Parc national des Grands-Jardins Photo: LBM1948 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Canada › Quebec

Parc national des Grands-Jardins

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1981
  • Size: about 120 square miles (310 km²)
  • Distinction: a core area of the Charlevoix UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • Signature hike: Mont du Lac des Cygnes
  • Gateway: Baie-Saint-Paul
  • Managed by: Sépaq (not a federal national park)

The landscape

Grands-Jardins protects a slice of taiga unusually far south: carpets of lichen and stands of black spruce more typical of the subarctic, set among rounded mountains and lakes. Early visitors named it for these “great gardens” of lichen. Fires have shaped the forest, and caribou were reintroduced here. The park also holds moose, black bears and excellent brook trout fishing.

Best time to go

Summer and early fall are best for hiking and paddling, with fall colour in late September. Winter is cold and snowy, popular for snowshoeing and skiing on the park’s trails.

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Getting there and around

Route 381 runs north from Baie-Saint-Paul to the park entrances. Roads lead to campgrounds, lakes and trailheads, and the rest of the park is reached on foot or by canoe.

Things to do

The hike to Mont du Lac des Cygnes climbs to open summit rock with views over the Charlevoix crater and the St. Lawrence. Other trails cross the taiga to lakes and lookouts. Paddlers and anglers use the many lakes, and winter brings snowshoe and ski trails.

Staying safe

Summits are exposed, and weather can turn cold and windy quickly, so carry layers. Stay on trail to protect the lichen and summit vegetation. Keep food away from bears and give moose space. The lakes are cold, so wear a life jacket when paddling. In winter, dress for deep cold and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

Daily access is capped, so buy your access right ahead of time. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions, access and reservations with Sépaq before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
47.6872, -70.7956
Magnetic declination
15.2° 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.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

32 places in Parc national des Grands-Jardins

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. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Visitor centre

On the trail 8

Trailhead

Campgrounds

Huts and shelters

Sights 23

Lakes

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingBackcountryCanoeing & kayakingWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsForestLakes
Key hazards
Exposed summits in wind and coldSudden weather changesBlack bears and mooseCold lakesDeep cold in winter
Best seasons
Summer, Early fall, Winter (snowshoeing and skiing)
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
Route 381 north from Baie-Saint-Paul in Charlevoix to the Thomas-Fortin and Arthabaska entrances.
Water
Lakes and streams; filter or treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Limited. Carry a satellite messenger for backcountry trips.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. Sépaq: 1-800-665-6527.
Permits & regulations
A daily access right or annual card is mandatory, and daily capacity is limited. Camping and chalets need reservations.
Leave No Trace
Stay on the trails across fragile lichen and summit terrain, camp only at designated sites and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high49°F(10°C)10°C(49°F)
Average low34°F(1°C)1°C(34°F)
Rainfall3 in(77 mm)77 mm(3 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 56 minSunrise 7:00 a.m., sunset 5:56 p.m.

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 Bagotville Airport station, 46 miles (73 km)73 km (46 miles) away at 522 feet (159 m)159 m (522 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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