From Baie-Saint-Paul

Route 138 west past Saint-Tite-des-Caps, then Route des Carrières to Saint-Joachim and Chemin du Cap Tourmente.

1 h 15

Open the page →

From Tadoussac

Route 138 west with the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry, then as above.

2 h 35

Zones and sectors

Zones of Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve
Zone	What is there	Access
Reception and Petite Ferme	Ticket desk, interpretation centre, exhibition and picnic areas.	Open with a ticket; short walk from the parking.
Coastal marsh	Four managed freshwater marshes and the tidal flats where snow geese feed.	Boardwalks and observation points; stay on the marked routes.
Forest and maple grove	Woodland trails, bird feeders and the Ruisseau de la Friponne waterfalls.	Open on foot; snowshoeing in winter.
Cap Tourmente escarpment	The 580 m summit and the Cime belvedere above the river.	Steep climbing trail; closed or icy outside the warm months.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions across the reserve, from the reception desk to the escarpment, for orientation only.

1Reception and Petite Ferme · Headquarters≈47.072, -70.799Approximate.Map ↗
2Marsh observation points · Viewpoint≈47.076, -70.790Approximate.Map ↗
3Cime belvedere · Viewpoint≈47.090, -70.810Approximate; below the 580 m summit.Map ↗
4Ruisseau de la Friponne falls · Trail≈47.085, -70.805Approximate.Map ↗
5Saint-Joachim · Village≈47.054, -70.844Approximate.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

WildlifeEasy1–1.5 hMarsh boardwalk and observation pointsFlat loop from the reception desk; the best place for goose flocks in April and October.

ViewpointsHard3–4 hCime belvedere climbSteep, sustained climb to the lookout below the 580 m summit; the trail passes on the south side facing the river.

TrailsModerate2–3 hLes Chutes trail (Ruisseau de la Friponne)4.8 km round trip laid out in 2019, with four lookouts over the waterfalls.

TrailsEasy1–2 hWinter walking and feedersAbout 6 km of winter trails and a bird-feeder network; a heated shelter opens on weekends (check).

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check

Fees for Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve
Item	Range	Per	Note
Entry, adult	CAD 8–10	person	2026 estimate; confirm current rates with the reserve.
Entry, child or student	CAD 4–6	person	2026 estimate.
Entry, family	CAD 20–25	family	2026 estimate; two adults and children.
Guided nature activity	CAD 0–15	person	Some seasonal programs are free with entry; others are ticketed (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Entry ticket permit or guide

Pay at the reception desk by the Petite Ferme, at the end of Chemin du Cap Tourmente.

Snowshoeing no permit

Allowed on designated winter trails only; bring your own or check rental on site.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Stay on trails and boardwalks: The marsh is the protected habitat; walking into the bulrush damages it and disturbs feeding geese.
No drones: Not permitted without authorisation from the managing agency (check).check
No snowmobiles or ATVs: Vehicles are allowed only on the entrance road and in designated parking areas.
Dogs: Not allowed, including on leads; this is a wildlife reserve.
Hunting: A limited, regulated white goose hunt runs in set areas in season; check dates and zones before walking.

Where to stay

Near the park

Saint-Joachim

Closest beds, a few minutes from the entrance road.

Near the park

Beaupré and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Widest choice of hotels and motels, 20–30 min away.

Near the park

Québec City

Base for the whole Côte-de-Beaupré; 40 min by car.

Safety

Steep, rough ground on the Cime trail medium

Wear shoes with grip, carry water, and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.

Cold river wind and fast weather changes medium

Bring a windproof layer even in summer; the marsh is exposed.

Ticks and mosquitoes low

Long trousers and repellent from May to September.

Winter ice on trails medium

Use snowshoes or traction aids; check the winter schedule before driving out.

Accessibility

The reception area, interpretation centre and the flat marsh loop are the realistic options for limited mobility; surfaces are gravel and boardwalk.
The Cime belvedere and Les Chutes trails are steep and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Visiting lightly

Keep to the boardwalks so the bulrush marsh that feeds the geese stays intact.
Do not feed or flush birds to get a photo; use the observation points.
Carry out everything you bring in; bins are limited on the trails.
Buy lunch or fuel in Saint-Joachim or Beaupré so the villages around the reserve benefit.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve?

Expect roughly CAD 8–10 per adult, CAD 4–6 per child or student and CAD 20–25 per family in 2026 (estimates — confirm current rates with the reserve). Entry is paid at the reception desk by the Petite Ferme. Some seasonal guided activities cost extra.

What are the best hikes in Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve?

The flat marsh boardwalk loop from the reception desk is the easy pick and the best place for snow geese. Les Chutes on the Ruisseau de la Friponne is a 4.8 km round trip with four lookouts. The Cime belvedere is the hard one: a steep climb to a lookout below the 580 m summit, 3–4 hours return.

When is the best time to visit Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve?

Late April and October for the greater snow goose migration, which is what the reserve is known for. May and June are good for songbirds and green trails. July and August are warm but quiet on the bird front. Winter offers about 6 km of snowshoe and walking trails.

Do I need a reservation or permit?

No advance permit for normal visiting — you buy an entry ticket at the desk. Group activities and some seasonal programs need booking. Snowshoeing is allowed on designated winter trails only.

How long should I spend there?

Two to four hours covers the interpretation centre and the marsh loop. Add three to four hours if you climb to the Cime belvedere. Most visitors come as a half-day trip from Québec City, 48 km away.

Can I get there without a car?

There is no practical public transport to the entrance road; the reserve sits at the end of Chemin du Cap Tourmente past Saint-Joachim. A car, taxi or organised tour from Québec City is the realistic option.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go