Parc national des Grands-Jardins

In the highlands of the Charlevoix meteor-crater biosphere reserve, Grands-Jardins protects a taiga plateau of black spruce and reindeer-lichen more typical of the sub-Arctic. Mont du Lac des Cygnes is the classic summit hike; canoe camping on Lac Arthabaska is a wilderness classic within 90 minutes of Quebec City.

• Sub-Arctic taiga this far south is rare
• Mont du Lac des Cygnes summit hike
• Canoe camping on Lac Arthabaska
• Fall colour + first snow contrast

Size

310 km²

Established

1981

Biosphere

Charlevoix (UNESCO)

From Quebec City

90 min

• Mont du Lac des Cygnes hike

• Canoe camping Lac Arthabaska

• Fly-fishing brook trout

• Winter snowshoe + fat-bike

Reservations: Required · Frontcountry: Yes · Backcountry: Yes · RV: Yes · Glamping: Yes

• Arthabaska and Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes campgrounds
• Backcountry canoe sites
• Rustic cabins and yurts

• Mont du Lac des Cygnes

  Hard · 8.4 km

  Classic Charlevoix summit; 360° view of the meteor crater.

• La Chouenne

  Moderate · 6 km

  Secondary summit with fewer crowds.

• Le Pioui

  Easy · 3 km

  Family interpretive walk in taiga.

• Lichen barrens in low autumn light
• Meteor-crater vista from summit
• Reflections on Lac Arthabaska

Peak: Second-to-last week of September · Shoulder: Early June, mid-October

Book through Sépaq — opens 150 days ahead of arrival.

• weekend

  Charlevoix Peak & Paddle

  One night cabin + Mont du Lac des Cygnes + Lac Arthabaska paddle.

• 3-day

  Charlevoix Loop

  Combine with Hautes-Gorges NP for a Charlevoix highlands tour.

Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Parc national des Grands-Jardins — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.