Top 5 parks to visit in Quebec during Indian Summer

Québec abounds in national parks where you can get away from it all and immerse yourself in the great outdoors, surrounded by the spectacular beauty of nature.

During Indian summer, the forests start to take on their flamboyant colours as the weather warms up, making it the perfect time to enjoy your favourite outdoor activities.

I've made a list of the 5 most beautiful national parks to visit in the fall.

Which ones will you include in your next Québec road trip?
 

#1. Mont-Orford Park

Eastern Townships

Located in the Eastern Townships, north of Magog and west of Sherbrooke, Mont-Orford Park is a must during the Indian summer.

Amidst the spectacular colours of the sugar maples, you may be lucky enough to spot white-tailed deer in their natural habitat and great blue herons around the lakes.

Whether on land, water or rock, Mont-Orford Park offers activities for everyone.

With more than 80 km of trails, hiking is one of the best ways to discover the magic of the park in this colourful season. You can bring your dog, and many of the trails are accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Prefer to pedal? No worries, you can rent bikes and cycle from Stukely Lake to Fraser Lake along a 10.6 km trail.

Once you get to Stukely Lake, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Much more stable than the traditional surfboard, this Hawaiian-inspired board lets you test your balance while standing up with a paddle in hand. 

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#2. La Mauricie Park

 Mauricie

One of the best ways to experience the Mauricie region is to explore its national park.

With over 150 lakes of all sizes, scattered amongst coniferous and deciduous forests, it's the perfect place to observe the emerging colours of the approaching autumn.

Don't miss the famous canoe trip to Waber Falls. La Mauricie National Park is one of the most popular spots in Québec for canoeing.

Keep your eyes peeled while in the park, and you might just catch a glimpse of one of the many species of animals that live there.

This park is the ideal place to recharge your batteries and reconnect with nature. What's more, as you walk through the park, you're sure to come across one of the famous 7 red chairs. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the spectacular, inspiring views they offer.

#3. Mont-Tremblant Park

 Laurentians

Mont-Tremblant National Park offers spectacular scenery, especially for anyone who loves heights!

In my opinion, the Via Ferrata is THE must-do activity in the fall. Tackle the "Grande Virée" trail, where you will see the changing colours of the trees as you look down on them from above. Several challenges await you along the way: a monkey bridge, beams, footpaths and a Nepalese bridge will lead you to the highest point of the park, offering a stunning view of Mont-Tremblant and the meandering Diable River.

For the less experienced, there are other trails suitable for beginners and children over 11.

A wide range of other activities means that the whole family can enjoy this beautiful season: canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking and mountain biking and more...

#4. Fjord-du-Saguenay Park

 Saguenay

We usually associate fjords with the landscapes of Norway. But Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park is just as lovely.

The park stretches from Saint-Fulgence to Tadoussac and is divided into several sectors,  the 2 main ones being Baie-Éternité (south shore of the fjord) and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite (north shore of the fjord).

For hiking in the Baie-Éternité sector, I recommend the Méandres-à-Falaises trail, which is suitable for the whole family. If you go very early in the morning, you may even spot a few moose... Experienced hikers can take the Sentier de la Statue trail, or the Les Caps trail up to the Géants lookout for a spectacular view of the fjord.

In the Baie-Sainte-Marguerite sector, take the Le Fjord trail to the Béluga lookout. As well as an impressive view of the bay, you may be lucky enough to spot some white whales. It's also a great spot for a sunset.

#5. Jacques-Cartier Park

National Capital

This Top 5 ends with Jacques-Cartier National Park, one of the best places to enjoy the colours of Indian summer if you're in the Québec City area.

Just a 30-minute drive from the Old Capital, the park is home to one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Québec, with its impressive channel almost 600 metres deep.

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy the park during Indian summer is canoeing down the Jacques-Cartier River. The river offers more than 26 kilometres of navigable waters, calm in some places and turbulent in others, so families and thrill-seekers alike will have plenty to enjoy.

For those who prefer to discover these magnificent landscapes on dry land, sticking to forest and river bank, there are almost 100 km of trails for magnificent walks or bike rides.

Locate the parks to visit during Indian summer

As you can imagine, I could have gone on much longer than 5, but these really are the most spectacular must-see national parks of the season, in my opinion.

Now it's your turn to explore them... and don't hesitate to tell me which ones you liked best in the comments below!