Jacques-Cartier National Park

The Jacques-Cartier river runs through a valley cut about five hundred and fifty metres into the Laurentian plateau, one of the deepest in eastern Canada, and the striking part is proximity: it is half an hour from Quebec City. The river below the main viewpoints is flat enough to paddle in an open canoe or on a raft, with steep forested walls rising directly on both sides, so beginners get scenery usually reserved for expeditions. Moose are common in the valley. Autumn colour on the slopes peaks in late September and early October, and the park is one of the more reliable places in Quebec for it.

What you actually see

• The glacial valley - walls rising five hundred metres from the water.
• The flat-water paddle - canoe and raft trips under the cliffs.
• The moose - a substantial population in the valley bottom.
• The autumn colour - peak foliage in late September and early October.

When to go

June to October; canoe and raft rentals run in summer, and autumn colour peaks late September. The park stays open in winter for snowshoeing and skiing, with reduced access.

Honest expectations

Canoe rentals and shuttles book out on summer weekends. The road in is winding. Autumn colour weekends bring heavy traffic from Quebec City.

Nearby

Quebec City lies south; Wendake is between them.