Green pine forests, Rocky Mountains, lakes and beautiful scenery are what come to mind when we talk about Canadian nature. We all have seen these beautiful images of Banff and Lake Louise that make us want to book a vacation there in the blink of an eye. In case you haven’t checked a map, Canada is a HUGE country and travelling from place to place can be extremely expensive.

If you are visiting the central provinces (Quebec & Ontario), you might be wondering what natural hidden treasures are within reach of big cities like Montreal & Toronto. For those living or travelling to either of these two cities, I have researched the parks that are relatively close for you to go on a weekend getaway or to embark on the road trip of a lifetime.

Okay, some of the parks in this list are not “close” but they are worth the many hours of driving, I promise! Each park offers different activities so don't forget to check out the official page for more information on camping spots and on different hiking trails. Also, don’t forget to rent a car, it will make your journey more pleasant and accessible.   

The list below is ordered by province to make your search easier.

National parks, regional parks, provincial parks… it’s confusing!

In Canada, National Parks are managed by Parks Canada, at the federal level. However, in Quebec, we like to complicate things, you will see National Parks that are not from Parks Canada. Wait, what? I know, it can get a little confusing. Quebec is officially recognized as a distinct nation within Canada so parks under the Quebec government’s overseeing are also called “national parks”. The Quebec National Parks are managed by Société des établissements de plein air du Québec or Sépaq. So keep an eye out for this distinction so you do not get confused. If you bought the Discovery Pass from Parks Canada, you will not be able to use it for the Sepaq parks and vice versa. In other provinces, provincial parks are called provincial parks so at least they didn’t add to this confusion.

There are also regional parks which are managed by a municipality to preserve nature but also bring recreational sports to its population. I did not add them to this list, you can find a few in this HUGE article of Getaway ideas from Montreal.

Tips for rocking your visit!

Prices

The park’s day access is around $9 for both Park Canada and Sepaq parks. I would suggest that you purchase the tickets online and not at the entrance of the park. You can also buy a Discovery Pass (Parks Canada) which costs around $70 and gives you access to any park for a full 12 months from the date of purchase. You can buy the pass through their site and you will receive it a few days after by mail. With the pass, you also have access to Historic sites. Sepaq also has an annual card which is around 90$ for multiple parks.

Activities

Search for the red chairs! In the Federal parks, the iconic Muskoka red chairs are the picture-perfect place to enjoy your surroundings. They are located in a key place with breathtaking views. If you don’t know which trail to choose, then look for the red chairs! You will be certain that they will be located in the most beautiful lookout points. They are a great place to rest from your hike and marvel at our national gems.

Join the fun! Do you want to do some kayaking, camping and other available activities, but don’t have the equipment? Worry not, the parks have plenty of equipment to rent. Parks have canoes, kayaks and other activity equipment. The parks have many campsites available. They also have ready-to-camp tents, branded oTENTik tents for Parks Canada. These have everything you need like beds, plates and the washrooms are less than 2 min away. Plus, they have flushable toilets, hot showers and drink potable water. Some even have electricity. The tents have a table, inside and outside with a heater if the nights are cold. I mean, this was camping to the next level! Here is the list of everything that is included in the tents. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag, pillows and food. 

Want to understand nature and the cultures that define a park? Then you can attend one of the activities with their naturalist. They will explain to you animal behaviour, plants and more. If you are looking to broaden your knowledge of indigenous cultures, you can also attend events or visit interpretation or visitor centers. I will HIGHLY suggest doing these activities!

Can you visit a national park close to Montreal without a car?

Yes, there is a service called Navette Nature (Nana) which drives you to some parks for a fee. There is a strict schedule to follow. The bus makes various stops and does not run daily. The downside is that it will bring you to a handful of parks and if the parks are very big, you will only be able to do a portion of the hikes you wanted. Renting a car is the easiest and more accessible way of visiting the parks.

What are the best times to visit the national parks near Montreal?

There is no right time to visit the parks, most of them are open year-round. It all depends on the types of activities you want to do. Are you looking for leaf-pepping, then fall is the right time. If you want to do water activities then the summertime will be right for you. If you are looking to ski or snow-shoeing then you can do it winter. However, please note that some parks might be closed in spring due to the defrost so check their website before making the trip.

Can you spot wildlife in the national parks near Montreal?

Of course! Observing wildlife should be your highlight of the park. I’ve seen so many animals during my hikes. You will see everything from foxes and deer to whales, seals and birds.

National Parks in the Quebec Province

There are 4 National parks (Parks Canada) in Quebec. The majority of the parks are under provincial jurisdiction with la Sépaq. There are 24 national parks (Sepaq) located all across Québec. They protect more than 6,995 km²! To make the distinction for you I will write (Sepaq) for the provincial Quebec parks.

 Iles-de-Boucherville National Park (sepaq)

Is the closest national park to Montreal, it is just 20km from Montreal. It is comprised of 5 little islands in the heart of the Saint-Lawrence River. The park is open year-round. It is not my favourite park but it is very close and it could fit perfectly into your Montreal itinerary. You can also access the park by boat.

Mont-Tremblant National Park (sepaq)

This is probably the most well-known park and the most visited by Montrealers. The park is very beautiful, contrary to the sky resort (don’t confuse the two). The park has six rivers, 400 streams and lakes, sandy beaches, and more than 40 species of mammals. The park has  18 different hiking trails ranging from easy to very hard. You can also do the Via Ferrata du Diable. The park is a 2:30-hour drive from Montreal.

Saint-Bruno National Park (Sepaq)

Only a 40-minute drive from Montreal offers more than 20km of multi-purpose trail. The park is home to over 200 different species of birds and 40 species of mammals. You can do a plethora of activities like Kayaking in the 5 lakes, apple picking and cross-country skiing.

La Mauricie National Park

Only 2:30 hours north of Montreal, the park is one of the biggest in the province. It has more than 150 lakes of all sizes which are perfect to swim on a hot summer day or to Canoe your way through to admire the fall colours. Covering more than 500km, the park has plenty of hiking trails, trail bicycling, swimming, and recreational fishing and in winter you can snowshoe or country skiing. The park also has some amazing wildlife including tailed deer, beavers and rare Canadian wood turtles. However, the black bear steals all the highlights. We were lucky enough to see a cub with its momma bear on our last visit!

Jacques-Cartier National Park (Sepaq)

Located a little over 3 hours away from Montreal, the Parc National du Jacques-Cartier is known for its beautiful glacial valleys. The park is also a 30-minute drive from Quebec City.

The park is home to the  Jacques-Cartier River which is perfect for doing water activities and ever rafting in the rapids. For wildlife, be ready to spot moose, bears, white-tailed deer, foxes, wolves and 160 species of birds. The most popular hike is the Sentier Des Loups.

Only 30 a 30min drive from the national park, you have the Réserve faunique des Laurentides. The reserve is between the Québec City and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions the reserve is a 7,861-km2 territory that is specifically done to protect wildlife.

Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park

This marine sanctuary was originally established to protect the biodiversity of the region. This park is administered by Parks Canada and by la Sépaq. Always wanted to see beluga whales and blue whales? Then this is the park for you! There are 13 major whale species swimming in the waters of the Saint-Laurent River. The best place to see them is to head to Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the views of the water and hope to see a fin or a tail. Upon your arrival, you can also see the picturesque lighthouse.

The marine park has 2 other land points, Pointe Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre and Marine Environment Discovery Centre.

At these 3 stops, you have marine biologists and naturalists who are there for you to ask questions and to do activities. I HIGHLY suggest going to see them, you will learn so much about marine life. We were lucky to chat with them and ask our burning questions about whale preservation and their behaviour.

Did you know that you can Kayak at the marine park? Read more about our whale encounters here.

If you want to know more about whale watching in Quebec, then I have the article for you!

Bic National Park

Only five hours from Montreal, the Bic as locals call it, is a coastal marine park on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River Estuary. Besides the stunning water views that will take your breath away, you will see bays, coves, islands, and mountains. However, the true stars of the park are the grey seals of thousands of marine birds. The park is located in the charming region of the Bas-Saint-Laurent (Lower Saint-Lawrence) which is said to have the most beautiful sunsets in the world!

Forillon National Park

This park is a little farther (10 hours drive) and you will need to do a whole road trip to the Gaspe peninsula, but trust, me it is worth it! The Forillon National Park is one of my favourite parks, ever! It has more than 200km of untouched nature, it has majestic mountains and lush forests, and it is where the river meets the sea. The park marks the end of the long Appalachian mountain chain and it is at the easternmost point of the Gaspé Peninsula. In the park, you can also go whale watching and go snorkelling with seals. On the historical side, you can visit Fort Peninsula, the only World War II shore battery in Quebec, and ancient houses that will explain to you the life of yesteryear.

The park is pretty big so I will recommend staying overnight at their ready-to-camp tent. This way you can maximize your time at the park.

While you are doing the Gaspesie road trip, you can visit the parks de la Sepaq, l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, with the bird colony of Northern Gannets. The peninsula also has these other National Parks (Sepaq) Parc National du Lac‑Témiscouata, Parc National de la Gaspésie and Parc National de Miguasha which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage (one of many in Canada).

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

Ok, so this park is a 13-hour drive. I know, it is not really near Montreal. The road to arrive at the park will take you through a road trip of a lifetime. You will be following Route 138, the whale route.

The Archipelago has 1,000 islands and islets with unique flora and seabird colonies, like Puffins! The other highlight of the park is the monoliths, these colossal limestone outcroppings that will make you feel you are in another world. The park has the largest concentration of monoliths in Canada. The park is visited by going island hopping with certified companies by Parks Canada. The Archipelago protects diversified wildlife and plant life and some are endangered species. The park has a variety of accommodations and activities and two lighthouse stations.

Mingan Archipelago will be worth the many hours of drive!

More and more parks

If you are looking for more parks then you also have Parc National du Mont-Orford (Sepaq) which is 1:20 hours away from Montreal. I did a specific blog post about the park and its surroundings. Also in the Eastern Townships you have the Mont-Megantic Parc National (Sepaq) and Yamaska Parc National (Sepaq). To know more about this beautiful region you can check out this in-depth article about Eastern Townships for your next day trip ideas.

1:30 hours drive from Montreal, you have the popular Oka National Park which is popular for its beach but also has The Calvaire, a complex of historic buildings with four oratories and three chapels. There are also many biking trails. If you stretch another 1 hour near the Ontario Province, you will find the Parc National de Plaisance. This is a small tranquil park with bays, ponds, and marshes. It is not my favourite park but you can see the Canada Geese in the spring.

The Charlevoix is one of my favourite regions with the scenic mountains with the Saint-Lawrence River starting to widen like the sea. This picturesque region has 2 National Parks, Parc National des Hautes‑Gorges- de-la-Rivière‑Malbaie and Parc National des Grands-Jardins. To learn more about this stunning region, you can check out my in-depth article on things to do in Charlevoix. These 2 parks are around a 5 to 6-hour drive from Montreal.

National Parks in the Ontario Province

Thousand Islands National Park

Probably the most well-known park in the Quebec/Ontario region. It is very accessible from either Toronto, Ottawa & Montreal. The park encompasses 1,000 islands located in the St Lawrence River in the western portion of Lake Ontario, between Kingston and New York state border. There is even a castle on one of the islands. If you are a bird aficionado, then this is the park for you. The park serves as a wildlife reserve for rare species of turtles and birdlife.

One of the best ways to discover this park is through a canoe camping trip. 

The park is a 2h drive from Montreal

Rouge National Urban Park

This national urban park is located just near Toronto in the suburbs of Scarborough. It also borders the cities of Markham and Pickering. This is the perfect way to discover nature a few kilometres away from the big city. The park mixes natural, cultural and agricultural landscapes, it was created to protect biodiversity and some of the last remaining working farms in the area. It secures the Carolinian ecosystems, one of the region’s largest marshes, a beach at Lake Ontario, and of course great hiking opportunities. On the historical side, it has human traces dating back over 10,000 years, including some of Canada's oldest known Indigenous sites.

The park is a 5-hour drive from Montreal.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park

The park is located north of Toronto. This could be the perfect mix of outdoor adventures and city discovery. 

The bay is home to the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, the emerald shoreline will leave you astonished. It offers several types of camping and glamping. The rustic cabin for two on an island beach sounds like the perfect getaway!  

Attention, this region is full of venomous rattlesnakes and other wildlife! SCARRRYYY!! 

Bruce Peninsula National Park & Fathom Five National Marine Park

Located in the same Georgian Bay as the previous recommendation, the peninsula park has steep cliffs and turquoise water. It claims to be Canada’s most pristine waters. The Marine Park offers dive points to discover underwater treasures such as 20 shipwrecks. 

Apparently, it gets busy during the summer months so planning ahead well in advance is highly advised. 

The park is an 8h30 drive from Montreal.

Point Pelee National Park

Close to the U.S. border, this park has something for everyone. Are you a bird lover? Do you love the Monarch butterflies or you are looking for a summer or winter adventure? Then Point Pelee might be your best chance to do all these activities. 

The park is an 8h30 drive from Montreal.

National Parks in the New Brunswick Province

The Maritimes have beautiful landscapes & amazing seafood! These are a bit further, but they might be worth the extra hours. These show the Atlantic coast at its best.

Fundy National Park of Canada

The rock formation with the brown colour is so different from everything you've seen. It has the world’s highest tides; they rise up to 12 metres or more! The park is home to pristine forests and great waterfalls, 25 in total. At low tide, you can explore the ocean floor and see a variety of sea creatures cling to life.  The park has a golf course and a network of over 100 km of hiking and biking trails.

The park is around a 10-hour drive from Montreal.

Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada

Perfect if you are looking to swim on warm beaches and then take the bike to discover the woods. The park has barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marshes and forests. At night, the park is a Dark Sky Preserve which is a prime location to stargaze. If you are going in winter, then there are also some great winter activities. The park is also home to a mix of the Mi’gmaq and Acadian cultures.

What is not too like?

The park is a 10-hour drive from Montreal.

Which of these will be your next outdoor adventure?

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