Parc national du Mont-Mégantic

Mont-Mégantic became the world's first International Dark-Sky Reserve in 2007 after regional lighting was retrofitted to protect the summit observatory. The ASTROLab visitor centre runs nightly astronomy programs May-Oct; the popular observatory shuttle climbs to the 1,105 m summit for evening stargazing.

• World's first International Dark-Sky Reserve
• Evening astronomy shows at ASTROLab
• Observatory summit shuttle
• Two summits with 360° views

Size

55 km²

Summit

1,105 m

Dark-sky status

IDA Reserve (2007)

Established

1994

• Evening astronomy program

• Mont Mégantic summit hike

• Mont Saint-Joseph hike

• Winter snowshoe under dark sky

Reservations: Recommended · Frontcountry: Yes · Backcountry: No · RV: Yes · Glamping: Yes

• Franceville campground
• Prêt-à-camper tents and yurts
• No RV hookups on higher loops

• Mont Mégantic summit

  Hard · 10 km

  Steep climb to observatory summit.

• Mont Saint-Joseph

  Moderate · 8 km

  Chapel-topped secondary summit.

• Sentier du Ruisseau-de-la-Montagne

  Easy · 4 km

  Waterfall stream loop.

• Milky Way over observatory dome
• Sea of clouds from Mont Saint-Joseph
• Autumn colour on approach road

Peak: August (Perseids meteor shower) · Shoulder: June, October

Book through Sépaq — opens 150 days ahead of arrival.

Observatory evening shuttle sells out on Perseids weekend.

• weekend

  Dark-Sky Weekend

  Night 1 ASTROLab + observatory shuttle; Night 2 summit hike + Milky Way photo.

• family

  Perseids Family

  Time visit for the August Perseids meteor peak.

Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Parc national du Mont-Mégantic — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.