In the Heart of Quebec’s Parks Self-Drive Tour

When you arrive in Montreal, you can pick up your car rental and settle into your hotel. The rest of today is yours to explore the sights and sounds of this lively city.

There will be a big contrast in your day as you depart the busy city and take the quieter roads to Mauricie. Your accommodations at the Wildlife Reserve of Saint-Maurice can only be reached by boat, so you’ll be set up with a canoe, then paddle across the tranquil lake to your cottage.

Tonight, you’ll enjoy the silence of the beautiful Quebec Wilderness.

Wake up whenever you feel like it—you have the whole day to experience the joys of cottage life on the lake. Take the canoe out to explore the lake or relax at your private beach. Check out a nearby trail, where you can hike to a beautiful waterfall known as Fall of the Wind.

Tonight, you’ll fall asleep listening to the quiet sounds of the lake.

To continue your tour, you’ll canoe back to your car on the other side of the lake. Then, you’ll follow the scenic river route to Lake St. John. On the banks of the enormous Lake St. John, you’ll find Pointe-Taillon National Park and your cottage for the next two nights.

There are almost too many ways for you to enjoy your time in Pointe-Taillon National Park. Visit the sandy beaches and take a swim or go for a paddle. You can explore the numerous trails on foot or go for a bike ride on the Blueberry Bikeway, which hugs the entire lakeside. You can also take a tour with a naturalist guide who will teach you about the local wildlife.

Head back to your cottage for the night.

Drive along the Saint-Lawrence River to reach the village of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord. From here, you’ll be able to explore the dramatic cliffs of the Saguenay Fjord. You’ll also find a lookout that offers a panoramic view of the fjord and a great vantage point to see if any beluga whales are playing in the water.

Tonight, you’ll camp in a permanent tent with nice amenities.

Begin your day with a drive to Tadoussac, another great spot to look for wildlife. You can choose to book a boat or zodiac whale watching tour to look for humpback and beluga whales.

When you’re ready, continue across the river into the Charlevoix region and the Malbaie River High Gorge National Park. Spend some time hiking and exploring the scenic river valley or visit the viewpoints on either side of the gorge. Make your way to the National Park of the Great Gardens for the end of the day, where you’ll find your camping accommodations for the next two nights.

You have the whole day to hike through the tundra and forests of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve. Make sure one of your trails leads you to the Charlevoix crater, where you can see the ridges left by the impact of a meteor strike millions of years ago.

The road will bring you through Quebec City, so feel free to make a short stop to visit this historic gem. You’ll need to be at the Laurentian Wildlife Reserve in the early afternoon to meet your guide. In the reserve, you’ll hike into the forest to look for black bears from an observation platform. Over dinner, your guide will tell you about the wolves, bears, and other animals that live in the reserve.

This morning, you’ll wake up in the reserve and go for a paddle in a traditional Algonquin canoe. Then, you’ll enjoy a lakeside picnic lunch.

You’ll have some time to spend at leisure in the park before you begin your drive to Sainte Catherine de la Jacque Cartier. You’ll visit the Duchesnay Resort, which is a natural oasis that offers various outdoor activities.

The entire Duchesnay Resort is at your disposal today. You can take advantage of all their equipment and activities on offer, including canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards.

When you’re tired from watersports, you can relax at the beach and go for a dip in the lake or the indoor pool. There are also hiking trails, bike trails, volleyball courts, plus some indoor activities.

Take a leisurely drive through the Eastern Townships and visit the charming villages along your route. Visit North Hatley and Ayer’s Cliff and take a stroll down their picturesque main streets to view the century buildings and scenic setting. Another great stop is Magog, where you can enjoy the many walking paths and Lake Memphremagog.

Your destination for the night is Mont-Orford National Park, where you’ll once again find yourself camping in the wilderness.

Spend the day exploring the many scenic hiking trails and enjoying the gorgeous views from Mont-Orford. If you hike quietly, you may encounter some of the deer and herons that live in the park. Don’t forget to leave some time to relax at one of the park’s beaches or take a swim in Lake Stukely’s crystal waters.

Take a quiet morning hike before you start the drive back to Montreal. You’ll drop your rental vehicle off at the airport and board your flight. You can also choose to extend your stay in Montreal if you want to see more of the city!