Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay Photo: J-A Béland / CC BY-SA 4.0
Canada › Quebec

Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1983
  • Setting: both shores of the Saguenay fjord, from inland bays to Tadoussac at the St. Lawrence
  • Wildlife: belugas and seals in the fjord; the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park protects the water itself
  • Gateway: Saguenay and Tadoussac
  • Managed by: Sépaq (not a federal national park)

The landscape

The Saguenay fjord is a deep glacial trough flooded by the sea, with cliffs rising steeply from dark water. The park protects the land along both shores: rock walls, bays such as Baie-Éternité and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite, and the mountainous forest behind them. The Baie de Tadoussac draws hundreds of migrating birds. Belugas feed in the fjord, especially near Baie-Sainte-Marguerite.

Best time to go

Summer is the main season for hiking and kayaking, and belugas are most often seen then. September brings fall colour on the cliffs and cooler hiking weather. Winter offers snowshoeing and skiing in some sectors.

Cap TrinitéPhoto: Thomson M · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Cap ÉternitéPhoto: Laurent Bélanger · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Baie-Sainte-MargueritePhoto: Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Statue Notre-Dame-du-SaguenayPhoto: J.boulian · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
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Getting there and around

Roads follow both shores of the fjord to the park’s sectors, with the ferry at Tadoussac linking to the Côte-Nord. Long-distance trails run along the cliffs between sectors, with huts and backcountry sites. Kayakers launch from the bays.

Things to do

Multi-day trails such as the Sentier du Fjord follow the clifftops with big views over the water. Day hikes climb to lookouts like the Statue Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay above Baie-Éternité. Sea kayakers paddle the fjord, and whale-watchers look for belugas from shore at Baie-Sainte-Marguerite.

Staying safe

The fjord is cold, tidal and subject to strong currents and sudden wind; kayakers need cold-water gear, tide knowledge and experience. Clifftop trails are steep and exposed in places. Fog can roll in quickly. Keep a legal distance from belugas and other marine mammals. Keep food away from bears and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

Daily access is capped, and the long-distance trail and huts must be reserved. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions, tides and reservations with Sépaq before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
48.2631, -70.1989
Magnetic declination
15.6° 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

82 places in Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay

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 4

Park entrances

Visitor centre

On the trail 20

Campgrounds

Huts and shelters

Sights 58

Viewpoints

Lakes

Heritage site

Points of interest

Islands

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 campingWeekend backpackingMulti-day/expeditionSea kayakingWildlife viewing

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Terrain
CoastCliffsForestMountains
Key hazards
Cold fjord waterstrong tides and currentsSteepexposed cliff trailsFog and sudden windBlack bears
Best seasons
Summer, Early fall
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Route 172 along the north shore and Route 170 along the south shore of the fjord, from Saguenay to Tadoussac; sectors include Baie-Sainte-Marguerite, Baie-Éternité and the Baie de Tadoussac.
Water
Streams along the trails; filter or treat all water. Fjord water is salt.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy along the fjord. Carry a satellite messenger or VHF radio for kayaking.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. On the water, the Canadian Coast Guard monitors VHF channel 16. Sépaq: 1-800-665-6527.
Permits & regulations
A daily access right or annual card is mandatory, and daily capacity is limited. Camping, huts and the long-distance trail need reservations.
Leave No Trace
Stay on the trails, camp only at designated sites, keep your distance from whales and seals, 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)
Rainfall4.2 in(106 mm)106 mm(4.2 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 55 minSunrise 6:59 a.m., sunset 5:53 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.

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Averages for 1981–2010 from Environment Canada climate normals, measured at the Ste Rose du Nord station, 18 miles (29 km)29 km (18 miles) away at 673 feet (205 m)205 m (673 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

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

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