La Mauricie National Park
La Mauricie is a classic Laurentian landscape of rolling forested hills and glittering lakes in the heart of Quebec, a canoe-tripper’s paradise laced with quiet waterways and portages, ablaze with color each autumn. A scenic parkway ties together beaches, waterfalls and lookouts, making it as welcoming to a family day out as to a multi-day wilderness paddle.
Fast facts
- Established: 1970
- Size: about 207 square miles (536 km²) in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec
- Water: more than 150 lakes amid rolling hardwood and mixed forest
- Signature activity: multi-day canoe tripping with portages
- Gateways: Shawinigan and Grand-Mère, Quebec
- Managed by: Parks Canada
The landscape
Ancient, rounded Laurentian hills cloaked in maple, birch and conifer forest cradle scores of lakes and streams, with waterfalls tumbling between them. This gentle but genuine wilderness shelters black bears, moose, loons and beavers, and the classic mix of hardwood and evergreen makes it one of the great fall-foliage destinations in eastern Canada.
Best time to go
Summer is prime for paddling, swimming and camping, and fall is spectacular, when the maples turn and the lakes mirror the color. Spring is quiet and muddy with high water; winter transforms the park into a snowshoeing and cross-country skiing destination, with warming huts and reduced services.
Getting there and around
The park sits off Highway 55 between Shawinigan and Grand-Mère, with entrances at Saint-Jean-des-Piles and Saint-Mathieu feeding a scenic parkway through the park. A vehicle brings you to the trailheads, beaches and canoe launches along the parkway; the interior is explored by paddle and portage or on foot.
Things to do
Canoe the interconnected lakes and portages on day or multi-day trips, the park’s signature adventure, and hike trails to waterfalls and lookouts like the Les Falaises and Waber Falls routes. Swim the lake beaches, drive the parkway for the color and views, and in winter ski or snowshoe the quiet forest.
Staying safe
Lake water stays cold and storms can rise fast, so wear a life jacket and carry a map and compass for the maze of shorelines. Black bears are present, so store food properly; ticks and mosquitoes are common in the warm months; and trails can be slick. Carry water and dress for changeable weather.
Know before you go
A Parks Canada pass is required, and camping, especially canoe-in sites, should be reserved ahead. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, reservations and closures with Parks Canada before your trip.
- Coordinates
- 46.8217, -73.0579
- Magnetic declination
- 14.1° W (2026)
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it.
Getting there 5
Park entrances
Visitor centres
On the trail 51
Campgrounds
Hut or shelters
Picnic site
Sights 22
Viewpoints
Waterfalls
Islands
Peaks
Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).
- Best seasons
- Summer, Fall (foliage)
- Difficulty
- Easy to strenuous
- Access / trailheads
- In the Laurentians of Quebec between Shawinigan and Grand-Mère, off Highway 55; two entrances (Saint-Jean-des-Piles and Saint-Mathieu) give access to the parkway.
- Water
- Lakes and streams throughout; treat all drinking water.
- Cell / satellite coverage
- Patchy cell service. Carry a map and compass for canoe routes.
- Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
- Parks Canada dispatch: 1-877-852-3100; life-threatening emergencies: 911.
- Permits & regulations
- A Parks Canada pass is required; front and canoe-in backcountry camping need reservations.
- Leave No Trace
- Camp only at designated sites, store food from bears, pack out all waste, and follow Leave No Trace.
January
- Below freezing all day
February
- Below freezing all day
March
- Below-freezing nights
April
- Below-freezing nights
May
June
July
August
September This month
October
November
- Below-freezing nights
December
- Below freezing all day
What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.
Plan a trip here →Averages for 1981–2010 from Environment Canada climate normals, measured at the St Alexis des Monts station, 15 miles (24 km) away at 600 feet (183 m).