The Hautes-Gorges park protects the valley of the Malbaie River inland from the coast, where Mounts Élie and Jérémie and the Montagne des Érables rise over Lac Noir and the river valleys. Its best-known visit is the Sepaq riverboat cruise, led by a park warden and naturalist, which lasts about an hour and covers about 10 kilometres round trip between the Le Draveur Visitors Centre and the Équerre sector. The boat carries 47 passengers, and adults pay about 40 Canadian dollars plus taxes while children aged 0 to 17 are free. Departures are offered only on Saturdays and Sundays, with weekday sailings sometimes added later in the season, and you arrive about an hour early at the Félix-Antoine-Savard Discovery and Visitors Centre to catch the shuttle. The park is not only a summer place, because winter activities include skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fatbiking and ice climbing.
What to do
Take the cruise for the valley, then add a short walk, since the park lists a walking trail, a heated shelter, a lookout tower and interpretation panels, and a restaurant and a shop are also listed. Hiking, cycling, canoeing and paddling are other summer activities. In the cold months, the park lists skating, snowshoeing, cross-country and Nordic skiing, ski hok, fatbiking and ice climbing, and snowshoes, ski hok and fatbikes can be rented.
Seasons and planning
The cruise is a seasonal summer activity, offered on weekends, and the Sepaq page did not state its 2026 dates, so check the booking calendar before you plan around it. Once snow arrives the park's winter side takes over, but conditions and access depend on the weather, so phone the park on 418 439-1227 before you drive in. Parking is free, with an electric vehicle charging station, and no accommodation is listed in the park itself, so you stay on the coast.
Fitting it in
The park is in Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, inland from the coast, and a visit needs most of a day including the drive. It pairs with La Malbaie, the Casino de Charlevoix for the evening and the coast road. Take food and warm layers.
What to expect
The experience
A national park with an hour-long guided riverboat cruise on weekends and a mix of walking trails and winter sports.
Best time
Summer weekends for the cruise; winter for skating, skiing and snowshoeing, with the calendar to be checked.
How long
Most of a day including the drive in, or a half day for the cruise alone.
Tips
Arrive an hour before the cruise to catch the shuttle, carry warm layers and call the park before driving in during winter.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Nature lovers who want a deep river valley, a guided boat trip and quiet.
- Families
- Children aged 0 to 17 travel free on the cruise, and the winter days offer skating and snowshoeing.
- Couples
- The cruise on a clear weekend, followed by an evening in La Malbaie.
- Pair with
- The coast road, the Casino de Charlevoix and a night at the Petit Manoir du Casino.
- Time needed
- Most of a day.
Good questions
How long is the cruise on the Malbaie River?+
It lasts about an hour and covers about 10 kilometres round trip between the Le Draveur Visitors Centre and the Équerre sector. A park warden and naturalist leads it.
When does the cruise run?+
Sepaq offers departures only on Saturdays and Sundays, with weekday sailings possibly added later in the season. The page did not state the 2026 dates, so check the booking calendar.
How much does it cost?+
Adults pay about 40 Canadian dollars plus taxes and children aged 0 to 17 are free. Large groups of 19 or more should phone the park.
Can I visit in winter?+
The park lists skating, snowshoeing, cross-country and Nordic skiing, ski hok, fatbiking and ice climbing, with rentals for several of them. Phone the park before you drive in, since conditions depend on snow.
Can I stay in the park?+
No accommodation is listed in the park, so most visitors stay on the coast in La Malbaie. Parking is free.
