1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. national parks

Journal
Parc national de la
jacques-cartier
English version 2012-2013
Webcam
Here’s to your health!
The beneficial effects of nature on young people’s personal development
are undisputable. The 23 national parks in the Parks Québec network are
public areas, ideal for discovering nature and participating in outdoor
activities. This year, Québec National Parks Day highlights how important
enjoying nature is to our overall well-being by crafting its message around
the health theme. Of course, we hope to see other iterations of this day
year-round.
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rt
e
v
In light of our objective – to encourage youth to get in touch with nature –
we will continue to develop activities and programs designed to reach out
to them. We welcome you to our national parks, on behalf of all those who
work there and look forward to greeting you upon your arrival!
r e g i o n ’s o t
he
rp
ks
HAUTES-GORGES-DELA-RIVIÈRE-MALBAIE
Dis
Our most effective advocates
Young people are our best spokespersons. Following a visit to Parc national
du Bic, here’s how one sixth-grader put into words the astonishment she
felt during her encounter with nature: "I hope I can go back to admire all
these wonders again, but on the next visit, I would take my time and bring
my family… to this Park of Wonders!"
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co
School program offering takes on even greater importance
Statistics indicating that young people have become increasingly sedentary
and out of touch with nature have prompted concerns among the staff of
our national parks. These concerns have, over the past few years, spurred
our parks teams to develop an activity offering specifically intended for this
group. Our parks’ offering has evolved from virtually no discovery programs
in 1999 to an impressive and varied line-up of 480 activities today. In
2011-2012, 377,417 or so visitors to the Parcs Québec network participated
in one of the many diverse activities offered: theatrical vignettes, treasure
hunts, hiking (on foot, by bike, on the water, etc.), series of talks… all told, a
range of activities that brings together visitors of all ages who are curious to
learn a little more about their natural and historic heritage.
Increasingly more appropriate activities for schools
Helping young people get in touch with nature also ties in with a major
succession issue in our national parks. Parcs Québec works very closely
with schools to ensure that they benefit from the great outdoors, often near
urban centres. As they learn to better appreciate these exceptional natural
environments, young people also become more aware of the challenges
involved in maintaining the necessary balance between conservation and
accessibility – the two components of our national parks’ mission.
GRANDS-JARDINS
Martin Soucy
Vice-president of Operations
Parcs Québec
JACQUES-CARTIER
Raymond Desjardins
President and CEO
Sépaq
Québec
MAURICIE
MAINE
Trois-Rivières
Natashquan
Sept-Îles
RÉSERVE DE L'ARCHIPEL-DE-MINGAN
Port-Menier
FRONTENAC
QUÉBEC
AIGUEBELLE
POINTE-TAILLON
St.
MONTS-VALIN
Matane
Rouyn-Noranda
re
Law
nce River
Gaspé
GRANDS-JARDINS
Tadoussac
GÎTE DU MONT-ALBERT
Percé
BIC
North
Bay
NEW
BRUNSWICK
Trois-Rivières
FRONTENAC
ÎLES-DE-BOUCHERVILLE
PLAISANCE
OKA
Montréal
MONT-SAINT-BRUNO
YAMASKA
Gulf of
St. Lawrence
PRINCE EDWARD
ISLAND
Sherbrooke
MONT-ORFORD
MONT-MÉGANTIC
Charlottetown
Moncton
MAINE
ONTARIO
Ottawa
MIGUASHA
Québec
MAURICIE
Mont-Tremblant
ÎLE-BONAVENTUREET-DU-ROCHER-PERCÉ
LAC-TÉMISCOUATA
HAUTES-GORGESDE-LA-RIVIÈREMALBAIE
JACQUES-CARTIER
MONT-TREMBLANT
FORILLON
GASPÉSIE
PARC MARIN
DU SAGUENAY–
SAINT-LAURENT
FJORD-DU-SAGUENAY
ANTICOSTI
NOVA SCOTIA
Saint John
Québec's national park network
Halifax
Canadian national parks
w w w. p a r c s q u e b e c . c o m
Atlantic
Ocean
Message from the Minister
The government attaches prime importance to the development of Québec’s natural and historic heritage,
as demonstrated by the extensive work done in our national parks over the past few years. This includes
the major project underway at Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata. Its completion will take the government
closer to the target it has set for itself – raising protected-area coverage in Québec to 12% of the territory
by 2015 – and Quebecers will enjoy access to infrastructure and services that meet international standards.
Enhancement work in the Franceville sector of Parc national du Mont-Mégantic, coupled with the
renovation or construction work on Discovery and Visitors Centres at three other national parks – Frontenac,
Jacques-Cartier and Mont-Saint-Bruno – will also mark the completion of a whole series of essential
projects intended to improve accessibility to these protected areas. Additional work will shortly begin in
other national parks, including Mont-Tremblant, Yamaska and Grands-Jardins.
Parcs Québec’s mandate extends beyond enhancement of our national parks, to encompass biodiversity
protection and preservation. Our on-site teams possess expertise that enables them to develop strategies
for research and acquisition of knowledge that are recognized in scientific communities. Another innovation
was introduced five years ago when the national parks implemented their Ecological Integrity Monitoring
Program – a Canadian first.
Through its partnership role, Sépaq ensures that our national parks contribute to regional economic
development. The parks work with their partners, taking local realities into consideration while ensuring
that development is centered on particular features and attractions specific to their territory. Each park is
unique – it’s now up to you to come out and discover them.
Welcome to your national parks!
Pierre Arcand
Minister of Sustainable Development,
Environment and Parks
Translation : Sépaq
Contents
Word from the Director
On behalf of our entire team, welcome to Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. You are about to discover,
or rediscover, a protected territory of exceptional beauty and breathtaking scenery sculpted in the very
rock of the Laurentides massif.
Cut across by deep valleys, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier features a high rocky plateau reaching
1083 m (François-de-Laval Mount). The main valley cradling the Jacques-Cartier River is a perfect
setting for water activity enthusiasts and admirers of spectacular landscapes.
Access and Services.........................................4
Winds of change blow over Parcs Québec.......5
Across mountains and valleys,
explore the Laurentides Massif........................6
Wildlife under Observation...............................7
Following major renovations in 2011, we are pleased to welcome you in winter or summer to an all-new
Discovery and Visitors Centre (DVC) located at the very heart of the national park (Km 10). In addition
to a new exhibit, discover the latest Parcs Québec technology tool: the Park Path Explorer. It will
help you to better plan your visit to the Park; you can even bring it along your treks. Check it out at
www.parcparcours.com/jac/ (in French only).
Under the Tent...................................................8
Driven by our mission of conservation and unwavering commitment to ensure that you ENJOY an
unforgettable stay, the team of the national park has prepared a host of activities for you to EXPERIENCE
and DISCOVER the Park in a whole different light.
Watercraft Rentals..........................................14
This journal contains all the information needed to prepare your stay at the Park. Read it carefully, it is
filled with useful tips.
Fishing.............................................................17
Welcome to your national park!
Extend Your Stay.............................................10
Trails Aplenty!.................................................11
Park Map.........................................................12
I do my share for conservation at the Park!...16
Winter Fun .....................................................18
Interactive Discovery Activities .....................20
More Discoveries ...........................................22
Rates offered in this journal do not include applicable taxes and
are subject to change without notice.
Mathieu Brunet, Director
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
Exit 182, Highway 175 North
Stoneham et Tewkesbury
No47'06’92.2'' - Wo071'20’50.0''
Postal Address
103 Vallée-de-la-Jacques-Cartier Road
Stoneham et Tewkesbury
(Québec) G3C 2T5
1 800 665-6527
Phone: 418 848-3169
Fax: 418 848-1372
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
www.facebook.com/pqjac
www.parcsquebec.com
parc.jacques-cartier@sepaq.com
3
Access and Services
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
The Mission
of Parcs Québec
Discovery and Services Centre and General
Store (convenience store, Boutique Nature
and prepared food outlet)
With a view to achieving harmonious development
at the cultural, social, economic and regional
levels, Parcs Québec is responsible for the
conservation and development of territories that
are representative of Québec’s 43 natural regions
or exceptional sites, while ensuring that they are
accessible for educational and outdoor use.
Watercraft Rentals
Km 10
All of Québec’s national parks were created
in accordance with World Conservation Union
standards. The criteria are defined as follows:
Hourly Watercraft Rentals Km 3
• A relatively vast area that represents one or
more ecosystems that are moderately or not at
all transformed by exploitation;
• Where animal and plant species, geomorphological sites and habitats are of particular
interest from a scientific, educational or
recreational viewpoint, and that offers scenery
of great beauty;
• In which the highest competent authority of
the country has taken measures to eliminate
exploitation and to instil respect for the
ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic
aspects, on the whole;
• Where a visit is authorized, under certain conditions, for educational, cultural or recreational
purposes.
Translation : Sépaq
4
Fishing (Jacques-Cartier River)
Accommodations
(cabin, rustic cabin, yurt, campground and
ready-to-camp Huttopia tent)
OPENING DATES
May 18 to October 21, 2012
7 Days a Week
Dec. 14, 2012 to March 17, 2013
7 Days a Week
May 18 to 27, 2012
Weekends
May 28 to June 21, 2012
From Wednesday to
Sunday
June 22 to September 16, 2012
7 Days a Week
September 17 to October 8, 2012
Weekends
From June 23 to August 26, 2012
and September 1, 2 and 3, 2012
7 Days a Week
May 18 to September 9, 2012
7 Days a Week
May 18 to October 21, 2012
7 Days a Week
Dec. 14, 2012 to March17, 2013
Devlin Cabins
December 7, 2012 to April 1st, 2013
7 Days a Week
Entry Fees valid until March 31, 2013 (taxes included)
All profits from entry fees are invested in Quebec’s park network to pursue the conservation and improvement
of the parks. This mission is essential to ensure present and future visitors’ access to the parks.
Annual Card
Daily Access
For One Park
For all the
Parks
Adult
$6.00
$30.00
$54.00
Child (aged 6 to 17)
$2.75
$13.75
$24.75
Child (aged 0 to 5)
Free
Free
$8.75
$43.75
$78.75
$12
$60
$108
Group of Adults (minimum 15)
$5.25
N/A
N/A
Group of Children (aged 6 to 17)
$2.25
N/A
N/A
Free
N/A
N/A
Individuals, Category or Group of Individuals
1 Adult with children aged 6 to 17
2 Adults with children aged 6 to 17
School Group*
Free
*Organized group of preschool, elementary school or secondary school students; organized group of college or university students visiting the park for educational
purposes or as part of a program of studies.
ParcsQuebec.com
Winds of change
blow over Parcs Québec
Renovations to the Discovery and Visitors Centre (DVC) at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier provided an opportunity to rethink the role that conventional exhibits play
in the educational activities offered by Parcs Québec . A prominent concept emerged from this thinking process: Nature is to parks what works of art are to museums.
As a result, Park Paths was created to shift discovery experiences outdoors, on Nature’s paths.
Park Paths – a new way
to discover our national parks
Park Path Explorer
Designed to support the excellent work of the teams who staff our national parks,
Park Paths also seeks to build visitors’ awareness of the rich panoply of natural
and historic resources to be found in these vast, protected open-air museums.
When you "enter" a national park, you’re looking for a unique experience, a
chance to connect with nature on a highly personal level – most often, through the
doors of the Discovery and Visitors Centre. The DVC is the heartbeat of the park:
a venue conducive to meeting other people, engaging in dialogue and acquiring
knowledge. This space has been revamped to serve as a more effective guide to
what’s there for you "To do" and "To see" as you traverse and discover our national
parks.
You can choose your discovery route using the Park Path Explorer, which is
available at the DVC through an interactive terminal as well as on the Parcs
Québec website. The Explorer will first show you what there is "To see" and
"To do" in the park. You can then customize your visit to suit your needs by
selecting from the various hiking, cycling or water touring routes available. Many
of them are dotted with discovery spots to draw your attention to natural beauty,
landscapes, habitats, wildlife, plant life or the park’s history. You can also broaden
your knowledge of the park, either before or after your visit, by clicking on To learn
more, where you can access a series of Knowledge Sheets grouped by specific
themes.
To see
to doo
To learn more
• The Plateau: Mountaintops, Lakes and
the Boreal Forest
A huge water reservoir and a labyrinth
of hills and small valleys covered by the
boreal forest are found at the heart of the
Laurentides Massif.
• Hiking
A Few Topics
• Water Touring (canoe and kayak)
• Vegetation at Parc national
de la Jacques-Cartier
• Cycling
• Discovery Activity
•The moose of Parc national
de la Jacques-Cartier
•The formation of the Laurentides
Massif relief
• The Jacques-Cartier Valley and its
Secondary Valleys
The Jacques-Cartier Valley and its secondary
valleys cut deep gashes across the Park’s
vast undulating plateau. These fractures
were reshaped by the passage of glaciers.
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
5
Across mountains and valleys,
explore the Laurentides Massif
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier was created in 1981 to protect a representative sample of the natural
area in the Laurentides massif located north of Québec City. Visitors to the Park can enjoy incursions into this
vast mountain plateau cut across by deep gashes. At the very bottom of the valleys, wind the Jacques-Cartier,
Sautauriski and Cachée rivers, sometimes calm, other times turbulent. Contrary to popular belief, the valleys
already existed during the last glaciation; the passage of glaciers simply smoothed the landscape.
The Park covers an area of 670 km2 and features three kinds of forest. Despite a harsh climate on the plateaus,
the boreal forest thrives. Spruce and balsam fir are the most common species. At the bottom of the valleys
where the weather is milder, the broad-leaved forest dominates. Yellow birch, sugar maple and herbaceous
plants colonize the environment. The broad-leaved forest provides a magnificent feast for the eyes when
cloaked in spectacular fall colours. Tucked in between the two is the mixed forest.
The Park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife such as the three larger cervidae in Quebec: forest-dwelling
caribou, moose and white-tailed deer. Other mammals typically roaming the boreal forest include the grey
wolf, red fox, Canadian lynx, black bear and Canadian beaver. Over 169 bird species are also found in the Park,
the barred owl and the osprey in particular. The 216 lakes of the Park are home to an allopatric population of
brook trout, except for two lakes home to mountain trout, a species likely to be designated as threatened or
vulnerable in Quebec. In the Jacques-Cartier River, Atlantic salmon thrive in cool, well-oxygenated waters.
Who’s who?
rth American cervid.
* I am the largest No
e me six times on
* Park visitors can semmer.
average during su
.
self at dawn or dusk
* I prefer to show my
cooling down in the
* I can spend hoursalgae.
river and grazing
than 400 kg.
* I can weigh more
rs at the entrance
* I watch over visito d Visitors Centre.
to the Discovery an
.
rved 50 metres away
* I prefer to be obse
l
mbol of Parc nationa
* I am the animal sytier.
de la Jacques-Car
Moose
I am Jacko the
(Alces alces)
Give and nature will return the favour!
In order to conserve and protect our national parks, it is first important to know
them well. This requires the investment of both time and ressources. Sépaq has
created a special fund, the Parcs Québec Fund, dedicated to supporting priority
conservation projects in each national park.
To donate:
• Visit www.fondsparcsquebec.com
• Purchase an article identified as belonging to the Parcs Québec collection
• Participate in the Adopt an animal program
• Leave your donation in the Parcs Québec Fund box found in all our national parks
• Make a contribution when reserving online at www.sepaq.com
6
ParcsQuebec.com
Sharing
Know ledge
Wildlife under Observation
cording
discoveries by re
Tell us about your
e at the
bl
la
ion sheets avai
them on observat
.
re
nt
Ce
s
or
Discovery and Visit
On the Trail of Caribou
Formerly ranging in large numbers in the Charlevoix
area (more than 10,000 heads), forest-dwelling
caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were intensively
hunted to extinction in that area around the 1920s. To
offset the situation, 48 caribou were captured along
the border between Quebec and Labrador and kept in
paddocks in Parc national des Grands Jardins. Given
the natural instinct of forest-dwelling caribou to
return to their former territory, captive caribou would
travel back to where they were captured. Therefore,
only the animals born in Charlevoix were released.
The 82 calves born in captivity were released into
nature on two occasions in 1969 and 1972. The
Charlevoix herd of some 85 caribou now range a
vast territory located primarily on the Laurentides
wildlife reserve. Caribou are also frequently found
in the Grands Jardins, Hautes-Gorges-de-la-RivièreMalbaie and Jacques-Cartier national parks.
During a study conducted between 2004 and 2009,
the movement of 42 caribou with radio-collars from
the Charlevoix herd was monitored. Among them,
ten caribou were located at least once inside the
boundaries of Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier;
eight were found in the Park for several consecutive
years on a regular basis. In general, the preferred
habitats of forest-dwelling caribou are plots of
coniferous forest averaging more than 60 years
of age, particularly black spruce stands, lichenrich habitats and peat bogs. Many of these remote
environments are found on plateaus, encouraging
the persistence of caribou within the Park. Likewise,
caribou are often found at the tops of mountains
surrounding the Jacques-Cartier Valley and on the
François-de-Laval mountaintops (1083 metres high).
Since most of their habitats are hard to access,
forest-dwelling caribou are like phantoms roaming
the forests. Very few people are lucky enough to see
them. Isolation actually helps to conserve and protect
caribou in the Park.
Park Scientists
In recent years, several partnerships have been created between researchers and the Park’s Conservation and
Education Service. Since 2004, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier has served as a research host, allowing
scientists to better understand the biology of large wildlife (moose, forest-dwelling caribou, wolf, bear)
occupying the territory and the Laurentides wildlife reserve. The Park is pleased to highlight the scientific
contribution of researchers Christian Dussault, Biologist at the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et
de la Faune and Martin-Hugues St-Laurent, Professor at Université du Québec à Rimouski. Knowledge
acquired during their work will allow us to enhance our own knowledge in order to improve and develop new
management practices towards ensuring the protection and conservation of the Park.
Your contributions to the Fonds Parcs Québec support research projects instrumental to scientific advances
at the Park.
For more Information
Are you curious? Do you want to find out more about
wildlife? Participate in one of our discovery activities,
browse the information available in interactive
terminals at the Discovery and Visitors Centre or
follow one of the Park’s interpreted trails. Don’t miss
our special programs at the amphitheatre with our
guest speakers.
The well-informed are sure to appreciate the
conservation Newsletter and conservation Blog
available on the Parcs Québec website.
Conservation
Newsletter
Conservation
Blog
Photograph : Mathieu Dupuis
Parc national de Frontenac
• 40 km of hiking
• 15 km bike
• Water activities
• 221 campsites
• 18 ready-to-camp
• 8 cabins
• A rustic shelter
• 10 km of nordic snowshoeing
1 800 665-6527 • www.parcsquebec.com/frontenac
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
7
Under the Tent
Be Careful
Regeneration Area
Taking a shortcut to the toilet, a water supply point,
a lookout or another campsite can significantly
deteriorate the condition of the undergrowth that
ensures privacy between campsites and tranquility.
Avoid trampling areas outside campsites and marked
trails… Trampling packs the ground, smothers roots
and prevents vegetation from growing.
Shhh…!!
At all times and everywhere in the Park, campers are
asked to keep the level of noise down, so as not to
disturb the tranquility within the Park.
Wood Is Never Dead
Dead wood from the undergrowth enhances the
natural appeal of your campsite; leave it on site and
use the wood sold at the Discovery and Visitors Centre
for fire. Deadwood is far too busy to warm you up,
because:
Vallée-de-laJacques-Cartier road
Tertiary road
Trail
Discovery and
Visitor Centre
Washroom facility
Playground
Serviced campground / huttopia tent
Canoe launching
Picnic area
Deposit of residual material
Parking
Belleau picnic area
Amphitheatre
Snow tubing
and sledding
RV dump station
Parking
Canoe rental
• it fertilizes the soil and helps the forest regenerate;
• it provides shelter to insects and small animals;
• it keeps the soil moist in dryer weather.
Camping area
A Parcs Québec’s exclusive!
Huttopia
Discover the Huttopia tent, a simple and comfortable way to
discover the joys of camping without all the lugging.
Each unit includes:
•
•
•
•
two big beds
supplementary heating and lighting
a propane-operated warming tray and a mini-fridge
everything you need to prepare meals
More than 250 Huttopia tents available in 15 of Québec’s national parks.
Photo : Mathieu Dupuis
NEW
8
LOW SEASON (1)
$
97
/night
$
HIGH SEASON (2)
113
/night
Online reservation: www.parksquebec.com/huttopia
(1) From Sunday to Thursday until June 21, 2012 and from September 9, 2012
(2) Fridays, Saturdays, holidays and every day from June 22, 2012 to September 8, 2012
Taxes and entrance fee not included
ParcsQuebec.com
New
Bulk Wood!
The Sépaq listens to you. Some visitors to the Park
were concerned about the lack of plastic bags and
small metal ties on the sites. But now, you can use
our reusable bags for your camping wood supply!
Km 12.5
ey
Saurtn
4
3
2
3
19
Pique-nique
Belleau
km
20
18
5
6
PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND $27.50/night
PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND $27.50/night
45
Km 30
9
CAMPING
LES HIRONDELLES
2
3
43
1
53
59
Km 30
52
58
49
Sentier
Du Draveur
3
61
8
1
5
Km 10
20
19
21
2
ier
1
Sc
23
Km 17
CANOT-CAMPING LE PORTAGE 8 Km 20
22
27
ée
PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND $21.50/night
la Vall
PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND $21.50/night
26
16
18
25
in de
a
or
ot
300 m vers le
stationnement
du Scotora
Chem
le
Rivière
Jacques-Cartier
CANOT-CAMPING LE BEC-SCIE
Huttopia tents
CAMPING LA BÉTULAIE
4
Plage
8
64
serviced campground $34.25/night -
3
5
nt
9
11
12
Rivière
Jacques-Cartier
Se
10
63
7
6
4
6
7
62
300 m
2
51
50
60
57
Camping
Hirondelles
41
4 47
48
CAMPING LE MORILLON
39
46
6
5
Rivière
Jacques-Cartier
44
8
7
9
35
37
42
10
9
8
36
Chemin de la Vallée
er
nti ur
Se rave
D
Du
6
31
33
40
12
13
11
30
32
34
38
14
15
7
1
22
16
17
2
2,5
21
28
26
24
23
5
4
29
25
e
er
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Riv s-Ca
ue
cq
Ja
au
ruisse
rR
e
nti
Se
ris
tau
au
eS
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ivi
Km 10
CAMPING LES ALLUVIONS
27
1
Rivière Sautauriski
ki
Km 18
CAMPING LE HÉRON
0m
30 rs le nc
ve t Ba
n
Po
CAMPING LE GRAND DUC
(platform)
29
14
1-3
Rivière
Jacques-Cartier
30
24
31
28
Chemin d’accès
14
15
12
13
10
11
9
8
6
7
5
1
er
nti
Se
Rivière
Jacques-Cartier
17
Du
3
4
r
eu
av
Dr
2
CANOE-CAMPING $27.50/night
W
Dumping Station
Pit Toilet
1 Bag of wood included
For more informaon about lodging,
restaurants and acvies offered in
JacquesCarer, visit our website.
www.jacquescarer.com
www.jacquescarer.com // 1
1 877
877 8442358
8442358
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
N
E
S
Crédits : Denis Faucher, IFX Producons, Village Vacances Valcarer
le
ers
m v anc
200 ont B
P
CANOE-CAMPING $27.50/night
serviced campground $34.25/night
Legend :
Shower
Watering Point
Anti-animal Devices
9
Extend Your Stay
Accommodations
After a full day exploring the outdoors, why not enjoy a comfortable stay at one of our cabins, rustic shelters or yurts? Our accommodations are open all year round.
This is a terrific way to discover the different seasons in such a unique natural setting!
3 CABINS
Vallée Sector,
Km 74, Highway 175
$
Low Season
Rate/night
$
High Season
Rate/night
Petit Kernan
2
$133/cabin
$133/cabin
Moyen Kernan
6
$208/cabin
$239/cabin
Godendart
6
$208/cabin
$239/cabin
6 CABINS
$
From / night
L’Épaule Sector,
Km 94, Highway 175
Devlin 1*
6
$42.50/pers. min 6 pers.
Devlin 2,3,4,5*
4
$51.50/pers. min 4 pers.
Lac à l’Épaule
Lodge*
14
$21.57/pers. min 14 pers.
5 YURTS
$
From / night
Vallée Sector,
Km 74, Highway 175
Yurts
Amenities: electricity, lighting, equipment needed to prepare and serve meals, stove, refrigerator, toilet, showers,
drinking water, wood stove, 2 twin beds per bedroom. To bring: bedding and food. * The Devlin cabins and Lacà-l’Épaule Lodge are offered as fishing packages in the summer and vacationing packages in the fall.
4
$129/yurt
Amenities: lighting, equipment needed to prepare and
serve meals, stove, refrigerator, washroom facilities with
toilet, shower and drinking water, wood stove, 4 twin
beds.
To bring: bedding and food.
8 RUSTIC
SHELTERS
Vallée Sector,
Km 74, Highway 175
Rustic shelters
4
$
Summer
/night
$
Winter
/night
$96/shelter
$103/shelter
BETTE
R
ERVE
TO RES
EARLY
7
65-652 ec.com
6
0
0
8
1
ueb
parcsq
.
w
w
or w
Amenities: propane stove (2 rings), table, seats
pit toilet, wood stove, 4 beds with mattresses.
To bring: mess kit, dishes, utensils, lighting, sleeping
bag, drinking water and food.
Parc national
des Grands-Jardins
Photo: Dominic Boudreault
Discover this exceptional territory with its century old reputation
10
• 47 km of hiking trails
• 10 discovery activities
• Canoe and kayak itinerary
• Lake or river fishing on a daily basis or with a package that includes
accommodation
• Campsites equipped with Huttopia tents, semi-serviced or primitive,
cabins and refuges
ParcsQuebec.com
1 800 665-6527 • www.parcsquebec.com
Trails Aplenty!
Trail
Distance and Time*
La Rivière-Cachée – In winter, hike along the fascinating Cachée River and marvel at its
breath-taking falls against an ice wall background.
3.6 km/loop
1:30 p.m.
Level
Departure
Point
I
Km 0
B
Km 3
Summer
2 km/loop
Winter
3.4 km/loop
1:15 p.m.
5.5 km/loop
2:30 p.m.
I
Km 3
La Rivière-à-l’Épaule – Reach the À L’Épaule sector by taking this trail: a worthy challenge 17 km/One-way 2:00 p.m.
for mountain bike enthusiasts.
A
Km 3 or À L’Épaule
Sector (Km 94 from
Highway 175)
E
Km 3 or km 10
La Tourbière – This short hike is filled with sights worth seeing! Visit a peat bog, a fir stand
and a yellow birch forest! Take this trail using the Park Path Explorer application or borrow an Ipod free of charge
from the Discovery and Visitors Centre.
L’Éperon – Discover the L’Épaule Mountain, hike along its meandering river and take in the
breathtaking views of the valley.
L’Incursion – Explore this link between L’Éperon and the Discovery and Visitors Centre winding its way
in a thick forest of huge spruce and majestic yellow birch. The first 4.8 km can be travelled by snowshoe.
L’Aperçu – Hike along the Belleau brook. In our brochure available at the Discovery and
Visitors Centre, read about its course, plants, wildlife and history. Obtain the brochure at the
Discovery and Visitors Centre.
45 min
7 km/One-way 3:00 p.m.
2.5 km/loop
1:15 p.m.
B
Km 10
4.3 km/loop
1:30 p.m.
B
Km 10
Le Draveur Sud – Hike this forest trail and make a refreshing stop along the banks of the
Jacques-Cartier River. In winter, a 16 km long backcountry skiing loop is available; take the
Valley Road to return.
15 km
Return Run
4:00 p.m.
B
I (velo
and ski)
Km 10 or km 18
Les Coulées – Travel through the valley from the Belleau brook and discover the splendours
of the rolling Laurentides mountains.
9.7 km/loop
3:30 p.m.
I
Km 10
La Voie-du-Bûcheron – Hike along this impressive trail at the heart of the Laurentides
massif plateaus flanked by snow-laden spruce.
20.7 km
One-way
8:00 a.m.
A
Km 10 or
Camp Mercier
Hiking:
1:30 p.m.
4.2 km/return run
Cycling, Skiing:
10 km/return run 1:00 p.m.
B
Km 12.5
B
Km 10
Les Cascades – Cool sounds and an exhilarating visual experience await you on this trail
running next to a cascading brook. Take this trail using the Park Path Explorer application or borrow an Ipod
free of charge from the Discovery and Visitors Centre.
La Rivière-Sautauriski – Let the Sautauriski river work its charm, at times still, other times
tumultuous and at times stony, other times sandy.
Le Confluent – Discover the rich diversity of terrestrial, wetland and aquatic habitats. See
the discovery panels along the trail.
1.6 km/loop
35 min
B
Km 12.5
Les Loups – Breathtaking! See the most striking fractures of the Laurentides massif and the
spectacular Jacques-Cartier and Sautauriski valleys. Featuring a 447-metre elevation. Take this trail
10 km
Return Run
3:30 p.m.
A
Km 16
La Matteucie – Link the Le Perdreau and Les Loups trails by making your way through lush
undergrowth and fern.
4 km
Return Run
1:30 p.m.
B
Km 16 or km 18
Le Perdreau – Starting with a steep climb, set off to discover the mysterious Buvard lake and
hike through splendid maple groves with lush, green undergrowth.
5 km
loop
1:45 p.m.
I
Km 18
12.1 km
One-way
4:30 p.m.
I
Km 18 or km 29
15.6 km
Return Run
5:30 p.m.
A
Km 29
13 km
Return Run
4:00 p.m.
B
Km 33
using the Park Path Explorer application or borrow an Ipod free of charge from the Discovery and Visitors Centre.
Le Draveur Nord - Combine magnificent viewpoints of the valley and striking rock faces.
Le Scotora – Go back in time on this historical trail. Reach the Andante mount, over 809
metres high! A spectacular view! Featuring a 471-metre elevation. Take this trail using the Park Path
Explorer application or borrow an Ipod free of charge from the Discovery and Visitors Centre.
La Croisée – Hike through deep gorges to reach the magnificent great crests of the JacquesCartier River.
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Snowshoing
Backcountry Skiing
Self-interpretation
B: Beginner
I: Intermediate
A: Advanced
E: Expert
On fall weekends, the shuttle is mandatory to reach the beginning of the trails.
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
Times and levels of difficulty indicated are for information purposes only and apply to the summer season, except for La Rivière-Cachée and L’Incursion trails. Please
note that in winter, travelling is slower (about 2 km an
hour by snowshoe and for backcountry skiing, progress
depending on snow conditions).
11
16
Lac
McLish
Mont
Allegro
Le Morillon
Mont
Andante
Le Sco
tora
Les Hirondelles
Lac
Bréboeuf
Lac
Cook
Lac
Collins
Deslauriers
Étang
Nicol
33
mi
n
d
La
Jetée
Ch e
30
4
Lac
Chalout
Nord-Oues t
La Cav ée (fractur
e)
Lac Luc
Lac
Vaucaire
Lac
Pouliot
Lac
Tony
Lac
Dupont
Lac
Neville
Lac
Buade
eR
Lac
César
e
he
us
oc
Lac
Pompée
Lac
Crassus
iè r
Lac
Bourassa
Lac des
Quatre Jumeaux
Lac
Rochefort
Lac
Cartier
Riv
Lac
Brière
)
ctu re
Lac
Breton
Lac
Bouchard
Le M al in (fra
Lac
Thierry
Lac
Lebond
Lac de
la Perche
Lac
Pers
L'Ekwatek
Le Camp 3
Lac
Brugnon
Lac
Fortier
Detailed map
sold at the
Discovery
and Visitors
Centre
Lac
(fracture)
tier
20
14
Lac
Kewe
12
Lac
Cauchon
Lac
Fragasso
Lac
Ti-Coq
Lac
à la
Chute
Lac
du Lièvre
Lac
Cousin
Lac
Marguerite
Lac
Walsh
Lac
des Alliés
Lac
Bradette
Lac
Lac Macé
Aubé
Lac
Ablin
Lac 10
Lanoraye
Lac
Bossé
Lac
Laforest
Réserve faunique
des Laurentides
Ri
v iè
164
R
iv iè re Ja
cqu es -C
ar
Le Taur
eau
a li
n
uM
re
d
Lac
Champlain
Rivière Jacqu es-Cartier
Étang
Étang Ledoux
Laura
Lac
Poitevin
Lac
Mesy
162
roi
sée
La
C
ParcsQuebec.com
Lac du
Culot
Lac
Poitras
15
Lac
Fresnoy
Lac
Chausson
Lac
Sautauriski
Lac
Archambault
Lac
Nouvel
Lac 5
Lapointe
Lac
Chartier
Riviè re Sautauriski
12
e
llé e
la Va
12
10
Lac du
Cyclope
Lac
Handy
14
Lac
Ménard
Lac
Gilly
12
Lac
Ovide
Entrée du
secteur
Sautauriski
Lac
O'Brien
5
Lac
Ruban
Lac des
Nymphes
13
Park
Map
If a moose finds itself in front of
your vehicle, it is important to
take a picture, but you are not
allowed to follow it. By doing
so, you may cause unnecessary
stress and a calf may become
vulnerable if it strays from its
mother. If a moose crosses the
road at night, turn off your vehicle headlights for a few minutes
to allow the animal to slip back
into the forest.
Speed limits are enforced within
the Park to protect bikers, pedestrians and wildlife. In addition,
slowing down allows you to fully
admire the imposing vistas that
Nature offers.
A Road to Share
175
Entrée du secteur
Jumeau
Km 123
Mont
François-de-Laval
Lac
Barette
Vers Ville Saguenay
115 km
15
Terrains privés
Réserve faunique
des Laurentides
Mont
Adagio
Le Bec-Scie
Lac
Saurtney
Lac
SaintThomas
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
Yourtes
1à5
Cachée
1à4
10
La
Tourbière
Montagne
de la Cachée
5
Des Érables
Balbuzard 1 à 3
4
Wuff
175
Entrée du
secteur de
la Vallée
Km 74
Kernan
(P,M)
L'Éperon
Tente Huttopia
La Bétulaie
Montagne
de l'Épaule
Le Raquetteur
Les Alluvions
Le Belleau
Fin de circuit
de canot
Lac
Saint-Guillaume
Le Godendard
Lac
Saint-Vincent
Centre
de découverte
et de services
Les Cascades
ki
s
uta uri
Lac
Giroux
Montagne de la
Sautauriski
re S a
Lac
Yvan
Lac
Guay
Lac
Sauvauriski
L'Étang
Le Grand Duc
Riv iè
Les Coulées
L'Aperçu
Lac
La rivière
Sautauriski
Les Loups
Le Delta
Des Deux-Rivières
Le Confluent
15
km 18
Le Pont-Banc
Perdreau
Lac
Reculé
La Matteucie
Lac
Buvard Le
L'Étang
Maubèche
20
Le Draveur Sud
Le Héron
Le Portage 8
Petit lac
Dubois
Lac
Hartel
25
Chute
Riv ière à la
Lac
Larabelle
Lac
Bonneville
re
0
Ri
v iè
Lac
Méplat
Lac
du Castor
102
Lac
Herbeux
10
10
Lac
Vachon
Lac à
l'Épaule
Devlin
1à5
Lac à
Régis
Route provinciale
Sentier de vélo de montagne
Sentier pédestre
Sentier pédestre et de vélo de montagne
Kilomètre repère
Dépanneur
Douche
Lac
Eau potable
Taché
Location
Mise à l'eau canot
1
2
Poste de perception
Point de vue
Zone de préservation
Limite de la réserve faunique
Limite du parc national
Sentier de portage
Chalet / yourte
Pique-nique
Route secondaire
Route tertiaire
Canot-camping
Route principale
Camping rustique
Km
Vidange de véhicules récréatifs
Camping de groupe
4
Toilettes
Camping aménagé / tente Huttopia
Téléphone
Boutique
T
d
Petit lac
à l'Épaule
Accueil Mercier
Camp rustique
Site d'observation
Stationnement
Bois de chauffage
Premiers soins
Restauration
Lac
Garneau
175
Lac
à
Noël
Amphithéâtre
5
Lac aux
Sables
Km 101
Entrée du
secteur à l'Épaule
Km 94
Lac
Hélène-Boullé
Pavillon du
Lac-à-L'Épaule
101
Lac
à l'Îlot
Lac
Nordet
Réserve faunique
des Laurentides
10
5
Centre de découverte et de services
pa
ul
e
Nord
l 'É
ur
rave
Le D
à
r
-Cartie
L
a
riv
ièr
e
es
J ac qu
à
l
'É
pa
ul
e
Riv iè re
13
Watercraft Rentals
The Jacques-Cartier River is unquestionably one of the most outstanding features of the Park. The best way to discover the beautiful scenery is to ride down its waters at
the heart of the valley. Beginners and experts alike agree that the river run covering 26 km is not only the best place to observe the steep sides of the valley and have fun
with family and friends, but also to practise basic downriver techniques.
At the Park, choose from a wide variety of watercrafts and river runs. Try the classic canoe, which is fast and easy to manoeuvre, the lightweight inflatable canoe easy to
paddle in rapids, the recreational kayak well-known for its stability and sturdiness, the popular mini-raft, which is safe to handle and adapted to families or groups, or the
air tube.
DISTANCE
DEPARTURE AND LENGTH
OF TIME
LEVEL
ITINERARY
A
8:30 a.m.
1 Day
19 km
Intermediate
B
8:30 a.m.
½ Day
11 km
Beginner
La Jetée (Km 29)
to the Rental Centre
(Km 10)
WATERCRAFTS
DESCRIPTION
A peaceful and spectacular
7.5 km run (2 Class I rapids)
followed by 11.5 km featuring
8 Class I and II rapids
Perfect Run for Beginners
A smooth run with impressive
La Jetée (Km 29)
scenery featuring 6 Class I and II
to Pont Banc (Km 10)
rapids – A return shuttle awaits
you at 2 p.m.
C
8:30 a.m.
or
1:30 p.m.
½ Day
8 km
From Pont Banc
(Km 18) to the
Rental Centre
(Km 10)
Intermediate
An exciting 8 km run featuring
4 Class I and II rapids
D
11 a.m.
½ Day
15 km
Intermediate
E
1:30 p.m.
½ Day
5 km
Beginner
F
2 a.m.
Return
at 5 p.m.
½ Day
7 km
Beginner
SHUTTLE
(including life jacket, paddles and wetsuits)
From L’Ekwatek
(Km 25) to the
Rental Centre
(Km 10)
A smooth 4 km run to practise
manoeuvres in calm waters followed by 11 km featuring 8 Class
I and II rapids
From the Maubèche
Pond (Km 15) to
the Rental Centre
(Km 10)
Unique to Parcs Québec!
Smooth run to simply drift along
the gentle river current
Perfect run for a summer
From the Rental
afternoon with 3 Class I and II
Centre (Km 10) to
rapids – A return shuttle awaits
the End of the Canoe
you at the end of the canoe run
Run (Km 3)
at 5 p.m.
Canoe
$47.75
$30.25
Inflatable Canoe
$37.50
$30.25
Solo Kayak
$40.50
$15.25
Tandem Kayak
$51.25
$30.25
Canoe
$35.25
$30.25
Inflatable Canoe
$28.00 
$30.25
Solo Kayak
$29.25
$15.25
Tandem Kayak
$37.75
$30.25
Canoe
$35.25
$15.25
Inflatable Canoe
$28.00
$15.25
Solo Kayak
$29.25
$7.75
Tandem Kayak
$37.75
$15.25
3-5 Place Mini-raft
$59.00
$30.25
4-7 Place Mini-raft
$90.25
$38.00
Canoe
$35.25
$24.25
Inflatable Canoe
$28.00
$24.25
Solo Kayak
$29.25
$12.25
Tandem Kayak
$37.75
$24.25
Air Tube
$10.25
$5.50
Canoe
$35.25
$15.25
Inflatable Canoe
$28.00
$15.25
Solo Kayak
$29.25
$7.75
Tandem Kayak
$37.75
$15.25
Still Waters
BETTE
ESER
R TO R
VE EAR
Is this your first outing on the river? Or do you feel like a short run on still waters?
The hourly rental booth at Km 3 is the ideal spot to gear up for a paddle with the
kids or a quiet ride all by yourself.
LY
Hourly Rental (reservations not mandatory)
65-6527
1 800 6 squebec.com
w.parc
or ww
14
ParcsQuebec.com
Watercrafts
Rates / Hour
Canoe
$14.75
Solo Kayak
$13.25
Tandem Kayak
$16.00
Inflatable Canoe
$11.00
Setting off
tle
without a shut
d map of
A detaile
cuits is
canoe cir
at the
available
rs
and Visito
Discovery
e
th
t
a
d
Centre an
ntre.
rental ce
Itinerary
1/2 Day
E
Rental Centre
km 10
1/2 Day
Beginner
Air Tube
1/2 Day
Beginner
Air tube only
Maubèche Pond
km 15
Canoe, kayak,
miniraft, inflatable canoe
The Jacques-Cartier is your destination for tubing fun!
Grab your air tube and spend a fantastic summer’s
afternoon gliding slowly down the Jacques-Cartier
river. Children 5 to 12 must be accompanied by an
adult.
• It is strongly recommended to reserve watercrafts
and the shuttle service at least 24 hours in
advance.
F
Legend :
River Tubing
Important Information:
Pont Banc km 18
C 1/2 Day - Intermediate
D 1/2 Day - Intermediate
A 1Day - Intermediate
B Beginner
Jetée km 29
Ekwatek km 25
watercraft yourself.
You may carry your
m.,
heduled at 8:45 a.
sc
e
ar
s
re
rtu
pa
De
m. and 1:45 p.m.
9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.
End of the Canoe
Run km 3
• If you want to use the shuttle service, you must
show up at the rental centre at least 45 minutes
before departure.
• An identity card with a picture is required to
borrow equipment.
• You can get around all the rapids by carrying your
watercraft along a portage trail located on the right
bank of the river. Visitors renting watercrafts at
the Park must necessarily take the portage
trail at Rapid #11.
• Except for the hourly rental booth, minimum age
for rental is 12 (canoes and kayaks) and 5 (minirafts and air tubes) when with an adult.
Aqua Quiz !
Guess, observe, listen… Awake all your senses to
unravel the mysteries surrounding the JacquesCartier River. Obtain your Discovery Pass at the
Rental Centre. (French only)
Follow the Guide
Have you ever had the chance to paddle a mini-raft?
Would you like a guide to accompany you on a run
downriver? Learn to paddle a watercraft and identify
rapids while exploring the river’s most fast-flowing
sections. Find out more about the characteristics of
the Park and its river. This is a great family activity
not to be missed!
Saturdays and Sundays, from June 23 to
September 3, at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 pm.
$25.00 / adult
$18.75 / child aged 6 to 17
Reservations mandatory
Feel like
Envie
dediscovering
découvrir a
une autreriver?
different
rivière?
Offrez-vous
Try
out Rivière
La du
Diable,
Diable.
40
km
de
plaisir!
It’s 40 km of sheer pleasure!
1 800 665 6527 • ParcsQuebec.com
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
15
!
I do my share for conservation at the Park!
For the team at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier,
every day is a challenge to offset the presence
of several thousand visitors while ensuring the
conservation of the territory. Enforcing park rules is
one of the best ways to achieve the right balance. By
following the rules, you help preserve the Park.
Here are the main activities
authorized at the Park:
Hiking: on marked trails only;
Water Activities: along the JacquesCartier River – Watercrafts can only be
launched at designated locations;
Biking: on marked trails only;
Fishing: from Km 3 to Km 33 on the
Jacques-Cartier River (parking area
available); lake fishing upon reservation;
Cross-country Skiing and
Snowshoeing: on marked trails only
(except for the identified off-trail sector);
Camping : at designated sites only;
Fire: at designated locations only;
Picnics: any time; please dispose of
waste appropriately;
Here are the rules to follow to
respect the natural surroundings:
Dogs: except guide dogs, dogs are not
authorized at the Park;
Wildlife: feeding, capturing, hurting,
ill-treating, harassing or trying to tame
animals is prohibited;
Waste: disposing of waste other than in
provided containers is prohibited;
Wood Cutting: cutting down trees or any
part of a tree and gathering deadwood is
prohibited;
Gathering: damaging or picking shrubs or
herbaceous plants, in whole or in part, is
prohibited;
ATVs and Snowmobiles: using all-terrain
vehicles and snowmobiles is prohibited;
Hunting and Trapping: hunting, trapping
and carrying hunting or trapping gear is
prohibited.
Parking: at identified parking areas.
To ensure park conservation, additional rules apply. Refer to the Parks Regulation or obtain information from
one of our team members who will be pleased to help you.
Thank you for your cooperation.
16
To roast your marshmallows, use "Save-the-forest"
sticks. For a voluntary contribution to Fonds Parcs
Québec, the sticks are available at the Discovery and
Visitors Centre.
ParcsQuebec.com
Warning! Do not feed!
Feeding wild animals threatens their survival. In
their habitats, animals find the food best suited to
their nutritional needs. Although they may appear
to appreciate the exotic food they are offered,
such food often makes them sick or lazy. Moreover,
animals may become rowdy, damage material, and
disrupt tranquility and safety within the Park. Waste
and food left at campsites also encourages such
behaviour.
Fishing
A Fishing Story
For more than 150 years, fishing enthusiasts
everywhere have been coming to Parc national de la
Jacques-Cartier to angle fish. At the Allied Conference
held in Québec City in 1943 during the Second World
War, United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
and Great Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Winston Leonard
Spencer Churchill stayed at the Lac à l’Épaule lodge
for a day of fishing. The lodge is now part of the Parc
national de la Jacques-Cartier. At the August 25,
1943 press conference, President Roosevelt declared:
"I will keep fond memories of trout fishing in Quebec
for a long time; this is a most outstanding site for a
meeting."
Today, it’s your turn to tease brook trout (speckled
trout)!
Salmon Express
Watch for the arrival of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo
salar)! The Salmon Express of the Corporation du
bassin versant de la Jacques-Cartier transports salmon
from the Cap-Santé fishway (on the banks of the St.
Lawrence River) upstream of the Jacques-Cartier River.
This way, salmon gain access to spawning grounds
and avoid several challenging dams. In 2011, 224 out
of the 737 transported salmon were returned into the
water in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier.
From mid-June to mid-August, find out about the arrival
of the Salmon Express at the Discovery and Visitors
Centre. Watch salmon being returned into the water
and listen to naturalists talk about salmon biology.
Fishing Conditions
You can now reserve a watercraft to fish on one of the
lakes in the Plateau sector. These exceptional bodies
of water are known for their abundance of brook trout
and are perfect settings for a first fishing outing.
The valley sector features more than 30 km of river
along which to cast a line from the riverbanks or a
canoe.
You can reserve a watercraft and obtain a fishing
authorization at the Discovery and Visitors Centre or by
calling 418-848-3169.
Fishing Season: from May 18 to September 9,
2012, or until you reach your annual catch quota
Rates
A Quebec fishing license and an authorization to fish
at the Park are mandatory.
Quebec fishing license
for residents (taxes included)
Is it really trout hanging at the end of my line?
You may occasionally catch Parr or young salmon. Wet your hands, remove the hook carefully and return the
fish quickly into water whether dead or alive. It is mandatory to return them into water, since salmon fishing
is prohibited in the Park.
3 Days
$11.68
Season
$ 20.41
Quebec fishing license
for non-residents (taxes included)
1 Day
$12.99
3 Days
$28.64
River Fishing Authorization
How to tell them apart:
1 Day
Brook Trout
Watercraft Fishing Authorization
• No black spots on the cheeks
• Almost straight tail
• Dark spots on the dorsal fin and tail
Parr
$17.06 (plus taxes)
1 Person
$55.93 (plus taxes)
2 Persons
$72.99 (plus taxes)
3 Persons
$90.05 (plus taxes)
The catch and possession quota for brook trout is
10* fish per person. You must weigh and record
your catch at the end of each fishing day and
drop this information into one of the boxes provided
at the Discovery and Visitors Centre or the Park
gatehouse. Your help is vital to ensure proper
resource management.
* In Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
•Black spots on the cheeks, sides and back
•Forked tail
•No dark spots on the dorsal fin and tail
Young Salmon
• Silver in colour
• Black spots on the cheeks
• Clearly forked tail
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
17
Winter Fun
Imagine...
a natural experience second to none!
Imagine enjoying your favourite winter activity at the heart of a snowy valley surrounded by steep slopes
covered with impressive icefalls. Since last winter, and for everyone’s enjoyment, snow is now plowed along
the road leading to the new Discovery and Visitors Centre at Km 10.
Snowshoeing and Snow Walking
Whether a beginner or an expert, you are sure to find a trail to your liking among our network of 9 trails
covering 50 km. For more information, see the Trails Table on page 11 in this Journal. Snowshoe rentals
available at Km 10.
Snow walk along the Jacques-Cartier River and discover all the beauty of this imposing winter landscape,
from the Discovery and Visitors Centre (Km 10) to the foot of the Les Loups Mount (Km 16) (12-km return trip).
Backcountry Skiing • La Voie-du-Bûcheron
Have you ever enjoyed the sound of skis gliding smoothly over a fresh blanket of snow on which you are
the first to cut a path in the wee hours of the morning? Try early morning skiing along a 55-kilometre loop of
backcountry ski trails at the Park. Although physically demanding, this two-night and three-day trek is a very
sought-after winter activity in Quebec.
Luggage Transportation
A luggage transportation service is offered to backcountry skiers. This service must be reserved in advance by
calling 1 800 665-6527.
Trekking
Day 1
Mercier Camp
Registration Centre
Balbuzard
(rustic shelter, Km 12.5)
Day 3
Cachée
(rustic shelter, Km 2)
Trail
Voie-du-Bûcheron
Valley Road and L’incursion
À L’Épaule
Level
Distance
Advanced
20.7 km
Balbuzard
(rustic shelter, Km 12.5)
Expert
11 km
Cachée
(rustic shelter, Km 2)
Advanced
20.6 km
Departure Point
Arrival Point
Day 2
Mercier Camp
Watch Out for Deer and Moose Yards
Winter is a critical season for members of the deer family. They live on reserves accumulated during the
summer and must limit travelling about in order to survive. This is why they gather in a specific area in the
forest called a deer (or moose) yard, where they can find food and shelter.
418.848.SPAS (7727)
www.lenordique.com
18
During your trek, you might come across trails used by these animals. It could be fatal for these animals if
people travel these trails. The animals might be forced to leave their yards and fall victim to exhaustion,
predation or road accidents. If you happen to cross the path of one of these animals, leave the trail slowly to
allow it free passageway.
ParcsQuebec.com
For up-to-date daily snow conditions,
visit our Website at
www.parcsquebec.com
Slides
Young and old alike are invited to come and try the
all-new slides located at the heart of the valley. Fun
and laughter for the entire family guaranteed! Meet
at the Discovery and Visitors Centre at Km 10.
new
The Loup Express
Discover a sector of the valley rarely explored during winter. Saturdays, Sundays and during school breaks, a
snow shuttle service is available between the Discovery and Visitors Centre (Km 10) and the Les Loups trail
(Km 16). It is a terrific opportunity to gain access to this very popular trail.
Seats are limited, so it is important to reserve this service in advance.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 418 848-3169.
Discovery Activities
Delights, Snowshoes and Mysteries
Strap on your snowshoes and set out to discover
the mysteries of the hidden face of winter. Who
sleeps? Who is up and about? What noises can we
hear? Later, warm and comfy at the Discovery and
Visitors Centre, enjoy a variety of delicious cheese
and local products while sipping great wine! An evening filled with discovery awaits you every Saturday,
from January 5 to March 17, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Cost: $31/pers. plus taxes. Reservation is mandatory at the Discovery and Visitors Centre or at
1 800 665-6527.
New
Off-trail
For the greater enjoyment of off-trail sports enthusiasts, the Park plans to open an all-new sector near
the Discovery and Visitors Centre (Km 10) during the
2012-2013 winter season. Snowshoeing, telemarking and off-trail skiing amateurs seeking thrills are
sure to find what they are looking for. The sector will
be marked, but not patrolled. So be careful! Obtain
information at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.
Delights, Snowshoes and Mysteries
Warming Huts: Find out about the location of our
warming huts at the Discovery and Visitors Centre.
Discover our bottle, PLIABLE, WASHABLE and REUSABLE
Did you know that…
• Quebeckers consume more than 250,000 bottles of water each and every day.
• More than half of these bottles end up in landfill or in Mother Nature's lap.
• It takes 2 to 3 litres of water and 1/3 of a litre of petroleum to produce just 1 litre of bottled water.
Parcs Québec encourages you to change your habits by switching from disposable bottles to a reusable water bottle.
Discover our new pliable bottle. Ingenious, environmentally friendly and convenient, it will accompany you wherever
you go - and you can even fit it in your pocket!
$ 5.99
Taxes not included
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
19
Interactive Discovery Activities
Beneath Giant Rocks
DAY
ACTIVITY
TYPE
TIME
MEETING POINT
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Pont-Banc Picnic Shelter, Km 18
Interpretation Site
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Pont-Banc Picnic Shelter, Km 18
SPRING: May 19 to June 17
Saturdays, Sundays, and
Monday, May 21
Saturday May 19 and 26
Saturday May 19
Sunday May 20
1 Follow the Current in a Rabaska Canoe $ Rabaska
Hiking
2 Beneath Giant Rocks
3 Spring Flowers Galore $
Hiking
6 Music to the Ears! $
7 Master Beaver is a Master Builder
Talk and Hiking
Talk and Hiking
SUMMER: June 22 to August 19
Daily June 22 to August 31
Saturdays
(+August 25)
(+August 25)
Sundays
Mondays
Tuesdays
(+August 20)
(+August 20)
(+August 21)
Wednesdays
(+August 22)
Thursdays
(+August 23)
Fridays
(+August 24)
1 Follow the Current
Rabaska
2 Beneath Giant Rocks
Hiking
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
and/or 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
and/or 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Workshop
Hiking and Rabaska
Talk, Movie, Story...
Rally
Fireside Story
Talk and Hiking
Torchlit Hiking
Talk
Hiking and Rabaska
Workshop
Fireside Story
Torchlit Hiking
Rally
Talk
Rabaska
Torchlit Hiking
10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
See program
10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Belleau Picnic Shelter, Km 10
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Belleau Picnic Shelter, Km 10
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Belleau Picnic Shelter, Km 10
Belleau Picnic Shelter, Km 10
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Pont-Banc Picnic Shelter, Km 18
Discovery and Visitors Centre
in a Rabaska Canoe
4
10
16
5
13
7
8
11
10
4
13
8
5
12
9
8
River Detectives!
Getaway to Boréalie $
Exciting Guests at Centre Stage
We’re not out of the woods yet
The Tale of Moustache Bleue
Master Beaver is a Master Builder
The Mysteries of the Night $
Who’s who? The Black Bear
Getaway to Boréalie $
River Detectives!
The Tale of Moustache Bleue
The Mysteries of the Night $
We’re not out of the woods yet
In the Skin of a Moose
A Meeting with the Moon $
The Mysteries of the Night $
Interpretation Site
FALL: September 1 to October 8 Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday Mondays
Saturdays, September 1 and
October 6
Sunday, September 2
16 Exciting Guests at Centre Stage
Talk, Movie, Story…
See program
Amphitheatre, Km 10
7 Master Beaver is a Master Builder
Talk and Hiking
Hiking
Posted Activity
Hiking and Rabaska
Posted Activity
5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
1 p.m and/or 2:45 p.m.
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Pont-Banc Picnic Shelter, Km 18
Interpretation Site
1st Observation Deck of Les Loups Trail
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Discovery and Visitors Centre
20 Delights, Snowshoes
Tasting and
Torchlit Hiking
6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Wednesday, June 6
17 Research Project Presentation
Conferences
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Amphitheatre, Km 10
Saturday, June 16
18 Ornithological Survey
Hiking
7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Discovery and Visitors Centre
Saturday, August 25
19 Mushroom Excursion
Hiking and Talk
9:00 p.m. to 15:30 p.m.
Discovery and Visitors Centre
September 1 to 9
September 1 to October 8
September 8 to October 8
September 15 to October 8
1 Follow the Current in a Rabaska Canoe $ Rabaska
2 Beneath Giant Rocks
14 Valley Secrets…
10 Getaway to Boréalie $
15 How to Survive Winter
WINTER: January 5 to March 17
Saturday
and Mysteries $
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
20
ParcsQuebec.com
All these activities are presented in French.
On water
New
1 Follow the Current in a Rabaska Canoe*
Enjoy a canoe ride at the heart of this spectacular
valley where moose, beaver, salmon, trout and the
great blue heron live side by side. Keep your eyes
open! They may be watching you! Along the ride,
discover the origins and human occupation of this
highly-coveted majestic landscape. Rates (plus
taxes): $6.50/adult • $3.25/child
On foot
2 Beneath Giant Rocks*
Set off to discover mysterious shelters hidden deep
beneath rocks. Explore an unusual passageway over
a hundred metres long, littered with huge boulders,
lined with cool waterways and covered with multicoloured moss! Where did these rocks come from?
Why and when did they fall down? This frail, yet
accessible lush setting will arouse your senses. Free
3 Spring Flowers Galore*
Come springtime, a variety of floral species adorn the
undergrowth of maple stands in the Park. Discover,
admire and take pictures of them. A keen park
warden will reveal all their little secrets. Enjoy a
stroll in full colour! Rates (plus taxes): $4.00/adult
$2.00/child
For the family
New
4 River Detectives!*
There is life everywhere… above water, underwater
and in the mud! Snoop around with us and discover
fascinating creatures! Free. In case of rain, this
activity is held at the Belleau picnic shelter.
5 "We’re not out of the woods yet" Rally*
Have fun with your family discovering the best-kept
secrets of the forest. How do forest inhabitants live
side by side? In the company of a naturalist park
warden, collect figurines and recreate interactions
among forest wildlife. On your mark, get set, go!
Free
Wildlife discovery
6 Music to the Ears!*
What are the small creatures that get together for
a chorus come springtime? Where do they hide?
Why do they sing? How can they be recognized?
Experience a musical delight by listening to the
sounds of Nature at night and discover the fascinating
world of animals in love! Rates (plus taxes):
$4.00/adult • $2.00/child
Follow the Current in a Rabaska Canoe
7 Master Beaver is a Master Builder*
Discover the multiple talents of Master Beaver and
his building feats! Who knows, a beaver might make
an appearance! Bring along your binoculars! Free
8 The Mysteries of the Night*
If you are fascinated by the night, experience
evening hiking and learn how living creatures adapt
amazingly to darkness. Who roams at night? Who
sleeps? Who hunts, where and how? By candlelight,
let the stillness of a sleeping forest envelop you…
Rates (plus taxes): $9.00/adult • $4.50/child
9 A Meeting with the Moon*
Experience dusk at the heart of the majestic JacquesCartier Valley in a Rabaska canoe. Allow yourself a
moment of silence, relaxation and discovery. The
nightlife of the Park is full of surprises with the
courtship signals of fireflies, the furtive flight of
bats on the hunt, trout leaping for insects and more.
Rates (plus taxes): $12.00/adult • $8.50/child
10 Getaway to Boréalie*
Aboard the shuttle, discover the Park’s backcountry.
Privileged experiences await you during an outing
in this vast wilderness. At dusk, glide along a
mirrored lake in a Rabaska canoe and uncover
the nightlife of Park wildlife. Loons, moose,
beaver and trout will come together, much to
your delight. Change of scenery guaranteed!
Rates (plus taxes): $29.99/adult • $19.99/child
Talks
11 Who’s who? The Black Bear
Through myths and legends, the black bear arouses
both fascination and fear. Should we be afraid of the
black bear? Learn all about the biology of the black
bear and the golden rules to follow, so that humans
and bears can coexist in the same environment in
harmony and safely. Free
12 In the Skin of a Moose
It is born in spring… In the fall, it bellows… But
what does it do the rest of the year? And if you
suddenly found yourself in the skin of a moose, would
you know how to make the best decisions to survive?
Enter the life of the largest mammal at the Park, our
proud symbol! Free
Theatrical talks
13 The Tale of Moustache Bleue
This unique and surprising tale recounts the valley’s
origins: “It was then that the earth started to tremble
under his feet. Right on the spot where he had struck
with his axe, he saw the rock split. At first, just a very
small crack, but then it grew wider very quickly...”
Pull up a seat by the fire and have your cup ready to
try Moustache Bleue’s potion! Free. In case of rain,
this activity is held at the amphitheatre.
Meetings with a park warden
(posted activities)
14 Valley Secrets…
What secrets lie beneath this impressive landscape
of mountains and deep valleys? Discover the origins
of the Park and one of its most striking vantage points.
*Subject to change depending on weather. Free
15 How to Survive Winter
Hibernating, shedding leaves, flying south to warmer
areas, becoming numb with the cold and hiding in a
hole in the mud are all ingenious strategies devised by
living organisms to adapt to cold winters in Quebec.
*Subject to change depending on weather. Free
Special activities
ew
16 Exciting Guests at Centre Stage N
Every Saturday evening at the amphitheatre,
special guests come share their research findings,
experiences and passions. Historians, adventurers,
storytellers, researchers and more are on the
program. See the Park program. Free
New
17 Scientific Breakthroughs
Learn all about the latest discoveries made by
biologists conducting research projects at the
Park. Presentations will be given by researchers
on the advances and conclusions of their studies.
Free
w
Ne
18 Ornithological Survey
In partnership with the Club des ornithologues
de Québec (COQ), both amateur and experienced
ornithologists are invited to enhance knowledge
of birds at the Park. Whether on your own or in a
group, a number of pre-selected paths are ready to
be explored. To your binoculars! Free
w
Ne
19 Mushroom Excursion
In partnership with the Cercle des mycologues
amateurs de Québec, join a naturalist park warden to
explore the undergrowth of our trails in the morning
in search of the world of fungi. In the afternoon,
expert mycologists will talk about your discoveries of
the day. Free
Winter
20 Delights, Snowshoes and Mysteries
See activity description, page 19.
* Registration is mandatory at the Discovery and
Visitors Centre or call 418-848-3169
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
21
More Discoveries
Self-guided Trails
Follow one of our discovery paths to learn about the
history and nature of the Park. Obtain information on
our self-guided trails using the Park Path Explorer
application.
L’Aperçu
Enjoy a hike with the family on the path leading
to the Belleau brook and take in the impressive
surroundings. In the brochure available at the
Discovery and Visitors Centre, read about the course,
plants, wildlife and history of the brook.
L’Éperon
Discover the L’Épaule Mountain, hike along its
meandering river and take in the breathtaking views
of the valley. For several centuries, the valleys served
as access ways for explorers to reach the plateau.
Unravel the rich history of the Park witnessed by
the mountain featured on audio and visual discovery
panels.
Le Confluent
Created by the junction of the Jacques-Cartier
and Sautauriski rivers, this delta teeming with life
features a rich diversity of land, wetland and aquatic
habitats. Discover these exceptional surroundings
where a variety of plants and wildlife thrive together.
See the discovery panels to unravel the secrets of the
delta.
Follow the guide!
Take advantage of the services of an adventure
tourism guide and set out to discover the Park. Tour
the backcountry, ride down the Jacques-Cartier River,
take part in a wildlife inventory, listen to a campfire
story or join a guided hike. Tell us what you want to
do and we will guide you on your trek.
Are you part of a group (day camp, scouts, social
club or other)? Throughout the year, the Park offers
activities adapted to your type of group.
Join naturalist park wardens for four discovery
activities. Participate in all of them to earn a surprise,
enter the Park’s seasonal draw and get a chance at
winning neat prizes. Don’t forget to have your
Discovery Pass stamped. The activities are
meant for children under 12!
Reserve at the Discovery and Visitors Centre or call
418 848 3169.
Nature School
OUR TEAM
Teachers! Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier offers
a wide range of water and land discovery activities.
Some activities are specially designed for future
explorers: Apprentice Park Wardens… Tracking
Moose, Beneath Giant Rocks, Gliding in a Rabaska
Canoe, Les parcs nationaux québécois: des territoires
protégés. Reserve early!
For information: 418-848-3599, extension 234
The Betula Rally
Young explorers! Betula, Queen of the deciduous
forest invites you to travel back in time to discover
the riches of her home. Ask for the brochure at the
Discovery and Visitors Centre.
Coordination: Caroline Gaudreault
Editing Team: Mathieu Brunet, Jean-Emmanuel
Arsenault, Lise Genois et Caroline Gaudreault
Graphic Design: Communications Médialog
Printing: Solisco
French Copy Editing: André Fecteau
Translation: Aimée LeBreton
Picture Credits: Caroline Langevin, Dominic
Boudreault, Donald Rodrigue, Jean-Pierre Huard,
Lise Génois, Luc Rousseau, Mathieu Dupuis,
Pierre Parent, Pub Photo, Steve ­Deschênes.
This document was printed on 100% ­recycled paper made
in Quebec, containing 100% post-consumption fibres and
produced without ­using elementary chlorine. The inks used
for this production contain vegetable oils.
LAISSEZ-VOUS
GUIDER
ALLOW
YOURSELF
TO BE
PAR LA NATURE
GUIDED
BY NATURE
The
outfitters, members
AventureÉcotourisme
Écotourisme
Québec,
Les producteurs
membres of
d’Aventure
Québec,
en
in
collaboration
with
the Sépaq,
offer you plusieurs
several stays
and
collaboration
avec
la Sépaq,
vous proposent
séjours
et
guided
specially conceived
to have
you découvrir
discover
activités activities
guidées spécialement
conçus pour
vous faire
exceptional
spaces.
des espacesnatural
naturels
exceptionnels.
AEQ
together
more
than one
hundred producers
in
AEQ groups
regroupe
plus d’une
centaine
d’entreprises
en tourisme
adventure
and in ecotourism
that join
to offer
d’aventuretourism
et en écotourisme
qui s’unissent
pourforces
vous offrir
des
you
high-quality
products.
produits
de grande
qualité.
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
© Luc Rousseau
22
Do you have your
Discovery Pass?
Consult
Association’s
website for
planning
Consultezthe
le site
Web de l’Association
pour
la planifiyour
cationguided
de vos
activities
in Sépaq’s
national
parks.
activités guidées
dans
les parcs
nationaux.
www.quebecadventure.ca
www.aventurequebec.ca
ParcsQuebec.com
429 other models in store
BELŒIL - BROSSARD - LAVAL - OSHAWA - OTTAWA - QUEBEC - VAUGHAN
Conservation. Protection. Discovery.
23