Camping & Hiking · Scenic Views · Water Sports · Quebec
A Quebec national park in the Charlevoix highlands with mountain-top lookouts, well-marked trails, quiet campgrounds and helpful staff. The summits get cold and windy, so pack layers.
Grands-Jardins National Park is a rugged, northern-feeling landscape of mountains, lakes and forest, and nearly every reviewer talks about the views. Visitors describe it as peaceful and rustic, and a few have driven many hours to come back more than once. Fall colours get special mention.
The trails are well organized and maintained, and staff at the park are called friendly and helpful with suggestions for hikes and swimming. Campers found the sites clean, quiet and well spaced. Smaller spots like the Étang Malbaie campground have only a handful of sites a short walk from the parking area, and the Arthabaska campground gets praise for its quiet setting.
Hiking is the main activity. Mont du Lac des Cygnes is a moderate climb with a spectacular view, and one visitor notes you can take a steeper route over rocks and roots or an easier one with wooden stairs. The Pioui loop starts at the info centre and passes three lookouts. Visitors also kayak, swim in the lakes and spot wildlife such as beavers. In winter, experienced cross-country skiers use the trails, though they aren't often groomed.
There are few complaints. The main advice is to bring a windbreaker and warm layers, as the summits are often cold and windy even in summer. Dogs are allowed on some trails only, so check before you go, and starting popular hikes early helps avoid crowds.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 1,456 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Grands-Jardins National Park directly.
