Grands-Jardins National Park sits inland from the Charlevoix coast, near the village of Saint-Urbain, and it looks like nowhere else in the region. Bonjour Québec describes a landscape of boreal forest and tundra, including a black spruce forest carpeted in lichen, and that pale, open ground is what gives the park its name, since it looks like a garden laid out on a grand scale. Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes has a summit that offers a view of the Charlevoix crater, the ring of hills left by a huge meteorite impact many millions of years ago, which also explains the unusual shape of the whole region. The park is run by Sépaq, it is open all year, and it offers hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country and Nordic skiing, ski hok, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing and via ferrata. Guided tours and nature interpretation are part of the programme, and the park also has self-guided routes for visitors who prefer to go at their own pace.
What to do
Choose one main outing and keep the rest of the day flexible. The summit hike on Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes is the classic walk for the crater view, while a paddle on one of the lakes gives a quieter look at the boreal forest in summer. In winter the park turns to snowshoeing and skiing, with ski hok, a short wide ski that is easy for beginners, among the options.
Equipment such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, snowshoes, walking sticks and crampons can be rented, so you do not need to bring your own. Facilities include washrooms, a heated shelter, a viewpoint or observation tower, a waxing room, a boutique, a convenience store, drinking water and a picnic area, and dogs are allowed on a leash.
Seasons and planning
The park is open year round, with summer for paddling and hiking, autumn for colour on the lichen woods and winter for snow sports, though conditions vary. Parking is free, and a shuttle service operates within the park. Rates for entry and activities are on the Sépaq site, and some activities need to be reserved ahead, so check before you drive in.
Two campgrounds, the Arthabaska sector and the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes sector, make it possible to stay overnight in the park, and the weather in the hills can be several degrees cooler than on the coast, so pack warm layers and rain gear in every season.
Fitting it in
The park is about an hour inland from Baie-Saint-Paul and also reachable from La Malbaie, so it works as a full-day excursion from either base. The Charlevoix gourmet itinerary includes a Basque-style farm near the park, which makes a good stop on the way back, and the park pairs naturally with the Hautes-Gorges national park for a two-park nature trip.
Cell coverage can be patchy, so download a map before you leave, tell someone your plan if you walk alone, and allow extra time for the drive in winter, when roads in the hills can be slow. Early morning is the best time to see wildlife and to have the trails to yourself, and photographers will find that the open tundra gives wide skies and strong light.
What to expect
The experience
A national park of lichen woods and tundra with hiking, paddling, climbing and winter skiing, run by Sépaq.
Best time
Summer and early autumn for hiking and paddling, winter for snowshoeing and skiing; the park is open all year.
How long
A half day for a hike, or a full day for a hike plus a paddle or a ski loop.
Tips
Check rates and any reservation rules on the Sépaq site, carry warm layers and a map, and rent equipment at the park if you need it.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers and paddlers who want a wild landscape and a view of the Charlevoix crater.
- Families
- Short walks, picnic areas and paddle rentals suit families, and in winter snowshoe loops are easy for children.
- Couples
- A summit walk for the crater view followed by a quiet evening in Baie-Saint-Paul.
- Pair with
- The Hautes-Gorges national park, the Charlevoix gourmet tour and a night in Baie-Saint-Paul.
- Time needed
- Half to a full day, plus the drive in.
Good questions
Where is Grands-Jardins National Park?+
It is in the Charlevoix hills near Saint-Urbain, inland from Baie-Saint-Paul. A car is the practical way to reach it.
Is the park open in winter?+
Yes, Bonjour Québec says it is open year round. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country and Nordic skiing and ski hok, so check conditions before you go.
What is special about the landscape?+
The park combines boreal forest and tundra, including black spruce forest carpeted in lichen. The summit of Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes gives a view of the Charlevoix crater.
Can I rent equipment?+
Yes, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, snowshoes, walking sticks and crampons can be rented at the park. Check availability on the day.
Can I camp in the park?+
Yes, two campgrounds are available, the Arthabaska sector and the Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes sector. Check booking rules on the Sépaq site.
