If you are looking for a park in the Lanaudière region, you will quickly realize one thing: this uuthentic area in the heart of Quebec has a large number of them, with very different experiences from one site to the next.
Some parks are perfect for an easy hike or a family outing. Others cover much larger territories, with longer trails, forest accommodations, and more remote areas.
What connects all these parks is the constant presence of water. Waterfalls, rivers, cascades… Lanaudière is one of the regions in Québec where this element is most visible on the ground.
In this article, you will find a selection of the most interesting parks to discover in Lanaudière, with practical information to help you choose the ones that best fit your itinerary.
Chute-à-Bull Regional Park
Located in Saint-Côme, Chute-à-Bul Regional Park is one of the parks in Lanaudière where you can easily discover a forest setting, scenic viewpoints, and an impressive waterfall all in one place. The park offers about 7 kilometers of hiking trails accessible to everyone, along with a lookout, picnic areas, and even shelters for those who want to extend their experience on site.
The waterfall, which is 18 meters high, is the park’s main attraction. The site also highlights local history related to log driving, as well as a replica of the village’s covered bridge. Recently, visitors can also explore the Chute-à-Bull cave on a guided spelunking tour, with no specialized equipment required. This approximately one-hour activity offers a chance to discover the site’s geology, as well as the fragile world of bats.
Authentic Québec’s favorite
The waterfall trail, a 2.5-kilometer round-trip route leading to the falls. It is an ideal option for a family trip to Québec, with a route described as easy to intermediate on the park’s official website.
Forêt Ouareau Regional Park
Forêt Ouareau regional park covers a vast territory of more than 150 square kilometers, spread across Chertsey, Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, Entrelacs, and Saint-Côme. It is one of the major parks in Lanaudière for travelers who want to spend more time outdoors, with a multifunctional network of around 120 kilometers of trails and several access areas depending on the type of outing you are looking for.
Crossed by the Ouareau River, the park also features lakes, viewpoints, more accessible hiking areas, and more challenging sections. This variety makes it an interesting option for a nature stay that can be planned as a full-day outing or over several days.
Authentic Québec’s favorite
The park offers several types of accommodations surrounded by nature. The micro-shelter Le Lièvre stands out for its location, accessible only on foot, with a small private beach and a furnished terrace. It is an ideal option for extending the forest experience in a calm, secluded setting without giving up basic comfort.
Sept-Chutes Regional Park
Located in Saint-Zénon, Sept-Chutes park is one of the parks in Lanaudière that first stands out for its relief and panoramic views. The site is known as a hiking classic in the area, with several trails of varying difficulty levels and open views of the Laurentian ranges.
The park is also marked by the presence of the Noire River, the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, and several summits that can be reached on foot. This diversity allows visitors to plan either a more contemplative outing or a more sustained hike, depending on the chosen route. The site also offers shelters with views over Lac Rémi, which may appeal to travelers who want to extend their stay on site.
Authentic Québec’s Favorite
The summit of Le Pic, which offers a clear view over the Noire River valley. The Balcon du Nord viewpoint is also worth the detour, especially at the end of the day. Sunset over Lac Rémi brings out the surrounding relief beautifully.
Lac Taureau Regional Park
Located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Lac Taureau regional park offers a different experience from other parks in Lanaudière. Here, the territory is first discovered from the water, with a vast 95-square-kilometer reservoir, 45 islands, nearly 270 kilometers of shoreline, and more than 32 kilometers of sandy beaches. It is one of the region’s classics for swimming, water activities, and lakeside stays.
This park is especially well suited to travelers looking for easy access to the water, with several beaches accessible by road, hiking trails in different areas, and boat launches to fully enjoy the lake. You can also enjoy a cruise aboard a bateau mouche with a diversity of itineraries to discover the lake and its islands from the water.
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Pointe Fine Beach is one of the park’s accessible beaches, with parking, picnic tables, changing rooms, and restrooms on site. For a summer stay in a park in Lanaudière, it is a particularly pleasant area to enjoy the lake.
Chutes du Calvaire Regional Park
Located in Mandeville, Chutes-du-Calvaire regional park is a park discovered through two trails totaling 3.9 kilometers. The site is accessible year-round and includes six lookouts along the route, with several viewpoints over the cascades and the river.
This park in Lanaudière is a good fit for travelers looking for a walk in the forest without complicated logistics. The area highlights the water, the relief, and the forest of Mandeville, with fairly simple access for a nature outing that remains easy to enjoy.
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The Chemin des Cascades, a 2.9-kilometer trail. This is the route to choose to fully enjoy the site, with several lookouts that offer excellent views of the waterfalls and waterways.
Chutes Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles Regional Park
Located at the junction of Sainte-Béatrix, Saint-Jean-de-Matha, and Sainte-Mélanie, this regional park in Lanaudière stands out for the variety of its activities and the constant presence of water in the landscape. The site offers more than 26 kilometers of hiking trails, footbridges, lookouts, and an interpretive trail, all along the L’Assomption River.
This Lanaudière park is suitable both for travelers who want to walk for a few hours and for those looking for a more playful summer activity. Hiking remains central here, but the park also highlights river tubing, which adds a more recreational dimension to the visit.
New in 2026: a giant double zipline will open in the park, spanning a total of 700 meters and reaching heights of up to 77 meters in some sections. It will be accessible from the Sainte-Mélanie entrance and will end in Saint-Jean-de-Matha, so plan to walk back to your car afterward.
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River tubing along a 1.3-kilometer route through the bends of the L’Assomption River.
Mont-Tremblant National Park
Mont-Tremblant park is the oldest national park in Québec. Two-thirds of its territory is located in Lanaudière, and unlike the image often associated with the Tremblant village, this part of the park remains quieter, with generally more moderate visitor numbers.
The Pimbina–Saint-Donat sectora and L’Assomption sector in Saint-Côme provide access to trails, lakes, and viewpoints in a calmer atmosphere, while still preserving the scale and natural richness of the park.
It is a relevant option for discovering a park in Lanaudière across a vast territory, without ending up in the busiest areas.
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Chute aux Rats, in the Pimbina–Saint-Donat sector. Accessible on foot or by bike, this route leads to a 17.4-meter waterfall, considered one of the sector’s main attractions. The round-trip trail is about 9.4 kilometers long.
Chutes Dorwin park
Located in Rawdon, this Lanaudière park is one of the most accessible and most visited sites in the region. Dorwin Falls impresses with its width and the shape of its natural amphitheater, carved into the rock.
The site is equipped with walkways and lookouts that allow visitors to observe the waterfall from different angles without any particular difficulty. The main lookout is at the entrance of the park. The visit is relatively short, making it an easy stop to include in a 7-day road trip through Québec.
Parc des Chutes Dorwin combines well with other nearby activities. Rawdon is a lively area, with several attractions just a few minutes away, such as La Source Bains Nordiques, Terre des Bisons, and Chalets Lanaudière.
Lanaudière Parks: A Region Best Explored One Detour at a Time
Exploring a park in Lanaudière means multiplying experiences without ever having to travel long distances. In just a few days, you can go from a waterfall tucked into the forest to a sandy beach on the edge of a lake, then to a summit with views over kilometers of nature.
The region does not try to impress through a single spectacular site. Instead, it stands out through the accumulation of simple, accessible, yet memorable moments. A perfectly placed viewpoint, a river accompanying the walk, a waterfall discovered at just the right time.
This diversity is often what makes the difference on a trip to Québec. And it is what makes you want to return, taking the time to explore other parks, other areas, and other seasons.
FAQ – The Best Parks in Lanaudière
What are the best parks in Matawinie?
Matawinie (northern part of Lanaudiere) is home to several of the most beautiful parks in Lanaudière. These include Chute-à-Bull, Forêt Ouareau, Sept-Chutes, and Lac-Taureau national parks. This area is known for its forest landscapes, rivers, and high concentration of waterfalls.
Where can you go for an easy hike in Lanaudière?
Several parks offer accessible trails. Chute-à-Bull and Chutes Dorwin national parks are good options for an easy hike in Lanaudière, with short, well-maintained routes.
Do you need to book in advance to visit parks in Lanaudière?
Some regional parks require an entrance fee or reservation, especially during high season. This is notably the case for busier parks such as Lac-Taureau or Monte-à-Peine. It is recommended to check ahead depending on the park you choose.
Which parks in Lanaudière are free?
Some areas or periods may be free, but most regional parks in Lanaudière charge an entrance fee. Prices are generally affordable and help maintain the trails and facilities.
Which park should you choose to see waterfalls in Québec?
The region is particularly rich in waterfalls. Sept-Chutes, Dorwin, Chutes du Calvaire, Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles, and Chute-à-Bull all make it easy to see them. This is one of the highlights of a nature stay in Lanaudière.
Can you buy tickets in advance for the parks?
Yes, several parks offer online ticket purchases, particularly through the regional parks network or Sépaq. This helps secure access during busy periods and makes it easier to plan your day.
Which park should you choose for a full nature stay?
For a multi-day stay, Forêt Ouareau, Lac Taureau, and Mont-Tremblant national park on the Lanaudière side are the most suitable options. They offer accommodations and a wide variety of activities.
