Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier! With stunning mountain views and a serene river, this park offers the perfect setting for hiking and kayaking. Immerse yourself in nature's wonders and create unforgettable memories in this captivating destination.

This is a huge and gorgeous park. we visited for the day but could have spent many more hours here! We canoed at km 3 for an hour ($19 for a canoe and lifejackets, kids kayaks are free!) and then hiked the Cascades trail close to the Discovery Center. There was an outhouse at km 3 and a nice bathroom, cafe, and water bottle refill station at the Discovery Center. You can borrow backpacks to carry small children and strollers/chariots for free from the Discovery Center. Definitely worth a visit. The views are incredible!

Loved it! Well kept and very clean. Beautiful nature with lots of options to enjoy the mountains and the river.

What a beautiful place. Truly, nature has blessed Quebec in general, but this park is surreal. Great options for hiking, skiing, biking etc. We came when the temperature was around -15, and will definitely make another round in summers/falls when it apparently is equally mind-blowing!! The staff is equally courteous. Hats off to them as well.

I think it is a great place for families to spend time. However, going there kids-free as a couple I didn't find my experience as relaxing as I was hoping for. I could hear the road nearby so it took away from "nature experience". And, even though there were beaches on a map close to our camping site, I couldn't really go for a nice swim- the water is shallow (like knee height) and cold. I know a lot of people go on canoe trips there, but I definitely wanted to go for a nice swim as a part of being in a nature/ summer vacation and unfortunately it didn't happen for me. Plus, given the expensive fees we paid, the overall experience was a bit of a disappointment to me. But the registration place and the site was clean. You can get coffee and some cute souvenirs. So if you are traveling with children- it's perfect!

I hiked at this spot and found it to be a refreshing escape from the city. The breathtaking views along the trail make it worth every step, and there are plenty of viewpoints to stop and take in the scenery. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a pleasant outing, this hike is definitely worth it!

It's a beautiful park. We had a great time by hiking and water rides. It would be much better if they provided some chairs on the hiking side for the people specifically for the ages who have to rest a little bit. Another problem is parking. They don't have enough places for vehicles to park.

Great place! Puts the campgrounds in Ontario to shame. Beautiful hikes, nice visitor center, clean. And only a half hour or so away from Quebec City! What a gem. Will definitely be back. I camped there for three nights in October

This is a huge park to camp or hike at. There are many hiking trails, picnic spots and beautiful views of the river and mountains. We had to drive in a road off the main roadway a ways before we reached the shack, and another mile or so until we arrived at the main parking area and lodge. There are many long or short hikes and I'm glad I read the reviews before I went because we definitely needed the mosquito / bug repellant. Although the repellant didn't keep the flies away, it at least helped us from getting bitten. We hiked on a trail somewhere further in the park from the main parking lot and there were two lookouts. We made it to the first lookout, which was a fantastic view of the mountain in front of us and river below, but as we hiked in the woods further up the mountain and into the late afternoon, the swarms of flies multiplied greatly until my kids couldn't stand having the swarm of pesky flies hitting our arms and buzzing in and out of our noses and ears. They said the flies usually come out the day after it rains, so we were unfortunate that day. Although there are many flying insects, I am glad my friend suggested this huge park, and I'll definitely visit this park again.

Amazingly beautiful. The staff were so helpful and gave us great tips for our hike! We stayed on a fairly easy trail and even my 7 year old managed just fine.

Awesome park! We made the trip up from Quebec City and were so impressed. It is well worth the short trip from the city. The visitor center is about 10 km in from the entrance. But they built the center with an absolutely phenomenal view out the back, where you can sit and picnic and enjoy. The employees in the center are very helpful, and speak English well. On the day we were there, they also had an information booth set up outside in front of the center. I'm not really sure what the difference between the two are, but I utilized both during my visit for questions. They recommended Les Cascades trail for the family, since I have little ones. My five and seven year old had no problem with the 1.5 km trail. But, if you want to go all out, there are trails for seasoned hiking veterans as well. We drove another 20 km into the park after our hike to see what we could see. There are some incredible views, with waterfalls coming off the top of some of these mini-mountains, barely visible off into the distance around 28 km in. It was such an awesome sight. My pictures just could not do the experience justice. P.S. Take the bug spray! The mosquitoes, flies, and gnats are unrelenting!

Challenging hikes but worth the view. Lookout spots have room for plenty of people to observe and take pictures. One even has benches so you can enjoy your meal. But be careful what you pack as there are A LOT of bugs. So bring bug spray and of course, lots of water. It can be muddy in some areas so it may not be the best idea to wear your new shoes. But wear comfortable ones because depending on what trail you chose, it can be a long hike.

This is a stunningly beautiful park. It's enormous and there are many activities for all ages and skill levels. Camping? Check. Canoeing (guided or solo)? Check. Tubing? Check. Bike rentals? Check. Bike Tours? Check. Hiking? You better believe it!! Since I was unprepared for a water adventure, shame on me, I stuck with the trails that followed the river and soaked up the sun and the breeze. The trails vary vastly in skill level, so pay attention to what you know about your own abilities and select an option that work for you. The trail I opted for had a few little bunny trails that lead to some easier going spots on the river where I was able to soak my toes and zen out. There is a nominal cost associated with admission. The visitors center is about 10 kilometers into the park. There is a small cafe and gift shop there, naturally, but really this is where you sign up and pay for whatever adventures you opt for. This really is a must visit when in/around Quebec! Also, the bugs are no joke. I took that with a grain of salt when I read other reviews, and I regret that. Even with a couple Off towelettes to swipe at my exposed areas, they were freaking demonic and incessant in their relentless pursuit of my flesh. That part was awful and I don't know what to tell you about that. Mom's were quite literally swaddling their babes in netting.

My friend and I came here to go hiking. There's a 8.75 CAD fee per person (not per car, wow!), so beware. We were given a map, and then we went to the visitor center, which had a small shop and rangers to ask questions to. It's a nice space to chill as there are tables and Wifi there too. We then headed to the Les Loups trail, which had plenty of parking and a porta potty which was surprisingly clean. The hike itself wasn't super enjoyable because although most of it was in the shade, there were just way too many bugs constantly flying around. The view at the top was just alright too, as we saw the river and mountains int he distance. Too many bugs! Clear signage was helpful for the trails that branched off, and the hike was somewhat challenging which is always good. I would love to come back when there aren't so many bugs flying around (and biting people), but otherwise it's a beautiful park!

Incredible setting, beautiful views, but EXCEPTIONALLY buggy!!!!! Make sure to bring the bug spray!!!!

Great hiking! Highly recommend kayaking the rapids in a tandem kayak. Good facilities. We camped in the southernmost entrance only 30 minutes north of Quebec.