This article is about the best national parks near Montreal. We’ve also included some of the most beautiful nature parks close to Montreal. At the end, you’ll also learn about some of the other national parks near Montreal and Quebec City that are further from Montreal, but still worth a visit.
One of our favorite things about living in Montreal is how close it is to the great outdoors. You’re always a quick drive away from an amazing national park in Quebec, a great hike, a rustic campground or the perfect weekend getaway. And because we all spent too much time stuck inside and are longing to get out, we decided to round up the best national parks and nature parks near Montreal. We hope this will help you start planning your hike in one of the best parks in Quebec.
Why did we choose to focus on the best national parks in Quebec? A lot has to do with the fact that there are over 200 trails to pick from in Quebec. Another is that with so many national parks, the landscape, fauna and flora change so much from one place to the next, so they are all worth exploring! Either way, we’re convinced you’ll find something amazing to explore in each park!
Please note that not all hiking trails open at the same time as the parks try to protect the soil and its new growth. To ensure the national park you want to visit is open, check if you can buy a daily pass.
Some national parks will open on April 1, as others allow hikers on the trails after mid-May. It’s important to call and find out before heading to your national park of choice.
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Table of Contents
What are national parks in Quebec?
In the province of Quebec, you’ll find two different types of national parks, which may seem a bit confusing, but they’re not. There are actually about 50 national parks in the province, and 10 are quite close to Montreal.
First, you’ll find parks that are managed by Parks Canada, an entity of the federal Canadian government. There are three parks in Quebec that are managed by Parks Canada – Forillon, La Mauricie and the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. You also have the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, which is managed jointly by Parks Canada and the Sépaq. You can read all about the further national parks in our article here.
Provincial parks in Quebec
This brings us to our second category of national parks, which are actually more like provincial or regional parks. They are run by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec or Sépaq, which is a para-governmental organization of the provincial Québec government. There are 24 parks that are managed by the Sepaq throughout the province of Quebec.
So why are there no provincial parks in Quebec? Since the province of Quebec is officially recognized as a distinct nation, the parks under the Quebec government’s jurisdiction are also called “national parks”. Unlike in other provinces where you’ll find provincial parks, in Quebec, you’ll only find national parks – some run by the federal government and some run by the provincial government.
However, you also have a ton of regional parks and nature parks in the province. We’ve included some of them here as we want you to get out and explore as much of Quebec’s beauty as possible.
Just note that you may need to pay entrance fees to these parks – national parks all have entrance fees, while regional or nature parks may not. If you plan on hiking or camping often in the Sepaq National Parks, we recommend getting an annual pass for the parks. You’ll end up saving quite a bit of money if you’re a fan of the outdoors!
If you’re looking to plan a getaway from Montreal, make sure you check out these articles:
– The best day trips from Montreal
– The best weekend getaways from Montreal
– The best national parks in Quebec (for longer road trips)
– The best road trips in Quebec
The 10 best national and nature parks near Montreal
If you’re looking for a quick escape from the city, here are the best national parks to visit near Montreal. We also included some great regional and nature parks close to Montreal. These parks are perfect for a weekend getaway (as most offer camping sites on their grounds). We kept this list to the parks that you can visit in a day, so less than a 3-hour drive from Montreal at most. If you’re planning on driving up to the park, getting a good hike in and driving back, you don’t want to spend ten hours in the car!
We’ve put these nature parks near Montreal in order of how far they are from the city. This way, you can plan your trip more easily based on how much time you have. If you plan on going even further, we have 18 amazing national parks you can visit all over Quebec.
1. Iles-de-Boucherville National Park, the closest national park to Montreal
This is as close as you can get to having a nature park in your backyard! Just 20km from Montreal, you have the Iles-de-Boucherville National Park, with its 5 little islands in the heart of the Saint-Lawrence River. It’s so close that it could be considered one of the national parks in Montreal. And if you want to get technical, it’s one of the best provincial parks in Quebec!
This provincial park near Montreal is open year-round. You can go camping there in the summer and go snowshoeing in the winter. There are also a ton of other activities you can do at this beautiful ecological and historical haven a few steps from Montreal!
If you love to hike, this national park near Montreal has 21 km of multi-purpose trails, plus another 15 km of rustic trails that will provide you access to the most charming scenery on the islands. If hiking is not your thing, in the summer, you can also go kayak, canoe, rabaska, bike, or play beach volleyball. Year-round, you can spot quite a few birds (over 200 different species, actually) and even white-tailed deer. In the winter, you can snowshoe, hike, cross-country ski, or kicksled.
Regardless of when you go during the year, there are tons to do at this national park in Québec. And best of all, it’s a stone’s throw from Montreal.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 25 minutes
2. Mont-Saint-Bruno, another national park close to Montreal
Mont-Saint-Bruno is a lovely Sepaq park located a short drive from Montreal. If you’re looking to escape the city and head into a little nature oasis, this park is for you.
This provincial park in Quebec is home to five different lakes where you can practice water sports, an orchard where you can pick apples in the fall, a historic 300-year-old mill where you can enjoy tea time and a ton of trails to hike and explore. Although the trails aren’t very long or challenging, it’s a great place to spend a quiet morning taking in the beauty of this nature park near Montreal.
This provincial park is home to 200 different species of birds and 40 species of mammals that you can see in the summer or winter. Just make sure you go in the morning, around the opening. Because the park is so close to Montreal, and in a residential area, it does tend to get busier as the day progresses, making the animals shy away.
This nature park near Montreal is a great place to visit in the winter too! It’s the perfect park close to the city where you can go fat bike or cross-country skiing. In the warmer months, you can hike the trails or bike a few of them. The Mont-Saint-Bruno national park also has dog-friendly trails and family-friendly trails for exploring with the kiddos.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 30 minutes
3. Oka National Park, a beautiful beach and national park near Montreal
Oka Park is so close to Montreal, it’s such a short drive from the city center! And best of all, you can escape to one of Montreal’s only beaches in less than an hour! But that’s not all the National Park of Oka has to offer. It is also home to a unique complex of historic buildings in America, and to wetlands. Plus, it’s the perfect place to get a view of the Lac des Deux Montagnes and the Adirondacks, a unique sight for sure!
In the summer, other than the beach, you can go hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. In the winter, you can explore the trails on a fat bike or kicksled. You can also go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Oka isn’t that far from Montreal, so it does tend to get quite busy on weekends, especially on hot summer days. If you want to take full advantage of the beach, make sure you head there on a weekday or early in the morning. You’ll be able to avoid the crowds for a little bit!
If you’re looking to plan a beach getaway with friends, whether it’s for just an afternoon or for a whole weekend, Oka is the place for you. It’s kid-friendly and more family-oriented (so keep that in mind, depending on what you’re looking to do).
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 45 minutes
4. Gault Nature Reserve in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, a beautiful nature park near Montreal
Ok, so technically, the Gault Nature Reserve in Mont-Saint-Hilaire is not a national park, but if you’re looking to go on a good hike near Montreal, then you just can’t ignore it. The Gault Nature Reserve is owned by McGill University and is located at Mont-Saint-Hilaire. The reserve protects more than 1,000 hectares of natural forest, hosts 25 km of trails, and offers four viewpoints of Lake Hertel.
The trails at the Gault Nature Reserve are not very hard, and they tend to get quite crowded on weekends. If you can, park nearby and walk to the reserve. You’ll notice many homes along the way offering you parking. Some days, it’s well worth taking them up on the offer, as wait times to get into the parking lot at the reserve can get quite long!
Apart from hiking, the Gault Nature Reserve has a ton of conservation efforts you can learn more about. You can go bird watching in warmer months, or go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. There’s also a little beach by Lake Hertel where you can plop down and enjoy the view. Again, there’s something magical about visiting these national parks in the fall, when the leaves are insane!
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 45 minutes
- Costs: $0 for anyone 17 yo or younger. $8 per adult
If you’re looking for some fun hikes to do near Montreal, make sure you check out our article here. We cover the best hikes that are less than 2-hours drive away from Montreal.
5. Mont-Gosford, a beautiful nature park close to Montreal
Another park near Montreal that’s not a national one, but it doesn’t matter, because it’s amazing. The Mont-Gosford Park is a must-see nature park near Montreal. About a 1-hour drive from the city, located in the Eastern Townships, Mont-Gosford is the 7th highest peak in Quebec. Once at the peak, you have a breathtaking 360° view of the wilderness and mountains of the Lac-Mégantic area, and of the states of Maine and New Hampshire.
In the summer or the winter, you can hike these amazing trails, along the ridges and valleys. The Mont-Gosford park and trail is part of the Route des Sommets (Summit trail), a trail that crosses the Megantic region and spans over 157 km.
Because this nature park is so close to Montreal, you can come here for a day trip, or you can camp here or rent one of their cabins. It’s worth spending a night in this park, as the sky at night is lit up by thousands of stars. You can also visit this park while you’re out exploring the Eastern Townships.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour
6. Mont Orford National Park, a gorgeous national park near Montreal, in the Eastern Townships
If Mont-Tremblant or the Laurentians aren’t where the locals tell you to go, then it’s the Eastern Townships! The Townships are a fun place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. And the Parc national du Mont-Orford is one of the best parks near Montreal you should explore.
In the winter, Mont-Orford has a great ski hill to keep you busy. If not, its 80 km of trails will surely have something to offer you! In fact, Mont-Orford is a paradise for hikers. There are a ton of viewpoints to discover all around the park. The best time to hike in this national park near Montreal is in the fall when the leaves turn all colors of the rainbow! Just be sure to not get too distracted as you may miss sighting the white-tailed deer and Great Blue Heron who call this park home.
In the summer, there are two beaches to choose from, plus all the other activities. From biking, canoeing, kayaking and so much more. There’s really something for everyone at this beautiful park near Montreal!
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 20 minutes
Quick Montreal local tip: If you’re planning on staying the night in Mont-Orford, we have the perfect little campground for you. Instead of camping at the national park, stay at this rustic campsite. They’re a family-run campground and they are eco-friendly, so it’s a great place to spend the night.
We highly recommend staying at Chalets Hygge, if you’re looking for a nice cabin to get cozy in. You can find out more about Chalets Hygge and their offering here.
7. Parc National du Mont-Tremblant, one of the best parks near Montreal
Ask any local where they usually go to escape from Montréal, and Mont-Tremblant will surely come up as an answer more than a few times! Mont-Tremblant has become a perfect getaway from Montreal, either in the summer or the winter. Not only is there a beautiful national park there, but the area is booming with a challenging ski resort, a ton of indoor and outdoor activities, and so much more!
But today, we’re focusing on the national parks. And the Mont-Tremblant National Park does not disappoint. At 1,500 km2, the Parc National du Mont-Tremblant is the largest of Québec’s parks. It’s also the first national park in Quebec. With 6 large rivers that run through it, on top of the 400 lakes and streams, this is one national park near Montreal that you don’t want to miss, especially if you love water sports!
At this national park near Montreal, there are 82 km of hiking trails to explore. The most challenging and unique trail of them all is the Via Ferrata du Diable. Somewhere between hiking and climbing, this trail will allow you to discover the park’s majestic mountains in a way you could otherwise only dream about. It’s best to head here for sunset to get a crazy view!
Of course, you can also go swimming in the lakes and rivers, but scout the shallow waters to make sure the waters are a bit warmer because even in the summer, they can be quite frigid! You can paddleboard, kayak, and pedal boat. A lot of these are available to rent on location.
If you want to find one of the best national parks for camping, this might be the place for you. There are a few campgrounds to choose from in the Mont Tremblant national park. They all offer similar amenities, so our recommendation would be to pick the area that is closest to the activities you want to do.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 1 hour 45 minutes
8. Plaisance National Park, a different national park near Montreal
A short 2-hour drive from Montreal, you’ll find the Sepaq’s Plaisance National Park. It’s located in the Outaouais region, a true hidden gem of Quebec. In French, Plaisance means pleasantness, so you know exactly what to expect here. The landscape in this provincial park is made of bays, ponds and marshes.
If you want to see Canadian geese migrate, this nature park near Montreal welcomes thousands of them back home in the spring. In the summer, this park is a paradise for bird lovers. It’s home to ducks, herons, ospreys, and dozens of other species of birds.
In 2017, floods destroyed the nature park’s Zizanie-des-Marais Trail. But today, it’s been restored and is a must when you visit this national park. It’s the perfect way to walk around the park and explore the marshes.
What’s great about this national park is that it’s perfect for hikers but also bikers and those who want to explore the waterways. In the summer months, you can rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards and navigate on the waters. You can even paddle all the way to one of the best waterfalls in Quebec, the Chute de Plaisance.
For bird lovers, this park is perfect! Since it’s located on an ecological reserve, there are plenty of opportunities to watch the birds in the region. Make sure to bring your binoculars with you! It’s truly a beautiful Quebec national park to discover.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours
9. Fôret-La-Blanche ecological reserve, a Quebec nature park with the oldest tree forest
Another great nature park in Outaouais is the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve. What makes this Quebec nature park truly unique is that it’s home to one of Quebec’s last remaining old-growth forests.
This nature park near Montreal is made up of many short trails that open to amazing viewpoints of the various lakes in the area. The trails are well-maintained and marked, and you can group them together to extend your stay in this beautiful forest. You have enough trails to spend half a day in this park, at a minimum!
If you’re looking to spend a full day here, we recommend visiting the Plaisance National Park, mentioned above, or heading to the nearby Chute de Plaisance. You can also stop by Parc Omega and tour their car safari. There are plenty of fun and unique things to do in Outaouais, no matter the season!
The Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve is one of the only ecological reserves open to the public in Québec. The park is open year-round, so you can enjoy it no matter the season. We got to enjoy this park in the fall, in early October, and the colorful leaves made this place truly spectacular. With the foliage above dancing in the wind, and below your feet, on a colorful carpet of fallen leaves. Best of all, since it’s a fairly unknown park, you have the trails to yourself.
In 2023, the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve celebrated its 20-year anniversary. They continue their mission to improve conservation education about Quebec’s forests and its biological and ecological diversity.
While in the Petite Nation region of Outaouais, make sure you add this to your itinerary. It’s perfect, no matter how long you choose to spend here, and what season you visit!
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 2 hours and 20 minutes
10. Hike the trails of the Parc Régional du Lac de 31 milles
The region of Outaouais is home to some of the best-kept trails in Quebec – a true treasure trove of hidden gems. All these trails are well-groomed and well-indicated, running a vast web of hiking routes that are fit for all types of hikers and explorers. To be honest, these trails were some of the best-maintained ones we’ve ever hiked on!
The trails cover a vast range of landscapes and offer so many different sights to see. From mountains, marshlands, plains, ancient forests, rivers and waterfalls, there are so many hiking trails in Outaouais that are calling your name. Best of all, when you look at their descriptions, you have a gauge of their length (in time and distance), their level of difficulty, the amount of technical abilities needed and more. This will help you find the perfect hike for you!
While in the Parc Régional 31 milles, we had the pleasure of walking the lush trails of the Chute Rouge. A 3.2 km loop trail that walks through forests, leading to Petit Lac Rond. We accessed this trail by canoeing to it. But you can also park nearby and hike there.
We also hiked the trail to the Stone Bridge and the natural whirlpool. These well-maintained trails are a pleasure to hike on. Although they’re not very difficult or long, they are the perfect occasion to reimmerse yourself in nature. If you bring your bathing suit, you can even sit in the natural whirlpool for a refreshing dip.
If you love to canoe, we recommend staying in one of the unique accommodations available at the Parc Régional du Lac des 31 milles. It’s the best way to combine your love of hikes and canoeing and make the best of this beautiful park in Quebec.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours and 30 minutes
The 2 best national parks near Quebec City worth visiting
Here are two national parks that are about 3 hours away from Montreal, but they are very close to Quebec City. If you are heading on a weekend getaway to the provincial capital, make sure you check them out. They are beautiful national parks near Quebec City.
1. Jacques-Cartier National Park, a stone’s throw away from Quebec City
Located a little over 3 hours away from Montreal, the Parc National du Jacques-Cartier is one of the best nature parks in Quebec. And, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Quebec City. Just another nature oasis close to a big city.
This Quebec national park is known for its expansive mountainous plateau that’s cut by deep valleys and one long river. In fact, this nature park near Quebec City is home to one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the province.
The Jacques-Cartier River, which cuts through the park is the perfect place to practice water sports. Some parts of the 550-meter-long river are calm – here, you can stand up paddleboard, canoe, or kayak while you enjoy the serene natural beauty around. Other parts of the river are rapids, perfect for rafting. In the winter, you can even hike over the river.
This national Sepaq park near Quebec City is also home to plenty of animals. Here, you can spot 43 different mammal species, 170 types of birds, 45 dragonfly species, and over 260 types of butterflies. Summer or winter, this provincial park is a perfect getaway, either from Montreal or from Quebec City.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- Drive time from Quebec City: 30 minutes
2. Chutes Montmorency, one of the best parks near Quebec City
Montmorency Falls Park is technically not a national park, but it is run by the Sepaq, so we included it on our list! Plus, it’s is a unique park for sure, so we had no choice! It’s so different in the summer and in the winter, and best of all, you can visit it during all the seasons. Being a 15-minute drive away, it’s one of the best parks near Quebec City!
When in Quebec City, these 83-meter-high Montmorency Falls are a must-see. They’re the natural jewel of the area. The coolest thing about this park is how close you can actually get to the waterfalls and feel their power, especially in the winter when you can walk right up to the falls. You can also go ice climbing up the frozen walls if that’s the thrill you’re looking for!
In the warmer months, you can also go ride in the panoramic cable car, go zip-lining or hike one of the many trails that give you amazing vantage points of the waterfalls.
Regardless of when you go, this park will not disappoint you! The views are something else here, and so worth the trek out to this national attraction.
- Official site
- Drive time from Montreal: 3 hours
- Drive time from Quebec City: 15 minutes
Everything you need to know about the national parks near Montreal
Here are some of the most important things you should know before visiting a national park near Montreal. These tips will help you plan the best hiking trip!
Can you visit a national park close to Montreal without a car?
Truth is, not really! Although getting around the city of Montreal is easy by public transport, most national parks and nature parks outside of the city are not accessible without a car.
However, some of the national parks near Montreal are accessible by using the services of the Navette Nature. You can check out which parks they go to on their website.
Are there guided tours or activities available in the national parks near Montreal?
Absolutely there are! The SEPAQ and other nature parks do a great job in offering workshops and activities. Most of them take place over the weekend and they’re especially convenient for families (most are kid-friendly). Some places offer guided hikes with rangers where they talk about the different flora and fauna in the park. They also have wildlife-watching tours, or workshops where they present the different animals in the park.
You can check the official website of the park you’re looking to visit or call them to see what they have going on.
Can you camp in the national parks near Montreal?
For the most part, yes! The SEPAQ national parks often have campsites available. They also offer a variety of accommodations, from campgrounds where you pitch your own tent, to ready-to-camp sites or little cabins where all you need to bring are your sleeping essentials and food.
As for nature parks, they are not always set up for camping. They may only be open for the day and close at night. Make sure you check the park’s website before planning an overnight stay!
Also, note that campgrounds in the SEPAQ parks are known to go really quickly, especially on weekend stays and during construction holidays (end of July, early August). If you want to camp on the national park grounds, make sure you book ahead of time.
What are the opening hours of the national parks near Montreal?
The opening hours vary, as well as the seasonality. Most national parks will close their campgrounds and hiking trails around November 1 and open on April 1 or May 1. Other parks are open year-round and you can do winter hikes there.
As for opening hours, they also vary from park to park. Your best bet is to check the official website of the park you want to visit, and you should have all your information there.
What are the best times to visit the national parks near Montreal?
The best time to visit the national parks depends on what you plan on doing. As we mentioned, some are open year-round, which means you can go hiking in the summer or winter, or go snow-shoeing in the winter. Some will have other activities available in the winter like cross-country skiing or fat biking. It really depends on the park, and what you feel like doing.
However, if you plan on taking full advantage of the best of the park, the summer months are the best! They tend to get busier, especially on weekends, but you’ll get to see a lot more flora, fauna and enjoy the best weather in Montreal!
Can you spot wildlife in the national parks near Montreal?
Absolutely! So many of the parks are home to so many animals, birds and more. Depending on when you go, you’ll likely see tons of wildlife! Your best bet is going around sunrise or sunset, when there are less people, so you can see animals without all the crowds around.
In some parks, you can see animals regardless of when you go. For example, in Boucherville park, you can see deer all the time. At the Bic national park, you’re likely to see fox. At Forillon park, there are moose, beavers and bears, as well as whales, seals and seabirds.
Here are the 12 best parks near Montreal
As a quick recap, here are the best national parks and other parks that are worth exploring in Quebec. Each has something unique to offer, no matter what you’re looking to do.
- Iles-de-Boucherville national park
- Mont-Saint-Bruno
- Oka national park
- Gault Nature Reserve Mont-Saint-Hilaire
- Mont-Gosford park
- Mont Orford National Park
- Mont Tremblant National Park
- Plaisance national park
- Fôret-La-Blanche Ecological Reserve
- Parc Régional du Lac des 31-Milles
- Parc national Jacques-Cartier
- Montmorency Falls park
There you have it! The 12 best parks near Montreal. Exploring these national parks has been one of the highlights of our summers and falls in Montreal. We love discovering the unique characteristics of each park and the regions they are in.
We’re really lucky to live in such a beautiful province that offers so many great getaways from Montreal, whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a quick day trip. These natural escapes make it the perfect playground for campers and hikers alike. The fact that so many rivers run through this province also make it a great place for those who love their watersports!
Have you had the chance to explore any Quebec National Parks? Any parks near Montreal that you’ve discovered? Let us know in the comments. We’re always looking for different hikes to do near Montreal.
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