La Mauricie National Park
National Park (Parks Canada) · Shawinigan, Quebec
La Mauricie National Park is a Parks Canada park of rolling Laurentian hills, forest and lakes in central Quebec, between Shawinigan and Trois-Rivieres on the south and the Mauricie backcountry to the north. It was created in 1970 and is one of the easiest canoe-country parks to reach in eastern Canada: roughly two hours by road from both Montreal and Quebec City. A scenic parkway of about 63 km runs through it past lookouts over Lac Wapizagonke, a long narrow lake between steep ridges where visitors rent canoes and paddle to beaches and canoe-in campsites. Moose, black bears, beavers and loons live here, and the maple and birch forest turns red and gold in autumn. It suits paddlers, families who want a lake weekend and walkers who like moderate trails. Expect French as the main language, black flies in late spring, afternoon wind on the big lakes and few services inside the park, so confirm fees, rentals and campsite bookings before you go.
Saint-Jean-des-Piles Visitor Centre, 2141 chemin Saint-Jean-des-Piles, Shawinigan, Quebec, G0X 2V0, Canada
The park is open all year, but the services follow the seasons. The parkway, campgrounds, visitor reception and canoe rental are commonly open from about May to October, with the busiest period from late June to Labour Day. In winter the parkway is closed to cars and the park turns to groomed ski and snowshoe trails, where heated shelters may be available when snow allows. Opening dates move with the snow and the budget, so confirm current dates, any daily entry fee and the status of the roads with Parks Canada before a long drive. Backcountry and canoe-camping sites usually need a reservation. Cell coverage is patchy inside the park.
La Mauricie National Park on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos